Coast & Country News - August 2025

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When right and wrong clash

He was 350 grams of pure evil

“And your mission, should you choose….” said The Hat, “ is to vanquish it, by any means necessary Get rid of the bastard!”

“Right is on your side,” reassured The Hat, like the clinical MI5 boss from Mission Impossible. “A clean kill will thereby deliver the chickens from wickedness. And being so scared s#**less, they don’t lay eggs. ”

I was a 13-year-old on a first-time farm experience, and suddenly I’m a mercenary, a oneman hit squad I was expecting frolicking lambs and daisy chains The only thing I had killed was time, and my parents hopes of me succeeding in life

Now I’m lying in a hide with a wired together, circa 1930, Remington single shot 22 rifle, defending the chicken coop against a marauding magpie Nasty bit of work, meanest damned thing in the land “It fires high,” warned The Hat How was that advice going to assist me to take out a malevolent Maggie ducking and diving at 30-plus clicks? And the fact I had never fired anything more offensive than a smart-arsed comment, m magpie deserved to feel w well, bullet-proof

He was up in the macrocarpa, eyeballing me, all menace and aggression Where did the hate come from? Then he launched “Bandit at 10 o ’clock

Whoop, whoop, whoop!!”

In a full dive bomb – striking black and white livery, deep green iridescent flashes A

perfect flying, fighting machine And beautiful if it wasn ’ t so terrifying Beak agape and screeching like a WWII ‘Stuka’ It too was designed to terrorise Talons lowered and locked to inflict maximum damage What had possessed God’s little creature? They may be protecting nests and territory, but why get so antsy? Why scare the bejeezus out of the chooks? Where’s the bird love?

Round after round, salvo after salvo The sniper’s shaking and sweating But only the trees are in danger The bullets crack into the branches I tried to shoot him on the wing, in the trees, any which way Why doesn’t he just bugger off and live in a macrocarpa someplace else. Spare me The Hat’s mockery every evening when I explain the magpie lives on

One day the Maggie got so close when he dived, I could see the villainy in his big red eyes. I winced, closed my eyes and loosed off another shot The world went into slow motion, Magpie banked like a fighter pilot but didn’t pull out of the manoeuvre There was a shower of feathers as he ploughed into the field One dive bomb too many Magpie He flapped about in his death throes until I delivered the coup de grace – holding the .22 by the barrel, I whacked him with the butt

Not recommended practice The Black and White Baron was dead And the rifle was broken in tw t o I have blood on my hands and a raging conscience Forgive me magpie And The Hat’s giving me gyp for busting his 22

There are no winners here

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Straight down to the business of farming

The 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmers of the Year, Waikatobased Tom and Fiona Langford, barely had time to catch their breath before taking on their second contract milking position within their family farming equity partnership on June 1, 2025.

Fiona is the daughter of Jos and Marian van Loon, the couple behind the partnership She was brought up on a farm but education-wise moved into science, obtaining a BSc majoring in human nutrition, followed by a masters in dietetics

Tom does not come from a farming background but followed a similar career path to Fiona, obtaining a BSc (Hons) majoring in food science

They both joined the Fonterra Technical Graduate Programme, where they first met

Fiona spent time in Melbourne with the Nutritional Team developing infant formula, while Tom was a project manager with the Fonterra Nutrient Management team

The couple’s thirst for education continued during their time in the Fonterra programme and they both completed a Masters in dairy science and technology

Fiona is a trained DIY Artifical breeding technician and has completed a Fonterra Governance Development course.

Back to grass roots

In June 2017, an opportunity to manage the family dairy farm came up, and Fiona and Tom decided to take their careers in completely the opposite direction and take up farming at the other end of the dairy farming spectrum

“I had barely helped on the family farm as a child and hadn’t even done a full milking at that point After a three-week crash course on farm, I started work as farm manager I had a lot of practical and technical help and advice from my parents in those early months,” says Fiona

The couple bought into the farm as equity partners

in 2018 Fiona is a director in the partnership

Tom continued to work at Fonterra and took parental leave when Fiona gave birth to their first son in 2019

“Until I met Fiona, I’d never been on a farm, but I took voluntary redundancy in 2019 and joined her, so we both spent time with our son and working on the farm,” says Tom

In 2020 the couple moved to contract milking for her parents on the farm, a move that Tom says was to help them quickly grow equity to meet their financial goals while also providing better flexibility for family life

The business of farming

“We’ve pretty much done everything backwards, but it’s working for us We had built the soft skills while we were at Fonterra and we learnt about the farming side on the job,” says Fiona

Fiona gave birth to two more sons in 2021 and 2022 She and Tom job-share doing alternate days on the farm and looking after the boys

The first farm is 262ha, now milking 1090 cows, and has three full-time workers

The second 255ha farm will scale up their contract milking business by another 870 cows and four full-time workers, offering more career progression within their business

The couple are passionate about developing their staff into higher positions either on or off their farms

“If someone wants to leave to progress their career, we accept that this is the right decision for them and don’t hesitate to help them get into another job using our networks and connections,” says Fiona Community spirit

“We feel ready to share knowledge and while we ’ re very much ‘studied out ’ with regard to formal training, discussion groups and informal training are invaluable to our business,” says Tom Fiona is keen to use her governance training not only in her role on the equity partnership board but for

further governance roles within the community

She would like to share her knowledge and influence areas that she and Tom are passionate about. They are involved in the Putaruru Athletics Club, Puketurua Hall committee, Putaruru Rangers Football Club, South Waikato Environment Initiative, their local playcentre and Te Waotu SSG

This ambitious and hardworking pair were awarded five merit awards at the Waikato regional awards and then took home six out of the nine NZDIA Share Farmer merit awards at the nationals

Catherine Fry
The 2025 NZDIA Share Farmers of the Year are Tom and Fiona Langford. Photo / Catherine Fry

on c owned

Hugh Jackson crowned NZ young

Waikato Bay of Plenty farmer

Hugh Jackson has secured the 2025 title of New Zealand’s top young farmer

The 27-year-old came third in the grand final in 2023 and is over the moon to become the 57th FMG Young Farmer of the Year in 2025

He also claimed first place in the Community Footprint, AgriBusiness and the AgriSports sections

Hugh says he was always an energetic child who loved being outside on his family’s sheep and beef farm in Te Akau, north of Raglan

Fourth generation

He’s the fourth generation of his family to farm in the area where his

great-grandparents, John (H and Margaret Jackson start farming after World War II

Hool) ed I ral

Initially interested in a ru professional role in rural ba Hugh went to Massey Univ and studied for a Bachelor AgCommerce majoring in Farm Management

anking, versity of

Unable to get his foot in the door of a banking graduate programme he applied for the DairyNZ graduate programme “In 2020 I was a trainee consulting officer with DairyNZ in Invercargill, followed by an extension partner role on a dairy farm in mid-Canterbury in 2021,

then back to a Southland dairy farm in 2022 a as a herd manager, ” says Hugh

Returning to his roots

On June 1, 2023, Hugh moved back to the family farm where his dad, J John Jackson, was keen for a hand running the 1800-hectare family farm and 150ha lease prroperty “We winter arround 2000 Friesian/ beeef cross bulls for finnishing and 2500 odd ewees. I always planned to coome back to the farm one d day and the time was r right. I’ve become an e equity partner in the family business and I’ll be here for the rest of

my life.” Hugh wants to look after the land for future generations and loves the fact that he helps feed the world and generates income for our country

He is outspoken in his views about carbon credits and feels that the industry is shooting itself in the foot by turning prime agricultural land into pine forests. “Monoculture and blanket planting good farmland into trees that we will never get back is not the way forward.”

Hugh enjoys the use of science and technology in farming but also loves dog work with the stock.

Young Farmers

Although, he reckons by the time he reaches his dad’s age everyone will probably be bringing their stock in using a mobile phone.

• Must meet all standard food production & safety law

• International third-party validation and principles.

• 80+ years since need identified

• Regulations based on biological/natural systems.

• Regulations/ production standards always available.

• Practise based on carbon cycle via the living.

• Diverse plants support broad eco-system

• Validation of inputs if it didn’t go in>>>>>>

• No broadacre herbicide

• Natural, target specific biocides

• Established under-supplied markets

What food production s stem do I ant to be in?

Re-Gen

• Must meet all standard food production & safety law

• A range of marketing codes of with varying production practise

• Guidelines based on biological systems with chemical management.

• Guidelines/production standards not always available.

• Diverse plants (treated seeds) support eco-system, in part

• Practise based on lowering carbon footprint.

• Validation of residue levels - if we cannot detect it >>>>great!

• Broadacre herbicide is used

• All biocides can be used

• All Ag inputs can be used

• Developing markets with big partners Syngenta, Bayer, & more

Ag >Organics< withChemicals Disclosure ofPractiseNon-Consistent

Conventional

Ag AppliedChemistry

• Must meet all standard food production & safety law

• Open methods adopted

• Can use chemical ripening/topping.

• Treated seeds, wide range of inputs

• General knowledge of systems by market.

• Great for bulk cheap food production.

• Marketing: increasingly rebranding, grass fed, NZFAP, animal welfare codes.

• Urea, super-phosphate, high inputs.

• All Ag inputs can be used

• All biocides can be used

Farmers

- the most farmed animal in NZ

Baling hay was challenging for Hugh who hadn’t done it before.
Hugh thought the bridge building was a very cool challenge.
FMG Young Farmer of the Year season 57, Te Akau sheep and beef farmer Hugh Jackson.

farmer of the year

H He expects to be doing everything differently and moving with technology “I first became a Young Farmers member in 2017 with Massey Young farmers I’ve been a member ever since, competing consistently over eight years ”

While working in Southland, Hugh won the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year title earning him a place in the 2023 grand final When he came back to the Waikato, Hugh joined the Hamilton City Young Farmers Club and has since become chairman

“I’ve suffered from depression and I know how important it is to get off-farm and socialise I like getting out for recreational activities when I can like fishing and free diving and am fortunate to be based near the coast NZ Young Farmers is a great organisation where you can catch up with mates and keep making connections ”

Another shot

After coming so close to winning the 2023 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hugh was keen to give it another shot

Just like the actual job of farming, the challenges and modules cover both mental and physical aspects, and the requirement for resilience and adaptability

None of the grand finalists know what they will face and this year were confronted with modules that included baling hay, fish filleting, heavy machinery, bridge building and sheep shearing and many more “It’s tricky to prepare for as you have no idea what is going to be there until the day The baling was challenging for me as I’ve

n never done that before S Shearing is always good fun, and the bridge building was a very cool challenge.”

Hugh is starting to think about how he can use his role to advantage others in the industry and showcase farming in a good light

Impressed

NZ Young Farmers chief executive Cheyne Gillooly says Hugh impressed everyone with his innovative thinking and shining talent across the agricultural sector “FMG Young Farmer o the Year is one of the most prestigious farmin awards in the country It’s inspiring to see the recognition go to someone who will not only be a strong ambassador for the next generatio of young farmers, but across the agricultural industry After seeing the talent from this weekend, the future is bright and forwardthinking for NZ’s food and fibre sector ”

The Environmental Protection Authority has approved a rust fungus and a flower weevil to control Darwin’s barberry, a spiny invasive shrub Environment Canterbury, on behalf of the National Biocontrol Collective, applied to use two biological control agents to combat Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii) in New Zealand Those biocontrol agents are a rust fungus (Puccinia berberidis-darwinii) and the Darwin’s barberry flower weevil (Anthonomus kuscheli) Darwin’s barberry is a resilient

noxious weed found in disturbed forests, pastures, shrubland and short tussock-land It is a threat to indigenous ecosystems throughout the country, as well as to pastures where livestock graze Standard control methods such as herbicides or weeding are often costly, impractical and harmful to the environment It is native to Chile and Argentina and was introduced to New Zealand as a garden plant in the 1940s Fruit-eating birds deposit seeds far from the parent bush, increasing its spread

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Hugh Jackson down in Invercargill for the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year grand final Photos / NZ Young Farmers

Waikato farmers face new waterway rules

Phil Sherwood has become the fifth Waikato Federated Farmers’ president to tackle proposed rules for land use along the region’s waterways.

An interim decision was recently released by the Environment Court on appeals relating to Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1, which aims to improve water

quality in the Waikato and Waipā catchments

Work on PC1 began in 2012 and was formally notified in 2016, with Federated Farmers among those to appeal “At the heart of this whole issue is the ability to farm the land in the Waikato and Waipa catchments in perpetuity”

PC1 will have a “significant impact” on farmers in the Waikato

and Waipā river catchments, says Phil

“When it comes to farming rules, Waikato farmers are looking for some certainty, but we also need to know rules will be simple, practical and affordable.”

Phil says PC1 will cover everything from fencing requirements right through to farm environmental plan standards

“There are some parts we are happy with, while other parts are still being worked through.”

Significant change

He says PC1 represents the most significant change to the Waikato’s farming rules in more than a generation and sets a precedent for the country

“Our team are now working through the detail to understand what additional requirements, if any, might be put in place for Waikato farmers over and above existing requirements.”

“Under these rules, almost all farmers are going to need a Farm Environment Plan and some will now require a resource consent to continue farming.

“This is largely in line with where national regulation has been heading for a while now and some farmers will already have a farm plan of some description in place,” says Phil.

DairyNZ involvement

DairyNZ has also been involved in the PC1 proceedings

“We know that impractical compliance remains one of the top concerns for dairy farmers,” says Dr David Burger, general manager Farm Solutions & Policy

“That’s why we ’ ve been involved in PC1 from day one – investing significant resources to help shape practical, evidence-based solutions.

“We recognise the scale of change PC1 represents for the farming community”

David says DairyNZ has been an “active participant” in the Environment Court process to help ensure the rules are fair, workable, and do not impose unnecessary costs or complexity on farmers Although PC1 is not yet operative, David says the interim decision marks an important step forward.

“It provides some positive signals, but there is still more to come before a final outcome is reached.”

David says DairyNZ will continue to stand alongside dairy farmers throughout this process as it unfolds

Waikato Regional Council says it’s working to address the 35 directions of the Environment Court, which includes taking into account feedback from parties who appealed the plan change. “With this matter still before the court, it would be inappropriate at this point to provide any further detailed commentary on the interim decision,” says WRC science, policy and information director Tracey May.

“It is important to note that we are awaiting a final decision from the court; what we have is an interim decision with a number of directions.

“Once the court has considered our responses to their directions we will receive the final decision.

“The decision is able to be appealed to the High Court, but only on matters of law”

Waikato Federated Farmers’ regional president Phil Sherwood Photo / Supplied
A general view of farmland near Te Poi in the Waikato Photo / Alan Gibson

New group unites farming families

A family-focused rural group has been launched in the Waikato.

Jason Fletcher, a farm manager at Te Poi, recently formed Waikato Farmers Connect

A “ spur of the moment ” idea, he says a key to the group is involvement of farming families.

“Children are the future of the industry.”

Jason says the group will be particularly beneficial to those new to the industry or the area in the traditional June changeover.

“It’s important to have a good network of people around you. ”

Assistance for Waikato Farmers Connect has come from the Waikato- HaurakiCoromandel Rural Support Trust and the creators of farm health and safety tool Orange Cross. Jason says anyone from the rural sector is welcome.

“It’s all about bringing the community together, personto-person ”

The first meeting, at Hinuera in July attracted farming families plus rural professionals including a stock agent, and animal health specialist

Following a debrief, a decision was made to hold monthly get-togethers and quarterly farm system workshops

discussion group “Following farmer feedback, we have expanded our extension activities by supporting local, farmer-led discussion groups alongside our new events ”

Claire says farmers are being encouraged to convene discussion groups in their local area, so they were farmer-led, with DairyNZ offering support with facilitation, information and resources

DairyNZ has delivered larger, future-focused events led by its scientists and experts – often with partners to reduce sector duplication

“We evolved our events to provide greater access to our scientists, experts and our research, with a focus on farm systems application, while continuing to allow farmers to connect with other farmers in their local region,” says Claire She says farmer-driven discussion groups are collaborative forums where farmers share knowledge, learn from each other, and address common challenges

The first workshop will be in early September, covering fertiliser/nutrition

Jason says Waikato Farmers Connect is initially dairy-based but could involve other farming sectors in the future

Discussion groups

Meanwhile, traditional farm discussion groups have been re-born as farmer-led entities

DairyNZ had driven discussion groups since 1952 as an engagement option for farmers, funded by the levy paid by all dairy company suppliers to the “industry good” body

Last year DairyNZ replaced the groups with specialist events including workshops, field days and forums focused on various aspects of dairy farming

DairyNZ head of regional teams Claire Bekhuis says these events are designed to provide farmers with the latest research, tools, and practical advice to improve farm systems and profitability

In February farmer feedback called for a return to discussion groups

Claire says the bigger events are longer and sometimes further away which means farmers are less likely to take staff than compared to a local

for the Mid-Northern North IslandWest, Laura Davis, says the Te Pahu Monitor Farm, near Cambridge, is showcasing how smart grazing systems and technology can transform hill country farming

“They focus on topics relevant to farming practices, environmental sustainability and community resilience ”

Shared experiences

“Farmers share their experiences, successes, and challenges, learning from each other’s practical insights ”

The network includes a farmer-led Matamata Area Discussion Group which DairyNZ is supporting Member Matthew Zonderop says the group Matamata organisation emerged from the former Te Poi-Hinuera Discussion Group

“We get together to discuss farm-related issue,” he says “It’s a collaboration of ideas What works for some may help others ”

The Matamata group had its first gathering precalving, with the next scheduled for September Matthew says it is envisaged the group will meet every two months

Claire says the demand for local groups has varied across the regions with the highest currently coming from Waikato, with momentum building in Northland

While DairyNZ is not involved in the organisation of the Waikato Farmers Connect group, she says it is providing farm system expertise speakers at their events, as requested, to support that regional initiative

Ongoing series

Beef + Lamb NZ is continuing its ongoing se of events for farmers B+LNZ extension manag

The next field day at Te Pahu is set for Thursday, August 29, offering farmers across Waikato, Central Plateau, King Country, Hauraki and Bay of Plenty a chance to see the latest developments first-hand

and experiences on all kinds of farms, orchards, conservation, rural operations and lifestyle blocks around the Franklin, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau and King Country regions.

“This Monitor Farm is a great example of how local innovation and expert support can drive meaningful change,” says Laura

Steve Edwards

Waikato Farmers Connect founder Jason Fletcher. Photo / Steve Edwards

Tauranga volunteer praised for tireless efforts

A Tauranga man ’ s dedication to providing meat to the community has led to him being named Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Volunteer Star Awards

The announcement was made during Volunteering Services’ Big Shout Out Morning Tea in June

Jasper Osborne is the driving force behind Stoney Creek’s Hunt for Good, a non-profit organisation dedicated to culling wild deer and donating venison and wild game meat

to community groups across Aotearoa

From the Bay of Plenty to Hawke’s Bay and the Manawatū, Jasper’s work is not only helping to restore ecological balance but also putting nutritious kai into the hands of those who need it most

Hearty meals

Organisation Kura Kai is among the grateful recipients of Hunt for Good’s meat packs – used to create hearty meals for students and their whānau

“Jasper is quite possibly the busiest person I know but never complains,”

shares his nominator, Marie Paterson, of Kura Kai

“He’s holding down a full-time job, running this non-profit, and spending most weekends hunting.

You can tell he just loves this mahi – and we do too ”

Undeniable impact

While Jasper might prefer to stay out of the spotlight, his volunteer impact is undeniable

For him, the most rewarding part isn’t the recognition – it’s sharing the heartfelt feedback from the community with his team of volunteer hunters

“It’s pretty cool being able to tell the guys the stories that come back from the groups we support, ” Jasper says.

“They all love doing it. For a lot of the team, it’s also about taking a break from busy, stressful lives. Spending time out in the bush together does wonders for our mental health and knowing it’s helping people makes it even better”

Ticks many boxes

The kaupapa ticks a lot of boxes, he added “Being good for the community is such an added bonus. For anyone thinking

a go Find something you love, and you’ll find a way to give back through it.”

Jasper’s journey is a powerful reminder that volunteering can achieve much more than a single outcome

His time and dedication supports communities, manages local ecosystems, and offers his team a sense of connection and wellbeing

Jasper Osborne was named Volunteer of the Year during Volunteering Services’ Big Shout Out Morning Tea in June. Photo / Stoney Creek, Hunt for Good

The unlikely ingredient behind a Waikato reno

When serial house renovator

Deanna Hinde began a major refurb of her Hamilton East rental property in July last year, she never imagined one of her most-used tools would come from the pantry

It turns out that tomato sauce is the best way to clean brass window latches

“They were so old they were almost black,” recalls Deanna “I researched the best way to restore them, and got three options: tomato sauce, baking soda and vinegar or a product from the hardware store When I experimented, an hourlong soak in tomato sauce followed by a scrub was the winner”

The busy mum of four and her family had recently exchanged country living in Gordonton for beach life in Tauranga when she decided the 104m2 threebedroom bungalow she’d bought as an investment in 2015 needed a refresh

Complete

redo

complete redo with the intention of selling ”

Deanna set a strict budget and six-week timeframe to paint both interior and exterior, to ensure it was compliant with healthy homes guidelines, and give the home a fresh look and feel

“The

“It’s one of the original homes in the area, dating back to the 1950s,” she said “It had been a rental for many years and was looking very tired I felt that it was time for a

less than $1000 to add panels, paint and put in new lighting to make that room a really special personal space ”

But it wasn ’ t just aesthetics; draughts were reduced with repairs to window frames and the fireplace in the lounge being blocked up

amount of light that floods through lent itself beautifully to the Hamptonsinspired style we chose,” she says “The colour blue in the bedroom started the vibe and continued that through into the laundry with the rest of the house white, crisp and simple I wanted it to feel serene ”

Features revived

Character features of the house were revived, with brass handles getting the tomato sauce treatment and a leadlight window in the master bedroom restored “It cost

property is safe for kids and family pets.

While Deanna agrees with the popular advice that “kitchens sell homes”, her focus is always on where the light shines. “Your home is your sanctuary, and we normally hang out most where the sunshine is, so you should invest in that space In this house, the lounge has a concertina window that can be opened, to give a lovely sense of space We don’t build windows like that any more ” Quality wood and carpet flooring, a crisp,

“It was a controversial decision, but the state of the fireplace was too poor to resurrect, ” says Deanna “It didn’t have nice tiles or any character about it, and had been repurposed a lot of times, with a gas heater inlaid It just wasn ’ t safe or practical to restore

“Sometimes you have to make a tough call on what will retain warmth in a home, and that old fireplace let a lot of breeze inside You might as well have had the windows open It just wasn ’ t sustainable ”

On the outside, a new front boundary fence and concrete path created clean lines and a defined space to ensure the

white kitchen and linen drapes now give the home an upmarket feel

A legacy

The bungalow renovation was Deanna’s eighth and led to her new business venture called Life’s Next Stage, which supports people downsizing to retirement living by decluttering as well as maximising the value of the home they’re leaving “I’ve always felt that you ’ re a guardian to bricks and mortar, and to be a good guardian, you look after it It’s a legacy and our responsibility”

Renew Construction provides building services within Hamilton and the Waikato region, specialising in renovations, new builds, concrete, decks and more.

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Deanna Hinde.
Before After Before
After
A crisp white kitchen now gives the home an upmarket feel.
After
Minimal changes transformed the tired master bedroom into a serene sanctuary
Removing a draft f y fireplace made the lounge a warm family space
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anawanui has been in the Orlandoeep family since 1983, when Tim and bought it as a 200-hectare sheep and farm with no trees apart from some established native bush.

aving gone through several changes of and now under the guidance of their son rlando-Reep, the family’s long-term anship of their land has resulted in their Waikato finalists in the 2025 Ballance Farm onment Awards operty itself has been added to and then

land sold during the last 43 years Early ventures included sheep and beef, deer and Angora goats, bulls and fewer sheep, and plantings.

Pines

“My parents planted the first pine trees on the farm along with acacia melanoxylon, alders and poplars for shade. The pines were for harvesting and the others for diversification,” says Tim. In 1996, the family bought a 100ha property across the road and converted both farms to dairy farming, with an underpass under the road connecting them. “We sold the neighbouring property and went back to dairy beef in 2005,

Nominate Great Mahi

Tim Orlando-Reep still smiling – rain means grass for the beef cows. Photos / Catherine Fry

Ballance Farm Environment Awards

and we started spaced poplar planting under the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2008.”

Tim was brought up on the property but followed a non-farming career path, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce and then running an Auckland restaurant for several years with two mates He later married his wife, Joce, and they have two children.

Caring for the land

From 2016, Tim returned home to the farm at weekends to set it up for his parents to easily manage the stock movement for the next week. He and his family moved back to manage the farm full-time in 2018, and they moved into the main homestead in 2023.

“We were running 290 head of beef cattle, but found having 250 beasts run in smaller mobs resulted in faster growth and higher turnover and was also kinder to our land and the environment.”

Heifers and steers were bought in at 250kg and sold at 600kg.

Beef

Nowadays, Tim favours the more traditional beef breeds such as Hereford, Angus and Charolais.

Beef production provides most of the farm’s income. The balance comes from the 75ha registered under the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme. This approach currently returns 40 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year, providing valuable income from marginal land.

A five-year plan has proved to be invaluable. It outlines capital investment and the planting of

native and exotic trees with the goal of increasing production by 10% a year for the next three years, while also focusing on sustainable land management practices.

Excellent land management and mapping focus on regenerative grazing practices and avoid cultivation and cropping.

“We do regular soil testing and carry out strategic winter grazing that minimises soil disturbance. We use deferred grazing following Bill Garland and Katherine Tozer’s work and research,” says Tim

“This approach allows paddocks to be rested and reseed themselves to establish again.”

Some recent improvements

Amongst the many improvements, Tim has adopted the use of a virtual fencing system, which has reduced fuel use and labour time.

“Using an ANZ green loan, we ’ re considering solar energy for the reticulated water system pump and the house. We already have a hybrid SUV and a hybrid ute will be next. The pump would be paid off in four years, and we will be reducing our fossil fuel use – it’s a no-brainer really”

A Fresh Water Farm Plan, as part of the Farm Environment Plan, ensures the continuing protection of the waterways from stock and sediment loss

“We have a big issue with both sediment and nutrient loss on the rolling contour of the farm Our critical source areas, such as troughs, gateways and drains, have been identified, and some areas are fenced off and planted with poplars and then natives at a later date.”

Tim is proud that he has nearly met his goal to have a net zero

Greenhouse Gas number after the ETS Carbon Accounting Areas eligibility adjustment made by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Being certified members of the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme and aiming for the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Plus is important to Tim.

“It’s all about telling our farm’s story It helps us show we are careful

stewards of the land and follow good farming and environmental practices.

“It gives consumers confidence when there is traceability right from the farm through to the end destination of the plate.”

Tim believes the farm should be “open-day ready” at all times and strives to put that into practice.

Manawanui was also awarded the Waikato River Authority Catchment Improvement Award and the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award.

Tim Orlando-Reep amongst the two-year-old plantings mixed throughout the established trees
Catherine Fry

Smart farming with benefiicial insects

Pest control can be one of the most frustrating (and expensive!) parts of avocado growing. The good news? Help is already available in your orchard; you just might not have noticed it yet!

Beneficial insects are nature ’ s unsung heroes and basically fall into three categories: pollinators (pollen transferers), predators (eat other insects) and parasitoids (lay their eggs on other insects and the larvae eat the host from the inside out… eewww) These tiny, pro-bono workers help maintain a healthy, balanced ecosystem, reduce unwanted pests, and reduce the need for those harmful, expensive pesticides – but only if we let them. Here are three little beneficial pest-control insects making a big difference in New Zealand.

Stethorus ladybirds

mite is a common pest in a avocado orchards that can cause trees to drop their leaves, exposing the f fruit to sunburn and therefore quaality These small black ladybirdds (about 2-2.5mm long) are active s six-spotted mite predators, hunting ouut and feeding on both adult mite e and egg populations.

Feeding on both the adullt and egg stages of the lifecycle meanns these ladybirds are extremely effeective at reducing populations beforre and after they get out of control.

Parasitic wasps

Parasitic wasps may sound alarming (annd for some insects, that sense of alarm would be justtified), but for growers, these wasps are a powerful allly.

Stethorus ladybirds, particularly the stethorus bifidus species, are great biological control agents when it comes to managing six-spotted mite. This

interestingly, most of New Zealand’s native wasps are parasitic (again, eeeww)

Parasitic wasps do not sting; instead, thhe female wasps of these species lay eggs on or insidde other insects, AKA ‘the host’ The host then beecome a food source for the developing wasp larvvae, which eventually kills them off They sound like e a horror you may only find in an exotic rainforest, but

What makes parasitic wasps especially valuable as a pest control measure is their specificity in choosing hosts Get this – each wasp species has preferred host insects, which means growers are able to select wasp species that favour specific pests on their orchards, while leaving the other beneficial insects alone. Genius!

Cryptolaemus ladybirds

• fewer risks to beneficial insect populations that are already helping, supportiing b both h bioddiversiity and d soiil health, which in turn supports longterm productivity

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has already made a name for itself in the biological pest control world, sometimes being referred to as the mealybug ladybird, or even ‘The Mealybug Destroyer’. These insects might look fluffy in their larval stage, but make no mistake, they are ravenous predators. Both the larvae and adults of this species feast on mealybugs and scale insects, devouring eggs, larvae, and adults alike.

Spraying can be expensive, harsh on the environment, and timeconsuming – let’s face it – it isn’t everyone ’ s favourite thing to do on the weekend! Let nature do the heavy lifting Now that’s smart farming. Let them thrive n ’ shine

At Trevelyan’s, we believe the key to fostering beneficial insect populations is to avoid heavy-handed pesticide use that can wipe out both friend and foe.

Just like stethorus tridens, consuming pests at different stages of the lifecycle means extremely effective control Add in the fact that the larvae stage of the cryptolaemus montrouzieri also preys on these pests, and it’s a whole new level.

Why growers should care

Relying more on beneficial insects isn’t just good for pest control – it’s good for your bottom line. Reducing pesticide use means:

• less expensive chemicals bought.

• less time and labour used in applying them and less worries about the residues and withholding periods that come with them.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, such as predator insect releases, monitoring insect populations and maintaining diverse ground covers, can all aid in keeping these helpers around. Our technical team at Trevelyan’s has years of experience and knowledge regarding beneficial insects; they can attest that it is one of the smartest moves an orchardist can make to improve both profitability and sustainability

So, the next time you ’ re walking the orchard and see a black ladybird or a tiny wasp zipping about, take a moment to appreciate the free weapons of pest control you ’ ve got and perhaps even think about how you can help them thrive. They’ll never ask for a paycheck, but they’re definitely earning their keep

A Stethorus ladybird.

NZ avocado exports see impressive resurgence

Rising volumes, improved quality and a broader set of markets has seen the avocado industry bounce back from past weather challenges.

Average prices continue to be higher than this time last year, says Brad Siebert, chief executive of industry body New Zealand Avocado

“Volumes are tracking steadily, giving a clearer picture of early market dynamics and helping to guide upcoming harvest and marketing decisions.

“Recent weather will have impacted harvesting and expected clearer skies will likely result in increased volumes ”

Reviewing the season, he says export volumes increased 170% to 3 6 million trays, with 3 3 million trays sold into the domestic market

The New Zealand market generated $62 million, with overall export revenue rising 362% to $94 million in the year to June 30

are preparing for an earlier export window to service more than 16 international markets this season

“Fruit quality is looking good, with maturity levels tracking well to align with seasonal market requirements ”

He says a return to more favourable conditions is a welcome change for an industry which was hit with cyclones in consecutive years, Dovi in 2022 and Gabrielle in 2023

“Both hit avocado-growing regions, damaging fruit and reducing export volumes to levels not seen in nearly a decade.”

“This marks a meaningful realignment to balance domestic v international supply, with the 20232024 season export revenue at only $20 million,” says Brad.

New Zealand growers supplied avocados to the most diverse range of markets to date, with exports to Australia rebounding to $63 million and North American markets seeing growth in a second season exporting to the United States and Canada Asian markets

Brad says Asian markets continue to grow in importance as exports to the region increased 96% to $40 million

“Asia now represents 37% of avocado export revenue, a significant increase from 8% five years ago ” Brad says signs are looking promising for the 2025-2026 New Zealand avocado export season, with early estimates forecasting an increase in total volumes.

“Growers, packers and exporters

Equipped with a stronger crop, Brad says the industry is ready to renew its export diversification efforts with vigour

NZ Avocado will target markets across Asia as well as North America, with export revenue to Canada and the United States growing beyond NZ$4 million after only two years of supplying the region

“Despite growing competition in key export markets, New Zealand avocado exporters have made steady progress in diversifying their market reach

“The industry continues to expand its footprint, with increasing volumes being exported to a broader range of destinations

“This diversification strategy remains a core focus as global demand grows ”

Brad says the sheer size of the Asian market is enticing, and with per capita avocado consumption still low, there remains significant potential for growth.

Global demand

“As global demand for avocados continues to rise – driven by increasing consumer interest in healthy fats and plant-based nutrition – Asian markets are expected to follow suit. “This creates a compelling opportunity for the industry to expand supply into these markets as awareness and demand build over time.”

He says to stand out in the increasingly competitive sector New Zealand positions itself as a high-quality and trusted supplier, and NZ Avocado works with industry to develop strong, evidenced-based, country-of-origin positioning to support this.

“New Zealand avocados are uniquely positioned to supply premium fruit during the off-season of major producers, offering a valuable counterseasonal supply option to Asian markets

“What truly sets avocados from New Zealand apart is their consistently high eating quality, supported by industry-wide standards for food safety, sustainability and traceability These attributes are now further reinforced through the NZ government ’ s FernMark: a globally recognised symbol of trust, authenticity and quality”

First-ever

Brad says NZ Avocado has recently secured the first-ever industry coalition FernMark Licence for the avocado sector, alongside all participating exporters

“This official country-of-origin mark assures trade partners and consumers that NZ avocados are grown to the highest standards ” About 1600 growers contribute to avocado production in New Zealand

The Bay of Plenty remains the leading region, producing around 57% of the country ’ s avocados, with many smaller orchards

Northland accounts for close to 34% of production, with a number of larger-scale orchards NZ Avocado Grower’ Association Inc (NZAGA) is the grower membership organisation that operates to support New Zealand avocado growers ’ interests.

They do this by promoting the sale and consumption of avocados, managing a research and development programme, and by creating a supportive structure that encourages development and growth within the industry

Brad says NZ Avocado also co-ordinate and disseminate relevant industry information and lobby and liaise with the Government “for the good of our growers”.

AVOCADOS

• Exceptional Packing Facilities

• Complete Orchard Management

• AvoGreen Service

Contact:

HamishMcKain - General Manager/Avocado Grower Services 027 220 2005 • hamish mckain@dms4kiwi co nz

WillieHerder - Avocado Grower Services 027 667 3849 • willie.herder@dms4kiwi co nz IvonaKopecka - Avocado Grower Services 027 266 4901 • ivona.kopecka@dms4kiwi co nz

Proud to be associated with

• Harvest Flexibility

• New water blaster facility

• Technical Advice and Support

WarrenSargent - AvoGreen Manager 027 900 0292 • warren sargent@dms4kiwi co nz

MattRoyackers - Avocado Grower Services 027 200 0788 • matt royackers@dms4kiwi co nz

Toni Morrison - Avocado Grower Serv ces 027 265 4469 • toni morrison@dms4kiwi co nz

Steve Edwards
New Zealand Avocado CEO Brad Siebert. Photo / Supplied
The New Zealand market generated $62 million, with overall export revenue rising 362% to $94 million in the year to June 30, 2025. Photo / 123RF

Benefits of riparian planting

Riparian planting can improve your farm’s environmental performance Whether it’s a river, drain, stream, wetland, lake or pond, planting at the water ’ s edge has many benefits

The plants in these areas act as a filter and stabiliser, decreasing erosion and run-off to protect water quality

Improved water quality

Riparian plants act as filters to trap contaminants such as chemicals, nutrients, sediment, and bacteria before they enter the waterway This helps improve water quality and the suitability and habitat for creatures living in the ecosystem

Trapping as many nutrients as possible, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, before they enter the waterway is critical to ensuring the waterway ’ s biodiversity is supported. It also reduces the risk of alggal blooms and nuisance aquatic plants

Reduced erosion

While some sediment movement is a natural part of the freshwater ecosystem, too much can smother the organisms living in the waterway

Riparian planting helps reduce erosion, keeping soil in the paddock and maintaining stream bank structures

Lower water temperatures

Once established, riparian plants shade the water and lower its temperature, reducing weed and algae growth and providing stable temperatures for aquatic life

Without shade, the water temperature can fluctuate, and New Zealand native fish generally can ’ t tolerate temperatures above 25°C

Warmer water temperatures can also lead to increased aquatic plant and algae growth This can then clog the water flow, decreasing oxygen levels needed by native fish and invertebrate communities

For more information, visit dairynz co nz

Looking to plant native trees?

We’re specialists for trees on farms

Need trees? We grow a range of natives at our Te Miro nursery from locally sourced seeds.

Need planting? Our dedicated crew specialises in proper planting techniques

Need pre/post planting sprays? Trees that are well looked after will thrive and our crew use specialist equipment and techniques to take care of all your needs.

Planting nati e trees?

Get the right ad ice first

Across the North Island, hundreds of farmers are working with Restore Native to make better use of unproductive land –from steep gullies to riparian strips and wet paddocks

For many, it’s about finding the right balance between farming and restoration and looking after their land for the next generation

But getting started isn’t always easy Knowing where and what to plant takes planning, time and the right advice – and that’s where Restore Native comes in

The team is passionate about working alongside farmers to get the right trees in the right place for long-term success

Their full-service option – available across W Waiikato and d Bay of f Plenty – takkes care of f everything from on-site planning and drone

mapping to site prep, spraying, planting, and follow-up maintenance, making the process straightforward and hassle-free

From simply supplying quality native plants and practical advice, to managing the entire project from start to finish, Restore Native offers the right level of support for every project

“There’s a real sense of pride that comes with getting these projects right,” says Adam Thompson, founder of Restore Native founder “Farmers care deeply about their land and want to leave it in better shape for the next generation

“Our job is to help make that happen.”

A range of co-funding options are available through various dairy companies and local councils – and Restore Native can help connect you to the right support to make your planting project a reality

With planting season in full swing, now ’ s a great time to get started

For more information, see Restore Native’s advert on this page

Manuka | Kanuka | Cabbage Tree

Swamp Flax | Mountain Flax | Carex Pittosporum | Mahoe | Kowhai

Ribbonwood | Laceback | Toetoe

Wineberry | Karamu | Tree Lucerne

www.restorenative.co.nz 021 724 181 Adam

Restore Native founder Adam Thompson.
The Restore Native team planting native trees on a hillside Photos / Supplied

Waikato farm leads in en ironmental standards

Waterway work on a Waikato farm could be used as the template for others to meet proposed environmental standards

For the past five years Johan and Kylie van Ras have turned areas of poor pasture production into native wetland

This comes as an Environment Court decision is looming on appeals relating to a Waikato Regional Council plan which would set rules for agricultural land use to improve water quality in the Waikato and Waipā catchments

“There is no getting away from it,” says Johan, who farms along SH27 near Morrinsville.

He and Kylie run 215 cows through a 20-aside herringbone shed on 66ha, with another two separate blocks on the property – 4 5ha and 2 5ha –“retired” to wetland

While understanding concerns of farmers in the areas affected by the proposed plan change, Johan says financial assistance and advice is available

For their own project Johan and Kylie received funding through the Waikato Regional Council’s Lower Hauraki Catchment Scheme with an Environmental Protection Agreement and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ One Billion Trees Fund

Johan says “farmers have the chance to act now ” before there will be undoubted pressure on funding sources.

While not in the Waikato or Waipa catchments, he says the rules are likely to be extended to other waterways in the future.

“Farmer-to-farmer learning is the key”

In his role as environmental specialist with DairyNZ, Johan has been involved with the Pokaiwhenua Catchment Group in South Waikato

The Pokaiwhenua Stream, a tributary of the Waikato River, runs from Karapiro to south of Tokoroa

Waterway wellbeing

Working with Raukawa, the group “ restore and enhance the wellbeing of the Pokaiwhenua stream and its catchment for the benefit of the community using Matauranga Maori (understanding and knowledge) and Western science”

Johan says the team aims to partner iwi with farmers who own land adjoining or nearby the stream and other interested parties about ways to improve water quality and reduce run-off and highlight and enhance biodiversity into the stream and its catchment

He is also part of the Waikato section of Dairy NZ’s Dairy Environment Leaders programme, which supports “dairy farmer actions to encourage and influence a sustainable future”

“Dairy Environment Leaders are dairy farmers who lead by example in reducing their environmental footprint, seek to support their fellow farmers to do the same, influence decisionmakers to create fair and practical environmental policy, and share with the wider community the

great work dairy farmers are doing ”

Johan says farmers can also seek help and advice from the Waikato Regional Council’s Primary Sector Support and Engagement team (PIE Group) which plays a role in waterway protection through the implementation of regional freshwater farm plans and providing online training resources for Farm Environment Plans.

Three waterways run through the van Ras property, ultimately feeding into the Piako River Johan says farmers learn about streams “from the other side of the fence”.

“Too much weight is placed on the pasture side,” he says “We need to balance it up ”

Johan and Kylie began a planting programme in 2021, with 15,000 trees now lining the Te Puninga waterway on their property

Carex grasses are also integral to the edge of the stream bank plantings, which strengthen the stream ’ s banks, provide habitat and most importantly shade and cool the water

“There’s so much research and evidence in the ‘Science of Shade’,” says Johan.

He says the project is coming to fruition with a return of native birds and fish to the property

“Ngāti Hauā iwi Trust, our local mana whenua, and the wider community like this,” says Johan.

“In future this will be a valuable biodiversity asset. ”

Environment Award

Johan and Kylie have been recognised for their commitment to reducing the farm’s environmental footprint.

They won the 2021 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards supreme award, seeing the competition as a chance to influence change,

advocate for farmers and share positive stories from the sector

Johan says they remain committed to the environmental cause.

“It’s simply the right thing to do ”

He admits the work has not been easy “You have to make sacrifices, and it’s tough in the early days It’s the same for every farmer But in the long run it’s worth it ”

Such long-term vision is something Johan believes meshes with the regional council’s Plan Change 1

“We want to have productive, profitable farms that meet

community wants and values for waterways, ” says Johan. “It’s not that onerous if you keep plugging at it over time.”

He says common sense needs to prevail in the WRC plan

“A lot of detail has been agreed on, ” says Johan “It’s now down to the finer bits and pieces ”

While the principle of the plan is a “no-brainer”, he says farmers have been confused by the time the process has taken – PC1 was first notified by the regional council in 2016

Johan van Ras in part of the native wetland developed on his property Photo / Steve Edwards
Steve Edwards

Laser bird deterrent saves orchard from invasion

As more than 600 seagulls descended on his property, Simon Horsfall could have easily been in a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’.

Simon has a 60-hectare kiwifruit orchard in the sunny Hawke’s Bay region He uses overhead nets to keep his kiwifruit safe from hail, wind and birds.

And that is where the trouble began

While bird netting is usually the solution to a problem, this wasn ’ t the case for Simon, as 600-plus seagulls decided it was a great sanctuary every night

The result was bird droppings contaminating the crop, fruit

damage and serious hygiene concerns during harvest season.

A total nightmare

“The bird netting didn’t keep the birds out; it gave them a roof,” says Simon “It was costing me tens of thousands in lost fruit and cleaning efforts ”

Frustrated by traditional methods, Simon knew the solution must be out there, so he partnered with local bird control expert Michael Krause. Michael introduced him to the AVIX Autonomic Laser Bird deterrent, sold by the Dutch company Bird Control Group

This is an automated, environmentally-friendly solution using green laser beams to scare birds

The

away without harming them The principle of laser bird deterrents is inspired by nature.

Sight is the most developed sense in birds, and they perceive laser lights on the green spectrum like physical objects. When the laser moves toward the birds, it triggers their natural fight-or-flight instinct, causing them to flee.

Significant drop

While this sounds a bit sci-fi, once the system was installed strategically throughout Simon’s orchard, there was a significant drop in seagull numbers within days.

Over time, the gulls’ nightly visits were completely over “The laser changed everything,” says Simon.

“It was immediate, effective and far more sustainable than netting or other deterrents ” Simon estimated savings of more than $105,000

per year from reduced fruit loss, lower cleanup costs and improved harvest quality

“Michael’s local support and the Birds Control technology made this possible,” he says

“It’s not just a tool, it’s a gamechanger”

With increasing scrutiny on the limitations of bird netting in New Zealand, growers are looking for alternative solutions, such as laser control

The system used by Simon has already been adopted in more than 100 countries worldwide and is gaining traction in agriculture, airports and industrial zones for its efficiency and ecoconscious design

As climate conditions change, so does bird behaviour, making crop protection more important A laser bird deterrent could be an innovative solution to a safer working environment for growers and their crops.

AVIX Autonomic laser keeps the birds o the overhead net in Hastings
Kem Ormond

Bringing bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) into the pollinator mix

o ers a double advantage for orchard growers Photo / Supplied

Zespriteamsup withDame Lisa

Zespri has named Dame Lisa Carrington, New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, as its inaugural global brand ambassador

The four-year global partnership aims to inspire people to focus on their health and wellbeing through the goodness of kiwifruit

Zespri said the partnership highlighted its commitment to health, quality and excellence – values it said Carrington exemplified throughout her recordbreaking kayaking career

The collaboration is also connected to the Bay of Plenty, as it is Carrington’s birthplace and produces about 80% of the country ’ s kiwifruit

Carrington said she was pleased to

be representing the region

“It’s great to be able to connect back with home,” she told The Country’s Jamie Mackay

It was early days for the partnership and Carrington said she would take it “ year by year ”

She said Zespri has released an “ awesome ” 90-second cinematic short film to launch the relationship and she looked forward to promoting Zespri worldwide

“There will be a lot to learn over the next four years with Zespri and how they operate That’s probably just something for me to work out and understand over our relationship going forward ”

She said Kiwis were lucky to have access to a superfood such as kiwifruit “all through the year ” .

The pollination superstars

Biobees general manager Mike Sim studied entomollogy at uniiversiity and has spent 1 15 years breeding beneficial insects, especially bumblebees in association with Biobees

“Bringing bumblebees into the pollinator mix offers a double advantage for orchard growers, ” says Mike

“They complement the work of honeybees, while also pushing them to work harder”

Honeybees are most active throughout the middle of the day whereas bumblebee activity peaks earlier and later, and they continue pollinating in cooler, wetter and windier weather

This increases the hours in the day when bees are out working around the crop

Scientists believe that 200 bumblebees are comparable to 10,000 honeybees in some crops Their bigger, hairier bodies make more consistent contact with the important parts of the flower,

and their ability to buzz pollinate means they collect more pollen to spread around the crop

“It’s been shown in numerous scientific studies that when honeybees compete with bumblebees, they work more efficiently, improving pollen deposition and cross pollination ”

Better cross pollination leads to improved yields, greater seed set and larger, firmer fruit, with reduced post-harvest rots says Mike Orchard crops in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, such as avocados, kiwifruit, passionfruit and blueberries, plus cherries and apples further south, can especially benefit from bumblebee pollination

While Biobees supply four options of readyto-go, easily self-managed bumblebee hives, Mike recommends the Standard or Turbo hives for commercial growers

For more information, see Biobees’ advert on this page

Young grower inspires next

Kiwifruit Pollination

Events promoting and recognising newcomers to the horticultural industry have come together as one for the first time.

Cultivate Your Career, an expo for secondary school students showcasing where a future in the fruit and vegetable sector could lead, was held alongside the annual Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition back on June 27.

“It’s often a challenge to make young people aware of the sector, ” says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc events and communications officer Sam Vicente-Moa, who coordinated the joint programme with Priority One’s vocational & pathways lead, Dan Bromley

“We want to change the perception that horticulture is simply a side subject, involving just seasonal picking, and showcase careers available across the sector, including science, engineering and business.”

This was higghligghted with Phoebe Scherer, a technical lab manager at kiwifruit and avocado harvester and processor Apata, who took out the 2025 Bay of Plenty Young Grower title.

The 29-year-old says the sector offers tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth

“There is a lot of on-the-job training, but I have also been lucky enough to do a number of external courses too,

such as the Value Chain Innovation programme with Rural Leaders, which really opened my eyes to how, as an industry, we create value.”

Growing up in Tauranga, Phoebe gained a degree in biology and evolution at Auckland University before heading off on her OE.

On her return, she took a seasonal job “counting kiwifruit” with Fruition Horticulture while she applied for laboratory jobs.

“I was finding I was either underqualified or overqualified for roles I applied for,” she says. “But then Fruition took a punt on me and offered me a full-time job as an assistant consultant

Wide range

“It was straight in at the deep end, and I loved it. The work involved so many things – feasibility planning for horticulture development, orchard profitability analysis, soil assessment, irrigation scheduling and a whole range of other things ” Phoebe was promoted to become a horticultural consultant and worked with Fruition for six years until last year whhen she joined Apata.

“The Young Grower competition is so important for the development of the next generation of horticulturalists and to get people inspired,” she says “For anyone thinking about a career step, I’d say

Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year
Phoebe Scherer Photos / Supplied

generation at twin events

horticulture is not just about picking and packing. There are so many different roles in the sector and in supporting industries –just come and give it a go ”

NZKGI has run the regional young grower contest for 20 years, joining forces this year with Western Bay of Plenty economic development agency Priority One to organise Cultivate Your Career, which this year were held under the same roof at Mercury Baypark.

NZKGI has traditionally hosted the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition, with Horticulture New Zealand running the national final in Christchurch

in September HortNZ chief executive

Kate Scott says the competitions play an important role in highlighting the wide variety of different career opportunities in the industry

The competition involved a series of theoretical and practical challenges that tested each contestant ’ s technical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and physical skills

Twin events

It ran in tandem with Cultivate Your Career, which Sam says is part of NZKGI’s and Priority One’s joint mission to attract, develop and inspire young people within the horticulture industry

“The event aims to showcase horticultural businesses and industry professionals to secondary school students, opening them to the range of opportunities available in the industry and the skills they will need to transition into horticulture employment ”

This year ’ s event attracted about 300 students from across the Western Bay of Plenty and as far as Hauraki Plains and Hamilton “Cultivate Your Career was more than a day out of school,” says Dan Bromley “It was a chance to see where a future in horticulture could lead.”

The event offered a mix of hands-on activities, practical demonstrations, and one-on-one conversations with people

working in the sector Dan says for students in Years 10-11, it was a rare opportunity to ask questions, try things out for themselves, and start to picture what a job in this industry might look like. “It was all about helping students make clearer, more informed choices about their futures.”

Many school staff commented on how surprised they were by the number of roles in science, technology, and engineering that connect back to horticulture.

Others noted how engaged their students were, with interactive exhibits helping them better understand the industry and its people.

This year ’ s Cultivate Your Career expo attracted about 300 students from across the Western Bay of Plenty and as far as Hauraki Plains and Hamilton.

New Zealand’s first Land Rover restored

Vintage Land Rover enthusiast

Julian Paton was on holiday in Europe in July 2024, when he was contacted by a United Kingdom friend advising him to “ get his wallet out ”

A rather significant Land Rover had come up for sale, and the friend knew Julian would want it

“I certainly did want it, and I managed to persuade owner Peter Marr to wait for me to come home to buy it,” says Julian

He is now the proud owner of ‘Twenty’, the first Land Rover to reach New Zealand’s shores

Twenty was the 20th Land Rover made in the historical JLR factory in Solihull, Birmingham and was shipped out to Wellington on September 16, 1948, for use as a demonstrator vehicle

“After her demonstrator days, Twenty spent her working life in Taihape until acquired by Taihape Automotive Specialists in 1984 where she remained partially dismantled for 30 years, before Peter bought her in 2014.”

In Dunedin he carried out a restoration that Julian says was a magnificent job, where every effort was made to preserve her original parts, bodywork and patina

“She really is a rare and authentic vehicle which played a major part in New Zealand’s post-war agricultural history”

NZ’s agricultural past

After World War II, Rover was exporting most new Land Rovers to get subsidies from the United Kingdom government for obtaining steel which was scarce post-war

harrowing, seeding and top-dressing”

“The addition of either a rear or central power take off enabled the use of mowers, threshers, circular saws, welders and compressors

“The versatility of this Land Rover drew considerable interest ”

“The Land Rover was the first civilian four-wheel drive vehicle Such vehicles had only been available to the armed forces previously Twenty toured NZ showing off her moves to the rural communities ”

Described as a “British version of a Jeep” in an article in the Otago Daily Times in November 1948, the Land Rover demonstrated “combining operational economy with the main functions of a tractor, light truck, portable power plant and a car ”

The Otago Daily Times also described that “with the four-wheel drive, it has been found in tests, the Land Rover will work on slopes which would not be possible for a wheeled tractor ” and showed “complete efficiency for discing, harrowing, chain-

Twenty was famously in the news in 1948 when with permission, she was driven up the Parliament steps to demonstrate her superior four-wheel drive capabilities

A heartfelt journey

Faced with the task of getting Twenty home to Auckland, Julian decided he would drive up through the South Island, a part of the country he had yet to explore

Julian, a professor and research scientist at the University of Auckland and director of Manaaki Manawathe Centre for Heart Research, has spent 15 years developing a natural pacemaker for heart failure and a new heart valve for children with Rheumatic Heart Disease

“I saw an opportunity for a charity event for research into natural valves for children with RHD

About 140 children under 14 years are hospitalised with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease each year

“In conjunction with strong interest from our paediatric/cardiothoracic

surgeons and incredible tissue engineers, biomedical engineers and engineers, we have world class facilities at the university to develop living heart valves from the child’s own skin tissue which when implanted will grow with the child, reducing repeated operations and rejection issues,” sayd Julian

Support

Jaguar Land Rover NZ provided a new Defender 110 as a support vehicle for Twenty Julian’s friend Craig Irwin drove the Defender and organised most of the logistics of the journey Julian concentrated on daily maintenance on Twenty, and she ran beautifully

“We left on the January 31 and JLR put on dealership events as we passed through Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier and Hamilton ” Twenty was infamously in the news in Wellington when the Act leader and MP David Seymour attempted to drive her up the Parliament steps without permission this time, which caused a bit of nationwide publicity

Julian and Craig were rarely alone with family and friends joining them for stretches

Land Rover enthusiasts joined them too and there were 37 Land Rovers in convoy up the Auckland motorway

“We used a mixture of camping and motels and were welcomed through some of the back country stations in the South Island which was an amazing experience.” Catherine Fry

Drive4Hearts initiator Julian Paton, in the tussock grass on the Old Dunstan Trail – the original gold mining road Photo / Craig Irwin

RWNZcelerbates 100years

For 100 years Rural Women New Zeland, originally Women’s Division of the Farmers Union, has been a force to reckon with, sometimes quietly and humbly, and sometimes with an audacious display of courage and lateral thinking

Always though, for the benefit of rural women and rural communities right across New Zealand, RWNZ said in a statement.

As it marks 100 years of existence this year, and celebrates its centennial, RWNZ will be stepping up its work to meet the needs of the next generation of rural women. “It will be there to advocate; for health access and services, for connectivity, for safer rural roads, for education for rural students, for those areas where rural women and their communities are not as well served as their urban counterparts.

“Without the contribution of RWNZ the rural environment would look vastly different today “TToday, as well as advocacy, activities continue to include community fundraising, volunteering, business development, and generally getting stuck in when it’s needed, including during adverse events ” For 100 years RWNZ said it had made a massive contribution to New Zealand, and they’re not stopping Find out more at: www ruralwomennz nz

A popular and long-established tour

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Look forward to hearing from you

“The tracks we use are easily enough c covered by competent drivers in suitable four-wheel drive vehicles (low range transmission) and All Terrain tyres in good condition No other special preparation of the vehicle is required,” say owner-operators of NZ Adventures 4x4 Tours, Robbie and Connie Crickett Accommodation provided is hotel/ motel and for the most part evening meals and breakfasts are in restaurants on site Lunches are either station catered or picnic

“One of the most popular and longest established tours is the High Country Heritage as a six-day format

“These tours are run as a six-day in November, February and April The six-day tour has overnights in Hanmer Springs, Methven, Fairlie, Omarama, Cromwell and finishes at the iconic Cardrona Hotel

“The High Country Heritage is essentially the journey down the eastern alpine foothills from Blenheim to Cardrona that NZ Adventures pioneered in the late-1990s and remains so popular still today”

This tour includes a wide range of highcountry stations and conservation estate tracks

Robbie and Connie say the highlights of the tour would include Molesworth Station on the afternoon of day one and the vast hill country of North Canterbury through most of day two

Day three sees the tour head west towards the high Alps and the massive vistas of the inland valleys while day four takes the tour across the high plains and gravel river valleys of the Mackenzie Country along with some hill country tracks with views back to Mount Cook. Days five and six see the tour drive over into Central Otago and the opportunity to drive very high onto two of the mountain ranges that are so much a part of this region known for its history of gold and pastoralism and for being as far from the sea as its possible to get in New Zealand

The High Country Heritage is a great introduction to the South Island and to the NZ Adventures’ range of tours For more information, see NZ Adventures’ advert on this page

The tour is suitable for competent drivers of 4WD vehicles Photos / Supplied

Linking plant and animal nutrition

For horticulture spectrum of the in soil t But mor elemen says fert s putti are ofte issues effluent p correct i or growi

and cropping farmers, looking at the full essential 16 elements required by plants ests should be a standard practice re often than not, growers only consider the six ts that their fertiliser reps commonly test for, Robin Boom, independent argonomy and soil ility consultant

“Micronutrients such as boron, copper and manganese are ignored, as too are the base aturation ratios of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium The percentage of elements surrounding the soil colloid can affect nutrient availability, such as too much calcium from over-liming can impair magnesium, potassium and micro-nutrient availability”

Robin says many dairy farmers know the effect of these imbalances in the base saturation where potassium accumulates on effluent paddocks at the expense of calcium, magnesium and sodium, and consequently metabolic problems around calving happen when grazing these paddocks

“This is why calving on effluent paddocks or ng colostrum cows on these paddocks which n handy to the cowshed, creates animal health These problems can be averted by treating addocks with specific fertiliser mixes that nherent imbalances Making hay/silage on these ng crops on them can help reduce excessive

Should I take Co Enzyme Q10? (Part2)

We usually make all the Co enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) we need. Some however should take extra as a supplement. CoQ10 is mostly made in your liver fr the same enzymes that make cholesterol This is why drugs that reduce cholesterol can significantly reduce CoQ10 and can cause side effects that are so common they are now diagnosable diseases. Many Pharmacists recommend CoQ10 to people collecting statin prescriptions.

The main role of CoQ10 is to move hydrogen electrons within your cell mitochondria to p produce energgy Inadequate CoQQ10 levels reduce cell energy usually f felt as tiredness and muscle weaknesss.

I have a client t who had experienced significant muscle pain while on statins After a few monnths taking a quality CoQ10 the paiin had gone and can now toleratte the medication without side effffects I generally find it takes 1-2 months to improve musscle function and ennergy Muscle issues f from

potassium “I prefer to send my soil samples to Brookside Laboratories in America who measure 14 elements in the soil and look at base saturation ratios at the field pH rather than an artificially buffered pH traditionally done by local labs Herbage tests also are useful to see the mineral profile of the pasture the animals

are eating ”

Robin says farmers often address micronutrient deficiencies via injections, boluses and minerals in water/feeds given to stock, but elements like copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum and manganese are also important for plants, so addressing soil deficiencies improves both plant and animal performance

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Specialist in Soil, Plant & Animal Nutrition

statin use is one of the most common reasons for muscle and tendon pain and weakness. I spoke to someone yesterday whose muscles had started to break down while on statins. It is a shame that many suffer needlessly as in most cases is quickly resolved with a high quality CoQ10 without having to stop the medication I recommend CoQ10 for those with health issues known to reduce energy especially those with autoimmune or neurodegenerative problems While CoQ10 is not a cure, it can help to lift general energy and well-being.

I will add a q quality y naturally fermented patented C CoQ10 or my Mitochondrial formuula for those needing extra CoQ10 plus a lift in energy This combinees CoQ10 with a B vitamin complex plus other ennergy co-factors.

Most people feel a real differencce within 1-2 months

John Arts (Adv.DDip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For q questions or advice contact Joohn on 0800 423559 or email johhn@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at www.aabundant.co.nz

Member of The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists

Roto-o-Rangi potter

Janet Smith has spent h her childhood and worrking life on dairy farmms.

She initially went to pottery classes in the mid-19800s.

“Back then I made thhrown pieces to replace the enndless bowls broken by our large family,” says Janet “My y neighbours decided I n needed a pottery and built me a shed with a kiln ”

The family moved to a farm in the Cambridge e area which offered Janet a large woolshed for her potteery

In 2008, when her husband Harley died, Janet stayyed on the property, selling all but

Potter’s journe from dair farms to kiln master

6.88ha to run b beefifies and raise calves.

A kitchen and toilets were installed in the woolshed when their son Murray had his wedding there. It’s now a hub for a strong community of potters and artists in the Waikato area “I seem to be collecting kilns over the years, each one firing clay slightly differently There’s quite an art to firing and other people use my kilns regularly”

Janet has two gas kilns, a manual electric and a digital electric, and her anagama kiln.

An anagama kiln is woodfired, taking three to four days to fire pieces, and a week to cool down. Janet says she is “ over crawling around in kilns at her age ” and the anagama is walk-in with fully accessible shelves for 500 pots.

The kiln was designed by fellow potter Duncan Shearer from Janet’s plans. It’s built from fire bricks and insulated by Rose Tuffery using a clay, hayy, pumice sand, , cow d dung g and water mixture called adobe

“These k kilns need d 24-hour care with continual wood topups We have such a community now and we split into groups each with a master firer and it’s quite a social event The woolshed with its cosy woodburner and modern facilities is the perfect venue ” While the word anagama is Japanese meaning “ cave kiln”, the concept originated in Korea “The kiln enables the Japanese/Chinese style of firing known as ash glaze where wood ash in the kiln melts and forms a glaze on pots, ” says Janet “The pieces are all unique and dependent on their kiln position, wood used and kiln temperature ” Janet specialises in ash glaze pieces and exhibits all over New Zealand Her next project is a new kiln for salt glazing This technique gives an orange-peel like texture by throwing common salt into the kiln at the peak temperature, foorming g a glaassy coating g of s sodiuum s siliccate Catherine Fry

Janet with some of her work awaiting glazing.
Waikato potter Janet Smith outside her converted woolshed pottery.
The woolshed has become a cosy venue for potters to gather and use Janet Smith’s kilns. Photos / Catherine Fry

like you’ve never seen it before – plus ...

Next time you’re in London, once you’ve eyeballed Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, you’ve gotta get out in the country. Why? Because there’s more to Ye Olde England than just London I mean, not far along the M4 are some of the sweetest, loveliest corners you can find in this “green and pleasant land” And when you wander off the

beaten track (as we’re gonna do in June/July 2026) you’re soon oohing-and-aahing at fairytale villages, leafy woodland lanes, thatchroofed cottages, flowersmothered gardens, pubs with weird names, cathedrals with pointy roofs, medieval castles and knights in shining armour

We’ll fall in love with the honey-coloured village of Woodstock explore stunning Blenheim Palace

feel the ‘Downton Abbey’ vibes in old Bampton town go walkabout in exotic Hidcote Manor … get all floral at Kiftsgate Court … discover magical Broadway … and relive Roman times in historic Bath. We’ll meander through idyllic hamlets – like St Ives, Port Isaac, Bourton-on-theWater, and (grisly-sounding) Lower Slaughter

We’ll soak up the seaside magic of Padstow And we’ll

roam around more bloomin’ gardens than you can shake a gumboot at: Trebah, Heligan, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter (to name just a few).

We’ll finish with a Midlife Madness flourish, crossing the Channel for a spectacular live outdoor concert in ANDRÉ RIEU’s hometown of Maastricht, Holland!

Be quick! This tour’s almost full! Call us on 0800 323 333 or visit www.midlifemadness.tours

Sanctuary relocates kiwi

Relocating kiwi around the North Island takes a lot of time and manpower.

Since 2023, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, in conjunction with Save the Kiwi, DoC, mana whenua, certified kiwi dogs and numerous volunteers spend from earlyFebruary to the end of April finding and relocating kiwi from Sanctuary Mountain to other suitable habitats around New Zealand

In 2017, Sanctuary Mountain carried out a kiwi intensification programme with Save the Kiwi to

become a source site for North Island brown kiwi under their Kōhanga Kiwi strategy

“Over five years, we collected kiwi eggs from the wild and hatched them before releasing the young chicks into the protected environment of Sanctuary Mountain,” says Save the Kiwi CEO Michelle Impey

“Over 300 kiwi were released over five years to increase the kiwi population to a level where we could start relocating.”

Senior advisor and dog handler James Fraser mentors other DOC Conservation Dogs Programme handlers and administers the assessments of the 40 trained conservation dogs, 25 of which are currently certified to detect kiwi.

“Most dogs could be trained but traditional indicator dogs such as pointers, setters and vizlas are more common, ” says James.

The kiwi were microchipped and considered to be founder birds During a 2022 mark and recapture survey, 10% of the kiwi found were microchipped founder birds and 90% were not microchipped, indicating that a substantial number had hatched on the mountain and the kiwi population was very high.

Relocation programmes

“In 2023 we started relocating some Sanctuary Mountain kiwi to other predator controlled habitats. This was a massive undertaking for everyone involved,” says Sanctuary Mountain CEO Helen Hughes

Working with DOC, relocation work starts in February and early in the morning. Certified kiwi dogs and their handlers go out into the main enclosure to search for kiwi. Volunteers are positioned throughout the mountain to take the kiwi back to base for their health check

“Training takes 18 months to two years using surrogate training species initially, such as homing pigeons and quail, before moving on to taonga species. CDP dogs must have a safe indication and are muzzled while working ”

The dogs indicate the presence of a kiwi or a burrow close by and the handler extricates the bird. Microchipped kiwi from the original source population are released after a health check and are not part of the relocation programme.

The caught kiwi are fitted with a temporary locator and taken to the Kiirehe Health Centre at Pukeatua School, where they have a health check from either Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s own staff vet or a qualified, licensed kiwi practitioner from Save the Kiwi.

The first 30 kiwi caught each season have bloods taken and the results are taken as representative of the population as a whole

All kiwi caught are checked for general health and weighed as only birds above 1200grams to 1500grams are relocated

DOC Senior advisor and dog handler, James Fraser, with Rock a certified kiwi dog under DOC’s Conservation Dogs Programme. Photo / Supplied

amid conservation efforts

“Caught kiwi are released into our smaller southern enclosure until there are sufficient to warrant a journey,” says Helen

Transport days must be dry, as the kiwi could be spending several hours in a box on the road, and they need to be warm and dry

Preparation for a long journey

“We find the kiwi in the southern enclosure using the locators attached to their legs and catch them on relocation day This happens early in the day when they have full stomachs from a night’s hunting,” says Michelle

After a final health check, the locator tags are removed, and the kiwi are settled into wooden boxes lined with familiar smelling leaf litter and ferns from the mountain to keep them calm.

Local iwi

Ngāti K k K h k

cultural advocate and educator, and iwi representative, Bodie Tihoi Taylor, says Māori see the work being carried out on their precious maunga as in line with their values “It’s conservation When you have too much of something you share it, when you have too little, you have to restrict it so it can regenerate again ”

Traditionally when tribal members left to marry into another tribe, they were sent off with a karakia He now does the same when a batch of kiwi leave the maunga

“I call upon the elements, earth, wind, fire and rain to play their part in the safety of the kiwi and the drivers It’s an acknowledgement of the journey and its significance ”

Helen Hughes says Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is delighted to report that more than 232 kiwi were relocated in 2025, topping h 11 in 2023 and 222 in 2024 Finding sors and funding in the conservation space is challenging, despite the sanctuary running credibly lean operation en has realistic plans for transitioning the uary into a self-funding business if they maintain external financial support through process Koroki Kahukura has an ancestral connection with Maungatautari going back more than 800 years

Sanctuary Mountain the 1 spons very c an inc Hele sanctu can m that p

Catherine Fry
Kiwi i are loadded d into vans to b be transported d to their new forever homes. Photo / Supplied
Sanctuuary M Mountaiin M Maungatautari i ranger
itllin Stoyall-Wiggens locating kiwi with transmitters on their legs. Photo / Supplied
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari science, research and species lead, Dr Janelle Ward. Photo / Supplied
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari community advocate and tour guide, Bodie Tihoi Taylor, with Save the Kiwi’s Helen McCormick. Photo / Catherine Fry

A wetter, warmer, winter in New Zealand

This winter has been a far cry from last year From April through to July 23, we ’ ve recorded 775mm of rain here at the Paengaroa yard – the highest in 13 years of weather data

That’s nearly 300mm more than the same period last year, and I know of several nearby areas that have received even more Despite the rain, it’s been a relatively warm winter, with average soil temperatures about 1°C higher than usual

Winter demand

Last month, I wrote about a potential hole in feed budgets heading into late winter –and sure enough, the past few weeks have confirmed it We’ve seen a real surge in demand for supplementary feed, especially grass silage bales. As a result, both our own stock and that of our growers is running low It’s quite remarkable to think that just a year ago, there was such an oversupply of feed that I was genuinely concerned for the future of the business. How quickly things can turn!

But there’s no need to panic – if you ’ re short of high-quality grass silage for milking cows, we’ll be making more as soon as we

get the next fine spell. Just give us a shout if you’d like to secure some.

Good performance

Meanwhile, the farming industry as a whole is continuing to perform well. Strong commodity prices, declining interest rates, and improved cash reserves have created a more optimistic outlook I’m beginning to wonder if we might be on the verge of some movement in farm prices. The latest REINZ data shows that dairy farm prices have remained flat during the last decade, even while residential and commercial property prices have seen big rises (and,

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more recently, some sharp falls).

Yes, we still face challenges – particularly around environmental compliance, staffing, and an ageing farmer population looking to exit – but there’s a growing sense that the industry is adapting If we see a bit more flexibility from the banks around lending, I think we’ll start to see farmland values rise again.

The trend toward larger farm operations and away from the traditional family-owned model continues Foreign investment in New Zealand agriculture has been popular for some time, especially with pension funds, and with improving returns, that’s

New Zealand needs a better way to track livestock, a farmer says, after $60,000 worth of calves were stolen from her farm.

Jen Corbin says it’s the second time she and her husband have had stock stolen by cattle rustlers in as many years. Jen told RNZ’s Morning Report she was taking her daughter to school one week in July, when she noticed the gate to their yard wide open

She texted her husband who went to investigate and sent her a photograph of a broken padlock, confirming her worst fears. She says the loss of the 65 “ autumn weaner ” calves, which were between 12 and 14-weeksold and in high demand, is devastating and there is no hope of getting them back

She says unlike domestic pets that are microchipped, all that is required in New Zealand to identify stock is an ear tag which is easily removed.

“All you need is a knife or an ear tag remover You can cut the tags out and that is your only way of tracing them.

“It’s essentially like removing an earring from anyone – you cut it out and that’s it.”

She’s calling for the technology to be developed for use in stock because it’s “the only way you ’ re going to be able to keep track of livestock”.

“It would make sense If you can GPS track an animal through their skin. You know they can take them but if they go to sell them, then there’s a scan and then it’s in there for life ”

Jen says the hand-reared calves are only partially insured, for about $20,000, because of the outlay cost

likely to increase. It remains tough for young farmers to get a foot on the ladder, but equity partnerships are a great solution if you can find like-minded people. One platform worth checking out is Landify, which connects farm owners, investors, and aspiring farmers

Lastly, a quick reminder that we ’ re proud to be supplying our own Calf Meal, made from our own maize grain. It’s a highquality product that offers excellent value on a per-nutrient basis If you’d like to trial it, simply scan the QR code in our advert and we’ll arrange a free sample bag (conditions apply)

each year and now their premiums will “ go through the roof” with the second theft.

She believed the theft was carried out by someone in the farming industry

“Unfortunately, it looks like it’s another farmer because you have to have the facilities to take them off a truck and house them.

“It’s not going to be some townie that’s taken them obviously It’s sad to think, you know, farming is hard enough as it is and there’s very small profit margins.

“To have someone else that knows the industry and is in the industry essentially taking off you is gut-wrenching.” Selling them would be easy without identification, she says.

“If you ’ re already a farmer, then why would anyone question it.”

-RNZ

There has been a surge in demand for supplementary feed, especially grass silage bales.
A farmer had 65 calves stolen.
Photo: Susan Murray RNZ

A hoof up from day one

Heifers that are well-grown from the start deliver better reproductive outcomes, greater milking performance, and longevity in the herd. Hitting g Dairy y NZ target minimum weights of 30% of mature liveweight at six months, 60% at 1 15 months and 90% at 22 months, begins on day one.

“Alongside quality nutrition, hygiene and colostrum management, calves can be supported from one day old with Horizon’s InjectaMin or InjecctaMax multimineral injectiions,” says Agritrade animal heealth technical expert Annika Ferris

Both contain zinc, , manganese, copper and selenium, while InjeectaMax has the additional benefit of B12, all essential for healthy growth and strong immunity Boosting these minerals on day one helps strengthen immunity, lowering incidences of calf shed illnesses such as scours and navel ill.

“During challenging periods livestock stress increases Supplementing with InjectaMin or InjectaMax during this increased need for key minerals, helps ensure calves stay healthy and c continue their growth trajectory to become productive replacements ”

An additional dose of InjjectaMin or InjectaMax can be given around weaning to o support immunity and limit the associated growth check. They can be continued up to every three months thereafter to encourage optimal g growth.

“Both injections are given under the skin at a dose rate of f 1mL per 50kg for cattle up to one year old As they contain selenium and copper, concurrent use with other copper and selenium products should be on veterinary advice only”

Speak to your local rural supplies store today about Horizon’s s InjectaMin and InjectaMax..

Registered pursuant to the ACVM act 1997. Horizon InjectaMin A011925 and Horizon InjectaMax A011926.

For more information, see Agritrade’s advert on this page.

Alternative grass grub weapon now urgent

Federated Farmers says urgent action is needed to plug a looming gap in treatments to fight native grass grub, which costs the agricultural sector hundreds of millions of dollars each year

“This is our biggest agricultural pest by a country mile, yet there’s a real risk farmers’ arsenal to fight it will soon be empty, ” biosecurity spokesperson

David Birkett says “It’s pleasing that manufacturers have work developing new chemicals underway We also need the Environmental Protection Authority to

prioritise and fast-track their assessment of any new options ”

Costelytra giveni is a scourge for pasture and lawn, and also a risk to horticulture and native plant root systems

The two most effective chemicals to control the grub – chlorpyrifos and Diazanon – are both being phased out after decisions by the EPA to ban them

Chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide, is banned in the European Union and Canada, and its use is heavily restricted in Australia

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Is the science being misused?

In the fertiliser industry the term “sound science” was frequently used as the reason to stay with mainstream watersoluble nutrient and synthetic nitrogen-based programmes.

That begs the question, what is science, and can there be unsound science?

Science in our view is primarily about measures and challenging accepted thinking and models

Without regular measures over many years there is no way of knowing whether current nutrient use is delivering best value for farmers and the wider community

In the late-1980s funding for farm research was dramatically cut and since then any ‘trial’ work has been industry funded and short term

There are, however, sufficient measures available to compare current pasture growth fuelled by regular applications of synthetic nitrogen to production prior

The work undertaken in the 1970s and 1980s by the staff at Ruakura Research Station showed total annual production of 18,000kg DM/ha from various Waikato areas without the application of any synthetic nitrogen

Clover provided virtually all the nitrogen required and the pasture management techniques necessary to maximise its performance were well-known

Target

Atarget figure for those of us dairy farming during the 1980s was 18 tonne DM/ha/year It was achievable on more fertile country with milder winters, and we knew that when attained a genuine financial surplus was there for the taking Figures from various sources show that seldom is the same level of pasture growth achieved today and not in successive seasons

Synthetic nitrogen, which came on tap in 1989, was supposed to provide a genuine lift in pasture performance Research shows that when used regularly there is a steady decline in the amount of nitrogen fixed by clover

Nitrogen fixed by clover comes free of charge and clover growth over summer exceeds that of grasses It is also higher in energy and more digestible which means well fed animals perform better

Regular synthetic nitrogen applications also result in calcium being lost via leaching and calcium is the key nutrient driving of

clover growth

However, there’s possibly a more disturbing consequence of the reliance on synthetic N which is the potential loss of soil carbon

In our view this is the area where more state funded research is required

Research

Work by staff at Waikato University has documented a steady decline in soil carbon in intensively farmed pastoral soils in the Waikato while hill country soils have gained

Soil carbon is where both nutrient and moisture are stored and even a slight decline can result in a loss of pasture performance

reduction in nitrate nitrogen lost to groundwater

All data was independently verified The conclusion was that the Functional Fertiliser programme resulted in more growth at a lower cost and was applicable to all farms regardless of size

This work has been recognised at ministerial level, obtaining the funding necessary for further research has yet to be obtained

Unique

The unique aspect of the Functional Fertiliser approach is the delivery of a wide range of selected beneficial fungi and bacteria These are cultured and added to soft carbon and applied as part of a total nutrient programme

During the last 30 years, Functional Fertiliser has measured annual pasture performance on client properties using the age-old monthly cage cuts This allows comparison with historic measures obtained by Research Stations

Annual growth on a property in the Bay of Plenty has exceeded 20,000kg DM/ha well in excess of that from the local DairyNZ Focus farm applying more than 200kgN/ha

With support from Federated Famers and Scion at Rotorua soil carbon was compared with a neighbouring property reliant on synthetic nitrogen

The results showed a 30% advantage in growth on the property using Functional Fertiliser products and programmes with a 70%

Work undertaken by DSIR, prior to the formation of MAF, identified, measured, and photographed soil microbes in all the main soil types throughout the country

They stated that the support of soil life was just as important as the input of nutrient for maximum pasture growth, an essential aspect largely ignored by the fertiliser industry

For farmers wishing to explore the opportunity to explore it doesn’t have to be one or other

The two systems can be seamlessly integrated without the concern of lower production before the significant and sustainable increase

For more information please call Peter on 027 495 0041

Probiotics improve cycling

Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills began using probiotics in spring 2023 to reduce Somatic Cell Count grades during the transition from wintering barns to lush spring pasture.

While that issue was resolved, the standout result was how much faster his cows began cycling.

In the second season, Halter data showed cows were returning to heat just 24 days after calving, compared to the national average of 42 days.

“In the first year alone, the three-week submission rate jumped to 93% and there was no need for Metrichecks or CIDRs,” says Wills.

He switched to Rumicell, a daily probiotic from Probiotic Revolution, after reading about a farmer who eliminated antibiotics using probiotics. Rumicell combines live yeast with carefully selected bacterial strains to improve digestion and immunity

He had been using yeast products, but Rumicell offered broader benefits – at virtually no extra cost Probiotic Revolution’s Chris Collier says trials show a clear link between sub-clinical ketosis and delayed cycling, mastitis, and milk fever. In trials, feeding probiotics pre-calving and postcalving delivered better cycling and production outcomes

In 2024, Wills also introduced SuperStart Lead Feed to his springers, achieving the 24 days post-calving cycling result. Farmers who stopped feeding it to late-calving cows saw cycling blow out past 30 days, with more health issues, illustrating the importance of the probiotic feeding to springers

Due to strong results like these, SuperStart Lead Feed sales have risen sharply It’s simple to add to water troughs or transition diets – making it easy for any dairy farmer to improve their herd’s mating performance.

SUPERIOR

AND FIBRE

Chris Collier explains the benefits of probiotics on Chris Wills’ farm. Photo / Supplied

River boundaries change over time

If you ’ ve ever looked at your property title and wondered why the river no longer lines up with your legal boundary, the answer is simple: time Rivers, streams, and coastlines, collectively known as natural boundaries, move gradually or suddenly over time, but your legal boundary does not It stays fixed at the location it was defined when your title was created So, if the river has shifted course since then, your boundary might now appear to be in the “ wrong ” place How did the river move? How the river moved is key to understanding what happens to your boundary

Gradual movement

If the river changed course s slowly due to erosion or accretion, the law may allow the boundary to move with it

If the river has gradually eroded your land, a future survey may reflect the top of the current riverbank as your new boundary

If you ’ ve gained land

through accretion, you can ’ t automatically claim it To add it to your title, you need to apply for an accretion claim, which is a legal process While it’s not particularly complex, many lawyers and property owners aren ’ t familiar with it, so it often doesn’t happen The result is a legal boundary that remains in t the old location, even though the river has moved

Sudden movement

If the river changed course suddenly – such as during a storm, or through human-made works like stopbanks – the

boundary does not change You cannot claim the lost or gained land through accretion However, it may still be possible to claim to the centre of the dried-up riverbed under a common law principle known as usque ad medium filum aquae (to the centreline of the river) What if the river is now on my neighbour’s land?

In some cases, the river may now flow through your neighbour’s property That means you might be informally using land that is no longer legally yours, while your neighbour can ’ t use it either These situations are often left unresolved for years because correcting them isn’t straightforward If both landowners are affected, the only way to resolve it is through a boundary adjustment This requires agreement from both parties, a full Land Transfer survey, resource consent from council, and possibly a sale and purchase of the affected land Who owns the dry riverbed?

Until it’s formally claimed and included in a title, the dry riverbed is technically owned by the Crown However, adjacent owners may claim to the centreline of the old bed, provided the correct survey and legal processes are followed Doing so removes any uncertainty about ownership Can it be fixed?

Yes, but it takes time, effort and money. In many cases, the cost

of updating a natural boundary outweighs the value of the land gained or lost That’s why people often leave it alone

But if having accurate boundaries matters – whether for peace of mind, development, or sale – it can be fixed If this sounds like your situation, get in touch with a professional surveying company like Surveying Services Ltd We’ll assess what’s going on and guide you through the steps to set it right

Save with a Controlled Release Fertiliser

Applying nitrogen is a wellestablished practice to ensure sufficient spring pasture To get the grass growing, frequent applications are typically the norm.

But when the cows are already calving, you ’ re up to your elbows in mud, and the rain just keeps coming, it’s easier said than done!

So, what if you could apply the nitrogen in one go and not have to worry about it again for several months? Well, you can if you choose a Controlled Release Fertiliser

What is CRF?

In brief, a Controlled Release Fertiliser does what it says on the tin: it releases its nutrients in a controlled way Also known as delayed release,

controlled availability, and coated fertiliser, it’s easy to get the idea about what it does It’s quite different to conventional fertilisers like urea where all the nutrients are available to plants as soon as they hit the soil

CRFs are manufactured by spraying a coating onto granules of fertiliser. Soil moisture penetrates the coating of the granule and starts to dissolve its contents. This causes the granule to swell and pressure to develop inside the granule. With the increased pressure, the dissolved nutrients move out into the soil through pores in the coating which have a fixed size. When the pressure eventually drops inside the granule, the coating degrades away

Note that this process can take up to three months, and that the nutrient release follows a controlled pattern

These characteristics of CRF have huge benefits for farmers

Only one application needed

for crops this occurs as newly-sown seed matures Then once growth slows down, less nutrients are needed For pasture this is when it’s either too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry For crops, this is when they reach maturity

This pattern of plant growth is not matched by conventional fertilisers very well It’s typically a case of too much too soon when plants don’t need the nutrients, then not enough when they actually do

An obvious benefit is that since the nutrients are protected inside the granule and not released all at once, a single application can provide what plants need for up to three months

This is ideal for meeting the nitrogen demands of spring pasture, a difficult job during wet weather It’s also perfect for nutrient-hungry maize crops by removing the necessity for a side dressing, avoiding crop damage and reducing spreading costs

But while the sustained release time of CRFs saves time and money, it’s the controlled pattern of nutrient release that delivers the greatest benefits

As plants grow, their nutrient demands increase For pasture, this occurs as the weather gradually warms up in spring, and

With CRFs, the situation is quite different The nutrients are released in a more controlled way described as a sigmoidal curve, or ‘S’ shaped pattern

So the release starts out slowly, rapidly increases, then gradually tails off This is much closer to how plants grow, so CRFs are more efficient at matching plant nutrient needs

Efficiency saves money

Because CRFs are more efficient, you save money What you pay for is being used, so you don’t need to apply as much as you normally might to get the same

• Delivers fast-acting ammonia

• Delivers controlled release polymer coated urea

• Powers grass growth for 3 months

• Applied at 150kg per hectare, 44 Magnum delivers 44kg of N

result Studies show that for a CRF like that included in Fertco’s 44 Magnum, you can apply around a third less than you would if you used urea

The environment benefits

Since the mechanism of nutrient release is more efficient, CRFs can help us meet environmental objectives too By choosing CRFs instead of conventional fertilisers like urea, you can reduce losses from volatilisation and leaching because the nutrients are protected by the coating around the fertiliser granule

CRFs aren’t new

While we ’ re not so familiar with CRFs in NZ, these products are used to grow rice in the wet field paddies of Japan, citrus in California, palms in Malaysia, and food crops like tomatoes, capsicum, and onions So, they’re well tested If CRFs can save time and money while simultaneously reducing environmental wastage, why wouldn’t we use them more often here in NZ? How nitrogen-Controlled Release Fertiliser works. Performs long after the others have run out of power!

Growers investigate alternative-N sources with FAR

For three consecutive seasons, a Foundation of Arable Research and Growers Leading Change group study was run with a group of four experienced Waikato-based, largescale maize growers interested in alternative nitrogen sources for their maize crops

FAR senior researcher Dirk Wallace and researcher Sally Linton led the study

“We put a call out for grower participation and the group was set up with a researcher and facilitator from FAR to start in the 2022/23 season, ” says Dirk

The objective was to identify alternative-N (AltN) sources that enable arable growers to maintain profit and while contributing to environmental compliance From the 2022/2023 season, the group ran on-farm try-outs testing a range Alt-N products on maize and measuring their impact on crop yield

“Four Alt-N products were used, chicken manure, dairy effluent, composted dairy effluent and winter legumes.

“A huge variation in the three seasons covered by the trials offered good climatic contrast for all the different soil and contour types ”

2022/2023 was the wettest season in 40 years, 2023/2024 was an average season and 2024/2025 had drought conditions

Soil testing was carried out prior to planting as usual, and after harvest, which proved to be a very useful as it showed what N was left in the soil

People, profit and planet

D Daniel Finlayson has owned his 190-hhectare (160 ha effective) farm since 2021 Thirty hectares is in riparian planting, 105ha is maize silage yearly and the rest is heifer grazing and bull beef

and Planet are our criteria,” says Daniel

“I saw the Alt-N trials as an opportunity try and quantify and refine our N policy to be more accurate We were already using Alt-N sources but industry measuring standards for artificial N tend to overestimate use, making overall calculations hard

Daniel carried out trials on two blocks For the first season he used four different treatments

“We did two seasons so have two seasons of data We had a significant response to starter fertiliser but the two with the extra N didn’t yield any extra ” For Daniel this was exciting as soil testing after the harvest showed substantial residual N in the soil

“We realised that we were able to use 15 tonnes less side dressed urea than we had been ”

In the second season Daniel tried an annual clover winter legume cover crop in another trial block

“It was good to learn that N inputs can be reduced, profit can still be improved and our carbon footprint reduced It gave me confidence around how I operate

“I’m very interested in bio sources and still use chicken manure and clover and will continue to assess them with on farm try outs It’s good to know there are options beyond a bag of urea ”

Daniel won the 2024 Arable Awards of New Zealand’s Positive Environment Impact Award

Natural products

“The trials were grower led with FAR funding and expertise to support growers with soil testing, harvesting and lab work.”

Alan put 0 5ha aside and after soil testing, planted five different trial sectors “I felt it proved that using natural product builds up soil carbon resulting in a healthy, active, biological high performing soil medium to grow high yielding arable crops Natural N products could involve cover crops, livestock, effluent, chicken manure or other litter You want micro activity working hard and

fast, building the soil microbiome using organic matter and reducing granulated N

Alan believes regenerative farming is not always best option despite being talked about more nowadays He has used the concept for over 40 years. “The whole process of environmental responsibility is having deep and active soil using appropriate tools for your soils and cultivation could vary between strip till, no till or full cultivation You just control what you can ”

“We wanted to look for opportunities to improve our nutrient management, lower our carbon footprint while increasing our profit People, Profit

Alan Henderson is a second-generation farmer running a 400-hectare mixed use farm with a 230ha dairy unit of 750-800 cows, calf rearing 550560 calves yearly, 4ha of apples and nashi, a small number of beef and sheep, a and 80-100ha of crops including maize, lucerne, turnips, faba beans and chicory. He was attracted to this particular trial as he saw it as an opportunity to quantify practices he was already using with chicken manure and dairy effluent provided by his dairy unit and confirm their worth

Growers Alan Henderson and Mike Parker, FAR senior researcher Dirk Wallace, FAR researcher Sam McDougall and grower Daniel Finlayson discuss maize crop development in a perennial legume block Photo / Supplied
Catherine Fry
Never too young to help mum on the farm –Brodie, 6 months, in Matamata.
Bayley Lyons, Ashton Lyons and Lily Webb helping with the haymaking in Kingseat.
A beautiful rainbow on the farm sent in by Masato.
Emilia Wallace, 5, helping dad milking the sheep at Patumāhoe.

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