CC 06/12

INSIDE July 2012 Issue No. 143

Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle news

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Thoroughbreds in the city Early morning work-out – riders from Jim Pender’s Panui Lodge, Tammy O’Brien (left) and Des Saxton exercise young horses which live and train at Tauranga Race Course. See story page 4 and 5. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

July 2012

Salami and bier sticks

Young Grower of the Year

Gold3 Grafted

Big strides in boot comfort

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

July 2012

Primary industry confidence

The strength of the world economy, particularly in Europe, remains uncertain but New Zealand’s primary producers appear upbeat about the future.

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The majority of Fonterra farmers backed the co-op’s restructuring by voting in favour of Trading Among Farmers; Zespri kiwifruit growers are continuing to invest in their industry by committing to convert 2068 ha to the new Gold3 variety; speakers at the Federated Farmers conference predict the world’s rapidly growing population will have a hunger for New

Zealand produced foods and Fieldays attendance was up 9 per cent on last year.

All this points to a sector of our economy which is looking forward and as well as covering these issues, this month’s Coast & Country also features new products from footwear to flooring for cow barns.

Our regular columnists share their expertise on matters from employment to spoil health and other features include Rural Driver and Home Heating.

To be sure it’s not all work and no play, there’s also our popular Hunt, Fish, Eat section which includes the story of the No Nuts all-girl team who won the Polaris Big Four hunting and fishing competition.

By Elaine Fisher

The perfect husband - or is he?

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club.

A cellular phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands-free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.

Man: “Hello.”

Woman: “Hi sweetheart, it’s me. Are you at the club?”

Man: “Yes.” Woman: “I’m at the shops now and found this beautiful leather coat. It’s only $2,000; is it OK if I buy it?”

Man: “Sure, go ahead if you like it that much.”

Woman “I also stopped by the Lexus dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I really liked.”

Man: “How much?”

Woman: “$45,000.”

Man: “OK, but for that price I want it with all the options.”

Woman: “Great! Oh, and one more thing... I was just talking to Janie and found out that the house I wanted last year is back on the market.

They’re asking $780,000 for it.”

Man: “Well, then go ahead and make an offer of $700,000. They’ll probably take it. If not, we can go the extra eighty-thousand if it’s what you really want.”

Woman: “OK. I’ll see you later! I love you so much!”

Man: “Bye! I love you, too.”

The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths wide open.

He turns and asks, “Anyone know whose phone this is?”

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July 2012

Page 3

TAF debate example of co-op in action dairy farmers throughout the world.

“Today we are uniquely placed as one of the great dairy co-ops in the world.

Our focus is growing returns for you and future generations. That means a strong farm-gate milk price and strong profit performance,” says Theo.

He says the vote for TAF means Fonterra can be in charge of its own destiny.

“TAF will stop money washing in and out and give the co-op a stable, permanent capital base to deliver on its Strategy Refresh. There is no cooperative anywhere around the world

R

GO FO

All Black Captain Richie Mccaw with Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings.

“That lengthy debate shows the democratic nature of a co-operative in action. Whether you like the outcome or not, what this debate has demonstrated is that the co-operative model allows everyone to express their views. You wouldn’t get that in any other form of business where decisions would be made behind closed doors.”

Ramsey says most Fonterra shareholders understand that significant changes take time.

“If you asked Fonterra’s farmers how many co-ops they belonged to, most would say anything between three and seven. Farming is their business but the co-ops they belong to are their other businesses and they must take care of them as they do their farming operation.”

On June 25 shareholders voted 66.45 per cent in favour of Trading Among Farmers (TAF), designed to solve the redemption risk faced by Fonterra. Currently, as shareholding is linked to milk production, Fonterra is obliged to buy back shares from suppliers leaving the co-op or those whose production has dropped. This means Fonterra must budget for significant and often unpredictable outflows of cash.

Conversely, new supplies or those whose production is rising must buy additional shares, so cash is continually flowing into and out of the company.

The Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund (FSF) will also be established, open to outside investors, through which farmers will be able to free-up cash by selling the economic rights to some of their shares. Farmers will retain the voting rights and full milk price for all production backed shares and vouchers they hold.

Under TAF, farmers will be able to trade shares among themselves, reducing the demands on Fonterra’s finances. Called the Fonterra Shareholders’ Market it will be a closed market which only

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It took Fonterra shareholders six years to decide to change its capital structure, but that is a positive thing, says Ramsey Margolis, executive director of the New Zealand Cooperatives Association.

Fonterra shareholders can use. It is designed to ensure 100 per cent control and ownership of the company remains in farmer shareholders’ hands.

Fonterra Chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden says the final vote on the share trading scheme attracted a record turnout.

“Our farmers have voted in big numbers, representing 85 per cent of the co-op’s milk solids. It is great to see so many taking part and having their say. Now we can move forward with this important evolution in our capital structure,” says Henry.

“We’ve spent six years talking about capital structure and it has been a rigorous debate and process.

Our farmer shareholders have made a great contribution and the final version of Trading Among Farmers is all the richer because of that input.”

Among those not in favour of the move was Lynton Simmons of Whatawhata who says there is a risk farmers would lose control to outside interests.

Lynton, who milks 55 cows on his 20ha property, has been farming (and on a larger scale) since his youth and supplied the New Zealand Dairy Company before the formation of Fonterra 10 years ago.

He’s concerned that Fonterra has too many investments overseas, including in dairy farms in China. “I wonder just how safe the investment is there.”

Though disappointed the majority of voters didn’t share his view, Lynton says he would watch with interest how TAF worked.

Pieter and Joy van Dongen of Rukuhia, near Hamilton, fully support TAF, saying it will not only overcome Fonterra’s redemption risk, but with the FSF also give New Zealanders the chance to invest in the company, and increase their pride in and understanding of the dairy industry.

“We are also very pleased Richie McCaw has been appointed a Fonterra ambassador. It all helps to increase the nation’s pride in Fonterra,” says Joy. The special meeting was conducted simultaneously in eight venues from Kerikeri to Invercargill via satellite link. That link included Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings, who joined the discussion from Holland.

He told shareholders that Fonterra was the envy of

that is the same as Fonterra. TAF is completely unique, as is the solution to eliminating redemption risk.

“We will now be able to implement our strategy and remain a relevant player in the global dairy industry.

“With overall demand for dairy growing, TAF will ensure that we are well placed to grow volumes and protect our position as the world’s leading dairy exporter.”

Sir Henry says the board is working towards a November launch for TAF but this will be dependent on market conditions. By Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY

July 2012

Surviving industry’s emotional ride There’s nothing to equal the thrill of watching your horse win a race, and little to match the pain of seeing one lose, says trainer Jim Pender.

other feed. They are cool in summer and warm in winter and never have to face the elements for hours outside.” The mornings begin around 5am with eight staff training, exercising, feeding and caring for the horses. They train on a track alongside the racecourse or in Jim has 24 years’ experience of the emotional ride that is the racing the walking machine which keeps them moving at a constant pace, faster than a handler could walk them. industry and while the bad times “If you tried to walk them at can be pretty dark, it’s more than the same speed, you’d end up the elation of winning which keeps running and then the horse him going. would run too, which is not Watching him walk through what you want.” the two large Panui Lodge barns Jim encourages his staff to at Tauranga Racecourse, it’s easy work with and train animals to see the affinity he has with the they feel an affinity for. horses. Even the ‘new recruits’, as “I tell my staff I’m never going yet unnamed yearlings, put their to be cross with them because heads over the stall gates for a they don’t like a particular horse scratch and a kind word from ‘the because every horse and every boss’. person has a different nature The owners of the horses Jim and some just don’t get along.” trains are another reason for stickWhat he doesn’t tolerate is ing with an industry that is getting mistreating the horses. tougher every year.

“I’ve never met a truly bad “Many of the owners have been horse yet. There’s been some with me since the start and most Jim Pender saddles up Casual Fibs ready for a training session. stroppy ones but they are the are good friends.” challenge I like.

He stops by the stall of Quicka“Some people say thoroughsucan a five-year-old bred by the breds are mad and are no good for estate of the late Mike ‘Goldie’ Rossiter and anything other than racing but that’s owned by his wife Glenys. Quickasucan is not true. They make excellent dressage raced on lease by Goldie’s Mates Syndicate, horses if they are handled right. When Tom Morgan and Jim Pender. they are racing we feed them high “Mike (Rossiter) died five years ago, and energy food and then ask them to run with his wife Glenys we’ve been mates for 45 as fast as they can, so of course they are years. ‘Quick as you can’ is what Glenys used hyped up.” to say to Mike, so it’s an ideal name for this Kindness, patience and an understandhorse which is raced by all his mates, people ing of their nature is the way Jim trains. from North Auckland, Otorohonga, and “A lot of people don’t understand how Hastings.” a horse develops. I liken it to a young The horse has proved he can be pretty rugby player. When they are playing quick, taking four wins and several second school boy rugby they stand out but as and third placings in 17 starts. His first win they move up through the grades they in July 2010 was special because he came come up against more and more players from behind to show just what he could do. who are equally as good as them and that’s the same with racing. Horses need Jim is one of the few New Zealand trainto time to mature and while we can get ers whose horses live full-time in barns, them fit through training, the only way although it’s not uncommon overseas. The they get race fit is by racing.”

Panui Lodge complex at the racecourse Jim says most horses love to race. It’s consists of two barns that house up to 25 or part of their instinct to run with a herd, 30 horses at any one time. but they can also be distracted and “The boxes are larger than normal and giving them plenty of race experience the horses are fed cut grass daily, along with helps them to focus.

On race day it often all comes down to the ride. The horse may be in peak form but if the jockey doesn’t deliver a good ride for whatever reason, it won’t win or take a place.

“It’s disheartening when you get a poor ride. The drive home from the track can be pretty miserable.”

Panui Lodge riders are encouraged to work with horses they have an affinity for.

COAST & COUNTRY

July 2012

Page 5

Panui thoroughbreds live and train at Tauranga track Jim’s father, also Jim, was a trainer in Rotorua and as a nine-year-old young Jim was leading horses into the bird cage. “I rode as an amateur for three years before getting married and working for Dalgetys for 20 years, eventually ending up in Tauranga.”

It was then that Peter Simmons, Tauranga Racing Club president, asked Jim to do some stock work on his Te Puna farm, where he also ran some horses

which Jim began training.

Some of his most significant successes have been on his home track at Tauranga, including several Bob Owens and Japan Cup wins.

May 9, 2009 has to go down as the biggest day in Jim’s career. That was when four of the horses he trained won at the Tauranga Racecourse and one came second. The winning horses were Angelwithattitude, Miss Phoenix, Casabella Lane and Lily L'Amour

and Who's Got D'Cash finished second in the first race of the day.

“That was amazing. Something I’ll never forget.”

But in the years since Jim took up training full-time, conditions in the industry have become tougher. There are a lot more races each week, on courses throughout the country.

“You have to race your horses on the tracks and in the conditions they are best suited for, which might mean taking just one or two horses on the road, leaving early and getting home

late.” The biggest increase in costs however, is ACC levies.

“It’s almost crippling and the costs have put some trainers out of business. We are seen as a highly dangerous industry but our riders wear safety gear and in my time there have been few serious injuries.”

Jim has no plans to retire just yet. The promise he sees in the horses he trains and the hope of another big win, or series of wins, keeps him going.

By Elaine Fisher

Top from left to right: Jim Pender mixes up the horses’ night feed. In the tack room. A young horse in training. Bottom from left to right: Cooling off – Jim Pender washes the Golan gelding. Jim Pender with Quckasucan. A horse in the walking machine. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

Tammy O’Brien left on a Golan gelding and Des Saxton on a Goldmine gelding on the training track at Tauranga Race Course.

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COAST & COUNTRY

July 2012

Visa increases hit RSE workers Seasonal workers, including those from the Pacific Islands, will return home with less money in their pockets thanks to a 16 per cent increase in the cost of gaining a visa, HortNZ believes.

A New Zealand visa now costs workers coming here under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme $835.

HortNZ has questioned the 16 per cent increase in immigration fees because it seems out of place in these times of government constraint and low inflation, says HortNZ chief executive Peter Silcock. “The impact of the increase will be that the costs of RSE workers coming to

New Zealand increases and therefore the amount returned to their families and communities in the Pacific will decrease.”

Mike Chapman from New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc says the increase is part of a general increase in fees that Immigration New Zealand is imposing.

“It is regrettable as it will make it more expensive for seasonal workers to come and work in the industry.” Fee changes don’t affect seasonal workers in particular - all visa fees have increased, a spokesperson for the Immigration New Zealand told Coast & Country.

The process for re-applying for a limited visa to work for an RSE worker will not be changing as part of the fee change process. A visa will need to be applied for each time a worker wishes to return to

work in New Zealand.

Even in times of high unemployment, kiwifruit and other horticultural industries rely on teams of skilled workers, mainly from the Pacific, who in turn have come to depend on seasonal work in this country to raise the standards of living of themselves, their families and their villages.

The increase in Immigration New Zealand fees took effect from July 2 and follows a regular review of fee rates to ensure they mirror the cost of delivering immigration services, MPI says.

“This particular change also reflects that fee rates were last increased in 2010, the impact of the global financial crisis, the Canterbury earthquakes and a decrease in visa volumes across a fixed

cost base.”

More than 500,000 immigration decisions are made by INZ each year – resulting in visas for around 40,000 new residents, more than 95,000 international students, 160,000 temporary workers, nearly 170,000 visitors and around 40,000 other visa types. Visa fee rates differ depending on the type of visa being applied for and range from several thousand down to a few hundred dollars.

Despite the fee change, New Zealand’s fee rates will remain broadly comparable to competitor countries, the spokesperson says. By Elaine Fisher

Pointing students in the ag direction New Zealand Young Farmers joined with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ to create Get Ahead; a one stop career hub for young people considering a career in agriculture.

The Get Ahead Programme includes Experience Days which raise the awareness and encourage students to consider an agricultural career. They focus on the supply chain story all about how food gets from pasture to plate. To demonstrate this students participated in 12 practical modules that focused

on everything from animal genetics to marketing and exporting, herd management to pasture manipulation.

Approximately 1000 students attended the Experience Days held around the country over the past four months. Locations included: Te Awamutu, Rotorua, Auckland, Hawera, Palmerston North, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Dunedin, Winton and Christchurch.

Business Development Manager Roz Lever says the key outcome of the Experience Days was “to show the diversity in agricultural careers and to bury the preconceived notion that working on-farm is the only agricultural career option.”

The 12 industries groups who supported the days were Stock Agents, Vets, Silver Fern Farms, The National Bank, CRV AmBreed, Gallagher, DOW, Fonterra, NZ Grain and Seed Association, Raven-

sdown and Telford - a division of Lincoln University.

“These days were fun, hands-on and practical with an educational focus on the supply chain; and how every job in the agricultural industry contributes to the food production in New Zealand” says Rosie Todhunter, Youth Development Coordinator.

The days were thoroughly enjoyable for all involved; students, industry professionals and group hosts. Supporting the Experience Days is the Get Ahead website www.getahead.co.nz/ where students and career advisors alike can use the site to learn more about the possibilities in agriculture by exploring career options, education providers and facts about agriculture.

The Get Ahead programme is facilitated by New Zealand Young Farmers and run alongside the TeenAg programme.

Gains lead to viable farming Sheep and beef farmers have made huge production gains in the last few decades and must not lose momentum, Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson told the organisation’s annual conference in Auckland late last month.

“In lamb production, despite a decrease in the lamb crop from 33 million in the 2006-07 season to just 25.2 million in 2010-11, average carcase weights have increased from 16.90 kgs in 2006-07 to 18.41 in 2011-12.

“Likewise, the seasonal average value of beef has steadily increased from 350 cents per kilo in the 2007-08 season to 420 cents this past season. I am sure we can take this to the next level.”

The goal of Federated Farmers’ T150 campaign is linked to the continual sustainability of sheep and beef farming.

“Our goal for a mid-season lamb being worth $150 must be achievable year on year and wool has to be a part of the equation.

“Pricing for lamb has tracked back from last season’s highs averaging $117 for an average mid-season lamb, but lamb continued to see reasonable pricing this season. It is important we do not lose momentum on this campaign as two reasonable seasons does not mean the long term battle has been won. We need to be able to achieve good prices which will ensure our farms are financially viable, year on year.”

COAST & COUNTRY

July 2012

Page 7

A Swansong - of sorts Coast & Country this month says good bye – or is it adieu – to one of its longest serving and most popular writers, Sue Edmonds.

message across to you all somewhat less confrontationally than they sometimes could.

I guess some of my other ‘backgrounders’ in training and development and management development have also come in handy, and are the basis for my efforts to get Sue being Sue, offered to people to understand all facets write her own Swansong – of new issues, rather than just however, we’d also like to moaning about more changes. acknowledge the important I continue to take a keen interrole she has played in informest in environmental issues, ing and entertaining our something I’ve been involved readers for the past six years in for nearly 30 years now! and in representing Coast & Sue Edmonds and some of her My ‘Good Life’ columns have Country at so many formal ‘Good Life’ friends. also made me many friends, and informal events in our and it’s always been great when people ring or write to circulation area. Sue we wish you well. help sort out my mini-farming problems using their Here’s Sue: Well age, energy and increasing responsibility levels are long experience. With those written for Coast & Country, and the earlier ones written for a daily paper, these telling on me, and it’s time to say goodbye to my Coast now number 220, and represent a long running diary of & Country readers (unless something really special me showing my ignorance, making mistakes and having turns up). In the six or so years I’ve been entertaining some successes. Maybe it’s now time to try and turn and educating you all, and elucidating on the tricky them into a book, as people have been suggesting for bits of new rules and legislation, I’ve met hundreds years. of friendly rural people. Your advice about farming I’ve recently been invited to apply to attend a Science matters, about which I was initially hugely ignorant, Writers residential course to be held at Labour Weekhas been a continuing delight to one who is definitely end, run by the Michael King Writers Centre. I went a ‘lifetime learner’. One of my greatest joys in this job to one on biography and memoir a couple of years ago, has been from those many people who told me “Oh I and now feel I should try and take advantage of an always read you, because I understand it”. opportunity to meet others trying to turn ‘science speak’ My former stints in employment for Federated into ‘people speak’ which has always been my aim. Also Farmers Head Office and as a one time Ministerial to listen and network with a wealth of knowledgeable Environment Private Secretary at Parliament have come speakers who write, publish and promote science. in very useful in knowing how things work in WellingSo I shan’t stop writing. Being me I’m bound to pop ton. And those working in official bodies around the up somewhere in an as yet unknown guise! But thank Waikato and Waikato Feds have shown great trust in you all my readers. I hope you’ve enjoyed the trip as sharing their thoughts on new and potentially troublemuch as I have. some issues, obviously hoping I’d be able to get the

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July 2012

Limits can show profits Limits which are inexorably being placed on farming in New Zealand have many farmers wailing and gnashing their teeth.

But those with a talent for lateral thinking are using the same limitations to explore different thinking and new technology, and finding that profitability is still there, you just have to look at it all a bit

differently. At the recent ‘Farming within limits’ conference run by NZARM and Fert Research, held at Karapiro, three very different farmers explained the changes they’ve made which are proving very successful.

Mike Barton was a traditional sheep and beef farmer who now has to farm under a strict nitrogen cap on the western side of Lake Taupo.

His farm was used as an experimental tool to calculate just how

much nitrogen was being leached from his and similar farms into the lake. This involved collectors being inserted into the ground at measured intervals in every paddock.

The results showed that cow urine was the main cause. But beef was Mike’s main profitable product.

Mature cows produce more nitrogen than young ones. So Mike has worked on two fronts to produce a premium product. No more calves are being born on this farm, all

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young stock are bought in and raised through just one winter, and stocking rates adjusted.

Taupo is a major tourist centre, and Mark got together with local restaurants to create the idea of a locally produced, grass fed, premium product, which they call Taupo Beef. It caught on like mad, and they’ve gradually been able to raise the prices for both the beef and the meals, without loss of customers.

Craige Mackenzie is a Cantabrian with two different farms. One of 200ha fully irrigated grows wheat, and various small seeds. The second of 330ha, also irrigated, milks 1200 cows. When he won a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, one of his hosts overseas commented that he was obviously already well into Precision Agriculture. Wow. He hadn’t realised.

These days he’s been joined by daughter Jemma to set up Agri Optics, which deals in data management for farmers, fertiliser companies and machinery retailers. They now offer an Electro Magnetic soil surveying service, and are distributors for the Trimble products such as Green Seeker, Weed Seeker and associated software.

In 2010 they set up the Mackenzie Research Group to start their own

research and ideas development, and at present are patenting their Smart N fertiliser application system. This takes the Green Seeker concept, and turns it upside down, to produce a spray system operated from an ATV which recognises the urine patch growth and only sprays between the patches.

Keith Riley dairy farms 700 cows in the Manawatu, on a property surrounded by river on three sides and with a tendency to flooding, so spreading effluent without leaching was somewhat difficult. The answer has been to use a lot less water, and make it work well. The irrigator now runs for 500 fewer hours each year, and running and maintaining it saves around 83 hours’ work, or two 40-hour weeks of people time.

They are taking nearly 60 per cent less fresh water from their well, from 113m3 to 47m3, and by reusing and storing water intelligently, they’ve reduced effluent from 55l/cow/day to seven litres, saved heaps on electricity, and per cow profitability against FWE has risen.

So doing what you’ve always done is likely to be loss making these days, whereas some clever thinking could both increase profitability and keep the council happy.

by Sue Edmonds

Farmers among most trusted For the second consecutive year, ‘farmer’ has been ranked the fourteenth most trusted occupation in New Zealand by Readers Digest and that says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson is important.

In the opening speech to Federated Farmers National Conference in Auckland late last month Willy said that survey

showed the public understood “that while we are far from perfect, the vast majority of farmers do give a damn”.

“We are sandwiched between childcare workers and dentists but are 20 places higher up the list than journalists and PR people. It tells me the public also have eyes and ears. They drive in our majestic countryside or fly over it.

“ We may be fourteenth but we are a long way off firefighters at number one. It means we need to get involved at every level so we can tell the true story, time and time again, until it finally sinks into the heads of some politicians and some in the media. It is not farming or the environment, it is farming and the environment that count as one,” he said.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 9

Thousands of hectares of new gold fruit to be grafted this winter Its pale gold flesh, packed with goodness, is sweet and juicy with just a hint of tartness and even the smooth hairless skin is good enough to eat.

But more than that, the kiwifruit industry is pinning its hopes for recovery from the devastation of the vine disease Psa-V on the fruit known simply as Gold3.

This winter 2068ha of vines will convert to the new variety which has proven, so far, to be more tolerant to the bacterial disease that has so badly inflicted its predecessor Hort16A. Gold3 was waiting in the wings to succeed Hort16A but probably not at the speed or scale prompted

by Psa-V. It was commercialised in 2010 by Zespri after 10 years of development and before the discovery in New Zealand of Psa-V. Zespri CEO Lain Jager says while Gold3 has shown more tolerance of the bacterial disease Psa-V, it is not immune to it.

“We know the juvenile Gold3 is at higher risk from the disease and that the cultivar, by itself, will not withstand Psa. It needs proactive management to survive.

“No-one is saying we are home and hosed with Gold3. We have to make the best with what we have available and I suspect that most growers will be able to make it work, but there will be some, because of location, inoculum loads (of Psa bacteria) and other factors, who may not.”

Gold3 was selected from the extensive Zespri and Plant & Food Research new variety programme for its qualities of high orchard yields, handling characteristics, storage and positive appeal to consumers deter-

season with no income, and face the high costs of grafting and protecting the vines from pests and diseases, including Psa-V. Growers outside the Te Puke area can use a technique known as notch grafting, whereby new budwood can be grafted onto root stock without removing existing productive canes, enabling the orchard to transition from one variety to another without a significant reduction in income.

In April Te Puke growers voted overwhelming to support a call to ban notch grafting for new varieties in their region.

Technical transfer Zespri CEO Lain Jager enjoys the taste of the will be a strong focus new variety called Gold3 on which the New for Zespri once grafting begins and the Zealand kiwifruit industry is pinning its industry as a whole future hopes. needs to adopt new mined through in-market sensory methods of dealing with pests and work over consecutive seasons. disease, much as the apple industry Lain says among the qualities that has for decade. make Gold3 superior is the absence Lain says this will mean the use of the distinctive Hort 16A ‘beak’ of sprays, balanced with the need which can cause damage when to meet Zespri’s low level residues pieces of fruit came into contact. policy. It will also mean the conWithout such a beak, Gold3 could tinuation of strict hygiene protocols save the industry money and time surrounding access to orchards, in picking and packing and while movement of plant material and in it does not taste exactly the same as post-harvest operations, introduced Hort16A, it is equally as popular after the discovery of Psa-V on a Te with consumers.

Puke orchard in November 2010.

It is also a high yield variety, The dramatic removal of existing meaning growers who graft its budgold vines and the transition to the wood this season won’t have to wait new variety will mean a drop in years to achieve a commercial crop. production next season but Lain Most will however, have at least one says the industry must be prepared

for a rapid jump in production as Gold3 comes on stream.

“By 2015-16 we should see a significant increase in gold volumes, with predictions of around 35 million trays by 2016 but even as early as 2014 we could have 18 million trays, which is not far removed from this season’s 22 million of Hort16A.” That jump in production means it is vital the industry does not lose its skills base, which is among the reasons Zespri is delighted with the uptake of Gold3 because it means experienced growers are staying with the industry. ”There will be some who will exit, or who will retain their land but put it to other uses.

“However, we haven’t seen a lot of orchard sales and in relativity, in the Bay of Plenty, kiwifruit is still the preferred land use.

“There are not a lot of options. Most orchards are too small for dairying and

the avocado industry has not been without its problems.”

The kiwifruit industry is in for a few tough years but has the infrastructure in its orchard management and post-harvest expertise and facilities to handle the predicted increase in crop volumes in the next three years.

And hopefully the world is ready for the new gold fruit out of New Zealand.

Gold3 has already found favour with consumers in China, South East Asia, Brazil and Russia as well as in Europe, where its slightly less sweet taste as compared with Hort16A, appeals to the European palate.

Gold3 may be the industry’s saviour today but researchers aren’t relying on it long term. Scientists are searching for even more tolerant varieties as well as management techniques and products to fight Psa-V, in the knowledge that the bacteria is probably here to stay.

By Elaine Fisher

HUNT FISH EAT

Page 10

July 2012

Book celebrates love of hunting It’s not often a husband and wife team share a strong love of hunting and even more unusual that they should collaborate on a book about their interest but Phil Tucker and Barbara Jamieson-Tucker of Rotorua have done both.

Called ‘Tucker Time’, the book tells how their love of hunting began when each was a child, Phil in Taranaki and Barbara at Galatea.

Both learned to hunt and shoot at an early age and continued to share the interest when they met and married, subsequently taking their children bush to enjoy the great outdoors too.

Much of the book is based on diaries Phil kept.

“I’m glad I wrote things down because otherwise I wouldn’t have remembered it all and also I wanted to be sure that what I wrote was accurate,” says Phil,

who began his working life as a forest service cadet, going on to be a deer culler and forest ranger.

It was through her father Mick that Phil met Barbara and over time came to realise in Barbara he had ‘the best company a man could ever wish for’. Barbara is a proficient hunter with several trophy animals to her credit.

Son Aaron is also a successful hunter and the next generation of Tuckers include his daughter Mikayla, who is a

hunter too. All the family enjoy the outdoors and today Barbara says she and Phil are just as likely to ‘shoot’ a game animal with a camera as a rifle. Like most hunters, the Tucker family are keen conservationists, valuing New Zealand’s wild

and remote places.

Phil and Barbara live on a 19ha lifestyle block near Rotorua where they run a few sheep but have also planted hundreds of native trees, delighting in the return of forest birds to feed on them.

Tucker Time is not only a record

To be in to win, answer the following question: “Where did Barbara Tucker grow up?” Send your answer along with your name, address and phone number to

of one hunting family’s life, but also of a slice of New Zealand history which has all but gone – that of the forestry cadet, deer culler and forest ranger.

Thanks to publishers Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of Tucker Time to give away.

elaine@thesun.co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Elaine Fisher, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than July 17, 2012. The winner will be announced in the August Coast & Country.

# Winner s month’s p of last ‘Crafty G rizes – ir ls Road Trip’ by A nn was Bev W Packer Hamilton ood of ‘Low Lev and DVD el James Mea Hell’ was chea Tauranga m of .

All girl team take major hunting prize They may be serious hunters but the Polaris Big Four winning team called Not Nuts are still in touch with their feminine side – so much so they nearly missed the weigh-in for last month’s hunting competition.

“Bryar had nothing to wear to the weigh-in and went shopping, so we were nearly late,” says Stacey Rust, one of the four young women who made up the team that took the top prize.

The women beat off 77 other teams to win a Polaris Ranger 500 valued at $16,000 by achieving the heaviest average weight across the stag, boar, cock pheasant and trout they entered.

The Not Nuts team of friends with a love of hunting are Rachael Blackie (23) manager, Stacey Rust (20) vet nurse, Bryar Bakalich (22) accountant and Paula Roberts (21) hotel manager.

It was Stacey who co-ordinated the team and while Bryar and Rachael had proved themselves in the field, Paula hadn’t fired a rifle.

“We set her up to shoot a boar and she did. Now she’s hooked.”

The four hunted each day of the competition, getting up at 5.30am and on one occasion not returning home until midnight.

“We stayed together as a team and got the trout at Rotoiti and then went hunting near Gisborne.”

Stacey sees nothing unusual in young women enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

“I love going into the outdoors and when you’re pig hunting, hearing the dogs bailing, because you never know what you’ve got.”

She hopes No Nuts’ win in the Polaris Big Four will encourage more women to get involved in hunting.

“There were other women in the competition but ours was the only all-girl team.”

The friends are already planning their next hunting trip, this time in the Polaris.

“It’s such a neat vehicle because of where you can take it and you can see what’s going on all around you.” Organiser Ken Griffin says only about six of the teams failed to present all four of the required specimens by weigh-in time.

Rachael Blackie, Tauranga; Stacey Rust, Whakatane; Bryar Bakalich, Opotiki; and Paula Roberts, Whakatane; more than held their own at the Polaris Big Four competition in June.

The Polaris Big Four competition is the brain child of a group of Quarry Tavern Community Sports Club committee members who are all keen outdoor hunter gatherers. The total prize package was valued at more than $90,000.

Coverage of the event will be shown on a future episode of TV3 show Outdoors With Geoff.

By Elaine Fisher

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July 2012

HUNT FISH EAT

Page 11

Processing your wild game and small goods Recreational hunters with a quantity of quarry have plenty of options for processing their meat at Kaimai Range Venison.

the wild side

By Brian and Claire Rogers

The Pahoia-based operation of Tana and Gary Krom handles all sorts of home kill and hunters’ bags, small goods and wild game, ranging from venison to buffalo.

The company has a licence to process recreational hunters meat and will skin animals as an extra service including offering advice as to which small goods would be most appropriate for the quality and quantity of meat.

Gary and Tana Krom, owners of Kaimai Range Venison.

Kaimai Range Salami and bier sticks.

The not-so-perfect husband Four guys have been going on the same fishing trip for many years.

Two days before the group is to leave, Ron's wife puts her foot down and tells him he isn't going.

Ron's mates are very upset that he can't go, but what can they do?

Two days later the three get to the camping site only to find Ron sitting there with a tent set up, firewood gathered, and dinner cooking on the fire.

“Ron, how long you been here, and how did you talk your missus into letting you go?”

“Well, I've been here since yesterday. Yesterday evening, I was sitting in my chair and my wife came

about with Rick up behind me and put her hands over my eyes and said, ‘guess who?’

“I pulled her hands off, and she was wearing a brand new nightie.

She took my hand and pulled me to our bedroom. The room had candles and rose petals all over.

On the bed she had handcuffs, and ropes. She told me to tie and cuff her to the bed, and I did. And then she said, ‘Do whatever you want’, so, here I am.”

The C&C Wildside team this month had Canada Geese breasts blended with venison trim to produce meat patties, bier sticks and salami.

A taste test of the finished product this week rated the results as superb.

We’ve now 20kg of small goods in the freezer, with some great bier stick snacks for hunting and fishing trips, salami and tasty patties for burgers or serious fishin’ mission breakfasts.

The facilities at 340 Pahoia Road are impressive, with large modern processing room, chillers, freezers and a smokehouse. They also vacuum pack goods, which seals in freshness and is ideal for frozen products.

Trading hours are from 8am till 4pm and instore smallgoods are available for purchase for the non-hunters! Eftpos is available.

It’s easy to find, turning off SH2 near the Pahoia School and you’ll find Kaimai Range Venison at the end of the road.

NEW PRODUCTS

Page 12

Feeder designed to keep bales dry Keeping feed clean, dry and accessible to stock is important to farmers which is why Corohawk has designed and manufactured a new mobile round bale feeder.

hawk’s Ohaupo factory and have all the hallmarks of quality for which the 35 year-old company is well known.

It is being released at a time when calf rearers are looking for feed systems to graduate their

Chris Hawkings says the feeder, new to the market this winter, was designed in response to requests from clients.

“It is made to be towed behind a motor bike. You drop in the bale, close the lid and the feed keeps dry.

We designed it to be of a height which young stock could easily reach.”

The feeder is constructed from galvanized steel meaning it will stand up to the elements but be light enough to tow. The feeders are manufactured in Coro-

young stock onto once the intensive rearing stage is over. However, it is equally suited to feeding mature animals.

The latest product is once again a result of listening to what farmers want. The company’s informed, logical and practical approach to each client’s project is unique, and designed to offer high quality effective solutions that are durable and backed up by a follow-up service.

“We work closely with farmers, managers and engineers to create systems that save labour, time, money and increase productivity. With the drive toward increased milk solids as a proportion of your yield you need to know the system you choose to install is going to work.”

July 2012

Cows on camera in the yards Filming cows in the yard is the latest means of safely and efficiently managing herds at milking time.

The Cow Sensor and Cow Cam are the newest additions to the Herdflow Crowd Gate.

Cow Cam allows the operator to see from a screen within the dairy shed what exactly is going on at the rear of the herd and manage the gate and the herd accordingly.

The Cow Sensor works by shining a beam across the width of the gate which, if broken by a cow as the gate is lowered, will stop and wait for the cow to move away before lowering completely down. This, along with breech sensor and cow cam, is the ultimate in cow safety features.

These features are part of the robustly constructed, next generation backing gate which also has a single beam (up to 14 metres across),

a new pinch drive system, proximity sensors, a "breech" switch, and an automatic yard washing system (Dungbuster).

Cow management and loading operation within the rectangular yard is fully automated with the Herdflow Crowd Gate.

With this latest addition, Herdflow continues to live up to its reputation of applying innovative design and development to dairy cow handling in and around the dairy shed.

The Herdflow Crowd Gate is an essential piece of equipment in the yard, not only for controlled herd management into the dairy shed but for saving time and labour, contributing to an easier and efficient milking experience, safer and happier cows.

Whether planning a new dairy shed or retro-fitting an existing yard, the installation of an effective backing gate is high on most farmer’s wish list.

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New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are well positioned to benefit from the predicted Growth in China, India and other major economies in Asia and Africa, Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson told the federation’s annual conference in Auckland in June.

“That’s because as these nations continue to grow and develop, their populations will increasingly demand a higher protein diet.

The Ministry for Primary Industries’ Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report for 2012 was optimis-

tic about medium-term prospects, but warned that export revenue will fall over the coming year.

“This will impact on farm revenues and so like many times before, sheep and beef farmers should be looking to a more conservative budget as incomes will come under pressure in the 2012/2013 year.

“As we all know commodity prices have come off their highs and the exchange rate remains stubbornly high.

It would also be a very brave person to expect a repeat of last season’s favourable weather conditions.”

NEW PRODUCTS

July 2012

Page 13

Lighter, comfortable boot Taking the weight off farmers’ feet is exactly what the latest boot from Bullseye Direct can do.

Paul Wallace says the new Prolite Plus boot made of polyurethane are approximately 1kg lighter than regular PVC boots and will last around three times longer.

“These polyurethane boots remain flexible and comfortable for long periods of wear and are supplied with lightweight insoles for great foot support. They have great

The latest boot from Bullseye Direct.

grip for a number of slippery surfaces and are easy to clean as the finish withstands organic and animal fats, manure, mild chemicals, hydrocarbons, oil and grease.”

The polyurethane used in the manufacture of the boots is a foam made of tiny air bubbles. These air bubbles are excellent insulators, keeping feet warm in winter temperatures down to -20°C, and cool and breathing in summer.

The boots are available in a standard and a safety model. “We were keen to introduce a safety boot as we see safety becoming an

increasingly important factor for foot wear.” The safety Prolite Plus boot has a steel cap and steel sole protection too meets ISO 20345 safety standards. The safety model’s steel toe cap provides toe protection up to 200 joules.

Paul says Bullseye Direct has worked

Put a positive ‘SPIN’ on your next fertiliser application

Farming needs leaders to drive change Agriculture needs leaders and Federated Farmers has the courses to help develop them Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson told the Federated Farmers National Conference in Auckland late last month Those courses gave members training and the opportunity to learn skills with a great bunch of likeminded people.

“If we want to enact change in the sheep and beef industry, we need to show leadership and be part of the change going forward into a prosperous future.

“Sitting behind the fence or gate won’t do it; wait-

ing for some else to make the first movement won’t do it; burying your head in the sand won’t do it and saying it can’t be done won’t do it.

“We need to stand up, be prepared to walk tall, take our friends and family with us. We need to show collaboration and communicate with others. I know, like you, the hurdles are high, but they are not insurmountable. This is not the job of one individual; it is about the working together.

“In doing this we can be part of the change and drive forward for a better brighter sheep and beef industry,” Jeanette said. For more information visit: www.fedfarm.org.nz/training

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Page 14

NEW PRODUCTS

July 2012

Happy cows – happy farmer

Happy cows – warm and dry in a home fitted with ArgiMat Slat Mats.

Happiness for Ohaupo farmer John Pouls is knowing his 250 cows are warm and dry.

“It’s peace of mind, knowing they are not out in the weather and are comfortable,” says John who has two Herd Homes on his farm, one fitted out with AgriMat Slat Mats and AgriMat Soft Beds from Numat Ltd. “The slat matting in the cubicle barn is brilliant because it is easier on the cow’s hooves.” The thicker rubber bedding gives the cows a level of comfort and warmth they obviously enjoy he says.

“Our cows can be inside sometimes for 24 hours a day when the weather is bad. They

are quiet and happy. There is no waste of feed and they need less food because they are not using energy to keep warm and the pasture is protected.”

The first Herd Home was built six yards ago and the second four seasons ago and John says the system is better for the animals and the environment.

Jacob Judd, sales and marketing director for Numat says the AgriMat Slat Mat is made from high quality products in Germany and custom cut to fit the buildings it is installed in.

“It has a unique peg system to hold the mat in place and is designed for traffic areas to reduce lameness although in some cases

it becomes a bedding area too.”

Designed to cover harsh concrete excrement slats, the matting increases lying comfort for cows and improves heat insulation. It can help reduce stress, lameness and lesions.

Numat is a family owned business which recognises rubber as one of nature’s “perfect” products and the company believes no synthetic products come close to rubber’s reliability, efficiency and environmental sustainability. Numat works with the world’s leading rubber manufacturers to nurture a continuous programme of product development, providing customers with new and innovative rubber solutions.

Improving water Throughout New Zealand most farms or lifestyle blocks have water quality issues.

Whether it is iron, manganese, boron, arsenic, turbidity or pathogens, they all pose a risk or are a hindrance to the farm owner and his animals.

THERES NO PLACE LIKE HERDHOMES® SHELTERS Built on innovation and fortified by research, HerdHomes® Shelters are the sustainable solution to traditional farming challenges The future of productive farming www.herdhomes.co.nz M + 64 21 706 848 P + 64 7 857 0526 NZ Patent Numbers: 521150, 544190, 550635, 545042. International Patent Numbers: 2003267874, 03748807.9. Further patents pending

The Forsi advanced automated filter system is specifically designed for use on dairy farms.

Forsi Innovations in Matamata is a progressive company that has developed an advanced automated filter system specifically designed for use on dairy farms. The system will filter out all contaminants to bring the water back to a high standard. It has been shown in studies that if dairy cows drink quality water their milk production will increase.

Dairy cows are extremely sensitive to the taste of iron and/or manganese in the water supply, more so than humans.

Forsi Innovations are also trialling an innovative effluent recycling system, that will help farmers avoid costly penalties from effluent leaching into waterways.

Forsi stands for – Filtration Opportunities Release Smart Innovations.

The company is owned and operated by Terry Hawes along with sons, Craig and Darren.

July 2012

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 15

If you’re considering a highly sought after lifestyle, don’t leave it for too long.

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Page 16

RURAL CONTRACTORS

July 2012

Specialists in Brushweeds and Pasture Control

Fertiliser spreading should be a precision operation with the correct amount of nutrients applied exactly when and where they are needed, believe Craig and Kathy Snodgrass of Rotorua.

This is why they have invested in quality machinery and technology for their business, Snodgrass Contracting.

Superior traction

The couple operates a four wheel drive Mercedes spray truck with six extra-wide tractor grip tyres to minimise ground compaction and give superior traction. Inside the cab there is a GPS guidance and mapping system, along with computer controlled spraying equipment.

“We specialise in the application of liquid nitrogen (dissolved urea) and because of our reputation and equipment we’ve been asked to work as far away as Northland and Hawke’s Bay. However, the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Central North Island are the areas

we service most,” says Craig, who has eight years’ experience in the industry and has owned his own vehicle for two and a half years.

The truck is also fitted with a hiab crane to lift bags of urea, which means Craig doesn’t require the use of a farm tractor.

The truck has six extra-wide tractor grip tyres.

The 5000 litre stainless steel tank is used only for liquid fertiliser application, so there’s no concern about other residues it may contain. It has its own agitation system for quickly dissolving urea, saving time on the job.

The spray boom can cover out to 18 metres, though boom-less spraying is an option for steeper areas.

Craig’s truck tows a trailer with an additional tank for re-filling with water on-site, as well as carrying any liquid additives and concentrates.

Faster response

All Work is Fully Guaranteed

Craig says applying nitrogen in a liquid form is becoming popular with farmers, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas where leaching is of concern.

Liquid nitrogen is absorbed through the leaf rather than through the roots, using around half the usual amount of urea but still getting the same or better response from a full rate of spread urea.

Other benefits include reduced losses of nitrogen and faster uptake, meaning the pasture will respond quicker.

Craig also applies a vast range of other liquid fertiliser products, including fish, kelp and fine particle lime blends.

We specialise in driveways, entranceways, tanker tracks, hard stands and more.

We can offer you metal for farm races, shed sites etc deliver to site ex quarry.

July 2012

RURAL CONTRACTORS

Page 17

People focus for contractors’ conference Rural contracting is a demanding and complex industry made up of hundreds of small, medium and large independent operators who will have the chance to come together to learn from each other and from expert speakers at the Rural Contractors New Zealand conference this month.

“Contractors – the People” is the theme for the conference at the Bayview Resort, Wairakei, Taupo from July 24 to 26 and it’s relevant for all in the industry, says Rural Contractors New Zealand executive director Roger Parton.

“The theme recognises the critical importance of the employer and employees in rural contracting, and the conference programme has been designed to look at the wellbeing of the individual and personal/business development.”

Approximately 150 delegates are expected to attend and Roger says it is not necessary to be a member of the organisation to take part.

Rural contracting is becoming increasingly complex and business owners must be well informed about the issues, both in New Zealand and internationally, which could affect their livelihood.

“One of the benefits of attending conferences, in addition to the excellent speakers, is the networking among contractors and discovering that you are not alone in the issues you may be facing.

“This year’s conference features a mini trade expo coupled with a gourmet barbecue lunch, where delegates can get up close and personal with the exhibits and explore in-depth, all of the items on display.”

The event also includes a charity auction of items donated by sponsors, with top billing going to a $4500 ride-on mower.

“The proceeds will go to St John Ambulance because it is a very worthy cause and also because if our members get into trouble, it’s St John which comes to the rescue.”

There’s a full programme of speakers but it won’t be all work and no play.

Comedian Ginette McDonald is the guest speaker at dinner on Tuesday and the conference winds up with an awards dinner and dancing on Thursday.

The conference will be opened by Simon Bridges, Associate Minister for Transport and MP for Tauranga.

First on the programme for discussion are the likely impacts on agricultural contracting of the proposed changes to transport legislation and a session led by AgCarm and GrowSafe regarding the use of agrichemicals.

Jim Wiles from Lumley General Insurance and Garry Bray of Elders Insurance will speak on the topic ‘Breaking your tractor’.

Allan Baker from the relationship coaching consultancy Kiwisense will talk about ‘The Contractor’s Mind’. In keeping with the wellness theme, osteopath Andrew Buckley’s topic is ‘The contractor’s body’, followed

by Bryan Williams, Agricultural Sector Advisor Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Labour.

In what could be a sobering address entitled ‘The Final Result’, Judge Neil MacLean, Chief Coroner will speak.

Developments in DairyNZ and Best Practice is the topic of an address by Rob Brazendale

of DairyNZ’s Pasture Renewal Leadership Group, and Paul Diver of Paul Diver & Associates will discuss ‘Employment Law, What Next?’. ‘Training the Contractor’ is the subject of an address by Ross Leslie of Infratrain.

Keynote speaker will be Duncan Matthew of BNZ Taupo who will outline what the agricultural economy may be like in five years’ time.

Registration is open until Friday July 20.

To find out more, phone Rural Contractor New Zealand executive director Roger Parton, 0800 424 266 or visit www. ruralcontractors.org.nz

GRANT CONTRACTORS (2008) LTD

Page 18

RURAL CONTRACTORS

July 2012

Accreditation brings confidence Rural Contractors New Zealand is an organisation committed to ensuring as far as it is practicable, that members provide the best services to their clients.

It does this through encouraging members to achieve accreditations and to ensure those who have, are duly recognised for their achievements. There are three main classes of accreditation: Registered Contractor, Qualified

Contractor and Registered Chemical Applicator. Under the accreditation programme a Registered Contractor is a firm that has undergone a significant independent audit to ensure that the firm is meeting its statutory and regulatory responsibilities. This process is undertaken to reduce the risk to the client and to minimise the client's exposure to liability in employment, health and safety and other areas.

The audit process is undertaken every three years and in the event of the firm changing ownership, the new owners are required to sign

a declaration that all of the items confirmed in the original audit are still in place.

The process of becoming a Registered Contractor is not onerous and those that are operating their business in a proper manner should have little difficulty.

A Qualified Contractor is a firm where the owner, manager or an employee in a supervisory capacity holds a NZQA Level 3 National Certificate in one or more of the skills offered to clients.

The status is awarded solely on the achieve-

ment of the NZQA qualification and remains in place while the relevant employees are in the firm's employment. This process requires annual certification.

Registered Chemical Applicators achieve this status through the GrowSafe organisation and its training programme. Members who are Registered Chemical Applicators are automatically eligible for this status upon application.

Working with contractors who have these accreditations gives clients confidence that they meet industry standards.

Hawke’s Bay farmer wins communications award A Hawke’s Bay farmer who has become a strong commentator on farming, the farming industry and agricultural sciences, has been awarded the 2012 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

have 350ha. The properties carry high performance breeding ewes, including a coopworth sheep stud that uses latest technology such as sire referencing, AI and gene identification. Bull beef makes up 40 per cent of the stock carried and 15 per cent of the property is planted in forestry, and areas of amenity and native plantings are scattered over all the farms.

Steve Wyn-Harris started his farmHe has won a number of farming ing career in 1985 when he bought awards over the years, most recently 180 hectares in Central Hawke’s Bay, last year when the farm took out the adding several other blocks over East Coast Ballance Farm Environment the years, so he and his wife now Supreme Award.

However, it is because of his commentaries about farming, farming industries and agricultural sciences that he took out this year’s Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award. He is a broadcaster with his own local radio show and is a regular on the national Farming Show.

He is a long-standing columnist, and has been contributing weekly columns for many years, well over 660 so far, and currently appears in The NZ Farmers Weekly.

Steve was selected by an independent panel of 10 judges ahead of several other very worthy recipients to receive this prestigeous award, which was announced at an awards dinner in Hamilton last month.

The Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award is administered by the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators, and recognises excellence in communicating agricultural issues, events or information.

Regarded as the premier award for agricultural communicators, it is also the most valuable prize on offer.

Landcorp provides a prize of $2500, which is part of a funding package of $7500 in sponsorship for the Guild.

The additional funding assists with administration costs, including the award dinner.

Guild President, Jon Morgan, said Steve is a worthy recipient of the award this year. His columns, comments, presentations at conferences cover an extensive range of topics, but his style remains the same, relaxed, whimsical and often humourous.

“He is widely respected as an excellent farmer, but has that rare gift of communications that crosses all areas of rural life.”

July 2012

RURAL CONTRACTORS

Page 19

Fencer Paul shares his winnings

Paul Van Beers, winner of the Fieldays Golden Pliers fencing competition proved he’s a great sportsman in more way than one.

The fencer from Porangahau in the Hawke’s Bay gave a portion of his cash prize to each of the bottom three placed entrants in his event.

Fencing has been part of New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays since the annual event began 44 years ago and it is now known as the premier fencing competition in the country.

The Fieldays NZ Wire / Wiremark Fencing Championships winners announced at the official prize giving on Friday June 15 were: Best first year winner – Jason Van Beers, Porangahau; Best second year winner - Jared Nicholson, Napier. Bill Schuler award: Brad Joines, Raumati South 1; Jason Van Beers 2; Isaac Sage, Palmerston North 3. Silver Spades team: Shane Bouskill, Waipawa, and Gordon Hansen, Napier 1; Jeff Joines, Raumati South, and Matt Jones, Levin 2; Paul Van Beers and Jason Van Beers, Porangahau 3; Daryl Wheeler and Nick Liefting, Pukekohe 4.

Golden Pliers: Paul Van Beers 1, Shane Bouskill 2, Tim Stafford, Marton 3.

Winner - Top Quality fence Paul Van Beers.

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Page 20

CALF REARING

July 2012

Warmth, food, space – what calves need

Part one

There seem to be as many different systems for calf rearing as there are calf rearers – but there are some integral components that you need to consider regardless of the system you employ.

This article is the first of two to serve as a reminder on some of the “fundamentals” for a great calf rearing system.

Don’t pack calves too tightly in the

trailer. Come back for a second load rather than risk injury to the animal.

They need about 1m per calf on the trailer. Make sure there is some bed-

ding on the trailer too. If calves are likely to be in the trailer for a reasonable distance, ensure they have shelter from the wind/rain (some people attach a used grass seed sack to the front of the trailer as a wind break).

Colostrum

Calves need to drink colostrum within the first few hours of life (approx two litres in first six hours), this is imperative. In a recent survey of calf rearers on dairy farms it was highlighted that on 92 per cent of properties calves were picked up on a daily basis, only 21per cent fed calves colostrum immediately on arrival at the shed and 30 per cent did not feed for more than 8 hours after arrival at the shed. 35 per cent of rearers reported that if the calves did not drink they waited until the next day before considering taking action.

It is a concern that not all calves are fed colostrum on arrival at the shed – references indicate that with once a day collection systems more than 25 per cent of calves could have received insufficient colostrum.

Failure to get colostrum into these calves is likely to compromise their performance (40 per cent more die if they don’t have colostrum).

Trials have shown that leaving the calf on the cow for a few hours then giving two feeds of colostrum in the first 12-24 hours of life gives the most effective immunity transfer.

Shed Environment

Hygiene – Use disinfectants to keep bugs away. Also, an effective effluent system is required.

Dry and draught free means dry from the rain and climatic elements and dry from underneath with effective bedding. The ideal temperature for a calf is 17oC

but the air temperature in New Zealand is unlikely to be a problem as long as there is no draught, the calf is dry and housed on clean dry bedding – this calf would be fine even when outside temperatures reach 0 oC. Every 5oC drop below 0 means an increase in feed requirements of about 10 per cent. However, once exposed to wind and rain, feed requirements increase dramatically.

Feed

Whatever feed you choose to use in your system, it is important that it is fresh (or well preserved in the case of stored colostrum).

Some people feed calves once a day – others twice.

This goes for meal too – don’t use any “left overs” from last season, as soon as you crack open cereal grains they will start to deteriorate in quality – fresh is best (although meal should have a shelf life of at least three months). Bedding straw and hay should not be too dusty.

A calf has a high requirement for protein (young animals have more `meat’ in their live weight gain – older animals tend to have more “fat” in theirs) young growing calves need a starter meal of approx. 18-20 per cent crude protein.

Look for ingredients such as soya bean meal or copra to supply this protein in preference to palm kernel meal. Once calves are grazing some pasture (or eating more meal) you can change them on to a lower protein meal (16 per cent crude protein).

I recommend that you include a coccidiostat in you calf meal as a precaution – but if you do then don’t let your dog or horse eat it. You shouldn’t feed it to your chooks either (it won’t hurt them but you shouldn’t eat their eggs).

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CALF REARING

July 2012

Page 21

Rotavirus can be deadly Rotavirus is probably the biggest and most talked about problem in calf rearing, says Bill Coates of Ngahiwi Farms Ltd.

An outbreak of the virus in a calf rearing unit can be devastating and demoralising for both calves and rearers and Bill says information contained in a Ruakura Ag Research publication may help farmers better understand and deal with outbreaks.

Rotavirus affects calves up to three weeks of age and is spread primarily by them ingesting faecal matter containing virus particles, which can also be inhaled, particularly

when contamination levels are high.

The most obvious sign of infection is a pale yellow scour, often rancid smelling, which leads to fluid loss, electrolyte loss and dehydration.

The virus infects and destroys mature cells from the tip of the `villi’ which are the tiny, finger like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb

nutrients. This not only reduces the absorption of milk and electrolytes, but the damage also causes loss of fluid from the intestine, compounding dehydration. It is dehydration which kills calves.

The virus infection also leads to the concentration of calcium in the intestine cells which acts like a toxin and leads to the characteristic yellow scour.

There is no silver bullet, though vaccinating cows against rotavirus and feeding calves their colostrum milk helps.

Thoroughly cleaning sheds and spraying with a virucide solution at the end of each season is vital. Spraying with the virucide ever three to four days and using it to clean feeding equipment until the youngest calves are

two weeks old is advised.

Identifying infected calves with coloured collars, indicating how badly they were affected, helps manage the treatment programme.

Rapid treatment with electrolytes is critical and calves need milk to keep their energy levels up. Many electrolytes contain sodium bicarbonate which alters the pH in the digestive tract and adversely affect milk production so milk and electrolytes should be fed at least

two hours apart.

There is no effective control or prevention for rotavirus. Unlike bacterial infections such as salmonella, it can’t be controlled by antibiotics.

Ngahiwi Farms Ltd, suppliers of premium calf and lamb milk replacers and an all-purpose stock feed milk powder for mixing into dry feed, aims to work closely with farmers, sharing knowledge and ideas to find animal health and nutritional solutions.

Export values keep falling The value of New Zealand’s exported goods fell $202 million, 4.4 per cent, in May 2012, according to Statistics NZ. Exports of meat were down 12.6 per cent and milk powder, butter

and cheese were down 6.2 per cent. Both showed year-on-year decreases in May 2012. The commodity trends, which reflect how values change over time, have been falling for at least six months.

Meanwhile imports increased by 1.1 per cent, $46 million. The

trade balance for May was a surplus of $301 million, 6.8 per cent of exports, while the year ending May 2012 was a annual trade deficit of $805 million, 1.7 per cent of exports. Capital and consumption goods rose and intermediate goods fell.

Red meat conference this month Best practice is the theme for the Red Meat Sector Conference in Queenstown on Monday July 16.

Online registrations are now open for this joint industry event, hosted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association. The one-day programme will showcase best practice with case studies presented by an inspirational line-up of experts.

There will also be plenty of chance to network, with a cocktail function on the evening of Sunday July 15, and a gala dinner on Monday July 16.

Conference speakers include Arron Hoyle, McDonald’s – mega trends, mega meat chains and partnering

with New Zealand for success ; John Carroll, Director of Primor Produce Ltd – the avocado industry’s collaborative marketing model (AVANZA); Scott Hansen, Managing Director of Meat & Livestock Australia – an Australian perspective on market development, access and outlook; Rick Stott, Executive Vice President of Agri Beef, United States – the Agri Beef integrated value chain; Mark Paine, DairyNZ – best practice in action in the New Zealand dairy sector; Doug Avery – adopting best practice – a farmer’s perspective and Nigel Latta, psychologist and TV personality will talk about behavioural change.

For more information, email Laura Hughes, the conference coordinator, or call her on 0800 233 352.

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DAIRY

Page 22

July 2012

Saving a ‘downer cow’ vet’s view

with Ravensdown Vet Gavin Goble BVSc MRCVS

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“Downer Cow” is a term used to describe a cow (usually a dairy cow) that is found on the ground and unable to stand.

The vast majority of cases occur within the transition period, ie in the last three weeks of pregnancy or first three weeks of lactation. It is obvious that failure to treat the cow adequately will result in a dead cow, which is very costly. There are three main principles that I use:

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Try to get an accurate diagnosis first, ie why is she actually down? While most cases of downer cows are metabolic cases (milk fever and/or grass staggers and/or ketosis), there are other causes such as blood poisoning ( for example from severe mastitis) or complications from calving (such as nerve paralysis or fractured/dislocated pelvis or hip). Even metabolic cases ideally need a diagnosis to get the best result. Question which of the three conditions is it or is it a combination of more than one (most commonly low calcium and magnesium)?

Speed:

The speed of treatment is absolutely critical because once a cow has been down for 12 hours severe muscle cramps starts to occur in the hind legs due to compression of the blood supply (which reduces the chances of her ever standing again). By 24 hours the chances of survival diminish very rapidly.

Type of Treatment:

For example, the metabolic solution is usually better given in the vein (under the skin is a lot slower response) especially if she is unable to sit up, and sometimes several (rather than one or two) bags may be required; also should the solution be just calcium or a combination?

Should the injectable treatment be followed up with an oral calcium product? In addition ‘nursing’ care will increase the chances of success, ie sling/hip lifter, hydration, feed, warming her up if cold (maybe move into a shed), additional drugs (such as anti-inflammatories) or veterinary attention.

Just a note on oral metabolic products, there are three main types; oral calcium (for example Calol, Calform), oral energy supplements (such as Ketol) and ‘Starter Drenches’.

Never give any of these products to downer cows that are unable to sit upright and swallow – they should only be used after injectable products have got her sitting up and preferably on her feet.

DAIRY

July 2012

Page 23

Fields of barley not feed answer I see a lot of barley fields and am concerned as to why farmers are so sold on planting it as winter feed.

They are notorious for nitrate accumulation and are very high in NPN (Non Protein Nitrogen). What the animal needs during these cold winter months is energy feeds which oats are not. The TDN (Total Digestible Nutrient) or energy value is pathetic to say the least.

The TDN is an estimate of the total convertible energy and as the temperature plummets, and the demand for energy increases. An animal requires energy for all metabolic functions including gestation and to keep warm in cold weather. The TDN level of green feed oats is around 59 per cent

and an animal need at least 72 per cent over winter, and more if it is gestating.

The electrolyte levels are also poorly balanced in oats, potassium dominating. This imbalance produces a deficit of all other nutrients, including calcium – magnesium – sodium – and phosphorus. As phosphorus is essential in the energy cycle, this deficit gives a double whammy. We have not only an energy shortage but have restricted the animal’s ability to produce the compounds ATP and ADP, two vital steps in the energy cycle.

To run an energy-requiring reaction, some energy-yielding reaction must occur, and this energy-yielding reaction results in the synthesis of “energy-rich” phosphate bonds. However, due to the high potassium levels

Take-way corporate could ‘improve lives of animals’ Take-away giant McDonalds has the ability to make a positive impact on animal welfare, according to Juliette Banks, National Accreditation and Marketing Manager for SPCA’s Blue Tick programme.

SPCA has supported the Green Party’s public request to McDonalds in New Zealand to set welfare standards for their pork products.

“Companies like McDonalds can change the face of our farming in New Zealand,” says Juliette.

It has that ability because of the large quantities of product it purchases.

Changing the corporate policy to purchase only high welfare or cagefree products such as pork, eggs and chicken can improve the lives of millions of animals, she say.

“Eighty-five per cent of our hens are still being farmed in battery cages and

99 per cent of the pig industry is still using inhumane methods such as sow stalls, farrowing crates and concrete fattening pens.”

The SPCA runs a certification scheme for farm animals in New Zealand known as the ‘Blue Tick’, which is seen on products such as chicken, pork and eggs. The scheme is regularly audited against high welfare standards which are listed on the SPCA website www.rnzspca.org.nz/bluetick. The non-profit scheme was created to get animals out of cages and improve the welfare on farms.

“We also ask McDonalds, and indeed all other fast food businesses, to step up and lead the way to help improve animal welfare in New Zealand.”

Juliette says SPCA is happy with the growth of the SPCA Blue Tick to date and would like to see it on New Zealand takeaway menus so that consumers can guarantee they are eating a humanely farmed product.

in the oats, and most other pasture grasses I might add, this results in a massive imbalance in electrolyte ratios.

Animals on high protein feeds will be inclined to urinate often and when this high protein level is associated with high K levels the animal will seek water more frequently in an effort to flush out the potential toxic levels of both ammonia and potassium.

Peter Lester of Quantum Laboratories

from the lab If you have planted oats as greenfeed, make sure the animals have access to high energy feeds as well, such as grain of good quality meadow hay. Let them have access to a well-balanced mineral lick.

Page 24

DAIRY

July 2012

Drama on the farm The Scott Guy murder trial recently before the courts has brought focus to the issue of tensions that can arise in family farming businesses.

In any family, there can be so many frustrating issues happening, such as broken marriages with siblings taking sides and ganging up on mum or dad, fights over custody, money, family trusts and so on, and these can all equal recipes for disaster.

Then there are battles over the estate when Dad dies and has not left his affairs carefully documented.

The family get involved, call up the lawyers and it is battle royal. Often the only winners are solicitors, where it is not uncommon for the ‘battle’ to cost $100,000+ each. I have seen many of these situations which always end in tragedy and heart ache.

The best solution here is to ensure everything is documented and signed, as the devil can be in the detail.

I have also seen battles where non-farming family, who have never been on the subject property, are suddenly ‘expert’ in all aspects of farming. Even the solicitors acting are out of ‘Latte City’ with even less understanding of normal farming practices, wade into the argument.

Loans by parents to help sons get established on farms without too much bank debt are called ‘Interest free and on demand’ loans. Ensuring they are registered and signed appropriately can save continuing heartache and anguish amongst family and the people involved in the future.

I am continually realising that often the Y Generation want it all – now. They will overrun the parents and their advisors and fight for the cash flow now. I thought it was our asset creation for our ‘time’ and they (Generation Y) could have what was left when we go - apparently not.

I know of a case here in New Zealand where the siblings showed up at home, forced the parents to cash some large cheques and the Ys pocketed the money and left. The police got involved and passed if off as a civil matter.

So, what I am saying is that with farming, families, inequality, jealousy, money and misunderstanding, we need to be more aware of family dynamics, and take better charge of our affairs if we can.

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

Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought.

Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the farming industry.

Contact him on phone 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675.

July 2012

DAIRY

Page 25

Reducing the workload in spring There is a school of thought that dolomite should not be applied in situations where soil calcium levels are near ideal because dolomite, as well as containing 11.5 per cent magnesium also contains 24 per cent calcium.

In theory that appears sound, however the reality is quite different. In situations where soils have been limed this autumn it is almost inevitable that plant available magnesium levels will have declined.

In this situation dolomite still remains the most effective magnesium fertiliser available. Scientific studies at Massey University show the release of magnesium from dolomite at the end of 12 month to be significantly greater than magnesium from unreacted serpentine.

The other more soluble magnesium products, calcined magnesite (MgO) and Kieserite (MgSO4) are likely to lift plant available magnesium levels in a short period after application, however due to their solubility, they are also prone to more rapid leaching.

If the purpose of applying magnesium fertiliser is to minimise and eventually eliminate calcium/magnesium related magnesium disorders, particularly in dairy cows just prior to calving and in the three months of peak lactation after calving, dolomite is the most effective magnesium fertiliser available.

In our 20 years’ of work with farmers dolomite applied at 220 -250kg/ha has always lifted magnesium levels in pasture plants sufficiently to ensure that when animals are well fed on a balanced diet and the rumen is functioning efficiently few suffer severe calcium/ magnesium related metabolic problems in spring.

When dolomite is applied at 250kg/ha, 60kg/ha of calcium is applied. Being in the carbonate form the release rate is steady, with plant tissue calcium levels in rye dominated pastures constant at around 0.60 per cent with magnesium levels rising to between 0.22 and 0.25 per cent.

When soils are well structured and biologically active there is an ongoing demand for calcium.

Calcium is a major constituent of milk and bone, so whether the primary requirement is milk production or growth, the calcium provided is beneficial in maintaining calcium availability.

The key to optimum performance is the balance between calcium and magnesium.

Prior to calving the requirement for calcium is less than when milking. In dolomite treated pastures the demand for more calcium after calving is often met by the increasing percentage of clover in the sward.

Phosphorus is an essential element in animal nutrition and magnesium acts as a carrier for phosphorus.

Again dolomite helps ensure a balance of required major elements essential for optimum pasture growth and animal performance.

Keeping a constant ratio of minerals in pasture is an essential part of ensuring optimum animal health and performance. Because dolomite is a carbonate the release rate follows the natural increase of pasture growth in spring.

When soil temperatures are low the release of both calcium and magnesium is sufficient to meet plant requirements, with lifting growth rates due to increasing soil temperatures in spring the rate of release of both calcium and magnesium increases accordingly.

If the aim is to maximise pasture and animal performance this coming season without time spent treating cows down with calcium/magnesium related disorders, dolomite remains the most effective product available. Its local, it’s immediately available, and provides protection for at least 12 months.

As the late Prof Walker wrote “…. individual farmers will have to make their own calculations, but in my view dolomite is the ideal material to use on acid soils low in magnesium….”

IMAGINE...

HAVING YOUR HERD AND FARM DAIRY ANTIBIOTIC FREE, USING AN EFFECTIVE BIOLOGICAL OPTION!

Alrea dy be en succe ssful on hundr ed farms s of o seven ver years

Horses need immunity too While the OMS Mastade programme is improving health for a growing number of cows, the same supplement is doing wonders for horses.

Calm heifers getting used to the shed.

Lorraine Petersen’s partner Brett had been using OMS for his cows, and Lorraine is one of those amazing people who takes in unwanted and broken down horses to care for.

While Brett would like to see horse numbers reduced, Lorraine claims that as fast as one goes, another two arrive! While ‘tatty and past their use-by date’ when they arrive, for the last 18 months all the horses have been being dosed with OMS and the results have been remarkable. During this time no worm drenches have been needed to support the welfare of these animals.

Three have been rejuvenated to become valuable mounts for the local branch of Riding for the Disabled, and their original owners have been moved to take back the care of them. Another elderly mare had been constantly lame before arriving, but with OMS she now hasn’t been lame for over a year, and her previous owner is happy to take her out for rides.

Two ‘problem’ horses arrived which were nervous, hard to catch and head shy, and which suffered from split and misshapen hooves. Within two months their behaviour and feet problems had virtually disappeared, and they will now join the team at RDS for their holiday programme.

Heifer training with OMS

OMS doesn’t just make ruminant animals more capable of coping with physical illness, it also assists to reduce stress. At a time when thousands of heifers all over the country are having their first introductions to

farm dairies, stressed animals can cause havoc during early milkings, and this at a time when the rigours of calving have farmers already exhausted.

Combining the Mastade programme with a few ‘dry runs’ through the dairy in advance can turn an annual nightmare into a ‘we’ve done this before’ experience for heifers.

Clive Dalton has described a detailed four stage process to achieve this on his blog at http://woolshed1. blogspot.com .

Look for ‘heifer training’, and make first milkings easier for all concerned.

by Sue Edmonds

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FINANCE

Page 26

July 2012

Farm syndication trend continues Working from the old adage “together we achieve more” farm syndication is now very much a part of our rural economy.

By Brett Gould

The growth in farm syndication has come from the likes of : • sharemilkers looking at different ways to grow their dairy interests • professionally managed farming syn dicates marketed to the public includ ing existing farmers and new investors • smaller groups of individuals sharing their resources to provide rationaliza tion of assets, skills and economies of scale.

As at 2005 Fonterra had 12,500 suppliers made up of 8,000 owners. There are now 10,463 suppliers (a decrease of 400-500 per year) and supposedly still 8,000 owners. In the same period production has increased by 86m litres – received from fewer suppliers made up of more owners proportionately. There should be plenty available candidates for the Fonterra Governance Development Programme.

Syndication has been common in forestry for some time but, over the last few years there has been a noticeable growth in, particularly, the dairy industry and, to a lesser degree, sheep and beef – and the latter, now looks to be changing to a marked degree with the increase in profitability.

Managed farm syndicates are now part of the investment landscape and provide a useful facility to existing farmers seeking to diversify and contribute their skills and experience. New non-farming investors are attracted by the opportunities presented.

Whilst these managed syndicates are generally professionally managed, docu-

mented and presented, the more usual “closely held” syndicates seem to be more hit and miss.

This is understandable given the range of issues to be addressed in setting up a farming syndicate in, usually a constrained period, including: 1. Who and on what basis is someone promoting the syndication?

2. What preconditions need to be fulfilled?

3. Are all parties involved solvent, untainted and compatible?

4. What due diligence is necessary?

5. Who will run the operation and what authorities are they to be given?

6. Are there any Securities Act or Over seas Investment issues to be addressed?

7. Which advisors are to provide the necessary independent advice to the parties involved?

8. What entity is best suited to the operation?

9. What documentation and agreements need to be in place before anything can be made “unconditional”?

10. What is the intended term of the investment and what exit strategies are to be available?

This list is far from comprehensive – the initial questionnaire we work through with clients goes to six pages.

When it comes to advisors, there can be issues when you use one of the parties’ existing advisors – in the event of a future

FARM SYNDICATION LAWYER

BRETT GOULD of Logan Gold Walsh Lawyers Ltd specilises in providing advice on all aspects of farm syndication.

• Over 30 years experience in rural, commercial & property law • Involved in over 100 farm syndications • Member of the ‘NZLS Rural Transactions committee’, ‘AMINZ Rural Dispute Professionals Panel’ & a Sharemilking Disputes Conciliator • Author of the ‘Company Shareholder Agreement’ supplied & marketed to lawyers by the Auckland Law Society • Presenter at NZ Law Society & Lexis Nexis seminars on equity farming & business structures & operations • Acts for a major New Zealand farm syndicator • Investor in a dairy farm syndicate.

Call Brett today on 06 370 6475 for more information or email brett@lgwlawyers.co.nz BRETT GOULD Email brett@lgwlawyers.co.nz Phone 06 370 6475 Mobile 0274 427 436 Logan Gold Walsh Lawyers Ltd, PO Box 562, Masterton 5840

www.lgwlawyers.co.nz

dispute between the parties and/ or the entity they could be easily conflicted and, not able to act any further. It is against this background that we regularly receive a number of inquiries or instructions from parties we have not acted before, to advise, act for and form their syndicate.

Each of the banking groups have Equity Farm Managers who have seen what can go wrong with these syndicates. More often than not it is because the process and documentation have not been satisfactorily completed (and in doing so ensuring the respective issues are addressed), which heightens the chance the syndicate does not go the distance. I have been contacted by several bank officers in relation to syndicates causing them concern because of the incomplete documentation- which we have then proceeded to complete for the parties on an impartial basis.

It is noteworthy that the smaller the number of investors often the more issues there are – understandably when some parties can be wearing up to three hats – shareholder, director and manager/ employee. This also brings into consideration relevant issues such as death, disability and insurance.

We often hear the saying “the devil is in the detail” – farm syndications are no exception. There is no substitute for good preparation, a clear process, full understanding and commitment.

“the devil is in the detail”

Keen interest at Angus sale

Buyers, catalogues in hand comparing notes The Angus bulls were looking their best; farmers were walking around the paddock, catalogues in hand and looking serious. Some were seen comparing notes.

Buying a bull is a serious business and the ones presented for Alistair and Pat Sharpe’s first two year old bull sale were serious stuff.

“We usually sell the bulls as yearlings and send a few two year olds to the Hamilton sales but decided to have our sale on the farm this year,” says Pat. The sale was held at their run off just outside Paeroa.

Waitawheta Angus stud has gained the reputation of producing top quality quiet animals which produce meat tender enough to win the “Steak of Origin” title.

Twenty-six two-year-olds were presented for sale and 19 were sold. The top price was $10,200 and the average was $3,900. The four year old bull sold for $2,800.

Four went to registered stud breeders and an Angus councillor bought the top priced one. Others went to Nuhaka, Coromandel, Whitianga, Te Awamutu, Gisborne and Te Kuiti.

The sale was conducted by New Zealand Farmers Livestock and will probably become an annual event.

By Helen Wilson

RURAL DRIVER

July 2012

CS

SPE

Page 27

Mazda hits right note with diesel CX-5

CX-5 TD. Mazda litre Diesel L

2.2 AWD CX-5 l.

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By Richard Rennie

Mazda, once again, set the scene for the sporty SUV market with the launch of the CX-7 some years ago.

It was a radical departure from the conventional SUV profile with its raked back and sporty aesthetics, wrapped around a super punchy (turbo charged no less) engine that put it in a class of its own for performance.

The test car for Bay Driver was at the top of the tree for specifications and features, the CX-5 LTD auto diesel. Finished with leather seats there is probably nothing even the most demanding customer would be left wanting in the LTD. Even the base GLX models feature Bluetooth, a 5.8” touch screen, reversing camera and SkyActiv with i-stop and an engine shutdown system to save fuel at the lights or in paused traffic.

Once you get up to the top spec’ LTD the extras include powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, a sunroof, 19” wheels, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, features often only found on high-end European vehicles. It all adds up to a very comprehensively packaged interior. It is all laid out in Mazda’s typical clear, common sense fashion that does not leave you scrambling through the manual to try and work out which button needs pushing for what.

The touchscreen, for example, neatly incorporates phone, navigation, media and reversing camera, and makes getting the most out of the kicking big 230watt Bose stereo system simple.

Soon the CX-7 will depart the market, to be eclipsed by Mazda’s latest offering, the CX-5. It comes with only a marginally smaller interior than the CX-7, and delivers a wider range of 2WD and All Wheel Drive options to suit most tastes. Look hard at the CX-5 and you may well see something of the BMW X1 in its profile. However the Mazda promises to offer its higher priced European counterparts a few surprises in terms of standard features, performance and drivability.

The CX-5 also marks Mazda’s entry, at least in New Zealand, into the diesel passenger vehicle segment, with the CX-5 featuring a 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel in two AWD models of the range.

The other models come with the 2.0 litre petrol engine, and all have Mazda’s much touted SkyActiv technology that aims to make the machines ultra frugal at the pump.

Blissfully quiet

On the road the diesel engine is blissfully quiet, delivering unimpeded smooth power well up the rev range, and a pleasing surprise at the pump, sipping only a claimed 5.7L/100km. With its six speed SkyActiv

32,990

$

DRIVEAWAY

The CX5 has a distinctive look with its bold grill up front, and definitive upright stance transmission, the engine delivery is minimally Rear leg room is generous, and the CX-5 deinterrupted by shifts under acceleration and livers even more boot room than its departing the six speeds offer the breadth of ratios to big brother the CX-7, albeit only by 3 litres. make the CX-5 well suited as a long distance It is a generous, expansive space and even cruiser. manages to accommodate a (rare these days) The SkyActiv technology that Mazda is put- full-sized spare wheel. ting so much emphasis on is as unobtrusive Moving ahead as it is effective. It includes not only the six More and more vehicle manufacturers are speed transmission’s ratios and i-stop, but also making the smaller SUV a separate and valued a full redesign of chassis, aerodynamics and part of their stable today, as buyers move vehicle weight. down in size, technology delivers increased The i-stop function works a treat, you will cabin space on a smaller foot print, and fuel never notice it is there with the engine reeconomy again becomes part of a buyers starting as soon as your foot is lifted off the criteria. brake at the lights.

Mazda has proven once again it can move On rural roads Mazda’s characteristic focus ahead of the market by offering such an extenon handling and direct response is there in sive choice within the CX-5 range that will fit the DNA of the CX-5 as well. Minimal body most budgets and aspirations. roll provides a far sportier, engaging driving Regardless of which one you choose howevexperience than you would expect from most er, you can be certain all share the company’s SUVs, and sudden pot holes and rough spots passion for good design married to excellence get distributed well through the chassis with in engineering reality. little fuss to handling.

35,990

$

DRIVEAWAY

Page 28

RURAL DRIVER

July 2012

FACTORY WARRANTY

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July 2012

Page 29

Light diesel vehicles lose out in RUC changes Owners of light diesel vehicles have been denied the full benefit of the inherent fuel efficiency of their vehicles with government’s decision to retain a flat line approach to Road User Charges according to the Motor Trade Association.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced that changes to RUC, set to take effect from August 1, would simplify the process for everyone who uses it. Part of these changes will see the RUC rate for light

diesel vehicles increase to $48 per 1,000km.

Currently,diesel vehicles less than 2.0 tonnes pay $44.31 per 1,000km. Vehicles between 2.0 and 3.0 tonnes pay $46.51 per 1,000 km while vehicles between 3.0 and 4.0 tonnes pay $49.29 per 1,000 km.

Diesel vehicles typically enjoy a fuel efficiency advantage over petrol equivalents of around 30 per cent.

MTA spokesman Ian Stronach says “While we weren’t really optimistic that government would change its view on RUC for light diesel vehicles, we were hopeful. They are searching for more innovative solutions around vehicle licensing as part of their cur-

For vehicles like the Ford Fiesta LX Diesel, which has a rated fuel consumption level of just 4.4 litres per 100 km, imposing a flat line RUC negates much of the advantage that its high tech engine provides. It is effectively being treated the same as a 2.7 litre Ford Territory TX Diesel AWD that has a rated fuel consumption level of 8.8 litres per 100 km.

“That hardly makes sense. And it’s not

rent review. We thought they might perhaps apply the same reasoning to RUC. It doesn’t appear that this is the case.”

Government estimates that around 36 per cent of diesel is used off-road, by users such as farmers, manufacturers and marine operators. They claim that imposing a tax on all diesel would impose an unfair burden onto these sectors. In their view, operating a refund system would be costly and cumbersome to administer and involve compliance costs without any related benefit. A refund system, they say, would also potentially be

susceptible to fraudulent claims.

“As it currently stands, the owners of at least 240,000 light diesel vehicles are faced with the burden of paying for RUC on a regular basis. If having to pay RUC several times a year, collecting and then needing to display a unique Distance License label in the windscreen of their vehicle is not a costly and cumbersome system for the majority of diesel users, then what is?” asks Ian. At the new rate announced, the RUC rate for light diesel vehicle equates to around 32 litres of diesel per 1,000km.

what most people would regard as fair either.

If the aim is to encourage smarter transport solutions, why not take the time to design a sliding scale of costs for light diesel vehicles.

Many diesels are providing truly outstanding levels of fuel economy, and they represent a realistic and affordable technology option for many owners. At least they would be if they weren’t being penalised by a one size fits all approach from government.”

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Page 30

COAST & COUNTRY

July 2012

Soil is stomach of the plant In this article we look at facts about soils and fertilisers

Caravans4u www.caravans4u.co.nz

A comprehensive soil test should be completed annually to determine what nutrients should be applied to the soil to maintain fertility balance. We recommend Kinsey Agricultural Services (KAS).

The soil is the stomach of the plant; please respect it. We are a reflection of the soil’s health.

Some chemical fertiliser kills microbes, causing imbalances. Superphosphate and urea are deadly to beneficial soil fungi. Nitrogen is the only major plant nutrient that you can grow yourself. Watch salt and ammonia levels, insist on applying only fertilisers which do the least damage to soil life and plant roots - you can reduce nitrogen inputs over time by promoting soil biology.

Ninety-five per cent of plant yield comes from the atmosphere; only 5 per cent comes from the soil.

Fertiliser programmes must be based around the calcium content of your soil. If base saturation calcium is below 60 per cent, you will virtually have to purchase fertiliser ad infinitum.

The correct base saturation figures from KAS for soils are: calcium 65-70 per cent; magnesium 10-12 per cent; potassium 3.5-5 per cent for pastures, 7-7.5 per cent for woody plants; sodium 0.5-1.5 per cent.

Many New Zealand soils are well below these figures. Once these conditions have been met fertiliser requirements will drop substantially.

Do not address rrace elements until these conditions are met Soil pH will auto-correct to about 6.4 when the above conditions are fulfilled.

It is extremely important to get calcium

levels up. Calcium is responsible for carrying other minerals into the plant, however too with Brett Petersen much calcium can tie up other nutrients and cause deficiencies. Soil testing with a reputable lab is the only way to effectively measure humates, aged sawdust and/or charcoal. base saturation and calcium levels.

Feed the soil life using carbon from comCalcium and boron are synergists so lime post, green manures, livestock manures and is more effective with boron added. Boron, crop residues; apply calcium from a good along with selenium and cobalt, plant available source. is commonly deficient in New Zealand soils.

Lime to correct calcium, not to “correct� pH, Calcium: improves root development, enhances microbial activity and increases transport of minerals. It is the vehicle that moves minerals into plants. It improves soil structure; acts as a secondary messenger, improves plant health and disease resistance, is required for cell walls (pectin), At the Fie enhances the rate of protein (Parker L ldays from the left ar im synthesis, serves as a weed Ron McLea e), Bryce Manderso e Scott Parker indicator. n (Avoca L n, Gerald ime), L ane, Brett Peter Dolomite is highly rated sen, all of Alastair Dagg and Kiwi Fert for its calcium and magiliser. nesium content. Magnesium is found at the centre of the chlorophyll molecule, the plants light-harvesting, energy-producing centre.

Soil fungi are responsible for retaining 100 Magnesium also plays an important role in per cent of available calcium in the soil. It is a the production of oils and proteins, and in fallacy that one tonne of lime or another prodenergy metabolism. (If Ca levels are too high, uct is required to move soil PH by one point. we will not recommend dolomite, nor do we The soil microbes have the ability to move the recommend serpentine, as it is too slow to PH of your soil without the physical input break down.) of calcium.

Fertiliser and lime are more effective If lucerne, oats and similar crops have hollow with carbon added. Carbon is food for the stems, calcium is lacking and yield will not microbes. Carbon sources are well-made meet potential. Adequate calcium meansbetter compost, microbial inoculated aged bark, stock growth rates anweight gain.

better soils

AVOCADOS

July 2012

Current Commodity Levy for avocados

Avocado growers will vote this year on the future of the commodity levy which supports their industry organisation and it’s a decision to be considered carefully, says New Zealand Avocado Growers Association chairman John Schnackenberg.

“The Commodity Levy provides essential funding for maintaining an industry structure to ensure we can maximise value for growers over the long term. We encourage all growers to have their say on the Commodity Levy as grower feedback is vital to helping shape the industry moving forward.”

The current Commodity Levy for avocados is due to expire in July 2013. To reapply for a new levy order,

the AGA needs to submit an application to the Ministry for Primary Industries by the end of 2012, which is why there will be a grower referendum on the Commodity Levy in September of this year.

Before this referendum takes place, the AGA will complete a full consultation process with all growers.

Grower roadshows are being held around the regions from June 18 to 25 for feedback from growers on the levy and options for the future. John says all growers are encouraged to attend these meetings and have their say.

The levy for avocados provides funding for industry governance, administration and management, promotions, research and grower communications.

Growers have been sent an information pack on the Commodity Levy, the industry’s five year plan and options for the future.

Growers – ‘ask for marketing plans’ Poor returns to avocado growers in the 2011-12 season have highlighted the need to reduce the avocado industry’s dependence on the Australian market for export avocados.

They have also prompted a call for improved co-operation between exporters, who have begun submitting five year marketing plans to the Avocado Exporters Council (AVEC) and Avocado Growers Association (AGA).

“Ultimately what AVEC is trying to achieve is greater cooperation amongst its exporters to ensure

maximum returns are achieved for the industry,” says Andrew Darling, chairman of AVEC. “Growers need to engage with their exporter and find out what their marketing plans entail. All exporters should have one and growers have the right to ask and be provided with the necessary information. It is after all, growers’ product that is being marketed.”

AVEC is to review a consolidated version of all exporters’ plans to develop a more cohesive approach as an industry, identify any gaps and highlight key areas for new market development activity.

Avocado Industry Council CEO

Jen Scoular has endorsed Andrew’s call for information sharing.

“Information is such a valuable tool and as an industry we need to share that information, whether it is about market potential or issues of likely market capacity, to allow New Zealand avocados to be sold more widely.”

While the New Zealand crop is increasing, consumption of avocados is also growing globally.

This is particularly evident in the USA, where the Hass Avocado Board is predicting double digit growth for avocado consumption for 2012, which is good news for Kiwi growers.

Wait until August for avocados at their best There’s nothing like fresh avocado and Marmite on toast for breakfast but both tasty treats are in short supply right now.

Sanitarium says it will be at least another couple of months before its Marmite factory in Christchurch is up and running, and while there are some last season’s avocados around, the new season fruit is still a month away.

The Avocado Growers Association says avocados are generally picked in the Bay of Plenty from about August onwards although from May to July there may be some previous season’s fruit still on the tree.

Almost all reputable sellers of avocados will currently be selling last season’s fruit, which at this stage of the year is mature and good to eat.

If you see fruit currently advertised as “new season”

avocados, it has been picked very early and could take up to 20 days to ripen. Very early season fruit may not meet the required withholding periods for spray residues.

The AGA provides a sampling service to ensure that avocados meet food safety (spray residue) and ripeness requirements.

The NZ Avocado Growers Association recommends the following if you see fruit currently being marketed as new season: • Check that the stalk has been cut. Stolen fruit is often raked from trees which results in the stalks being completely pulled out of the fruit.

• Check the colour of the avocado. Fruit that is a bright green and hard will be new season and prematurely picked. Last season’s fruit will be a dark green in colour and will be good to eat now.

Export fruit: • 20 cents per tray promotion • 15 cents per tray export commodity levy • 2.5 cents per tray to repay costs of the ASBVd biosecurity scare • total of 37.5 cents per tray • maximum of 50 cents per tray.

For fresh and processed local market avocados: • A maximum of 3 per cent of the value at the first point of sale.

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Page 32

HORTICULTURE

July 2012

Controlling gorse by planting trees Gorse is invasive and persistent, and since it was brought here in the 19th century it has covered thousands of hectares of land, smothering pasture and forming a monoculture that stops almost all other vegetation getting established.

Almost since Octavius Matthias, then president of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, introduced it in the 1860s in a vain attempt to create an England in the south, gorse has plagued farmers and councils alike. Poor old Octavius would spin in his grave if he knew the curses that have been rained down on him (even if most people don’t know his name) and his beloved plant.

The problem with gorse is not just that it’s invasive and has taken over vast tracts of land, it’s also a legume that ‘fixes’ atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.

That nitrogen enters the subsurface flow and eventually rivers or lakes as a nutrient where it has attracted the attention of environmental bodies, such as the Bay Of Plenty Regional Council who are charged with cleaning up our waterways.

The Regional Council looked at the significant amount of gorse in their district and how to get rid of it. John Paterson, Sustainable Farming Advisor with the Regional Council, says: “The problem is not so much with young plants. They use the nitrogen they produce to grow, but old plants just keep producing and don’t use much of it. There is also a lot of nitrogen released from the decomposition of the gorse’s leaf litter.”

The first step was to commission Guna Mageson, Senior Scientist at the NZ Biological Farming Research Centre in Rotorua. With the help of Masters Student Caleb Male, Guna ran trials and made the rather startling discovery that adult gorse can pump out as much nitrogen as an average dairy farm.

Until now gorse control has been by slashing, rolling or spraying, but this is expensive and must be done repeatedly because gorse’s great strength lies in its ability to regenerate. It can produce 20,000 seeds/ ha, and those seeds can persist in the soil for up to 20 years. The seeds won’t germinate while there is adult cover, but as soon as that is removed they’re away.

But that’s also its greatest (and probably only) weakness—it won’t germinate in shade. This is the same response as occurs in rainforests, in nature it prevents seeds being wasted by germinating and then being smothered by the adults. The Regional Council plans to use this as a means of control. First they physically destroy the adults by conventional means before planting fast-growing plants on the cleared land to outgrow the gorse seedlings and throw shade on them before they can get established.

A number of trees could do this, but the selection ultimately comes down to cost, and on that basis pinus radiata is currently the favoured species.

Although many people regard pines as little better than weeds, they can out-compete gorse and have a minimal initial cost of only around 25 cents each.

“At that rate land can be cleared and planted for around $2,000/ha,” says John. “If we did the same using natives it could be seven times that. The Regional Council couldn’t afford it”.

The Regional Council is trying to get farmers involved, but even with funding being available so far the uptake is low. It’s very early days, research goes on and there are other species under investigation, such as totara or manuka, but persuading farmers to retire land in the long term for some possible future return is not easy.

But anything that will lower the massive amounts of nutrients entering our lakes and rivers is well worth advancing, and quickly.

By Graeme Dawson

Protein lift good news for goat farmers If the Dairy Goat Co-operative’s members vote for a change in their payment structure, a product called Biozest could become increasingly important believes Jeff Graham, dairy goat farmer of Maungatautari.

“We have been trialing Biozest and it has helped lift the protein in our goats’ milk which will be even more significant if the co-op votes to pay us on protein in future.”

Jeff believes the product, developed and produced by Nathan Balasingham of Indigo has made a difference to his production, helping the goats process grass more efficiently and reducing their excretion of urea by 37 per cent.

The co-operative’s members will vote in November on a proposal to change from the current payment based on total solids to payment for protein, lactose and fat.

“Since we’ve been using Biozest we would be better off being paid for protein and the benefits would be from November right through to May.” Jeff says Biozest is part of the

R

reason for the farm’s improved performance but changing management techniques and pasture mixes have also been an influence. “Biozest is a good product and it has helped us increase production with the same number of animals.”

The dairy goat farm was an ideal test case because the 500 mainly Saanen goats are housed and fed fresh cut grass each day.

The trail involved treating some of the pasture with Biozest, leaving some untreated and feeding them on approximately two week rotational cycles over the whole season. “After five days of feeding grass from the treated or untreated pasture we had sent samples of the goats’ urine to be independently tested which showed a reduction in urea of 37 per cent. A reduction in urea is something regional

councils are looking for and it also reduces the greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide).”

Nathan says Biozest supports essential oil production in pasture which results in an increases milk and meat production and a reduction in urea and methane waste.

“Essential oils help pasture to overcome stress, including that caused by pests, disease or environmental factors such as drought or flooding, and to increase its quality and yield.”

When ruminants are fed or graze the treated pasture the higher essential oils and soluble sugar in the treated pasture enables the stock to convert more of the pasture protein to milk or meat and the carbohydrates to energy. As a result less pasture protein is wasted to urea and less of the

HORTICULTURE

July 2012

Ginseng and pines A beneficial combination A root used for more than 4000 years by the Chinese for its medicinal properties may become a beneficial financial supplement for forest owners in this country.

woodlots on their properties, as they have the skills and equipment to fence it to keep out stock and the equipment to plant and care for ginseng. In a small woodlot, they could gain an extra $2000 to $4000 of income.

“A pine forest is the ideal environment as ginseng needs shade and it benefits from the pine needles which cover the ground. It doesn’t need highly fertile soils.”

Glen and Daniel were promoting the ginseng at the Fieldays Innovation Centre where they had on display single roots presented in elaborately

Glen Katu, chief executive of Maraeroa C Incorporation from Te Kuiti, says seven years of research has shown ginseng can be grown successfully under a forest canopy in New Zealand, offering an additional income stream for forest owners.

“With the assistance of the Ministry of Science and Innovation and Te Puni Kokiri, the Maraeroa C Incorporation is successfully growing wild simulated ginseng under a forest canopy and we are excited about the opportunity it offers,” says Glen.

Horticulturalist Daniel Benefield has spent six years managing the crop for the incorporation and he too believes it has significant potential.

A system of planting the ginseng using a seed drill has proved particularly successful.

“Previously it was very labour intensive and the birds would eat the seeds. lined and This way we can plant a large area decorated quickly, covering boxes, which the seeds up at sold in China for the same time.” several hundred dolGlen says the lars. ginseng is grown “A beautifully presented in wild, natuand boxed ginseng is a highly ral conditions prized gift. It may be eaten as a under the pines, vegetable or used in soups and producing a root stews,” says Glen. which is high in “The incorporation is looking ginsenoside, the at ways to present New Zealand active ingrediginseng in boxes carved with ent the plant taniwha and Chinese dragons as is valued for, souvenirs from this country.” without the use Both American ginseng of fertilisers or Single ginseng roots in elaborate boxes can sell (Panax quinquefolius) and pesticides. for several hundred dollars in China.

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) “The incorroots are taken orally as aphroporation will disiacs and to reduce stress. harvest its first crop in 2013-14 and has identified Maraeroa C Incorporation was established in 1970 markets in China and Malaysia as well as New Zeato manage 5261ha of forest in the Pureora region on land.”

Wild ginseng takes eight to nine years to grow from behalf of its owners.

Since then it has diversified its business to include a seedling to a mature plant under pine tree canopy, Pa Harakeke, a wilderness adventure park which so one crop of ginseng can be produced from each opened in 2009. Growing ginseng is its latest venrotation of pine trees.

By Elaine Fisher “We think this plant is ideal for farmers with ture.

Page 33

Fruit and nut tree sale in Katikati A wide variety of fruit and nut trees will on sale in Katikati when the Bay of Plenty branch of the New Zealand Tree Crop Association holds its annual event in the Uretara Domain on Saturday July 21.

Elizabeth Rae says the public will have the opportunity to speak to tree crop members and learn more about what varieties will best suit their location.

“We will have a wide variety of fruit and nut trees at reasonable prices.

There will be citrus and feijoa trees available too, including some new early feijoa varieties .

“Last year’s sale was so successful we decided to repeat it this year with proceeds going to tree crop research.”

Among the offerings will be heritage apple varieties grafted by Brian Burton of Katikati.

Hazel nut expert Murray Redpath of Opotiki and walnut expert Nick Nelson Parker from Ohope will also the at the sale. The Tree Crop Association sale will be held

from 10.30am to midday on Saturday July 21 at the Uretara Domain (A&P Show grounds) in Major Street, Katikati.

Heritage apple trees will be among those on sale at the Tree Crop Association sale in Katikati in July.

Pasture treatment increased milk production carbohydrates are wasted as methane.

Early season results showed that when the dairy goats were fed Biozest treated pasture the milk production volume increased by 2.1 per cent and milk quality (milk solids) increased by 2.8 per cent.

“Biozest therefore increased both the volume and quality of milk.

Mid-season results showed a milk production increase of 5.3 per cent

and a milk quality increase of 3.6 per cent. Protein was the highest contributor to the milk quality improvement at 5.6 per cent followed by lactose (2.4 per cent) and fat improvement was the lowest (1.3 per cent).”

At the end of milking season the trial farm production data from Biozest treated and untreated feed cycles were combined and the total was compared to the previous

season’s production.

The milk volume produced increased by 31 per cent and the total milk solid production increased by 33 per cent. This data shows that the total percentage of solids increased more than the percentage increase in volume of milk produced. “This supports the claim that Biozest improves both the productivity and quality of milk,” says Nathan.

My Name is Neil Woodward.

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

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

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

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

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

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

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

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

Page 34

HORTICULTURE

July 2012

Two tough years ahead for growers and region The key part of the Psa-V recovery plan is the removal of Psa-V infected Gold Hort16A and its replacement with the markedly more Psa-V tolerant Gold3 variety.

To enable this Zespri has released 2,068 hectares of Gold3. This winter many growers will start replacing their Gold Hort16A with Gold3. This will, in the next few years, see most of the Gold Hort16A in Psa-V infected areas replaced mostly by Gold3.

This will be the biggest change to a new variety that has ever been undertaken by the kiwifruit industry. It represents a change to almost 15 per cent of New Zealand’s kiwifruit hectarage. The previous largest transition to a new variety was in 2000, with the release of 1200 hectares of Hort16A to the industry. Psa-V has caused this, as almost half of all New Zealand kiwifruit hectares now have

some level of Psa-V infection. With this transition to Gold3 just over 1,600 hectares of Hort16A will be replaced.

The other 400 plus hectares is made up of new plantings and Hayward (green) being grafted to Gold3.

In contrast to Gold Hort16A, Gold3 shows tolerance to Psa-V and when grown in conjunction with appropriate orchard management, will likely survive Psa-V. Gold3 is a kiwifruit variety commercialised in 2010 by Zespri after 10 years of development. It was selected from the extensive Zespri and Plant & Food Research new variety programme for its qualities of high orchard yields, handling characteristics, storage and positive appeal to consumers determined through in-market sensory work over consecutive seasons.

The majority of the gold kiwifruit currently planted is Hort16A and it had unfortunately turned out to be very susceptible to Psa-V. Once a Gold Hort16A orchard gets Psa-V, it

Hort16A fruit will give way to the new Gold3 variety on many orchards this winter.

is only a matter to time before the whole orchard becomes infected with Psa-V and the vines die. The reason Gold Hort16A is being removed is that once it is infected, it is a source Psa-V inoculum that continues to infect adjacent orchards. Removal of infected Hort16A will therefore give the other varieties of kiwifruit the best chance of survival.

The majority of Gold Hort16A will be replaced in Te Puke, which is the area with the worst infec-

tion of Psa-V. This will give all Te Puke orchards the best chance of recovery from Psa-V. It takes at least two years before grafted Gold3 will start to produce a full crop. This will mean that gold growers will have no income from their gold orchards for two years.

As an industry we are in for two very tough years. This will impact on the local business and communities.

The kiwifruit industry directly and indirectly accounts for

between 19 per cent to 30 per cent of the Bay of Plenty’s GDP. Lincoln University estimate is that 460 Full Time Equivalent (FTEs) positions will be lost and the Bay’s GDP reduced by $94 million.

The transition to Gold3 is a major step forward in the industry’s fight against Psa-V. It will step change the industry and be the foundation for our future growth and prosperity. But as noted above this will take two years of hard graft.

Profits from free nitrogen seminar theme Pests and diseases can eat into farm profits but according to Dr Peter Lester of Quantum Laboratories, that doesn’t have to be the case.

costly treatment for pests and disease”.

The seminars are for all farmers, and in particular those whose pasture has problems with grass grub, California thistle, ragwort, curly leaf, nitrogen leaching, aphids and animals which suffer from prolapsed uterus, low fertility, staggers, facial eczema, fly strike, poor weight gain, staggers and mastitis.

Peter has spent the past 50 years’ of studying and analyzing soil, plant and animal nutrition both in New Zealand and overseas.

Seminar Dates: July 31, The Hub 23 Gordon St Dannevirke; August 29 Classic Flyers 9 Jean Batten Drive, Tauranga; September 26 Napier War Memorial Conference Centre, 48 Marine Parade Napier; October 24 Mystery Creek Events Centre, Gate 2, 125 Mystery Creek Rd, Hamilton; November 21, Ascension Wine Estate 480 Matakana Rd Warkworth.

Tickets $450 + gst each. Two ticket discount $800 + gst. For more information or to book for the seminars info@quantumlab.co.nz or visit www.quantumlab.co.nz

‘help farmers get the profit they deserve’

Peter is to hold a series of seminars called ‘Profiting on Free Nitrogen ’ outlining his revolutionary approach to farm and animal nutrition. The seminars are designed to “help farmers get the profit they deserve from the hard work they put into farming, by reducing the use of

Call Andrew

2 Mulch Services

0274 991 349

HORTICULTURE

July 2012

Joel best young fruitgrower Young Te Puke orchardist Joel Wanhill is the winner of this year’s Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower of the Year Competition.

ants come back as judges. We want them to start getting involved in leadership roles, or they may pursue higher education.”

Adam Bond of Canon Road Ltd Kiwifruit took out second place and Tim Webb from the Te Puke Family Orchard placed third.

The competition started in 2007 and continues to be well supported by the industry and employers.

Competitors must be under 30 years old with

The 24-year-old, who works on a kiwifruit orchard in Te Puke, took out the title at the regional competition at Baypark last month after scoring top marks at least three of the six categories and picking up the supreme practical award.

“I was pretty stoked and a bit surprised,” says Joel.

“It was a good challenge, some of the tasks definitely got you thinking.”

Joel has worked on Ken and Helen Edkins 18hectare kiwifruit orchard in Te Puke for the last year while also studying horticulture at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

He began working on orchards during his school holidays and soon developed a passion for horticulture.

“I got into the industry about six years ago, originally it was a holiday job and enjoyed it, being outdoors.

“Last year I thought I would get things together and do some study and it has been great.”

This is the first time Joel has entered a horticultural competition, which tested each competitor’s knowledge of horticulture, leadership skills and presentation in seven different activities.

“One of the toughest parts was the time management, there were so many different aspects to think about

and it was a lot to take in.

Joel won best speech, got top marks in plant identification and fertiliser and won the Reason to smile - Joel Wanhill has won the title of Bay of supreme practical award.

Plenty Young Fruit Grower of the Year Young Grower of the Year manager Michelle de Jong says the competition is a way of providing opportunities for current competitors ranging in age from 23 to 27 young people in the industry. years old.

“At a regional level the competitors really enjoy Joel now goes on to compete in the Young Grower matching themselves against their peers. of the Year in Auckland and Young Fruit Grower of “From a practical level there’s more and more focus the Year on July 23 and 24. on management type issues like how to get resource “I am feeling a bit nervous, to go through it all consents or how one might deal with staffing issues. again but on a national level.”

“What we find is a number of previous contest-

This publication will be distributed FREE to all dairy farmers throughout New Zealand

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Page 35

Page 36

FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

July 2012

Fieldays draws the crowds Economic times may be tougher but nine per cent more people attended the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays this year than in 2011.

Organiser report total attendance was 128, 271 with final day’s crowd of 30,292 a 40 per cent increase on the previous year’s Saturday.

The event is now billed as the world’s fifth largest agricultural tradeshow and it’s one which takes some getting around. In fact it’s impossible to see all that is on offer in one day.

This year 1000 exhibitors lined the streets and filled the pavilions, many show casing the latest in farming technology. There were seminars on the future direction of farming, attention to the serious issues of health and safety, innovation competitions, but also the noise, fun and colour of an agricultural show.

New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays is held annually and returns in 2013 for its 45th year, on June 12 to 15.

The 2013 Premier Feature, which sets the theme of the event, will be announced in August along with the key sponsor.

Wearable art winners

NZ Landcare Awareness Category: “Korari” designed by Jazmine Teei 1; “Free Range” by Nga Puti Puti O Te Roopu Raranga 2; “Toku Whaea (My Mother)”

by Tracey Brown 3.

Designer Category: “Eggy Peggy” by Joanne Bowen 1; “Shotgun Wedding” by Sharon Bryant 2; “Tama Taua” by Nga Puti Puti O Te Roopu Raranga 3.

Avant Garde Under 21: “Ikran” designed

by Tessa Paaymans 1; “Tough as Nails” by Alle Peterkin 2; “Warped” by Lisa Theron 3.

Avant Garde: “Maui (Not for Sale)” designed by Kerry Trent Ranginui 1, “ICU – Independent Calf Unit” by the Team at Shoof International 2; “Carousal of Curiously Crafted Construction” by Kimberly Baars 3.

Highly Commended - “A Good Wife for the Good Life” by Garry Dunn and “Fleeced” by Nga Puti Puti O Te Roopu Raranga.

FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

July 2012

Page 37

Wearable art with a message at Fieldays Art that was thought provoking, funny, dramatic, beautiful and most of all wearable took to the cat walk at the Fieldays once again in a show case of creativity using materials from the farm and land.

Kerry Trent Ranginui used the awards as an opportunity to register a protest against asset sales with his design “Maui (Not for Sale)” which took first place

Garry Dunn’s vision of the “A Good Wife for the Good Life” was humorous designed which won a highly commended award.

in the Avant Garde under 21 section. Runner up was the people’s choice winner “Tough as Nails” by Alle Peterkin, Garry Dunn’s vision of the “A Good Wife for the Good Life” was humorous designed which won a highly commended award.

For the first time the Ag Art Wear show was staged at both the Fieldays site and at a prestigious gala dinner event in Hamilton city on the evening of Friday June 16.

By Elaine Fisher

“ICU – Independent Calf Unit”, designed and constructed for the Ag Art awards by the team at Shoof International took second place in the Avant Garde section.

Water guardian, an Ag Art entry with a white bait net train.

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Tough as Nails was the name of Alle Peterkin’s award winning Ag Art entry.

Kerry Trent Ranginui used the awards as an opportunity to register a protest against asset sales with his design “Maui (Not for Sale)” which took first place in the Avant Garde under 21 section.

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Page 38

July 2012

Access to Indonesian set to improve Market access to Indonesia should become easier for exporters of fruit and vegetables now it appears New Zealand will be granted country recognition status.

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Kathy Lloyd market access counsellor of the Ministry for Primary Industries says the ministry has recently received official verbal notification from Indonesian authorities that New Zealand will gain country recognition status for its food safety systems as they apply to fresh foods of plant origin.

“MPI is unclear at this stage about the detail, such as whether the recognition will apply to a group of plant products or to all plant and plant products exported from New Zealand.

We are waiting for written confirmation and clarification.”

However, if the status is granted Kathy says it will mean reduced testing at the border, which reduces New Zealand exporters’ risk and cost along with minimisation of delays and reduced documentation requirements.

Indonesia is among the nations which are becoming increasingly important for exporters because of its close proximity and growing demand for our primary products.

Country recognition means Indonesia recognises that food safety measures applied in New Zealand meet Indonesia's food safety requirements and therefore Kiwi product would be exempt from additional controls as it enters Indonesia.

Currently there are requirements relating to sanitary (food safety) and phytosanitary (freedom from pests and diseases), with a typical range of restrictions, such as apples and kiwifruit required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate. There have been increasing requirements for food safety quality assurance documentation from Indonesia says Kathy.

Maintaining favourable market access for food products requires on-going work, particularly when countries introduce new measures restricting trade.

MPI works closely with the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and Trade to maintain access to overseas markets. MPI’s role in this issue is acting as the “competent authority” for sanitary (food safety) and phytosanitary (freedom from plant pests and diseases) measures for plants and plant products, Kathy explains.

Indonesia introduced new food safety measures for imported fresh food of plant origin in 2008. As part of that New Zealand was required to apply for country recognition of its food safety systems, which it did in 2009. While that application was still being assessed, Indonesia introduced a new regulation (Reg 88) which applied to a larger list of plant products.

“Then in late 2011 New Zealand received notification that Indonesia was introducing new phytosanitary rules which meant that our exporters would not be able to use the main seaport in Jakarta.

“However, following extensive contact between Government authorities in the two countries, Indonesia is now allowing existing arrangements to remain for New Zealand, as a country that has gained country recognition status.”

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FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

July 2012

Post and rail fencing proves popular An attractive post and rail fence adds a touch of class to urban and rural properties and the BTD Interlock fence from Beams & Timber Direct Ltd continues to be the first choice for discerning buyers.

precisely machined components which simply slot together. It is easy to install and comes cut to length to give a stylish fence suitable for a range of uses.

“Our fence graces farms and lifestyle blocks the length of New Zealand. We are extremely proud of the quality of our product and we customise our fences to suit client’s needs.”

Julie Fox says the response the company received from last month’s Fieldays shows there is a definite place for an upmarket quality post and rail fence even in softer economic times.

“High quality always lasts and discerning buyers will always be prepared to pay for quality to enhance their property.

“As a producer we endeavour to keep our standards high and supply at as reasonable A Beams & Timber costs as possible. Our high standards are Direct fence add the achieved by having complete control over finishing touch to manufacturer from high grade log selecrur and urban proper al tion to drying, treating and machining ties. through to the finished components.”

Beams & Timber Direct is a privately owned sawmill located at Tuakau, which is The BTD Interlock fence is approxisuitable for urban residential use, mately 50 lifestyle blocks and farms, subminutes divisions, parks and recreational south of areas, equestrian centres and Auckland. It entrance ways. Delivery can be is a wholesale arranged nation-wide. and retail “It is always pleasing that our timber merpast customers call into our Fielchant which, days site and say hello. Visitors as well as its this year covered the country unique fencing from Kaitaia to Invercargill, and we expect sales this systems, specialises in large, end section solid wood year to be higher than last year with some good interbeams and wide boards, for indoor and outdoor use. est in our entranceways and fence from horse studs, The BTD Interlock fence is constructed from lifestyle blocks and developers,” says Julie.

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Page 39

FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

Page 40

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Clever answer to curly problem Coming up with a solution to the hassles of carrying electric fence standards has won 12-year-old Jasmine Creighton of Tauranga the Fieldays’ Young Inventor of the Year award.

The Pigtail Transporter she invented for her science fair project last year carries 50 pigtail standards and up to four electric fence reels and is designed to be pulled along manually. She invented it for herself as she said she cannot carry many standards and had to put them all down while she pushed one into the ground.

The judges were extremely impressed with her clever approach to a simple problem and the impressive research she had undertaken.

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Jasmine’s win was among those announced at an awards breakfast attended by University of Waikato Chancellor Jim Bolger and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford.

Guest speaker Dr Jacqueline Rowarth from the University of Waikato said New Zealand is fifth in the world for research and development development and that Fieldays was the ideal place for people to exchange and launch ideas.

Jasmine Creighton of Tauranga explains to Prime Minister John Key how her Pigtail Transporter for electric fence standards works.

Vernon Suckling of Ag Tech Industries Ltd with Prime Minster John Key and the “LifeGuard” ATV Rollframe which won the Golden Standard award at the Fieldays.

John Deere LA125 out Run ! in barga

The prestigious Golden Standard award which recognises excellence in innovation was awarded to Vernon Suckling of Ag Tech Industries Ltd with the invention of the “LifeGuard” ATV Rollframe.

Designed to help prevent injury and save lives the LifeGuard was recognised as a large improvement to all industry. The award title is accompanied by $5000 cash, a certificate and a trophy.

The Premier Feature Merit Award, which reflects the Changing Face in Farming, was given to Janet Brooker of BioFert with a proven natural farm method of composting animal waste resulting in a high nutrient soil conditioner.

A James & Wells $3000 voucher for professional patent advice was awarded to Jody Scorer with her highly innovate project the “De Budder”. Her invention approaches a simple but highly labour intensive task and is a nature based piece of equipment for bud removal, mimicking the circumduction of the human hand around a trunk.

The winner of the Equipment Category was awarded to Marty Richards with his eFeeder; a new exit feed system designed to be simple yet effective with even food distribution and only 5 per cent wastage.

Marty won $5000 worth of advertising, a trophy and a certificate. He had worked his way through the award system over the years with prizes taken for previous entries.

The standard of entries in the equipment category was very high this year and therefore there were two Equipment Merit awards given; Gallagher Animal Management for their M2800i Fence Energizer System with remote fence monitoring technology and multiple means of fault notification, and, TracMap with their TackLink and TM465 – an effective fertiliser and spray ordering system, which has web interface allowing farmers to see paddock history on line and easily order products to be applied by paddock.

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FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

July 2012

Homeopathy for humans

Reviewed by Sue Edmonds

Tineke Verkade has been well known by users of homeopathy on animals all over New Zealand since she set up Homeopathic Farm Services in 1997.

As with the previous volumes on animal treatments, there is much instruction on how to observe and record the symptoms and progress of any acute health problem. With such a range of remedies, getting this bit right is all-important to successful prescribing.

It’s a system of ‘like cures like’ and the early chapHomeopathy at Home is her fourth book in a series ters give clear information on how Homeopathy was which has covered Dairy Farming, discovered, the principles it works Alpacas, and Horses, and has been by, and why people use it. A second written and published in response chapter also gives clear instructions to repeated requests from her clion storage, handling and potency. ents for something to guide them But in every section of the book in keeping their families well. there are clear instructions on when to For those familiar with how seek medical assistance. homeopathy works, the new book Tineke was a senior staff nurse in will be an invaluable reference Waikato Hospital for 16 years, and her tool. For those who have simply books never ignore situations where wondered what it does, it will medical assistance is the best answer at provide a mine of information on the time. a huge range (51) of acute health Homeopathy at Home is a well-writproblems, and an even bigger ten guide for those who are looking for range (81) of homeopathic natural therapies that work. remedies, all described in terms Published by Ho Using and encouraging the human that anyone can follow. And for meopathic Information Serv quick reference, it has a numices - $35. body’s natural immune and defence systems, to overcome illness and create bered index of remedies and another of health good health in today’s world, makes a lot problems, enabling those with a homeopathic home of sense. emergency kit to choose the right remedy, or those The book is available from Homeopathic Informamaking contact with their local homeopath to give a tion Services Hamilton. coherent description of symptoms.

Page 41

HOMEOPATHY

HOMEOPATHIC FARM SUPPORT

Multipurpose chute now weighs lambs too John Fenemor is a Taihape sheep and beef farmer focused on making farm jobs more efficient, but also with animal welfare in mind.

machine. The straight rollers, in a deep V, help prevent the lambs from getting their legs stuck or escaping.

The latest Vetmarker, released at Mystery Creek, also includes lamb restraining rails which are now swung off one upright, located near That’s why he invented the release end of the chute. the Vetmarker docking “Removing the upright frees up chute, which puts lambs access, allowing more working area, on their feet when they are which gives enough space to have released and it’s an inventwo people working on the right tion which won a Break side of the Vetmarker if required.

Thru Prototype award at the With the upright bar removed Fieldays in 2003. from the loading end it has made John was back this year it even easier to load the Vetin the Fieldays’ Innovation marker.”

Centre with an addition to There is also an option to add a the docking chute which to b lam double spray unit for farmers who toy a s use or em Fen allows the lambs to be John weighing feature require the spray to be adminisweighed. demonstrate the new r docking chute tered in both the crutch and either rke ma Vet “It’s becoming more and the to added the shoulder or the rump area of he invented. more important for farmers the lamb. to know the weight of their stock and this can now be done as part of the docking process.”

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FIELDAYS FOLLOW UP

Page 42

July 2012

Ben’s invention casts bin in new light Broken wheelie bins and a desire for a better worm farm has led Auckland photographer Ben Bell on an entrepreneurial journey he never dreamed possible.

Today the man who studied photography at Elam School of Fine Arts is director of hungry bin, a company which is exporting worm farms to the world.

“It began when I decided there had to be a better way to farm worms in an urban situation,” says Ben, who had a stand in the Innovation Centre at the Fieldays in June.

“I found out a lot of wheelie rubbish

bins had been damaged because they’d been picked up and emptied using the wrong equipment. so I began experimenting with turning them into worm farms.”

The progressive steps Ben made were on display at the Fieldays. It was his decision to include a tapered throat inside the bin which was the breakthrough.

NE

W

The bins are manufactured in New “I discovered that the tapered Zealand from food grade plastic shape compressed the castings, and can take around 2kg of food encouraging the worms to move waste a day. to the surface layer to access “The average household profresh food, so improved the duces around one and efficiency of the farm.” a half kg of food waste Ben’s mobile worm farms (he each day.” retained the wheels from the The lid of a hungry bin is at a original bins) were a hit with comfortable operating height, friends who asked him to make and convenient to open and them one. close. Tight fitting, it prevents “I thought there might be a pests from entering but has sufwider demand so I began sellficient venting to create healthy ing them on Trade-Me.” airflow. The hungry bin The Waitakere City Council has wheels, making moving it gave Ben a grant of $14,000 light work. from its Waste Not Fund to fur“The unique shape of the ther his design because it could see the value of a system which A hungry bin inside which worms bin creates a large surface area, allowing all the worms living in the would reduce organic waste going devour household waste. hungry bin to easily access the food to landfill. scraps at the top – exploiting the fact they’re sur“Around 50 per cent of household waste is face feeders, and increasing their processing capacity. organic and currently waste from Auckland goes to “Once the compost process is complete, the hungry Hampton Downs, which is a 120k trip for trucks, so bin is designed to allow the simple and easy harvest of the costs are not only in landfill but also in transport both finished castings and liquid fertiliser. and collection.”

“Harvesting castings does not involve any heavy, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise assisted Ben messy lifting. The floor of the bin is easily removed, to take part in its Escalator business development allowing approximately four litres of castings to break programme, through which he gained advice and away at the bottom of the taper. This allows the easy assistance from Deloitte and angel investors which removal of finished castings from the bin. Removing enabled him to raise the $1 million needed to launch the castings is a relatively clean process. Finished castthe company and manufacture the new and improved ings are largely free of worms.” hungry bins.

Ben says the castings are used as garden fertiliser or “Now we have orders from the UK, Holland and as a medium for growing plant. The liquid which is Australia as well as New Zealand. The Auckland City Council has a bank of the bins and hotels and cafes are caught by a drip tray beneath the bin is a rich, odourBy Elaine Fisher free liquid fertiliser. using them too.”

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Protection for dolphin Maui dolphin have been given more protection under measures announced by Primary Industries Minister David Carter.

Following a public consultation process, the existing recreational and commercial set net ban will be extended along the Taranaki coast from Pariokariwa Point south to Hawera, and out to two nautical miles.

In addition, the use of commercial set nets between two and seven nautical miles in this area will be prohibited without an observer on-board.

“Maui’s dolphins are critically endangered, with an estimated 55 adult animals remaining. The Government is taking this action to protect these dolphins while the Threat Management Plan is reviewed. This will be completed by the end of November.

“While there is a high level of uncertainty about the activity of Maui’s dolphins in the Taranaki area, the fact remains that their small number necessitates this action.

“At the same time, the Government is fully aware of the potential impact of this extended ban on the local fishing community which is why a review of the Threat Management Plan is needed,” he says.

The review of the plan will reassess natural and manmade risks facing Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins and recommend how the greatest risks can be mitigated.

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Page 43

Page 44

COUNTRY LIVING

July 2012

Pocket-sized solution to shocks Electric fences pack a nasty punch and having to negotiate them several times a day can leave a farmer feeling all charged up.

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of a wooden handle – well that’s the basic version.

“I’ve made one with a pocket knife in it too for the blokes,” he said.

Now why did he think `blokesess’ wouldn’t want a pocket knife with theirs?

“I came up with the idea last

year when I thought I’ve always got my pocket knife with me so wouldn’t it be good if it had something in it to push the fence down while I stepped over.”

David was supported at the Fieldays innovation centre by That’s the reason friend, farm manager Paul Olsson contract milker David who also thinks the device has potential. They Clements were quizzing invented a the crowd for handy little reaction, asking device to take if they liked the the sting out of idea, the shape fences negotiatand feel of the ing. device and what “When you colours they’d get to old, too like it in. The fat or too stiff prototype was to step over or carved from crawl under wood but plans electric fences, are to make this is what a production you need,” said model from David as he plastic. Pink demonstrated was among the the device at colour options the Fieldays in – they were June. thinking of the Taking the pain out of crossing electric fences – David It’s basically ladies – just a little.

Clements (left) with his invention and Paul Olsson with two plastic prongs

By Elaine Fisher mounted in the end the pocket knife version at the Fieldays innovation centre.

Fires to warm food, water and the soul Good company, good conversation and a hearty, wholesome meal around a cosy, warm fire is many Kiwi’s idea of the perfect way to spend an evening.

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Now that kind of comfort is possible even in the smallest of spaces thanks to the Sparky designed and manufactured by far North based Wagener Stoves.

Designed to fill a gap in the market for a compact wee fire little stove has been creating big interest.

Ngaire McClure of Wagener Stoves says Sparky model has been selling so fast, a second production run is about to get under way.

The company’s Butler Multi is the only modern day chip heater on the local market and it delivers copious amounts of hot water along with room heating and a cooking surface. Ngaire has this one in her remote beach property which is off the grid and she says it’s just brilliant. Her many visitors are always impressed with the Butler’s performance and the luxury of long hot showers.

The company’s flagship CookTop Wagener Stove is

a robust and very affordable wood fire with a 30 years history of solid and reliable performance. They can be found in DOC huts around the country warming weary trampers and cooking up something hot to sustain them.

They are a very popular choice in rural areas and landlords love them too as they can handle a few knocks, have a deep firebox for CookTop Wagener Stove is “man sized” logs robust and very affordable. and are definitely built to last.

The ultimate of solid fuel stoves is the Wagener Fairburn Cooker. This modern day range almost always becomes the heart of the home. “Family and friends love the cosy warm atmosphere and enjoy shared meals with that very special taste that only comes from solid fuel cooking.

“And at the end of the day home owners relax in the knowledge that they can enjoy copious amounts of hot water for the washing up and lovely long hot showers with no hefty power bills,” says Ngaire.

Wagener offers genuine New Zealand made products with local back up and support.

Customers can purchase with confidence in the knowledge that the company has a wealth of experience gained from more than 30 years in the heating industry and more than20 years in the NZ Home Heating Association.

July 2012

COUNTRY LIVING

Royal celebrations at rural café The Queen’s diamond jubilee has passed with little fanfare or celebration in New Zealand, except that is at a small rural café on the Hauraki Plains.

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the ceremony in which the newly-ascended monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, as well as taking on the role of Head of the Commonwealth.

Elizabeth ascended the thrones of these countries upon the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was proclaimed queen by her various privy and executive councils shortly afterwards. The coronation was held more than a year after the accession, on 2 June 1953.

There the fervour for everything royal is over-thetop-obvious and for that owners of the Corogate Café, Angie Thompson Hill and Bill Thompson Hill, make no apology.

“This is a wonderful milestone which only one other reigning monarch (Queen Victoria) has achieved and I think it’s a pity it hasn’t been more widely celebrated in New Zealand,” says Angie, who was born in England.

Her Kiwi-born husband Bill (whose father was British) agrees.

“It’s historically very important,” says Bill, who “We even had the Queen’s is fascinated by hairdresser visit because he the history of the had heard about us and said British royalty, he would take photos back describing it as to show her Majesty.” pretty brutal at Glass cabinets display times. Today it is an china and ornaments, important instituincluding a tiny Queen tion which preserves Elizabeth figure which traditions, art and waves. “It’s powered by a buildings which solar panel in her handare part of Britain’s bag,” Bill explains. heritage, he says.

The walls are lined with Such is their enthuphotographs of Royals past siasm, Angie and Bill and present, among them began celebrating the of course Princess Dianna, jubilee in May with a and there are souvenirs for r of Auckland enjoy llie Ho er nif Jen d Royalty Memorabilia Yvonne an sale too. the Corogate Café, at ur rlo pa ia tor Exhibition displayLook up and there’s lunch in the Vic Thompson Hill. l Bil d an gie An ing more than 3000 serviced by the friendship ceiling, items, and Royal every inch of it filled with jigsaw puzzles of scenes from High Teas, where those taking part were over looked around the world. from the balcony by the royals themselves. A life-size Bill and Angie may not have been able to attend the reproduction of the now famous scene from the royal jubilee celebrations in person but they’ve celebrated it balcony on their wedding day of the Duke and Duchin their own unique way and once it’s over, will coness of Cambridge, William and Kate, Her Majesty tinue to show their loyalty by staging new exhibitions Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince and serving of high tea to passers-by. By Elaine Fisher Harry graces the café’s Victoria Parlour and has become a favourite scene to be photographed against by guests.

Angie has been collecting royal memorabilia for decades and Bill has always had a hankering for antiques, so when the couple met and eventually decided to run a café in 2002, it became the logical venue to display and share their collections.

In keeping with the 60th Jubilee of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, models recreating the procession to the coronation in the golden coach are on display.

Angie was a small child when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953 and her memories of the event are vague.

“I remember receiving a lovely blue frosted glass but wasn’t really sure what it was for.”

She still has the glass, one of thousands given to British school children and now just one of many thousands of royal themed pieces in her collection.

The Corogate Café (so called as it is on State Highway 25 to the Coromandel) is a popular stop for many Aucklanders travelling to the peninsula and it’s also attracted some unexpected guests.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 46

July 2012

Product stewardship helps environment 400,000 truck and other tyres reach their end of life in New Zealand annually according to the Tyrewise programme which is being developed to help manage the environmental impact of New Zealand’s end-of-life tyres.

Earlier this year, then Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith awarded a grant for the development of a product stewardship programme to enable Tyrewise and the scrap tyre industry to work together to deliver a consistent nationwide approach for the responsible use of end of life tyres.

Carbon Recovery Ltd, a Bay of Plenty and Waikato based tyre recycling company has been exporting

chipped tyre product overseas for more than a year now, which sees hundreds of tonnes of old tyres recycled each month and turned into a fuel.

Ray Austen, General Manager of Carbon Recovery Ltd would like to see a New Zealand industry using this valuable fuel domestically. It replaces coal and can be used by energy intensive industries such as power generation, steel making, pulp and paper and cement.

“We’re still looking for a kiwi customer and I’m confident a domestic end user will be taking our product soon,” says Ray Product stewardship is the answer. “These schemes are essential and they’ve been in place around the world for over 30 years, but in New Zealand we are just beginning to look at them.” say Ray. Product stew-

ardship is ‘cradle to grave’ concept that helps reduce the environmental impact of manufactured products. In government regulated schemes, producers, brand owners, importers, retailers and consumers accept responsibility for the environmental effects of their products – from the time they are produced until they are disposed of.

Ray supports product stewardship schemes because they are fair for everyone. He says “it’s the producer of the product and the purchaser of the product that pay for the recycling of that product, not the taxpayer or the ratepayer”.

“We’ve chosen Korea as our export market, because of their high environmental standards and consistent demand for our product.”

Carbon Recovery is trying to help raise the bar in New Zealand when it comes to responsible disposal and as it ramps up its collection efforts, is getting regular customers from Auckland to Wellington that understand the problem. “We’ve got to up our game in this country and get it right when it comes to a using our depleting resources wisely. We all know there’s not an everlasting supply of oil and other resources that we can endlessly extract from the planet,” says Ray.

Tyre derived fuel from Carbon Recovery in New Zealand being unloaded in Korea for use in the cement manufacturing industry.

Homes with a difference

Harbour Park is not just any lifestyle village in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Nestled in the heart of Katikati the lifestyle estate offers a home for everyone, whether they come from a rural background or a coastal community.

Classic Builders building consultant Lorraine McLachlan says they have a handful of homes still for sale, with many currently under construction.

Homes range from the less expensive complex, which start at $355,000, to the more expensive duplex at $419,000.

All homes in the $355,000 price bracket have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double car garage.

“They are under construction now,

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and are beautiful homes. There’s little grounds that back onto a bowling green which is quite nice. You see through your rear fence into your bowling green.”

She says their more expensive homes back onto the estuary edge giving people a more rural or coastal outlook.

“These are great for farmers who are selling up at this time of the year and do not want to be enclosed. The sites are larger and there is a nice open outlook.”

Harbour Park Lifestyle Estate offers homes in three price brackets ranging from $355,000 to $377,000 right through to $419,000.

For more information contact Lorraine at Classic Builders.

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COUNTRY LIVING

July 2012

Roadside memorial marks DC3 crash Memorial are most commonly found in towns and cities but on a rural back road between Te Aroha and Matamata there’s one to a plane crash which shocked the nation.

Forty-nine years ago 23 people died when a DC 3 aircraft slammed into the Kaimai Ranges. At the time it was this country’s worst air disaster – to be eclipsed on November 28, 1979, when 237 passengers and 20 crew were killed when Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crashed into the side of Mt Erebus, Antarctica.

In July 2003, a memorial was erected on Old Te Aroha Road, Gordon, near Matamata to those who died in the Kaimai crash. The actual site of the crash is 9km north east from the memorial, high up in the ranges. A smaller memorial plaque was erected at the actual accident scene.

Events leading up to the tragedy began on Wednesday July 3, 1963 at 8.21am, when ZK-AYZ Hastings left Whenuapai Airport, Auckland, on a flight to Tauranga. Conditions were stormy, with wind and low cloud. Twenty-two passengers were supposed to be on the flight, but a lucky three made last-minute changes to their plans At 9.06am the pilot contacted

sonnel and soldiers from the New Zealand Army joined the search, but their search parties were also driven back by the strong winds and heavy rain.

A pilot from a Wanganui-based helicopter company drove overnight to the Kaimai Ranges to join the search. Following the directions of the quarry workers, the helicopter began searching along the ridgelines of the hills. A RNZAF Bristol Freighter also joined the search from the air.

At 11.58am the crew of the Bristol Freighter found the wreckage of the missing plane in a ravine high in the Kaimai Ranges, and difficult to reach on foot. A closer inspection by helicopter was unable to spot any survivors.

Rescuers were dropped as near to the site as possible by helicopter, but were still unable to make their A memorial to those who died in way to the wreckage that day.

The weather cleared the next day the 1963 Dc3 crash stands on Old and the recovery operation began, Te Aroha Road, Gordon. using a second helicopter. Ministers flown in by helicopter and hovering sound after hearing the plane fly above the site of the crash held a overhead. The police were conshort church service before recovery tacted and the plane was officially of the bodies began. declared missing just after 9.30am.

The plane had flown into a vertiA preliminary search party made cal rock face. Fire had destroyed up of workers from the quarry set almost all of the plane wreckage, out in the direction in which the and 22 of those on board died plane had been seen heading, but bad weather conditions made them instantly. One person survived the impact but died soon after. turn back Search and Rescue perthe Tauranga aircraft control tower and gave an estimated arrival time of 9.08am, and requested permission to begin his descent. When the control tower tried to make contact at 9.14am and again at 9.16am, there was no reply from ZK-AYZ. People on the ground had seen the plane flying low, and one man working at Gordon Quarry heard a ‘whoofing’

New subdivision rules coming for Waipa Recently the proposed subdivision rules were formally notified

by Waipa District Council as part of their Proposed District Plan.

Timing is important if you want to utilise the existing rules.

This change has been discussed for some years now, but now that the formal notification has made there will be a steady transition to the new rule book. Submissions can now be made by any member of the public or organisation up until July 27 at 5pm.

If you want to have any influence in how you are allowed to develop your property in the future you should make a submission and be involved in the process from the outset - once the rules are set in concrete there will be no sense complaining.

A big issue with these proposed rules is likely to be that more applications will become ‘discretionary’, meaning that council has complete discretion to either approve or turn them down. This process also demands a more rigorous application with associated costs, alongside that increased risk.

Currently in Waipa you can subdivide down to an average of 25ha and also many can make application for a 'long

association' subdivision if they have been associated with the title for over 14 years. You can also rearrange large lots into smaller lifestyle lots with a larger balance lot, as long as you can average over 25ha. This is all going to change when these proposed rules have gone through the 'consultation' process. You could perhaps expect some minor changes to the proposed rules, but the fact is - it's going to become much more difficult to subdivide when any of the proposed lots are less than 40 hectares.

Most future rural subdivision will have to be achieved through the protection of significant ecological, landscape and view-shaft features.

Although there are many of these throughout the area, if they are not on your property you miss out.

Council have also stated that they want rural subdivisions to be limited to no more than 50 lots per year and

will look at changing the rules if too many subdivisions are being carried out. Based on recent years, there will be more lots than that and I believe we can expect more changes as council struggles to direct most development into towns.

Over the next few months you can still make application for subdivision under the existing rules so it's time to sort out any plans that you have for subdivision. If you have any such plans or you need any assistance with a submission don't hesitate to call me and discuss the situation.

Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

Page 47

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 48

July 2012

What to do about bullies at work Around 18 per cent of New Zealand employees claim they have been victims of bullying in the workplace.

Compared to the rest of the world this figure is high.

Dealing with bullies in the workplace is a complex problem, but one employer must deal with. Failure to address the problem creates problems for employers if the employee raises a personal grievance and the matter proceeds to the Employment Relations Authority (“ERA”).

If complaints of bullying are ignored by

the employer it may be alleged the employer has failed to provide a safe workplace for the employee, with the resulting consequences.

There is no legal definition of what constitutes bullying however the relevant ERA cases indicate that the conduct complained of needs to be repeated and includes any action intended to cause fear and distress such as threats or action designed to gain power and or dominance over another.

An effective way to deal with such a problem involves investigating the allegations in a procedurally fair manner and informing the complainant of the outcome of any action that will be taken.

If you have any employment queries that you would like assistance with, please email Wendy directly at wendy@accordservices.co.nz This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice. Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.

The real causes of heart disease High cholesterol is a known risk factor for developing coronary heart disease (CHD) but the real culprits are high levels of artery inflammation coupled with low antioxidant levels.

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The first stage in the formation of plaques is oxidation (free radical damage) of cholesterol trapped in heart artery walls. The second stage is an inflammatory response and thirdly the formation of plaques that restrict blood flow. There are a number of antioxidants that protect cholesterol from becoming oxidised especially vitamins E, C and co enzyme Q10.

The widely respected Physicians Health Study has identified five main risk factors for sudden death from CHD. The number one risk factor is low levels of the Omega 3 fats. Those with high levels of Omega 3 only have a 10 per cent risk of CHD while those with a low index have almost 10 times the risk.

Risk factor two is those with the highest levels of background inflammation, as

measured by CRP (C Reactive protein), have the highest risk of heart disease. This comes as no surprise as Omega 3 and various antioxidants lower CRP. In heart health programmes I invariably include at least 200mg of 95 per cent grape seed extract, 400IU of vitamin E, all the other antioxidants groups and a full B vitamin complex and Omega 3.

Risk factor three is your “good” HDL cholesterol.

HDL measures cholesterol returning from your cells to your liver to be recycled and high levels of HDL equate much lower CHD risk. The next two risk factors are almost a dead heat for fourth equal. Both high levels of LDL cholesterol and high levels of the highly destructive radical

amino acid homocysteine are risk factors.

Homocysteine is easily neutralised by B vitamins.

Bad fats, low antioxidants, too much weight and not enough exercise- these are the real killers. The key to reducing CHD risk factors is to adopt all, not just some of the measures that reduce plaque formation and improve both coronary and general circulation. More than this, these measures will help promote good circulation, lower blood pressure and ensure that your heart and blood vessels will last a full lifetime. Give me a call if you need help. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www. abundant.co.nz John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

NAIT now mandatory for cattle July marks the beginning of the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme (NAIT) which is now mandatory for cattle.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter describes the scheme’s introduction as a milestone for New Zealand agriculture.

“NAIT is an important partnership between industry and the Crown which began eight years ago in recognition of the growing need for better animal identification and tracing systems.

“I am delighted that NAIT already has some 30,000 people and their properties registered on the database,” says Mr Carter.

“NAIT is a significant step in protecting our farmers in the

international marketplace. With most other agricultural producing nations already having computerised tracing of animals, New Zealand simply cannot afford to lag behind.

“Lifetime animal traceability is an asset that New Zealand can leverage as part of its international reputation for producing food to the highest standards. It is also an opportunity for farmers to increase productivity by identifying superior animals.

“In the case of a biosecurity outbreak affecting livestock, NAIT will enable a quick and efficient response reducing the impact on the agriculture sector and the entire New Zealand economy,” he says.

The scheme is becomes mandatory for deer on March 1, 2013.

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July 2012

COUNTRY LIVING

Wallabies may be to blame Wallabies may be among the causes of a slight drop in the quality of Lake Okataina’s water but their impact is probably minimal says Warwick Murray, Group Manager Land Management, Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

“Monitoring has shown a slight reduction from the previous water quality levels, and is not as good as the target level set by the lakes community and the Council in 1994. We don’t know why this has happened.”

Warwick says workshops with people who look after or own the land around the Lake Okataina catchment have raised wallabies and other pest animals as an issue. However, if they are having an effect it is likely to be minor, he says.

Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research has undertaken a literature review on the biophysical benefits from animal pest control and concluded that: “the impact of animal pests on water quality is potentially important but the low biomass/densities of wild animals compared to agricultural areas makes it a relatively minor factor in a mixed catchment (i.e. contains a mixture of agriculture and indigenous). However, where there is no, or little, agriculture in a catchment the impacts of pest mammals on water quality may become significant.”

Warwick says the changes in water quality are more likely to be caused by lake level changes or other natural fluctuations.

“Lake Okataina is a unique situation compared to our experience with other lakes.

We yet to learn about how much native forest could impact the water quality in general.

“The lake’s water quality is good compared to other Rotorua lakes.

It has never been closed for contact recreation (swimming etc) and its visibility is great.”

The Trophic Level Index (TLI) target for

the lake is 2.6. In the past two years the three-yearly average has risen to 2.8, but that’s still good water quality.

“There is some dry-stock farming. We estimate pasture makes up about eight to 10 per cent of the catchment, exotic forest is eight per cent and native forest is 79 per cent.”

A nutrient budget is being developed for Lake Okataina and will provide best estimates of where nutrients are coming from for each land use type, and other known sources like septic tanks, rainfall and other natural sources.

“We currently have little understanding of the “ground-water” catchment for the lake. We don’t know if ground-water from elsewhere is influencing the lake.”

So while wallabies may be off the hook when it comes to taking the blame for affecting water quality, they are still considered a pest animal and have been the subject of control operations in the past, including the use of aerial 1080.

By Elaine Fisher

Four measurements to indicate lake health The water quality of Rotorua’s lakes is assessed using the Trophic Level Index (TLI) which gives an overall indication of lake health based on four different criteria.

The score for each lake is calculated using four separate water quality measurements – total nitrogen, total phosphorous, water

clarity, and chlorophyll-a.

Total nitrogen and total phosphorous are nutrients that plants thrive on. Large amounts of these nutrients in the lakes encourage the growth of algae which can lead to poor water quality.

Water clarity is a measurement of how clear the water in the lake is. In general, the clearer the water, the better the water

quality. Chlorophyll-a is the green colour in plants. Knowing how much chlorophyll is in a lake gives a good idea of how much algae the lake has. It’s okay to have algae in a lake, just not too much.

The more algae there is, the poorer the water quality. These four measurements are combined into one number which is the Trophic Level Index.

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Page 49

Page 50

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

July 2012

Spray and mow in one go An invention which makes mowing and spot spraying for weeds a ‘one pass’ action was launched at the Innovation Centre at this year’s Fieldays.

st.

po

e Th

in one pass.”

Once the wand flicks back into place after passing the post or plant, the spray delivery system shuts off, reducing the amount of spray used because it is delivered only where it is required.

Neil designed and built the spray Neil Forbes of Matangi designed and delivery system, which is connected built the Automatic Spot Sprayer after his by a hose to a spray tank mounted on friend Phil Hayward told him he’d like an the opposite side of the mower deck. easier way to control weeds around vines However, he says the same system can and posts in his Katikati orchard. be fitted to a quad bike.

What Neil came up with was a spray system Shutting off the system when it’s not sp fitted to the deck of a ride-on mower, with a ra s a required is as simple as raising the wand to t yer i ‘wand’ which activates the spray nozzle whenever d h a vertical position. acti it comes in contact with a post or plant. vates when the wan Neil and Phil used the Fieldays to gauge “It means you can mow the orchard, or any property and consumer interest in the invention with the hopes of spot spray around plants and trees, posts, fences and along walls, all putting it into production in the near future.

By Elaine Fisher

Evolving biosecurity The recent discovery of a Queensland fruit fly in Auckland sparked a media flurry about our biosecurity preparedness and response.

The discussion around it has been a good one.

The Government certainly has a clear role in managing our biosecurity system, but every New Zealander has an important role, too. It’s in all our interests to work together to protect the economic contribution of our primary industries, and to protect the unique environments and way of life that we all value.

Some have said that we need full x-ray screening of all travellers’ luggage. Others think the answer is to have

orchard tractors

small tractors & mowers

ag tractors

more dogs at airports. If only the soluand extensive surveillance and monitortion was that simple. ing within our borders – including 7400 Maintaining our biosecurity system insect traps. is complex and needs to evolve conMeantime, the Biosecurity Law Reform stantly to keep pace with new or Bill – the most significant changes to the heightened risks.

Biosecurity Act in more than a decade – There are numerous entry points to is progressing through Parliament, and New Zealand – the manmade pathways the National Animal Identification and of airports, ports and the mail service, Tracing scheme is about to become manas well as the natural pathways of strong datory for cattle and deer, to enhance our winds and ocean currents. biosecurity response.

The fruit fly found in AuckWe’re also working to help land was tiny, making it people understand the unlikely to be picked up reasons for our rigorby either an x-ray, the ous biosecurity system, sharp eye of a biosecurity because education is officer, or the sensitive equally as important as nose of a detector dog. enforcement.

Not that this in any Research by the way lessens the risk the Ministry for Primary pest posed to our hortiIndustries shows a huge culture industry. increase in the use of New Zealand has a amnesty bins where good biosecurity system, people can dispose of one of the best in the risky items before they world, and one that we enter New Zealand. can justifiably be proud There are also fewer of. We have managed people packing at-risk to keep out many of David Carter, Minister for items in their luggage the world’s worst pests and a drop in the rate Primary Industries. and diseases despite huge of undeclared goods being increases in the numbers of people and seized from passengers. freight moving around the globe.

I encourage the debate around this The strength of our system lies in its important issue to continue so that many layers of protection. We have everyone can work together to make Import Health Standards to prevent risky our world-class biosecurity system items from being sent to New Zealand in even stronger.

By David Carter, the first place, inspections at the border, Minister for Primary Industries

July 2012

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 51

Tauranga company expands again In an economic environment where some companies are retrenching, Tauranga’s Action Equipment is expanding with the opening of Action All Terrain at 31 Waihi Road in Tauranga.

The company’s three current stores at Tauranga, Katikati and Hamilton have been Polaris dealers alongside Husqvarna, but the ATV business has now grown out of the Glasgow Street premises in Tauranga.

The specialist farm, road and trail department is now situated at the traffic lights on Waihi Road opposite Carters, and with the Kawasaki dealership alongside Polaris, they can service their growing customer base in greater depth.

Action All Terrain stocks the full range of Kawasaki motorcross, off road and road motorbikes as well as Polaris quads and Side by Sides and staff are happy to arrange demonstrations.

The new premises has been the home of a Kawasaki dealer for a number of years, and the Action All Terrain team are looking forward to meeting customers old and new.

The team is headed up by Nathan Moore, who has many years’ experience in the industry, and the combined service team is second to none in the area.

They are able to offer a collection and delivery service, and have loan bikes available for busy farmers if needed. Keep a look out for the team at MotoX events, and the new Polaris RZR racing around.

The company has the Kawasaki range to suit keen road bikers or cruisers, or farmers with a need for a hard working machine.

Some of team at Action All Terrian are from the front Brendon Holmes and from left back Blair Meyer and Nathan Moore (Branch Manager).

Vintage tractors need paddocks to plough Restoring and maintain- they were built to do, and the machinery they hope a local farmer might have restored. Enjoyable ing old farm machinery be happy for us to plough though that is it’s not is an absorbing hobby quite the same as putting up some land.” for the 40 members of Club members regularly the tractors and ploughs the Tauranga Vintage to work, testing both the take their tractors on Machinery Club but machinery and the skill of finding places to put their treks along rural roads the operators and using equipment to work is not and often across country, the equipment for the stopping at sheds and always easy. purpose it was intended. workshops along the That’s why the club is Anyone who is willway to compare notes seeking a farmer willing to offer land to be and as Gordon says “tell ing to allow members to ploughed can contact a few tall stories” about plough up four to five Gordon Scott on hectares of land, says Chris Nicholls ploughing a 07 571 2450.

Gordon Scott of the paddock with a vintage tractor club. “We like to use – something members of the our tractors, which Tauranga Vintage Machinery date from the early Club hope to do in a field made 1900s to the available by a local farmer.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 52

July 2012

Ph 07 928 3042 or classi@thesun.co.nz adult entertainment

MENS SAUNA/STEAM/ SPA GuyZ Male Bath House 856a Victoria St Hamilton Tues-Sat 4pm Sun 1pm GuyZ Ph 07 839 5222 farm supplies MODULAR FARM BRIDGES Phone Pat now 0800 222 189 www.bridgebuilders. co.nz BRIDGE IT NZ LTD for sale

PULLETS Brown Shaver. Point of lay, good layers. Ph 07 824 1762 MULCH FOR SALE Must pick up in Katikati. $40 per cube. Phone Scott today 0274 624 769 grazing wanted

LONG TERM in & around ohauiti/oropi. Approximately 20hecters plus. Suitable for dry stock cattle. Ph 07 544 6566 or 027 430 1218 house for sale

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FANTASTIC LIFESTYLE BLOCK AT PIKOWAI Within easy commuting to Tauranga, Te Puke and Whakatane this 4 bedroom brick home is in paradise!

Beautiful sea and rural views 6 acres grazing land, horse pens, heaps of shedding, butchery and chiller for own use single garage with sleepout/office big games room or can be converted to extra double garage, chook house, drenching race for the cattle.

11.5 x 4.5 metre in ground swimming pool which is fully decked and fenced. This is a beautiful home and comes with a share in the community woolshed, tennis courts and cattle yards. Own water scheme. Fantastic community to belong to - be in quick! Price of house has been slashed! to $550,000 - urgent sale.

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BUILDERS Murray Pedersen licensed builder with his experienced team will undertake additions renovations also reclads. We can arrange plans & consents.

Ph 575 7870 BOSTOCK SHELTER TRIMMERS LTD we have a keen eye and work hard to achieve a satisfactory finish.

Phone Rob on 027 222 4157 GORSE SPRAYING do you have a gorse problem?

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Scott 0274 624 769 TREE FELLING,CHIPPING PRUNING & Removal/ chipping. No job to big or small.

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Phone Tasha on 07 928 3042 or email classi@thesun.co.nz

July 2012

BUILDING & HEATING

Sustainable home heating One of the simplest steps in making your home more sustainable is choosing the right heating system.

The energy efficiency of your home’s heating system will have a major impact on your power bills, with www.consumerpowerswitch. org.nz stating heating accounts for 29 per cent of the average household’s power usage.

Heat pumps lead the pack for energy efficiency, producing 250-300 per cent of heat energy for the power they use – well above other forms of heating.

Heating specialist Shane Snowden, who has been installing heat pumps for more than 20 years, says pumps are the most efficient and economical way of heating your home.

Research by Consumer New Zealand shows heat pumps are one of the cheapest heating options to run, but to get the best results need to be selected for your house’s capacity. In contrast, it rates portable

heaters as the most expensive form of heating to run.

But if you look beyond electricity efficiency to the sustainability of the fuel source the issue becomes more complex. A report by Community Energy Action rates log and wood pellet burners as the most sustainable from the perspective of emissions and fuel renewability because 30 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity comes from fossils (2008).

Home-owners who want to cut their carbon footprint without changing their heating system can take many small steps to reduce their power usage. Sustainability information website www.econation.co.nz recommends making the most of passive solar heating by opening curtains, sealing up gaps in your building where air sneaks in and turning down your thermostat when you leave home.

For its full list on energy saving tips and a detailed table comparing system costs and sustainability go to http://www.econation.co.nz/home-heatingcomparison.html

By Hamish Carter

To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

Saturday 7 July

National Poultry and Pigeon Show July 7 9am – 5pm and July 8 9am – 12pm at Hamilton Boys’ High School, Peachgrove Road, Hamilton. Huge array of birds. For those who keep chooks, ducks or pigeons or just want to have a look, with nearly 2000 on display. Adult $5, children under 16 free. Door sales only. www.waikatopoultryandpigeonclub.com

Tuesday 17 July

Putaruru Rural Professionals Meeting At Putaruru Kindergarten Assn, 6 Glenshea Rd, Putaruru 3-5pm. Speaker: Amy King, Environment Waikato – the latest development on Varition 6 and the implications of farming under the legislation.

Gord Stewart from Aquas Consultants Ltd will give tips on smart water use, followed by Ian Brown, current chairman of Fonterra Shareholders’ Council, who will give an update on the current status of

Fonterra. Great chance to catch up with your peers and find out about current issues in the industry.

Phone Amy 0274 832 205 or email: amy.johnson@ dairynz.co.nz

Thursday 19 July

Nutrient Loss Mitigation Field Day Hosts: Jamie and Chris Peterson, 136 Stewart Road, Kaharoa SN 78570 10am – 2.30pm. Come and hear a range of insights into reducing nutrient loss, including “The P Project”. Ph Sharon 0274 922 907 or email: sharon.morrell@dairynz.co.nz

Saturday 21 July

Tree Sale BOP Tree Crops Association: Bay of Plenty Branch Katikati A&P Showgrounds, Major Street (just north of Katikati) 10am – 12.30pm. good variety of tree cropping and other plants for sale at reasonable prices. Ph Elizabeth Rae 07 549 2795

   

Page 53

FORESTRY

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July 2012

Forestry contributes $5 billion to GDP New Zealand may be a small player in the international forestry trade but the industry contributes around $5 billion or three per cent of New Zealand GDP. The Ministry for Primary Industries says New Zealand accounts for 1.1 per cent of the world’s total supply of industrial wood and 1.3 per cent of the world’s trade in forest products.

However, New Zealand supplies almost 9 per cent of the Asia Pacific

forest products trade volume, representing nearly 20 per cent by value. Forestry is a significant industry in New Zealand, directly employing around 20 000 people. Wood products are New Zealand’s third largest export earner behind dairy and meat.

The industry is based around sustainably managed exotic plantation forests, covering 1.751 million hectares – approximately seven per cent – of New Zealand’s land area. A further 6.5 million hectares is covered in indigenous forests, mostly managed by the Depart-

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ment of Conservation as part of the conservation estate. Ninety per cent of the exotic plantation area is in radiata pine (Pinus radiata), with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) accounting for six per cent and the remainder of the estate made up of eucalyptus and other softwood and hardwood species.

MPI says the sector is entering an exciting new phase, as wood production volumes are expected to increase significantly in the coming years as forests planted in recent decades reach maturity. The

forests are also at the centre of New Zealand’s climate change response efforts, and there is also increasing realisation of the environmental and social benefits delivered by forests.

MPI is the Government’s principal adviser on forestry, including policy development and

engagement at the domestic and international level. New Zealand’s biosecurity system is led by MPI, protecting forest resources from harmful pests and diseases. The ministry also administers the Government’s interests in commercial forestry through the Crown Forestry unit, representing forestry leases on Maori land, residual Crown forest assets and a portfolio of Forestry Encouragement Loans. It works with the forestry sector to support its contribution to New Zealand’s development and economic growth.

Early days - conference theme “Back to our Roots” is the theme for the 57th The New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Conference in April next year and organisers say it’s an appropriate time to look back at the early significance of forestry exports.

The Lower North Branch of the Farm Forestry Association is hosting the conference at the Orewa Arts and Events Centre, Auckland from Saturday April 20 to Tuesday April 23, 2013 and registrations are open now.

It’s a region with a proud history of forestry as in the early days of colonisation up to 30 vessels at a time were loading Kaipara kauri logs and lumber for export to Australia and California. Some of

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the country’s earliest plantation plantings were in the Woodhill sand dunes and Riverhead gumlands pioneering the use of radiata pine, eucalypts and redwood.

The Farm Forestry and Horticulture (Lower North) Association was formed by Neil Barr, Hec Nicholls and Frank Bartlett in 1950 following a discussion on the steps of the Helensville Post Office about the lack of durable timber for fencing which was major issue at that time.

Neil was an enthusiast for trees on farms, and with Forest Service help, travelled the country encouraging farm foresters to set up local interest groups which in turn led on to the association of today.

The programme has field trips to farm forests including looking at how forestry fits into Auckland’s periphery and the issues that creates.

The Bartlett property, now a major new housing development, still features some of the original Bartlett Eucalyptus saligna which was a widely promoted seed source in the late 1960s will also be visited.

A highlight will be the trip to “Beresford”, founder Neil Barr’s farm and now the property of well-known entrepreneur Alan Gibbs who has developed a magnificent display of outdoor artworks recognised around the world. Day Four includes visits to three of the Lower North’s feature farm forestry properties.

The programme not only covers a wide range of the sites characteristic of this part of New Zealand, but also enables a better appreciation of the species that perform well in more northerly parts of the country.

For those who wish to stay for day five, a range of options are being planned including visits to Tiritiri Island, Matakohe Kauri Museum, Rangitoto Island of the Woodhill Forest.

For more information contact conference Chair Peter Berg phone 09 575 4056 or email thebergs@ihug.co.nz or visit the website www.nzffa.org.nz/conference/

July 2012

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 55

Hunter stunned to bag record-setting ‘oldest mallard’ Tauranga hunter Brian Rogers (and Coast & Country’s own Director/ Editor) says he’s somewhat stunned to have bagged a duck that set a record as the oldest banded game bird recovered in Fish & Game’s Eastern Region, since records began 15 years ago.

Brian sent details of the band recovered to the organisation’s Eastern Region headquarters at Ngongotaha.

Senior Fish & Game Officer Matt Mc Dougall runs a game bird monitoring programme which is the country’s longest-running continuous one, now 15 years old. He looked up his records to discover the bird, banded nearly 11 years ago, was the oldest they’ve recovered so far – beating two other 10 Brian shot the bird while kayaking on year-old ducks. the Kaituna River with a friend recently.

Matt, one of the country’s leading It was a beautiful day and they’d drifted game bird researchers, was quickly on down near the Bell Road Landing where a new bridge is being constructed.

Brian Rogers’ dog Flo the phone to Brian to confirm the finding. The male bird had been banded “We saw a few birds around and called with the ‘geriatric’ as a juvenile on February 11, 2002 at three over,” he says. “It wasn’t flying parduck they bagged.

Kaituna Wildlife Reserve. The skinny ticularly well, it didn’t look right.” mallard had been shot just 1.5 kilometres away from Brian thought at first it was a duck out of condiwhere it had been banded. “It’s an area that gets a lot tion, a thin-looking juvenile rather than a tough of hunting pressure and to go through so many huntold bird. Recovering the bird from the sandbar ing seasons, it must have been a pretty wily old bird. it fell onto proved to be a real mission. When the “I think it’s fair to say however that this harvest hunter stepped out of his kayak onto the bar it felt could be considered a humane act, as from the like quicksand. “I was forced to crawl on my belly description of the bird’s flying, it was nearthrough the shallows to reach it – but I never ing the end of its life.” leave a bird I’ve shot.

The banding programme has shown “I said to my mate Tony that so that 86 per cent are recovered within far I’d only shot young and stupid 50 kilometres of where they are birds, and now I can add geribanded, although he adds this bird atric to that. I am stunned to may in fact have travelled some hear it was that old.” distance away and then returned to As Fish & Game requests, the site. One adult mallard banded at Lake Rununga in the Hawkes Bay was recovered down south,1014 kms away just out of Invercargill.

Matt says that over the 15 years it has been running throughout the Eastern and Hawkes Bay Fish & Game regions, 23,673 mallard have been banded, along with 2,693 grey duck and 1844 Paradise shelduck.

It’s great for Fish & Game to Brian Rogers shows the band removed from the ‘oldest banded game bird.’

receive this banding information from hunters, which all helps them to assess “what the different game bird populations are doing,” and then determine regulations including bag limits and season length. “Banding helps us determine productivity, population size, movement and of course – as seen here – survival rates. When a band is returned to us we know how long it’s survived for, and with all the bands

returned, we can estimate how long the average bird survives for.

“It’s interesting to see that birds do live to a ripe old age as the average life span is just over one year.”

Fish & Game is very pleased to see hunters like Brian getting the most from their game bird licences, hunting past the opening of the season, and doing the right things – including passing on this vital information.

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July 2012

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