C&C 11/12

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Novemb

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Issue No. 147

6-8 8-9 24-26 27-29 36-39 40-42 44-51 53-54

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

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Gemma to the rescue See book prizes on Page 46-47

LandSAR search and rescue dog Gemma helped her owner Graeme Hill and Gavin Hancox (both LandSAR volunteers) find Honore Bond (9), her sister Bella Strange (3) and their parents when they got lost at night in the Kaimai Range near Te Aroha. Read their story on pages 4-5.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

Iroquois safety briefing not for faint hearted The door of the Iroquois was wide open.

Leaning as far forward as my lap belt would allow, I watched as LandSAR volunteer Jimmy Braithwaite, a wide grin on his face, was winched to the bush clearing below by sergeant Ben Fraser.

volunteers throughout the country that they are willing to do what it takes, and give up their time to rescue those in need, just like Graeme Hill, his talented dog Gemma and colleague Gavin Hancox who rescued a family lost at night near Te Aroha – see story pages 4-5.

To find out more about LandSAR and LandSAR rescue dogs and how you can help support the work they do, or even become a volunteer, go to Once down, Jimmy released the harness, gave www.landsar.org.nz Ben the thumbs-up and turned to join two others It’s now two years since the vine killing disease sheltering from the chopper’s downdraft. Flight Psa-V was first detected in New Zealand and by mid lieutenant Marc Bridgeman and flying officer Simon last month 1669 orchards had at least some infected Isemonger banked the chopper away, flying back plants and the disease had been found in the Hawke’s to search HQ at the Lions Hut in the Te Urewera Bay and Kerikeri for the first time. In June 2011 National Park. It was November 2007 and the air growers and consultants visited Italy to see first-hand force crew was part of a weekend LandSAR exercise what the disease had done to the industry there and involving 60 volunteers from in this issue of Coast & Country throughout the Bay of Plenty. they give their views on how the It was my first flight in an Iroquois New Zealand industry is coping – and as well as the excitement of the see pages 6-8. ride, I was filled with admiration The dairy industry is in better for the volunteers who agreed to shape and even though returns are step into space and be winched to down farmers are investing in their the bush below – especially when businesses, as evidenced by the three we’d been given the briefing about new farm dairies featured on pages what to do in the unlikely event of 18 to 22. an emergency with the chopper, and Rules governing what landowners informed the winch had a quick can do with their properties are release system – operated by Ben. getting tougher as Brent Trail of That briefing was far more graphic Surveying Services warns in his and scary than any commercial column, which outlines what’s airline safety presentation. While proposed by the Waipa District LandSAR volunteer Jimmy Jimmy thrived on the adrenaline, Braithwaite, a wide grin on his Council - see page 49. not everyone looked so happy.

However, it’s a mark of LandSAR face, is winched from the Iroquois.

By Elaine Fisher.

Book winners

The winners of last month’s Coast & Country Book prizes are: ‘The Drover’s Quest’

by Susan Brocker; Jackson Tomsett of Morrinsville and ‘Chopper Chatter’ by Ken Tustin; Wayne Bakewell of Tauranga.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 3

Risk-taking Kiwis will help nation prosper

New Zealanders need to develop an appetite for risk and a pride in being Kiwi in order improve this country’s economic performance John Allen, chief executive of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade believes.

In an energetic and enthusiastic address to the Zespri Momentum Conference in October John said this country is poised to ‘take off ’ in so many markets and while there is much to celebrate about New Zealand’s successes, more need to be done.

“As a country we need to confront our attitudes to risk taking. We do not support the risk taker nor learn from risks taken but rather sit awaiting failure and celebrate that.

“If we are to lift exports as our government intends us to by 30 to 40 per cent of GDP, we need take more risk. Not bet the whole shop but take considered managed, informed, scientifically founded risks to grow our businesses. At the moment our attitude to risk is too often to shoot the messenger and celebrate failure rather than support those taking risks and learn from them.”

Attitudes to growth also need to change, he said. With contemporary science, technology, education and practise on farm it is perfectly possible to increase productivity without impacting adversely on the environment.

“We need get out there and help grow our country because a country which is not growing will not create the opportunities our people need. If we want our children and grandchildren living and working in this country then we have got to grow the capacity and capabilities of this country.”

New Zealand’s xenophobic attitudes to foreign investment also need to change.

“Foreign investment is pivotal to unlocking and securing our success. We have made really good progress in attracting investment but need to develop a new model of internationalisation of business bringing Kiwi intellectual property and foreign capital together.”

John said the New Zealand, or Kiwi brand was well respected and indeed envied internationally.

Those who said New Zealand need to be more like Australia and America, “needed more swagger and aggression, that Kiwis were to nice, too deferential too egalitarian - too Kiwi”, were wrong.

“The brand Kiwi must be a Kiwi brand. It can’t be other than authentic in the way we market ourselves and our products off shore. We need to be proud

of who we are and confident as a nation to present ourselves on the world stage and be met with absolute admiration and achieve impact. ”Our cultural diversity and the partnerships that under pins it is what differentiates us on the world stage. When we are out there marketing this country time and time again we anchor ourselves in our Maori culture, our Maori tradition and in our pride in Tangata whenua.” He acknowledged the role Maori played and continue to play in building Aotearoa New Zealand and the future contributions they will make to the nation and the kiwifruit industry in particular.

New Zealand needed to ensure its products were world class and its farming and orcharding methods sustainable. “The claims we make about 100 % pure have to be sustainable and that means a focus on the management of water quality, carbon foot print and greenhouse gases and the way in which farms and orchards are managed. It means making sure we are telling that story on the world stage.”

John said he was optimistic about the future even though everyone around him was giving reasons not to be. “People keep telling us New Zealand is a small remote country with no strategic advantages. Big countries like China, the US and Russia are jockeying for position. There are hot spots of conflict in the South China Sea and lots of terrorism, plaque, petulance and global warming , but I am confident this country can continue to successfully make its way in world.”

Part of that confidence is due to burgeoning middle class in Asia predicted to grow to 2.3 billion by 2025, hungry for food that tastes good, looks good and is good for them, New Zealand is well placed, and well experienced to take advantage of existing and new trade agreements. Collaboration between government, businesses, industry, universities and science institutions are also an advantage brought by New Zealand’s relatively small size that other countries don’t enjoy, he said. # John Allen has been chief executive and secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade since July 2009. He is the government’s chief adviser on foreign and trade policy, official development assistance, international law and diplomatic and consular issues. Prior to joining the ministry, John was chief executive of New Zealand Post, where he led a range of initiatives to drive growth in the face of declining mail volumes. A former partner in Rudd Watts & Stone, specialising in commercial and public policy issues, John has also been a visiting lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington.

Confident of our success – John Allen, chief executive of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade addresses the Momentum Conference.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 4

Gemma led rescuers to lost family Nine-year-old Honore and her threeyear-old sister Bella will never forget how Gemma helped rescue them when they and their parents Matt Strange and Sarah Anderson became lost at night in the bush near Te Aroha in July this year.

“They haven’t stopped talking about Gemma, Graeme and Gavin ever since.

Those three mean so much to Honore and Bella and all of us,” says Sarah.

When the family and their rescuers met to re-tell their story to Coast & Country it was a special time.

“It’s not often you get to meet people again after a rescue,” says Graeme Hill, Gemma’s owner and handler.

“This search had such a good outcome. It’s very satisfying to see a happy ending,” says Gavin Hancox, who was

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Graeme and Gemma’s partner in the rescue.

Gemma is a qualified Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) Search Dog and Graeme and Gavin are both volunteer members of the Hamilton Branch of New Zealand LandSAR organisation, which was called in to help find the missing family on Saturday July 14.

They had driven to the Waiorongomai Valley south of Te Aroha at about 3.15pm for a bush walk, followed by a swim at the local hot pools.

“We followed the track and went up the Queen’s Incline, which was steeper than we’d expected. When we go to the top and went on a bit further, the track markers ran out,” says Sarah.

By this stage three-year-old Bella was tired and the descent down the incline was too hard for her, so the family tried to find another way down.

By the time they had reached a stream, light was failing and they still hadn’t found a clear track.

Matt says he was shocked at how quickly things could go wrong and how quickly the light went.

“If I’d been on my own I would have been OK and I did think about walking out to get help but I didn’t want to leave Sarah and the girls.”

Sarah says she was scared. “I started to panic and had trouble getting cellphone coverage but moved around until I got one bar on the phone and called 111.”

Unsure by then just where they were, and because they didn’t have a torch, the family stayed put on a rock in the middle of the stream where they were to remain stranded in the dark for five hours.

“Bella went to sleep but either Matt or I had to hold her in case she slipped into the stream. Honore just talked and talked.”

Graeme and Gavin got the call to help at 6.30pm and at 7.30pm arrived at the car park where the family car was left.

“No-one else had been on that track so I knew Gemma would have a good chance of picking up the most recent human sent, which she did,” says Graeme.

With Gemma on a tracking line and Graeme following behind, the search began. Gavin followed, keeping a track of where they were on GPS and communicating with search headquarters.

“It’s ideal to have Gavin with me on a search because

Reunited Bella Strange and her sister Honore Bond were delighted to meet rescue dog Gemma again, along with LandSAR volunteers Gavin Hancox (left) and Graeme Hill – watched here by the girl’s parents Sarah Anderson and Matt Strange.

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then I can concentrate on Gemma and pick up from her body language what she is telling me. Gavin can concentrate of looking for visual signs and taking care of comms.”

Being a local, Gavin knows the walking tracks in the area well but says without Gemma, finding the family would have taken even longer.

“I wouldn’t have expected them to go up the incline but Gemma told us they had.”

Gemma faithfully followed the family’s progress through the bush but even at her fast pace it took until nearly 10pm to find them. Graeme says the family did exactly the right thing by staying in one place. If they had kept moving, finding them would have taken even longer and in the steep terrain at night, the risk of falling was very real.

The family was stuck in the bottom of a very steep gully, and noise from the stream masked their calls.

“We were tracking them on the path they had taken and as it turned out they could see our lights momentarily as they looked up the steep bank of the gully, but we couldn’t hear them. The scent from them would have been flowing downstream with the light breeze so no way Gemma could have picked it up as we tracked them around the top of the track.”

However, as Graeme and Gavin got closer they heard Sarah and Matt shout “Help”.

“We thought from the noise they were around the other side of the steep gully, and because Gemma was tracking well we kept going thinking we would locate them on the track very soon. We tried to shout to them again but couldn’t hear them because of the stream’s noise.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 5

Graeme’s three wishes fulfilled When he left the navy, Graeme Hill wanted an interest which offered both excitement and the chance to help others.

There was one other item on his wish list – a German Shepherd dog.

He has fulfilled all three by joining the Hamilton branch of the volunteer organisation New Zealand Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) and the national specialist group LandSAR Search Dogs.

After 12 years with the Royal New Zealand Navy, including a yearlong stint as a United Nations military observer in the Middle East, Graeme returned to New Zealand and soon took on a role with Mighty River Power in Hamilton.

“I wanted something which would be exciting and outdoors and I’d always wanted to own a dog, something you can’t easily do in the navy.”

As Graeme began his LandSAR training, the idea of owning and training a search and rescue dog grew in appeal. Three and a half years ago he purchased a small female German shepherd called Gemma from Heisenberg Kennels in Bulls and began her training.

“Peter Crocker from Hamilton City Council Animal Control, who has trained dogs for all sorts of working jobs, helped me get the foundations right with Gemma, who is trained to follow human

scent. As part of being on the Search Dog training programme, I have also received a lot of support and training advice from LandSAR Search Dog assessors and members of the police dog section. Pet Doctors in Hamilton has sponsored her vet care.”

Initial training involved tramping small pieces of dog food into a grassy patch for Gemma to find. This associated the smell of human scent and crushed vegetation with the reward of some nice food. Then this was extended out to foot steps away from the original source. Before long Gemma understood Graeme wanted her to follow human scent. Now she’ll do that for kilometres through bush and mixed terrain and across streams, and with hours of delay, with no more food but rather words of praise and a big game ite toy at the end. with her favourGemma has also learned to fly in be winched to the helicopters and ground with Graeme.

However, not just any dog can wear the LandSAR Search Dog colours and Gemma had to undergo a rigorous assessGemma, the ment before LandSAR becoming search and qualified in rescue dog.

May 2011.

Sarah grateful for LandSAR rescuers “So we decided to head back a short distance to try and make voice contact again, despite Gemma wanting to track on along their path. If we had continued to track, we would have followed their exact path but it would have taken longer and we wanted to re-establish voice contact, to reassure them we knew they were there and also just in case they had separated and someone was coming up the bank. By going back and getting voice contact and then descending straight down the bank we basically took a short cut off the path the family took.

“When we got within 25 metres of the family having descended into the gully, we were stuck in the thick bush above the stream for what

must have seemed like an eternity to the family because it was so thick.

It was probably only a few minutes before we made it to them,” says Graeme.

“I have never been so pleased to see anyone in my life as when Gavin, Graeme and Gemma came bursting through the bush,” says Sarah. Their rescuers supplied the four weary, cold members of the family with headlamps and emergency blankets and moved them to a more comfortable location on the side of the stream. Honore and Bella were relieved and excited to see their rescuers, Gemma in particular, and as they settled down, wrapped in blankets to await further help, Gemma curled up with the girls and went to sleep.

Finally, with the help of other Hamilton based search and rescue volunteers, the family was guided out of the bush, (Bella being carried most of the way) making it to safety at around 2.30am.

Sarah says she, Matt and the girls will always be grateful to Graeme, Gavin and Gemma for rescuing them from a very cold and scary situation.

“These three mean so much to the girls and I am so impressed that people like Gavin and Graeme give up their time to go out in any conditions to search for people.”

She’s grateful too for Gemma’s incredible sense of smell which guided Graeme and Gavin to them.

By Elaine Fisher

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Page 6

9/11 predictions for Psa realised In June 2011 a group of 22 New Zealand kiwifruit growers visited Italy to see the impacts there of the vine disease Psa-V, which had been discovered in this country on November 5, 2010.

Elaine Fisher, the only journalist to accompany the growers to Italy, talks to some of them to ask their views of the New Zealand’s industry’s future.

In 2011, Auckland grower Carlos Verissimo predicted the vine disease Psa-V

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In Italy, Carlos did more than look at the vines of would be the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s the kiwifruit orchards the party visited. He took out equivalent of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York his pocket knife and dug into the ground to discover and 12 months on his worst fears have been realised. the health of the soil and roots. “The one orchard Carlos was among the first party of New Zealand which had the most soil activity and more white growers to visit Latina in Italy to see the devastation roots was that of Roberto Altobello, who was the last the disease had caused there. man standing among gold growers. Even though his “Psa is the 9/11 of the kiwifruit industry. Nothing orchard is now gone, he managed to hold on longer will ever be the same again,” he said as we walked than many others.” through yet another infected Italian orchard.

Roberto used products to improve soil microbiol“Before I visited Italy, I had questioned some of the ogy which he believed had given his vines more hygiene measures we were being asked to carry out, resistance to the infection, but I have changed and applied copper sprays my mind after what in winter.

I’ve seen here. We Carlos says he has always have to do everydone everything he can thing we can to stop to ensure the fertility its spread.” of his orchard soils and His resolve hasn’t reduce stress on vines. The changed, even orchard’s Hort16A gold though his Patumavines have been notch hoe orchards don’t grafted with the new gold have the disease. variety G3 and after the “It is here in autumn harvest, the gold Auckland now. vines will be removed.

Some Auckland “We will lose one year’s growers thought we production but have an wouldn’t get it, but excellent crop of gold and we never took that Depressing – New Zealand kiwifruit growers in an green this year.” In the attitude,” he says.

Italian orchard hard hit by Psa-V. past five years the Verissimo Strict hygiene orchards have been among the top two per cent in protocols are in place on his orchards, including the industry, so the income derived from those seasanitising picking bins. sons will provide a buffer for the time of no income “Some growers haven’t been as careful as they and the costs of establishing the new crop. should about hygiene, while others have. Growers Despite his concerns about the impacts of Psa, need to remember that the interests of postharespecially on Te Puke growers, Carlos has no plans to vest companies and beekeepers coming onto their leave the industry. orchards are different from growers. They should “I’m not about to give up. This industry is very never take for granted that they are taking care of close to me.” hygiene the way growers would.”

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COAST & COUNTRY

Unwanted organism In 2011, New Zealand kiwifruit grower Carlos Verissimo (left) was among those to visit Italian orchardist Roberto Altobello (second left), seen here talking to Zespri technical manager Riccardo Spinelli.

An Italian kiwifruit orchardist grew beans on a kiwifruit block while he waited for it to recover from Psa-V in 2011.

Mark Ericksen, kiwifruit and apple grower of Hawke’s Bay, says Psa-V should have the same status and government financial support as an outbreak of foot and mouth in livestock would.

“Because we are a smaller industry I don’t think some, even in government, have realised how serious this is, not only for growers and postharvest operators but for the wider economy as well.

“If Psa had the status of foot and mouth then possibly it could be stopped in its tracks in Te Puke by compensating the owners of the infected orchard and removing all the vines.”

The disease was identified in the Hawke’s Bay for the first time in October and while Mark says the owners are good operators who removed the single infected vine and those within a 35 metre radius, it’s unclear if that’s enough to stop its spread.

“I think highly of what Zespri and Plant and Food are doing in research into Psa and to finding new cultivars but as yet we have no definitive answers about the lifecycle of the bacteria, including at what stage it multiplies, and limited tools to manage it. Research takes time but it’s frustrating waiting for answers.”

For Mark the Italian trip was very personal because he had helped establish some of the gold orchards which were suffering from the disease in Latina.

“In the Hawke’s Bay we are a united group and have been acting as if we had the disease, using sprays and hygiene protocols. The problem with the timing of the news about Psa being here is that Hort16A vines are flowering so we can’t use copper to protect them.”

Mark has already begun grafting the new variety G3 but is undecided whether to carry the gold Hort16A vines on for another season after the current one or cut them out and graft over.

“Do we put in all the work and money into the next crop or not?

The big thing is to stay calm and not make hasty decisions but with so much uncertainty, it’s hard to know what to do.”

The Hawke’s Bay region has cold, frosty winters which favour Psa but its summers are hotter and drier, conditions the disease doesn’t like, which may work in growers’ favour.

Mark says growers can’t be too careful or stringent with bio-security procedures on their orchards.a Fiona McRae, kiwifruit grower of Kumeu, says in biosecurity terms, Psa is an unwanted organism and growers outside of the Bay of Plenty should have had protection at the same level as would have been imposed if foot and mouth was discovered in livestock.

“November 5, 2010, Guy Fawkes Day, when Psa was discovered in New Zealand, saw an explosion which has affected the whole industry.

“Now we have Barry O’Neil at the helm of Kiwifruit Vine Health,

with a background in biosecurity, we are likely to get a national pest policy and we have started to the focus on the biosecurity that’s needed,” says Fiona.

However, she fears the problems caused by the disease will get worse before they get better. The next harvest will be the riskiest time for those areas like Kumeu, if it is still free of Psa-V at that stage.

“Bay of Plenty packhouses, losing crop because of the disease, may look for more orchards in this area, as they did last season. What we don’t fully understand is what constitutes potentially contaminated equipment and does that include picking bins?”

Fiona and her partner Bruce Aitken were shocked at how severely the disease had impacted orchards they visited in Italy.

“In Italy my initial reaction was that the New Zealand industry was completely buggered. New Zealand growers had thought we were pretty sophisticated and with a well-coordinated industry we’d do better than Italy but we saw growers there who were just as skilled, if not more skilled than in New Zealand, and they were struggling.

“Other growers just gave up, and that’s happened here too. Abandoned orchards are a real concern.”

She’s been learning all she can about bacteria, including the fact they ‘talk’ to each other and become virulent when they know they have reached critical mass.

“If we can flood the orchard with beneficial bacteria, can we reduce the niche for Psa? If so, it would be better than hitting vines with streptomycin.”

“We will get Psa. I think G3 is a short-term answer but the industry will be re-grafting as soon as plant scientists find a Psa-tolerant variety and it’s anyone’s guess what rootstock we’ll be using then. The future is uncertain, but we can’t give up. Doing nothing is not an option.”

Sandy Scarrow, managing director of Fruition Horticulture, says Psa in New Zealand has gone well beyond what was seen in in Italy last year, largely because of the weather and two very wet summers.

“Psa is so variable. Some growers have a good yield of gold while some have been blitzed by the disease and there are so many questions as to why.

“The amount of research done in the last two years has been unparalleled and some fabulous work has come out of that. We have learned a lot but the answers are not there yet and can’t come quickly enough.”

However, Sandy believes there are lessons to be learned by looking at how the disease has impacted on male vines.

“Some male vines which have been cut back really hard at periods of a lot of rainfall are turning up their toes. We have to ask what this is telling us about how we manage males.”

Page 7

Page 8

COAST & COUNTRY

Hot summer wish

Some growers have also failed to realise In Hort16A the industry is how vital it is to use regular copper dealing with a cultivar which doesn’t sprays to protect their crops. have the gene to trigger its defence “I’ve talked to scientists outside the mechanism and G3, the more Psa tolerkiwifruit industry and this family of ant variety on which the industry has bacteria has been studied for more than put so much hope, is stuttering under 150 years and the only thing at this disease pressure this spring. stage that makes a difference is protecSandy says the pressures on everyone tive copper spray programmes. It’s taken in the industry, whether they have the a while but I think we are making prodisease or not, are significant, which gress on the right level of copper to use.” is why it is vital people focus on their He believes it is vital all growers follow own well-being along with that of their orchards.

KVH crop It’s also the protection reason why, recommenas deputy dations and chair of says growers the Bay in areas of Plenty with little Rural or no infecSupport tion should Trust, she take the has been opportunity pleased New Zealand kiwifruit growers wore plastic over to graft to to see boots during their visit to Psa infected orchards in new varieties in order the trust Latina, Italy in 2011. to get them co-fund a established before the disease takes hold. series of discussion groups and seminars The visit to Italy showed him not only for growers and those involved in the how serious the disease was but also industry, focused on personal wellthat in order to survive New Zealand being. needs to preserve its single desk marRichard Glenn of Ohaupo knows keter Zespri, as this has allowed a far he won’t be popular with dairy farmers more cohesive approach in the battle but what he’s praying for is a drought to combat Psa-V. Zespri patented new this summer, to slow the advance of the varieties will earn a premium in the disease he calls ‘V’. markets, giving growers the income “Now we have V in the Waikato, the needed to succeed in the new Psa-V Hawke’s Bay and other drier areas may environment. come into their own for growing kiwi“There’s the possibility of one or two fruit, G3 in particular, because their hot new varieties becoming available from dry summers will slow its advance.

2014 or 2015, which could help the “It’s frustrating that some in the industry, but we have to learn to live industry just ‘didn’t get it’ when it came with V because it’s not going away.” to how serious this disease is and how Richard has been grafting G3 and G14 easy it is to move around. It can survive for up to 60 days on trash which may be using a method of peeling back the bark and nailing the budwood in place. transported by bins or machinery.”

Using worms to ‘heal’ the land

Worms, trees, birds and bees have helped a Katikati couple ‘heal’ a piece of land on the fringes of Tauranga Harbour and create a lifestyle radically different from their previous urban experience.

Fifteen years ago when John and Thelma Williams moved from Auckland to live full-time in the family bach John’s father had left him, they began the process of developing the adjoining neglected acre of land they had bought.

“The land had been used to grow vegetables for the American troops during the war and continued as a market garden for many years but when we bought it, it was neglected pasture and the soil was so compacted it was hard work just digging it,” says John.

John and Thelma met when they were teachers at Manurewa High School and John was later to become an Auckland City councillor. Both loved the idea of a self-sufficient lifestyle in the country but neither had the practical experience of how to make that happen.

“We tried growing garlic which wasn’t a success and then sweetcorn which wasn’t successful either.

Avocado orcharding was just starting so we decided to give that a go, along with citrus and feijoa trees.”

Today the 5.5ha Pottsbury Farm organic orchard at Ongare Point grows 46 different types of fruits and nuts. The main crops are avocado, macadamia nuts and feijoa and others include lemons, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, casamiroas, cherimoyas, olives, cork oaks, pecans, walnuts, almonds, babacos, pepinos, mountain pawpaw, passionfruit and one coffee tree.

“No-one knows what impact climate change may have on this region so we are keen to experiment to

THREE BROTHERS

THREE BROTHERS

find out what will grow here in the hope that information might be useful to others,” says John.

The couple are keen advocates of the New Zealand Tree Crop Association and recommend anyone with an interest in growing cropping trees to join.

“Its members have so much knowledge they are willing to share and the field days are fascinating,” says Thelma.

The soils at Pottsbury are now rich and friable but they have not been ploughed.

“We basically dug holes to plant the trees and then fed them with lots of mulch and worm tea.”

The Williams discovered worm farming in 1996 when they attended a lecture in Auckland called ‘The Wonderful World of Worms’.

“What we heard about worms made a lot of sense and from that meeting the New Zealand

The worm farm is a series of 14 old baths on frames.

Earthworm Association was formed,” says Thelma.

John became editor of the newsletter ‘Wriggles’ and Thelma its secretary, roles they held for five years.

“Worm farming was very new to New Zealand and a group of us went on a 10 day trip to see farming in operation in Australia and it was fascinating.”

The couple set up their own worm farm which is today a series of 14 old baths on frames, collecting worm tea from buckets placed underneath the plug holes. The worms are fed kitchen scraps, paper and cardboard, producing in return a rich mulch called vermicast or worm humus which is spread around the trees. The worm tea is sprayed on to foliage as a liquid fertiliser and worms are also sold to help others establish their own farms.

“This is all we have done to enrich the soils and the response has been amazing,” says John.

In 15 years the land has gone from a bare paddock to a ‘forest’ of food trees, inhabited by birds, bees and other insects.

“Sometimes I wonder if we are farming birds, there are so many of them, but that’s great because they do so much for us by controlling the insects.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 9

Farm used for research John and Thelma Williams have created a ‘forest’ of food trees at Pottsbury Farm.

Macadamia flowers at Pottsbury Farm.

A fantail might be tiny but it can eat its own weight in insects in a day. I don’t mind if we share some of our fruit with the birds in return for their pest control work,” says John.

The orchard has also become a haven for 40 beehives, placed there by a local beekeeper who values the environment safe from sprays and overhead transmission lines. In turn the bees pollinate the fruit and nut trees.

Every year Pottsbury Farm produces a crop of avocados and although the trees have ‘off ’ and ‘on’ years, the differences are not extreme. The reject rate through the packhouse is low and because the fruit are organic, they are in demand from private customers too.

Macadamia are another crop Pottsbury produces and in the past has sent regular shipments to the owner of a McCaw parrot in Norway who liked to feed his very expensive bird only the finest organic foods.

The orchard has been the subject of research projects by university students, including Severine Brun from France who came to stay as part of practical experience for her science degree and has returned several times since. Australian worm expert and scientist, the late John Buckerfield and his colleague Katie Webster are among these to visit Pottsbury Farm and every year Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Agritec students use the farm as part of their studies.

“Now councils have taken over much of the role of promoting worm farming and it is possible to buy home worm farms from retail stores,” says Thelma, who has a special affection and admiration for the previously much-maligned creatures.

In 2008 Pottsbury Farms won the Ballance Farm Environment Award lifestyle award in recognition of their sustainable management practices and the diversity of crops produced.

John and Thelma also enjoy sharing their special piece of paradise by hosting guests in Pottsbury Farm’s holiday cottages.

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Macadamia are among the 46 different types of fruits and nuts growing at Pottsbury Farm.

John and Thelma have inspired hundreds of other to take up worm farming, either to turn their own household and garden waste into something useful, or on a larger commercial scale and they are thrilled worms are finally being recognised for the wonder workers they are.

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FERTILISER

Page 10

Base saturation blue print for soil Last month we talked about how when all elements in the soil work together without antagonism, and with pH being ideally constructed, pasture and crop palatability and consequently, animal performance will all excel.

The four cations calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium influence pH. The closer they are to balance, the closer the pH will be to the optimum, being what it should be. Say that is 6.4; however, a 6.4 pH may be obtained by cations out of balance.

For this reason, never use fertiliser to change pH. Only add it to change the proportion of the cations. pH should be the result of your fertiliser programme, not the cause of it.

Why use the base saturation percentages?

They give a logical explanation of your soil.

They give a total blue print of your soil.

They allow you to solve problems.

Farmers can relate data results to both good and problem areas.

No prior knowledge of nutrient levels in the soil is required. The principles apply to all soils, plants and

animals. They give outstanding yields and quality of both plants and animals.

In the short term, balancing the BS can be an expensive exercise.

The alternative is to put on fertiliser to get your crop or pasture through the season.

Remember, chemical agriculture is a self-serving, input-driven system. You are advised to apply an unbalanced fertiliser to an unbalanced soil to sustain a state of imbalance, which will then require constant chemical intervention.

After 20 years of doing that, the chances are you will be no better off in year 20, than you were in year one. Many farmers are complaining they are worse off.

Balancing will require extra fertiliser. For some, the way to approach that is do a portion of your farm at a time. Hill farmers need to look at their flats, flat farmers, their silage paddocks, or parts of the property not doing so well. Over time your farm performance will increase, while eventually, your fertiliser applications will decrease.

The point at which the fertiliser spend will decrease, depends on how long it takes to reach that balanced plateau. Once there, it is plain sailing down the other side.

BASE SATURATION PERCENT Calcium (60 to 70%) Magnesium (10 to 20%) Potassium (2 to 5%) Sodium (.5 to 3%) Other Bases (Variable)

}80%

EXCHANGEABLE HYDROGEN (10 to 15%)

New Zealand’s role in feeding the world In the next 50 years the world’s farmers will have to produce more food than all the food that has been produced in the last 10,000 years combined, according to the International Fertilizer Industry Association.

That increase in food production will have to come from existing farmland.

Those statements make clear just how challenging the problem of feeding our rapidly growing human population within environmental constraints is, writes Dr Philip Mladenov in an editorial in the publication Fertiliser Matters.

“In the face of record high food prices in many countries and growing concerns about food security, the stark reality of needing to produce vastly greater quantities of food from limited farm land to sustain our rapidly growing human population has, not surprisingly, surfaced to the top of the agenda for global planners and decision makers,” he wrote.

In May, the G8 leaders put agricultural and nutritional security high on their agenda at their Camp David programme and committed to the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. This is a

commitment by G8 nations, African countries, and private sector partners to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years through inclusive and sustained agricultural growth.

“The Foresight Report rightly makes the point that responding to the challenges of food and nutritional security will require planners and decision makers to be open minded and to not exclude approaches such as genetic modification, livestock cloning and nanotechnology on moral or ethical grounds alone, nor by simplistic versions of the precautionary principle.

“The global fertiliser industry has a very important role to play in meeting the food security challenge.

“As New Zealand seeks ways to further strengthen its contribution to high value markets and improving global food production in a sustainable way it must take a balanced and considered approach to incorporating a broad range of new technologies to ensure it remains competitive over the next 40 years – a period during which unprecedented demands will be made on our agricultural sector to produce more high quality, safe food while meeting environmental expectations.”

(Fertiliser Matters - Fertiliser Association of NZ Newsletter).

EFFLUENT

Effluent the natural fertiliser

Around 90 per cent of the 4,600 dairy farms in the Waikato region discharge effluent to land under the permitted activity rule. The remainder are currently working under consents to discharge treated effluent to water.

Farm dairy effluent is a natural, dilute liquid fertiliser which contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and trace elements that farmers would normally pay for to have applied to pasture.

The average dairy herd (244 cows) produces the same amount of effluent as a town with about 3400 people, such as Otorohanga.

When spread over land and applied in timely fashion, the effluent of 100 cows can save farmers up to $2200 in fertiliser a year (based on 2010 fertiliser prices). This saving could be significantly higher for high input farms (for example, farms feeding supplements).

Applying the maximum amount of nitrogen from effluent allowed per year (150 kg per hectare for grazed grass), dairy shed effluent also provides the following approximate amounts of nutrients: • 20 kg of phosphate per hectare.

• 117 kg of potassium per hectare.

• Approximately 20-30 kg of sulphur per hectare.

• Smaller amounts of magnesium and calcium.

Effluent management systems in place on farms should be designed to give enough flexibility so that there is no need to irrigate when soil is waterlogged (too wet to absorb the effluent) or if there is an equipment breakdown.

Soil acts as a living filter. It treats the applied efflu ent by changing it: • physically – filtering out effluent particles, break ing them down and incorporating them into the soil structure • chemically – absorbing nutrients and making them available to plants • biologically – harmful micro-organisms (such as bacteria) present in the effluent are retained by the soil, or are killed when the effluent dries or when they become exposed to sunlight.

Soil can only filter so much effluent at a time.

It’s important to match the irrigation depth to the capability of the soil. Land with impeded or artificial drainage, high or rising water tables or slopes of greater than 7 degrees have a higher risk from overapplication, and therefore application depths should be adjusted accordingly to reflect soil and weather conditions. Note this could be less than the maximum application depth stated in Waikato Regional Council rules. (Source www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/)

Deodoriser for effluent Dairy effluent may be a valuable farm input but it’s not the easiest or most pleasant substance to handle and apply to pasture.

The odour coming from storage ponds is unpleasant and attracts flies and other insects and because of its consistency, the slurry can cause problems when pumping and irrigating onto pasture.

Mount Maunganui company Sulfur Solutions believes it has the answer in the form of a product called Efflomax, which is a dairy effluent treatment and deodoriser.

The product is designed to help breakdown solids, making mixing, pumping and spreading easier; reduce toxic gases and odours; help eliminate fly breeding; reduce undesirable bacteria and increase the nitrogen content of the effluent.

Efflomax contains a fully dissoluble copper which activates some bacteria and inhibits others, Maskall concentrate which increases solubility and distribution and acts as a natural control agent reducing ammonia and hydrogen sulphide gas emissions.

A compounded water miscible (mixable) broad spectrum odour control agent has been added to neutralise a wide range of malodours associated with organic waste.

The treatment regime with Efflomax is best started following the emptying of the ponds or pit and as a new storage programme begins.

Two litres of the product are added per 10,000 litres of slurry daily for five days to the effluent system at the dairy shed.

The on-going treatment is one litre per 10,000 litres of slurry daily as and when added to the pond or pit from the dairy shed.

Page 11

DAIRY

Page 12

Dairy awards entries open Dairy farmers could win a Honda farm bike just by entering the 2013 Bay of Plenty regional contest of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards by December 1.

Entries close on December 20 but regional convenor and past winner, Charlotte Jones of Whakatane says those who get in early are in the draw for the bike.

Charlotte, who with husband Scott won the 2011 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title, says farm owners, sharemilkers, equity farmers, farm managers, contract milkers and dairy trainees are all eligible to enter.

“We are encouraging new entrants to participate in the awards which are simple to enter and bring lots of benefits personally as well as to their careers or businesses.”

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO. The Bay of Plenty awards are also supported by Level one sponsors Bell Booth, BlackmanSpargo, Business Results Group, GPSit, International Nutritionals Ltd, Milkbar and Planwise.

The region’s level two sponsors are Bay Vets, Eastern Bay Sprayers, Pioneer Seeds, Te Puke Vets, NZ Wide Freeze Brands, and Silver Fern Farms Ltd. Entries can be made online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz from November 1 in the Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz to enter or for more information.

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Charlotte Jones, Bay of Plenty regional convenor for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards with husband Scott, won the 2011 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title.

Dairy Woman awards open Nominations are open for 2013 Dairy Woman of the Year award which includes the chance to attend the year-long Women in Leadership course run by Global Women.

The scholarship, worth $25,000, is part of the award sponsored by Fonterra. This year’s nominations close on December 16 and the winner will be announced in March 2013. The Women in Leadership programme connects participants with high-calibre networks and provides mentoring as well as

professional and personal development. Participants are expected to progress to more senior positions in one to three years after completing the course. Inaugural winner, Barbara Kuriger, who collected her award this year, says she joined the leadership programme in September and it has already helped her find her future aspirations.

“My heart is in dairy and agribusiness, and the programme is getting me to think more broadly about the opportunities I can create for the

industry and for other women.”

She said she sees her future in another governance role.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a significant contribution to the industry, credibility and integrity and be a positive role model. They should also show a contribution to the community and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Full information and nomination forms can be downloaded at the Dairy Women’s Network website: www.dwn.co.nz

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Everyone on the staff looks forward to when calf rearing is over for another year, and their owners look forward to seeing the weaners doing well on pasture – and hopefully still not needing to be fed expensive meal to help them along.

Female replacement weaners are priority stock, as they are the best genetics in the herd. But it’s always disappointing to see so many poor stock around – clearly not growing at one kg/day or more, still with their old winter coats, and with so many black haired coats showing the brown tinge of copper deficiency.

You have to ask how weaners, after starting off as beautiful 35kg calves at birth, and having at least $240-$280 worth of rearing (excluding labour) put into them, can end up being such a miserable looking calves – looking sad and with hair standing on end.

Too often an anthelmintic given as a pour-on is seen as the prime option, when it’s not worms at all. Deciding to drench is not based on a Faecal Egg Count (FEC), so the chances of drench resistance to

cattle worms such as Cooperia becomes a real issue.

Cooperia resistant worms are now present on every dairy farm.

The reason for these sad looking replacement weaners is that they were never given a chance to develop their natural immunity, after the immunity from their dam’s colostrum ran out. Some never got enough colostrum from their dam in the first place.

Then they were hit by fungal toxins in the calf meal, plus more chemicals as coccidiostats in the meal, then multi- vaccines that they did not need, and antibiotics when they got scours. Is it any wonder their natural immune development got a major setback?

Farmers who have reared heifer replacement calves on the Mastade Nutritional Supplement Plan, using the Oral Mineral Supplement (OMS) from day one, comment that they have never reared such good batches of weaners, which when they got on to pasture, never looked back. They certainly never needed meal at pasture to keep them growing. Source Wormade

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Page 13

DAIRY

El Nino could bring hot dry summer This hasn’t been an easy spring for cropping with wind and rain making it difficult to spray, apply lime and cultivate the soils and despite the rain, soil moisture is down by about 10 per cent on normal in the Bay. However, our first maize crops are up and looking promising, despite the fact soil temperature is also down by about one degree on what would be expected for this time of year in the Bay. The westerly winds we have been experiencing are typical of an El Nino weather pattern which usually means a hot dry summer, and as the saying goes – when the winds come from the west the east gets less – which means less rainfall for the east coast including the Bay of Plenty.

Already the Hawkes Bay is 50

per cent drier than normal for this time of year.

However, so far in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato grass growth has been steady and farmers have plenty of good quality feed ahead of their cows, but few have had any surplus to lock up for silage. This time last year farmers were flat out making silage and couldn’t keep up with the grass.

This means planning ahead for supplementary feed is vital. Now is the time to place orders for maize, silage and straw as there could be a shortage as companies cut back on the areas they plant, reluctant to get caught with an over-supply as happened last year.

Farmer who order now will be assured of supply and contractors

will know how much to grow.

Those who leave it till the last minute may find feed in short supply and probably, if they can get it, very expensive. We all know what palm kernel prices are doing right now.

Farming is all about being prepared.

Basically, it’s the cows which pay the bills but if they aren’t well fed they don’t put milk in the vat and if conditions become too tough, don’t get in calf again.

Planting chicory or turnips as supplements makes sense.

There are specific sprays for chicory to control weeds and give a better forage crop.

In turnips, up to three sprays are required along with insecticides for white butterfly and leaf miner.

We have planted our maize early,

Angus conference here next year An international celebration of the Angus cattle breed is coming to New Zealand, exactly 150 years after Angus farming was introduced to our shores.

Next October, New Zealand is hosting the PGG Wrightson World Angus Forum 2013 which is a significant international agricultural event held every four years, and was last staged here in 1981.

“Up to 800 delegates from around the world will attend the forum, which is an opportunity to showcase our unique grass-fed systems, leading-edge breeding and genetics, and the emphasis we place on sustainability and animal welfare,” says Tim Brittain, chairman of the Forum organising committee.

“What better way to celebrate 150 years since Angus cattle were first introduced here, and to acknowledge how Angus has become such an integral part of cattle farming in this country.”

There are more Angus cattle in New Zealand than any other beef

breed, and Angus now holds a dominant position in retail beef sales and restaurant meals. Even the McDonald’s fast food chain has joined the trend, developing and promoting a highly successful gourmet Angus burger range.

Tim says the forum is the opportunity to celebrate this success, and to share it with the international Angus community.

“Our aim is to show off our cattle and our country, as well as presenting a compelling business programme to ensure the 2013 event is a success for Angus New Zealand and its associated partners” The Forum business programme will be held over a three-day period at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua, with delegates also having the opportunity to visit some of the country’s top Angus studs as part of the pre and post forum tours.

In addition, a youth programme will run alongside the forum, where youth teams from a number of countries will compete against each other in areas such as agri-sports, stock judging and general knowledge.

timed for rain at Christmas and New Year and pollination for a good full cob.

If we can get it harvested not too late in March it means there is time to

re-establish the new pasture for grazing. Too late and the grass won’t grow until the following spring so the land can be out of grass production for almost 12 months.

Page 14

DAIRY

Increased productivity Reduced feed wastage Increased Pasture management Manage effluent storage capacity and reduce management costs Zero perch for birds Improved work place conditions Improved animal welfare Reduction in temperature of the cow

DAIRY

Durable dairy buildings Farmers who invest in a dairy housing system want one which will be durable and cost effective, so it makes sense to talk to a reputable business that's been providing the best in rural and farm buildings for many years.

Aztech Buildings offer a range of building styles with timber pole or steel column options that are suitable for higher roof structures.

By providing increased passive air movement which is crucial to cow comfort, increased production is

the result. Aztech roofing systems can have partial clearlite panels and ventilation options to manage light and heat inflow from the sun.

Clear-span solutions with the flexibility for internal support options give greater space availability and Aztech's `zerobird-perch’ roof systems ensure bird droppings within the structure are kept to a minimum.

Aztech Buildings can build over any surface or effluent system and are compatible to comprehensive managed effluent and storm water systems.

The company has a free dairy housing blueprint which also includes Aztech’s eight key benefits of their building systems.

Aztech Buildings can build over any surface.

Fonterra appoints fund directors John Shewan, Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Victoria University has been appointed

by Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited to chair the establishment board of FSF Fund Management Company Ltd, the Manager of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund.

is designed to solve the redemption risk faced by Fonterra.

TAF will also see the establishment of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund, open to outside investors. Farmers will retain the voting rights and full milk price for all production backed shares and vouchers they hold.

Fonterra is another step closer to Trading Among Farmers with the appointment of the establishment board of FSF Fund Management Company Ltd, the Manager of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund.

He is joined by four other well-known members of New Zealand’s business and dairy sectors, independent directors Pip Dunphy and Kim Ellis and Fonterra appointed directors Sir Ralph Norris and Jim van der Poel.

However, Federated Farmers has asked why there is not more farmer representation on the board.

"You cannot help but be impressed by the calibre of the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund board,” says Kevin Robinson, Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson. “But with the exception of Jim

van der Poel, it is pretty much devoid of people who understand what we shareholders go through to produce the goods that make the coop tick.

"Federated Farmers would have preferred to have seen at least another farmer and not necessarily from the dairy sector," says Kevin.

Fonterra is on track to launch Trading Amongst Farmers (TAF) by the end of this year and this follows a vote in June when shareholders voted 66.45 per cent in favour of TAF which

Page 15

DAIRY

Page 16

Improved soil structures lower fertiliser costs One of the functions of a healthy soil is the recycling of nutrients for plant uptake, and as soil becomes more efficient at holding onto nutrients, the requirement for costly fertiliser input reduces.

The ability of soils to retain applied nutrient is based on a number of factors with good physical soil structures perhaps the most important, and physical soil structures can be measured accurately using

Graham Shepherd’s Visual Soil Assessment developed here in New Zealand.

When the physical structure is ideal, or some where close, beneficial soil organisms are able to breathe, carbon is sequestered and humus is rapidly developed.

Humus is what is left when dead roots, dung and other litter on the soil surface is digested by soil organisms that breathe air. It’s stable and able to store large quantities of moisture and nutrient.

Humus is sometimes referred to as the ‘glue’ in the soil and, because without humus soils cease to exist, it is regarded by many as more valuable than gold.

Regardless, soils containing the most humus have the greatest growing potential and it is unwise to do anything that destroys it or limits its development.

There are two factors that are universally accepted as contributors to the degradation of soil and therefore limit the development of humus. They are excessive downward pressure by animal’s feet, and fertiliser nitrogen. A fair question is how much of each is excessive? By going to extremes the answer can start to be obtained, however as always it will depend on a number of factors.

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Cows creating mud behind wires in wet weather destroy humus, or at the very least limit its development.

Air is squeezed from the soil and valuable top soil exposed with a subsequent loss of carbon and pasture production while natural repair takes place.

How much nitrogen is too much? Ask a dozen people and a dozen different answers are likely depending on the knowledge and experience of those asked, and whether or not they feel they have an immediate need for it.

What we do know from 12 months’ of results from nitrate nitrogen leaching work carried out near Edgecumbe by Rotorua Lakes and Land Trust is that there is measurably less Nitrate-N being leaked under carefully managed permanent rye and white clover pasture using less than 25kgN/ha annually than under soils where pasture growth is driven by regular urea applications.

The farm applying less than 25kgN/ha has grown in excess of 18 tonne of DM/ha in each of the last two seasons and over 1,465kg of milk solids per hectare has been produced in each of those seasons.

This is at least 20 per cent more pasture than a typical N driven programme, with almost all of the extra

feed produced from mid-October until mid-May. Based on Ministry for the Environment information the Nitrate-N levels contained in leachate from this property are no more than natural background levels.

Where Nitrate-N levels are low it is likely that the loss of other nutrients is also low.

There is no down side to a healthy well structured, biologically active soil.

More feed of higher quality is produced during the main growing part of the season.

More of all nutrients is retained in the soil and made available for plant growth, with less being lost to groundwater.

Creating and maintaining a soil capable of producing in excess of 18 tonne of DM every year requires an understanding of plant nutrient requirements as well as astute and thoughtful daily management.

Two key nutrient inputs essential for excellent soil structures and biological activity are calcium and magnesium. On the property near Edgecumbe mentioned earlier, a full nutrient programme is applied annually.

The autumn application is based on DoloZest, the biologically active dolomite-based product made by Eco-Logic Soil Improvement. The spring application contains CalciZest, ESI’s lime-based product also containing live fungi and bacteria.

DAIRY

Page 17

Many advantages to planting waterways to be. For gently rolling land, a margin width of one to three metres per 100 metres of slope feeding into the waterway is ideal.

In areas with steeper slopes and those with poorly draining soils, a grassy margin of 10 to 15 metres per 100 metres of adjacent slope is recommended.

Getting plants in the ground

Here are some simple reminders to help get your plants off to a good start: • Plant on an overcast, wet or windless day if you can.

• Handle plants carefully to avoid root damage.

• Set plants out to check for correct spacing.

• Dig a good size hole and loosen the soil.

• Set the plant in the hole and fill three quarters full.

Low-planted margin widths.

On top of the benefits of keeping stock out of waterways with fencing, a planted margin will help improve water quality.

Long dense grass, flax, sedges and rushes serve as a filter to help remove sediment, bacteria and nutrients (mostly phosphorus) from surface runoff. The planting provides shade in narrow (less than two metre) waterways and improves the habitat for fish.

Locations for greatest benefit

Low planting will be most effective at improving water quality: • along drains and small lowland streams that feed into main rivers • in areas with significant runoff • beside waterways that are strip grazed in autumn and winter • beside vegetated drains in areas with poor soil drainage or pugging and moderate slopes • where paddocks are cultivated.

Low-planted margin widths

In general, the steeper and longer the slope feeding into the waterway, or the more poorly drained the soil, the wider the planted area needs

Low plantings can be effective at improving water quality.

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Give the plant a very gentle lift to set the roots in a natural position and continue filling with soil, firming as you go.

• Stake plants to help find them again at weeding time.

Weed growth (especially gorse, broom and blackberry) can be a real problem in low planting areas, so it’s important to manage it from the outset.

This article is adapted from the fourth in a series of nine DairyNZ Farmfacts on managing waterways on farms. They can be viewed at www.dairynz.co.nz in the Farmfacts – Environment section.

PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

GIBSON NEW FARM DAIRY

Page 18

Technology has come a long way Tom Gibson grew up three kilometres down the road from his current farm, although back in his day that would equate to two miles.

Tom has been farming all his life, and is a genuine cow cocky through and through.

Tom purchased the farm at auction 50 years ago and has quite clearly made a huge success of the property. The farm is beautiful, and although on the day I visited it was tiddling down with rain, I could still enjoy its beauty and splendour.

The new dairy was a sight for sore eyes, and was bright and airy, with lots of room to move and make yourself at home.

This is Toms third shed in 50 years. “This will last for the rest of my life plus some,” says Tom. Tom had a good look around at various other dairy builds before deciding that the Don Chapman design was the best.

There was plenty of light. “The one thing I had always been told,”’ says Tom “was never have lights in the shed, so we got lights, but also have plenty of natural light as well.

Tom started off in his father’s walk-through shed, and every winter they used to take the cups out and boil up the rubbers, but of course they only had three or four cows to handle. Tom says he made enough pocket money in those days to play piano professionally, and he says with a good

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belly laugh, that he doesn’t think he could milk a cow by hand anymore.

Tom says that it was just before the second world-war that milking machines were introduced into New Zealand.

“It’s been a great life milking cows, the trouble is it rubs off on you and you get very much like a cow after a few years,” laughs Tom. “I generally wander around every now and then like a cow when something upsets me.”

Tom had very little input into the shed. Once the builder and milking plant supplier were sorted they all made the decisions for Tom. Quintin Oakes met me at Tom Gibson’s new dairy shed just out of Manaia, on this very wet and miserable Taranaki day.

Quintin has been in business for 10 years and is in partnership with his wife Tracey. Based at Kaponga in Taranaki, this is the first Don Chapman shed that Quintin has built.

He was already half way through building Tom’s shed when Quintin was offered the Taranaki agency for Don Chapman sheds and he jumped at the chance to be associated with Don’s good reputation. Quintin stresses that Don is a fantastic guy to be a dealer for as he has a good reputation and is so easy to deal with.

Quintin spent four months on the shed build.

“The roof is a feature that gets taken for granted,” says Quintin, “but this one has clear panelling in it to let in the light and cut down on electrical lighting and let the heat out during the hot summer months.”

Quintin also did the post and rail fencing along the tanker track.

Tom’s shed was a good one for Quintin to start as a Don Chapman builder.

The vet platform, as well as backing gates, Dungbuster and channel drains were all Don’s design.

For the future of New Zealand Dairy

Page 19

GIBSON NEW FARM DAIRY

Milking cows ‘rubs off on you’ Tom say that the vet platform was far more safety conscious than the old plank they used to use.

Tom says, “Don and Quintin were an ease to deal with, nothing was a problem and they were just a phone call away for advice. They listen to the farmer, and design yarding that actually works. There is such a huge amount of knowledge gained when purchasing a Don Chapman shed.”

The shed has the usual roomy milking parlour with a selection of rooms around the outside of it. There is an office, which houses the computers, a large electrical and storage room, plus the milk room, toilet and staff room.

A 54 bail Waikato Orbit Rotary Platform with a three meter wide concrete deck has been installed at this farm.

The milking system is a proven 100mm Looped Waikato Milking System mounted onto Waikato’s unique SmartFit machine mounts. The milking system has many useful features such as G2 Cluster washers with variable flow controls and non-return valves, Waikato 320 claws and standard weight shells, a Fristam high performance milk-pump with variable speed controls, a Maxi top loading filter and industrial milk Quintin Oakes cooler.

Builder.

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A sample of

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ork by Surf at

ex Ltd.

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addition of SmartD-Tect an early warning mastitis detection system that checks every cow at every milking alerting the operator to an animal with a potential problem. Used independently or linked via SmartLink, SmartD-Tect will identify the onset of mastitis at a sub clinical level using a combination of conductivity measurement and temp readings. Adjustable threshold settings means the farmer can tune the system to get the best result. SmartD-Tect is a scientifically proven system and proof that useful technology is now at your fingertips.

Other key equipment in the dairy includes a Waikato Blower vacuum pump, Smart ECR’s (electronic cup removers) and a Waikato Milk Recover system.

On the platform is SmartSpray, a deck mounted teat spray system activated by the electronic cup removers that automatically sprays the teats a short time after cup removal, an event requiring no user intervention.

BailGates mounted individually in every bail, are activated by the cup removers at the end of milking. BailGates ensure cows can be kept on the platform if necessary and provide better animal control.

Variable speed SmartDrives control the milk and vacuum pumps. Apart from maintaining the most stable vacuum and the best milk quality, a SmartDrive connected to the milk pump can control water flow and improve the efficiency of the plate cooler.

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the paintw

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Chris Watkins fro

m Waikato Milk

ing Systems.

A SmartDrive connected to the vacuum pump will conserve power and help reduce the overall running costs of a dairy.

The milking machine is equipped with a SmartWash automatic wash system. This device controls the wash process automatically while at the same time providing programming flexibility for most wash events.

All the block-work was finished with an application of an Acraflex Dairy Wall coating by Surfatex from Palmerston North.

Acraflex coatings are designed specifically for the dairy industry.

The Acraflex seals against bacterial build up, is hard wearing, very easy to clean and will brighten up any working dairy shed. The unique "Flecked" finish looks great too. .

By Lois McKinley

Page 20

SINGH NEW FARM DAIRY

Family progressed from scrub cutting to dairy farming DAIRY TECH DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

DAIRY TECH DAIRY TECH

some of our other products including them, then we met with our lawyers, SYSTEMS because it’s a very soft rock that we packed When Joe Singh’s grandfather arrivedCONSTRUCTION DESIGN, AND AUTOMATION DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION ANDRylite AUTOMATION SYSTEMS drainage metal,” says Paul. to form a hard base. is good because bankers and accountant before we decided in New Zealand in 1920 he was a there are no sharp bits to hurt the cow’s to green light it. Once we got that decision scrub cutter and drain digger. hoofs,” says Joe. after final meetings we decided to go ahead Mixed farm

Paul and Carolyn Anderson from Anderwith the project.

In 1963 he and Joe’s father, Guru Singh, son Quarry provided metal for the track to started sheep and beef farming on their easy complement the crushed rylite extracted Sustainability rolling farm in Perrott Road, Wharepapa “We’re passionate about sheep and beef but from the farm.

South, Waipa. Joe’s son Shan is the fourth Paul says Andersons Quarry is a family building the dairy will give us sustainability generation Singh farming the property. company that has been in business in PukeaJoe Singh holds the reins today and reckons for the next generation coming along. Our tua since 1975. Their metal goes as far afield DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION grandchildren or evenAND theirAUTOMATION children may SYSTEMS his granddad would have been proud of the as Taupo. “Joe Singh approached us and not want to be farmers but they can keep property now and confident in the future of told us what he needed and we worked with the farm after the partial conversion to dairy. the land. As far as dairy design is concerned, him to get the right product for his particu“My son Shan and I thought long and hard we’ve been here for 50-years and we wanted lar job,” says Paul. something a bit special because we want to about the conversion for about three or four “We quarry out everything from brown be here for another 50 years at least. years,” says Joe. rock to blue rock. We even have a product “We’ve built 8km of new races. For the “We spoke to a lot of consultants. We suitable for building oxidation ponds out tanker track we had to get metal from the finally got a sheep and beef consultant of. We provided the base metal for the main quarry but we also dug up our own rock on-board who had converted to dairy themwhich is rylite. That’s very good for cows feet tanker track leading to the dairy and used selves. So we crunched the numbers with

DAIRY TECH

Joe says the family didn’t want to make the entire farm dairy. “That’s why we went with the 40 aside herring bone. Once you build a rotary your total business goes to dairy.”

Joe has modified a feed system that provides a meal for each cow leaving the dairy.

“There’s another outfit with a similar system but we’ve modified it. Each cow gets a feed on her way out of the dairy. We’re also adding a dispenser attached to the silo,” says Joe. Otorohanga based builder Peter Gray from Dairy Tech built the dairy and says he is happy when the customer is happy.

“The Singhs wanted a covered milk silo so we opted for the curved roof design, which was no real problem,” says Peter.

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SINGH NEW FARM DAIRY

Page 21

Farm conversion planned for future generations “We talk to every customer first to give them their different options and go from there.

“The swing arms on this dairy are particularly good and so is the little feed pad.

Covered silos

“It’s all pretty good really. We do work all over the country as well.

Everyone is a bit customised. They don’t all have a curved roof but we wanted something that would cover the large silos. The whole build probably took a couple of months, maybe a bit longer.

“We have a team of about 15 guys and we keep them pretty busy. I’d rather be out there building than anything else. The Singh dairy is a pretty solid building based on one of our designs. We were also involved in the effluent system’s sump and a bridge for the Singhs too. We can pretty much build anything.”

Bruce Cameron from Acraflex

Specialised Coatings completed the build with quality coatings offering exceptional appeal and wide-spread functionality.

“Bruce says after 30-years in business they probably work with the majority of builders in both islands and stands by the Acraflex high build coating system.

Their combination of such features as the coatings ease of use, high gloss, abrasion resistance, hygiene, toughness and chemical resistance gives the product blanket support from the building industry.

Joe Singh, Guru Singh, Shanmir Singh, Debbie and Henry Dalley

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Page 22

ROCKYFIELD NEW FARM DAIRY The 54 bail rotary dairy shed.

Picturesque setting for Rockyfield Farm Rockyfield Farm is situated in Greenfield, a beautiful green valley near Balclutha, beside the Clutha River in South Otago.

Peter and Chantelle Allan are 50 per cent equity partners in the 155 hectares property and milk 430 cows which is the maximum for this sized farm. They have two boys aged three and one.

Peter is the fourth generation of his family to take on the challenge of farming. Previous generations ran it as a sheep farm and in 2011 Peter persuaded his father to become equity partners and convert to dairying.

“We chose a 54 bail rotary dairy shed for ease of management and more technology and labour saving.” As well as Peter the farm employs one full time worker and the new dairy shed only requires one milker. It is a

seasonal dairy farm and because of the dry summer this year, in March the cows were on 16 hours milking.

The new dairy shed was started in January of 2011 and ready to milk in at the beginning of August just as the cows started calving. The cows were all sourced locally and some were used to being milked in a rotary dairy shed.

Rockyfield have chosen a Centrus 54 bail platform bundled with extras to enhance the performance of their milking. “When we made the decision to convert our Southland farm to dairy we chose Waikato Milking Systems with confidence. They have a great reputation in the area and once I met Waikato Milking Systems area sales manager, Diego Brandeo and the team I knew they were the guys I could trust,” says Peter.

“Milking time is around one and a half hours. The cows are content and relaxed in

the shed. We are really happy. The support we have received has been great and the people we have worked with make all the difference,” says Peter.

According to Diego Brandeo this is the second Centrus 54 platform in the Otago province. “Farmers are finding them easy to install and being lighter, less maintenance, easy to keep clean, save power and the rubber matting helps with cow comfort,” says Diego.

Having worked with Herdflow on the construction of a new rotary on his father in-laws farm, Peter chose Herdflow to design and build his new 54 bail dairy shed in Greenfield near Balclutha.

Herdflow’s willingness to take on board the farmers ideas and incorporate them in to their design was particularly appealing to Peter.

Herdflow sheds typically are light, open and airy making them very easy and enjoyable to

work in. “This added to Herdflow’s knack of achieving phenomenal cow flow gave us the result we really wanted,” says Peter.

Most of Herdflow’s sheds have rectangular yards but in Peter’s case they brought their 30 years of backing gate design and construction experience to bear by supplying Peter with the Herdflow Round Yard Driven Gates and the Herdflow Electric Top Gate. Herdflow design and build gates for all yard applications, all meeting their very high standards of construction and reliability. “Herdflow really stand behind their products,” said Peter and it is this attention to detail and high calibre engineering that delivered the shed he wanted for Rockyfield Farm.

With the investment the Allans have made in dairying, there is more than likely going to be a fifth generation of the family on Rockyfield farm.

By Helen Wilson

100% New Zealand Owned & Operated since 1982

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 23

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CONTRACTORS

Page 24

Black horse gone from farmer contest The black horse is no longer associated with The ANZ brand now replaces The National Bank and its black New Zealand’s premiere farming contest horse brand as the principal sponsor thanks to the amalgamation of two banks. of the young farmer of the year

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contest.

In fact ANZ has sponsored the contest since 2003 through its National Bank brand, but the recent decision to bring the ANZ and National Bank together under ANZ means that the competition title will change.

But Graham Turley, Managing Director, Commercial and Agri for ANZ, says that its support of the contest would not change.

“We have been proud to be a part of this contest for nearly a decade and we are excited that this is continuing.

“The agricultural sector is important to New Zealand and it’s important to us. We are the biggest rural lenders in this country, and we do a lot of work helping farmers get started, manage finances and plan for the future.”

The ANZ Young Farmer Contest’s Chairman Bevan Proffit says, “We appreciate the fact that ANZ is still committed to supporting our Contest. Our sponsor family are essential to keeping this Contest

alive.” Bevan acknowledged the volunteers who dedicate many hours and use their passion for the industry to make the events a huge success.

New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Richard Fitzgerald says that “the contest develops and builds capability in our young people and grows the skills of all people involved”.

He also spoke about the need to attract bright, young, innovative and talented minds into the agricultural industry and the contest is one method to achieve this.

“Our relationship with ANZ is not only transactional; it is an investment in growing our young people.”

The first of the 23 District Finals took place in Christchurch on Saturday September 29 and place getters from these events will progress to one of seven Regional Finals held throughout the country from February to April. The Grand Final will be held in Auckland from May 15 – 18.

For more information go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz

Controversy over selenium in dairy cows Selenium deficiency is common and can result in significant losses in production and fertility.

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We know how to prevent it as animal requirements have been well defined for many years. But despite this, many people in New Zealand ignore the science and believe that their dairy cows need more. Based on reputable, New Zealand-based science, we know: 1. How much is required to prevent selenium deficiency; that is 0.03 mg Se/kg DM (or 0.03 ppm of the diet) = just under 1mg Se/cow/day.

2. What tissue levels are considered adequate; eg cows are ‘normal’ when the average serum (blood) Se is greater than 140 nmol/L, whole blood Se is over 250 nmol/L and liver Se is over 850 nmol/kg.

Much of the controversy stems from northern hemisphere farming where the critical dietary level is 0.3 mg/kg (ie 10x the NZ level) and they like to see serum levels over 1,000 nmol/L. But due to vastly different farming management, this overseas data is not relevant to New Zealand.

I have never seen any evidence from robust New Zealand-based science that achieving higher levels

will result in better animal health, higher production or improved reproductive efficiency. It is critical that deficiency is prevented, and in principle I have no issues with aiming for higher Se levels if: 1. It is an informed decision; be aware that high Se levels have never been proven to be beneficial, and as long as it does not cost a lot of money it will have little financial impact (even if it does not achieve a benefit); high cost treatments are simply a waste of money.

2. Toxic levels are not reached; new figures recently released show that blood levels are not that reliable for detecting toxicity situations. The way some recommendations are going (as high as 10-15mg Se/ cow/day and aiming for serum levels up to 1,500 nmol/L), I believe it is only a matter of time before we start seeing selenium toxicity (as is happening now with copper toxicity).

Finally, contrary to some views, selenium prills definitely do what they are designed to do, that is to maintain adequate selenium levels (and prevent Se deficiency).

However if you want to achieve the high levels discussed above, you will need additional supplementation.

CONTRACTORS

Page 25

New equipment helps protect soils The Waikato contracting company Blue Grass has invested in two new pieces of equipment, one to help protect soils and the second to spread soft solids like effluent.

less cultivation than conventional practices.

2. Growers are concerned for the living structure of their soil when it is annually disturbed by machinery. This obviously offers less annual soil disturbance.

3. Ability to concentrate the fertilizer in the John Nettleton says the company bought a Orthplanting band providing savings in fertilizer man strip tillage cultivation machine specifically to costs. Fertilizer is protect soil from over placed at the desired cultivation. depth to be most ben“Concern for the soil eficial to the plant and structure or the availability well into the of the equipment is nothmoisture ing new to the cropping zone. industry but it takes a The while for the concept to second become widely used and machine is accepted a Bergman We think the time is Spreader. right to expect a positive “We purinterest by New Zealand chased this growers as the concept machine for is being used by very the benefit large consortiums around The Orthman strip tillage cultivation machine in action. of soft solids. the world.

This equipment spreads soft solids extremely well, The machine has three real advantages; very evenly over an approximately 32m band, what 1. In the case of maize cultivation - cultivating a you would call just perfect for effluent solids or fine 200mm strip in a 750mm row – 375 per cent lime some of which can have around 20 per cent

moisture content.” Blue Grass also has available agricultural lime with a very fine particle size, making it very readily available. “It’s available at very competitive rates with the added advantage of a lower cartage cost because of its proximity to the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region.

Sheep and beef numbers up New Zealand’s sheep and beef cattle numbers have increased in the past 12 months, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Economic Service.

“This partly makes up for the 4.4 per cent decline in sheep and 2.6 per cent decline in beef cattle the year before,” says B+LNZ Economic Service Executive Director, Rob Davison.

B+LNZ’s annual stock number survey, which establishes the productive base of livestock for 2012-13, shows that while sheep numbers were up 2.6 per cent most of this increase will be stock carried over for slaughter in JulySeptember.

“Breeding ewe numbers at 20.61 million are almost static (+0.6 per cent) on the previous June when ewe numbers fell 6 per cent to a low of 20.49 million.

Strong mutton prices earlier in the year encouraged a high slaughter of cull ewes for the second year in a row.

“The offset to this was a high retention of ewe hoggets (+10 per cent) last July which by June 30, 2012 were mature first time in lamb ewes.

“Ewe condition is good across the country. Scanning results for most regions showed in-lamb ewes were carrying more multiple lambs with the general comment that scanning percentages were up 5 to 10 per cent on last year.”

Rob says the scanning results lead to expectations that the 2012 lamb crop could be up on last spring by 1.0 million lambs (+4 per cent).

This outcome would lift the ewe flock performance measured by lambing percentage to around the highest achieved, which in 2009-10 was 123 per cent.

There is potential to exceed this performance level.

Each one percentage point change

in lambing percentage equates to 200,000 lambs.

Beef cattle numbers increased 1.0 per cent to 3.88 million and partly reversed the 2.6 per cent decline for the previous year.

North Island beef cattle numbers increased 3.6 per cent with increases in both the beef cow herd and weaner cattle numbers.

The South Island beef herd in contrast decreased 5.7 per cent.

This decrease came from earlier slaughter due to good seasonal conditions so that fewer cattle were on hand at June 30, 2012, coupled to pressure from alternative land uses that include dairy grazing.

Rob says the Economic Service estimates the dairy herd increased 3.2 per cent with part of this increase a carry-over of older cows in the North Island due to excellent growing conditions.

The full report can be downloaded from Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s website www.beeflambnz.com

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“The purchase of the spreader is specifically because of its ability to distribute/spread the lime so well.

“The tractors we use for this operation are fitted with GPS to give an accurate coverage with no gaps or double up applications,” says John.

CONTRACTORS

Page 26

Pessimistic farmers out-number optimists The kiwifruit disease Psa, the strong New Zealand dollar and falling commodity prices are among the reasons for a further slump in farmer confidence, according to the latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.

Conducted late last month, the survey found 44 per cent of the nation’s farmers expect the agricultural economy to worsen over the next 12 months (compared to 36 per cent in the previous quarter and 10 per cent at the same time last year).

Just 15 per cent expect economic conditions to improve.

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farm business, 54 per cent of beef and sheep farmers Russell says that while New Zealand farmer conexpected performance to worsen over the next year, fidence had been on the decline since March last with only 12 per cent expecting an improvement. year, this survey was the first to show farmers now “Sentiment in the sheep and beef sector is being expected a greater negative impact on their own busidampened by the softer global lamb market nesses. now, following two seasons of strong “Farmers’ expectations of their own prices,” Ben said, “with Beef + Lamb farm business performance had previNew Zealand also recently forecastously held up better than confidence 43 per cent of ing a 33 per cent decline in farm in the agricultural economy as a horticulturalists profitability in 2012/13 compared whole, however this measure has to 2011/12.” Lamb markets were also now showed some deterioraexpecting their farm currently being impacted by the tion. high New Zealand dollar and weak “This latest survey found 42 per performance to European economies, he said. cent of farmers expect their own farm Dairy farmer sentiment lifted slightly business performance to worsen over worsen from the mid-winter doldrums evident the next 12 months, compared to 29 per in the previous survey. cent in the previous quarter.”

In terms of their own farm businesses, dairy Concern about the impact of Psa on the farmers were generally evenly split in their expectakiwifruit sector had again been heightened this tions – with one third expecting performance to quarter and respondents had reported this caused improve, more than one third for it to remain static uncertainty and lower incomes. After rallying in the previous survey, confidence had declined again across and slightly less than a third expecting performance to worsen. the whole horticultural sector, with 43 per cent of “Some dairy producers are concerned that the horticulturalists expecting their farm performance to record production year seen in 2011/12 is unlikely worsen, up from only six per cent with that view in to be repeated or beaten. However, despite milk the previous quarter. prices moving lower in August, the 15 per cent lift in The high New Zealand dollar and falling comglobal dairy commodity prices we’ve seen since they modity prices were key reasons for farmers’ declining troughed in July is likely to have curbed some dairy confidence, cited by 50 per cent of farmers who farmer pessimism,” Mr Russell said. expected conditions to worsen.

In line with the continued decline in headline “Overseas market conditions and rising input costs confidence, New Zealand farmers’ investment intenwere also shown to be a concern.” tions have eased, with 84 per cent planning to hold Of those New Zealand farmers surveyed who had or increase their investment, down from 89 per cent a positive outlook, confidence was being driven by in the previous survey. the expectation of positive flow-on effects to New Conducted since 2003, the Rabobank Rural Zealand agriculture from the drought in the US and Confidence Survey is administered by independtight food supplies globally.

Beef and sheep farmers had the lowest levels of con- ent research agency TNS, interviewing a panel of approximately 450 farmers each quarter. fidence of all sectors surveyed. In terms of their own

RURAL DRIVER

Page 27

Fighting rural licensing reforms Marathon stage rally racing ahead Owners of agricultural vehicles will have to drive tractors at “ridiculously slow speeds” to keep within legal guidelines if changes to the country's vehicle licencing system go ahead, says Te Puke rural contractor Neville Marsh.

The new regulations would mean drivers would be able to drive at a maximum speed of 40km/h on open roads.

Neville says the Vehicle Licensing Reform’s proposed changes would have a significant impact on the agricultural industry, forcing contractors to drive tractors that can easily reach up to 80km/h at 40km/h to keep within legal limits.

“Everything I run goes over 40km/h an hour. I want the tractors to be able to go the speed that they can go.

Don't just limit it to tractors driving over 40km/h.

“We have got everything legal to do what tractors can do and now they are trying to change it.”

On September 20 the Motor Testing Association released a discussion document as part of its Vehicle Licensing Reform proposing changes to the current system that would result in work time restrictions and vehicle inspection requirements for on-road agricultural vehicles based on the 40km/h speed limitation.

Main options considered suggest agricultural vehicles not exceeding 40km/h will be exempt from warrant of fitness requirements, but require regular maintenance to ensure roadworthy conditions.

Agricultural vehicles exceeding 40km/h would need to obtain annual warrant of fitness inspections and be driven only by the holder of an agricultural endorsement, or Class 2 licence.

Neville owns JCB Fastrac tractors that can achieve speeds up to 80km/h.

He says the maintenance of his high-quality agricultural equipment comes at a huge expense.

“I am probably the biggest owner of JCB in New Zealand. It is costing a huge amount of money for no reward to me.”

Neville says the proposed changes are discriminating between a farmer’s tractor and a contractor’s tractor, and says every on-road tractor should be WOF approved.

“I don't mind doing it. You get a warrant of fitness just like your car.”

He says another important issue the proposed changes have brought forward is the monitoring of the work time restrictions.

“Just have time on the road written on a piece of paper, don't try and make us claim miles off-road and on-road.”

By Zoe Hunter

FACTORY WARRANTY

Bay of Plenty and Waikato rally fans are in for a treat in November when the world’s longest special stage rally for 2012 passes through the area.

After three successful biannual rallies in the South Island from 2006-2010, the epay Silver Fern Rally is shifting the week-long marathon rally event to the North Island.

Rally chairman Gary Smith says the decision to shift the event north was prompted by its growing popularity and a strong call from former competitors to give the event a fresh look.

The rally covers over 1050kms in special stages, including many iconic rallying roads from the past, including Manawahe, Motu, Mohaka Coach

Rd, Cricklewood, Turakina Valley Rd, Opotiki Rd and Hauturu Rd. The event starts at Auckland’s Botany Town Centre on November 10, before overnight stops in Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, Fielding, Ohakune and Taupo, before finishing at Hamilton’s Claueland’s Events Centre on November 17. Special stages on day one will include Piakonui (near Morrinsville), before stopping at Baypark for lunch and a car service, then on to stages at Mangatoi Rd, Taumata Rd and special stage Galaxy near TECT Park, as the cars return to Rotorua over Pyes Pa Rd. Organisers plan to return to the South Island for the 2014 rally. Event details: www.silverfernrally.co.nz

By Hamish Carter

RURAL DRIVER

Page 28

Crack shots and wise cracks The Rogers family has a sort of affinity with Mazda utes. Dad drives the same one he bought about 30 years ago. So we have a fair bit of faith in the reliability of the Mazda workhorse utility.

This month we had the chance to test drive the equivalent model – fast forward three decades – and a fair bit of technology advancement in that time!

One factor remains constant. The willing workhorse might have some snazzy new lines, but the attitude is the same. Grunt when you need it, space where you need it and a sort of built in dependability that spans

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the generations.

Our test drive of the BT50 coincided with an SOS call from some farmers of the inland Bay, plagued by geese. Could the Wild Side team pop down and sort them out?

Well, does a bear… you know, in the woods?

We’ve developed a reasonably successful system for dealing to Canada Geese.

There’s nothing too scientific about it. The short version is basically: sneak up, pretend to be a tree, then blast the daylights out of them. Breast the birds and blend with a modicum of venison to make patties, bier sticks and salami.

The boys get snacks and dinner options, the farmers get some grazing back.

Every four geese eat the equivalent grazing of one sheep. They’re better off in the lunchbox than marauding around your paddocks.

Ironically for the target species, we packed goose/venison bier sticks into the BT50 for our foray inland on our wild goose chase.

As is traditional, the Wild Side team also packed some formidable fire power.

An arsenal of Benelli, Remington and good old budget Escort shotties made up the weaponry. Nothing like a bit of variety. The Escorts are good for using over the water, they handle the wet conditions well and are not too much of an outlay, should the worst happen and gear gets a dunking or goes overboard.

The lightweight Benelli M2s are great for carrying around paddocks and scrubland. The Remington, well I just like a good old American made gun.

Latched behind the Mazda was the Wild Side punt and a stealth kayak, the boats being an integral part of the wild goose chase.

The best hunting missions are all in the preparation and the team took most of an afternoon to dust off the punt, not used since the duck season, and organise fuel, ammo, a decent picnic lunch and plot over google maps of the region.

Theories abounded, getting more

elaborate as the refreshments flowed.

Eventually we went with the usual plan: See what happens in the morning.

The morning did happen, and the team set off at the crack of dawn for the nether regions of the Bay. The Mazda impressed from the start.

Picking it up from Ultimate Motor Group on Hewletts Road, we were almost taken by surprise at the willing power from the 3.2 litre turbo diesel.

We’d opted for the 2WD version, as the terrain was hardly going to be challenging this trip and we wanted to test the road ride of the new ute.

First up was the U turn at the lights on Hewletts. Easy, peasy, whipping around in a couple of lanes. The ride is firm, but arguably as good as any of the best utes we’ve driven.

Loaded up, the ute swallowed a vast amount of kit, including the punt outboard, spare wheel for the trailer, enough ammo to invade a small nation – and towing the 6m punt on a trailer – the handling was smooth and easy. The engine was highly responsive even with a load of keen shooters, dogs on the back, ammo and enough bier sticks to nourish said small army.

The miles flew by as we worked our way inland.

The ute devoured the miles through the back road to the lakes. The ride was exceptional, and quiet. Some motoring mags have rated the Amarok as the best road ride ute on the market and having driven both I have to say the Mazda is at least equal to the VW. There was surprisingly little road noise and granted it had tarmac tyres on the two wheel drive, it was exceptionally smooth and quiet.

Getting close to Urewera country, poor old Tame Iti could have been excused for thinking the civil war had started without him, with the sight of the camo boat and ute load of shooters heading his way.

There was no flag shooting today however, as the war was to repel the invading geese.

Page 29

RURAL DRIVER

Farmers not keen on sharing shares

The ultimate lads’ road trip machine

Arriving at the lake, the team set about to launch and then find the grass guzzlers. It didn’t take long. The dogs had their noses twitching in the air and we could hear a fair amount of honking echoing around the hills.

After a bit of reconnaissance, the team settled on a possie in the punt and set about calling goose noises.

A kayak was dispatched for further reconnaissance and it wasn’t long before big birds were overhead, in twos and threes.

Not the huge flocks we were led to believe infest Rerewhakaaitu, but enough to get some hot steel into.

One of the lads missed some cracker opportunities when gun jammed, creating some colourful language that the dogs hadn’t even heard before.

Lucky we had an emergency 20 gauge back up in the box of tricks. Not a lot of firepower for a big bird, but still effective if you’re careful with placement. Some of them were coming in low and fast, a few suckered back around for turn when the guy on the caller got it right.

Others just kept flying on, chuckling to themselves.

Concealment is vitally important.

They can spot movement and suspicious looking limbs from a mile away. The theory is that they are intrigued by flapping, but this didn’t prove fruitful, possibly the local birds have got wary of this trick.

With a few in the bag, we still hadn’t seen big numbers in a flock. Just ones and twos scattered all over the place.

The dogs had a great swim around in the lake and fetched a few sticks, enjoying a rare sunny spring day.

The duck fetching canines looked a bit perplexed as out-of-season mallards and parries flew over, thumbing their noses; and the dogs couldn’t quite work out why the shooters were not getting into them.

“Just wait till May, doggies, only a few months to go.”

It was decided that the geese must be still ravaging the paddocks in daylight hours. So a decision was made to return one nightfall, when the flocks would hopefully return to the lake for the evening.

That proved to be a much more profitable excursion, but in the meantime we had to get the rig loaded up and back on the road.

It was a pleasure to climb back into the Mazda and hit the road. The day was one of those when the modes of transport were more satisfying than the hunting.

A great day out, thanks to the Wildside crack shots and wise cracks. Special thanks to Ultimate Motor Group for supply of the ultimate lads’ road

By Brian Rogers. trip machine.

Fonterra farmers don’t appear keen on sharing their shares in the dairy company’s ‘trading among farmers’ launch.

Early indications are many will hold on to their shares, forcing Fonterra to top-up a $500 million shareholders fund to make the historic share market entry work.

The TAF prospectus was issued last week, with November 5, the date that units in the fund will go on sale. Trading on the NZX is expected to begin on November 30.

Dairy farmers are slow to get involved despite Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden describing the launch as a unique opportunity for the public to gain access to the financial performance of the country’s biggest company.

Farmer’s reluctance contradicts predictions saying they would flood

the market with the economic rights to their shares, following a lower Fonterra forecast higher milk production costs.

It’s unlikely struggling farmers will prosper by selling the rights to their shares as they are only able to sell seven per cent of their shareholding.

Federated Farmers Waikato president James Houghton says farmers will only seriously consider selling in to the fund if the Fonterra share price rises above $6. Currently, it sits at $4.52 after being discounted by 25 per cent in preparation for TAF. Federated Farmers dairy chairman Willy Leferink said TAF could be the start of a highly innovative and exciting chapter in the company’s history.

"Given debt pressures facing some farmers, selling down a percentage of their economic interest in Fonterra, no more than 7 per cent, could be attractive. It is an option that has never existed before and I think some farmers will take it up."

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Page 30

School days remembered Last month’s mystery item revived memories of school days for many Coast & Country readers including Robyn Hollamby of Gisborne.

Last month’s mystery item.

“The mystery item is a pencil sharpener. We had one at our primary school at Motu. Iit was on the edge of the principals desk – maybe so he could keep an eye on how much pencil was being chewed off, we used to get turns at sharpening all the pencils for the day, was a great honour,” she wrote.

Andy Pappas knew what it was too. “ I remember this item, I used it all the time when I was at primary school. I use to sharpen

all my pencils down to about one inch just to get new ones to do it again, it was great fun. I actually got one for my kids and they did the same thing with it.”

Alan Pram of Te Puke also correctly identified the pencil sharpener, and wins a visit to the Katikati Heritage Museum.

If you think you know what this month’s item is (right) and have a story to tell about memories of using it, you could be in to win a museum visit for two.

orchard tractors

Entries to elaine@thesun.co.nz or post to Mystery Item, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110

to arrive no later than November 17, 2012. The winner will be announced in the December Coast & Country.

The museum, just south of Katikati is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 3.30pm in winter. To find out more visit www.katikatiheritagemuseum. co.nz/ or phone 07 549 0651

Quad bike training instills safety On average 35 farmers come off their quad bikes every day – most suffer only minor injuries but by October this year, five people had died in accidents involving the machines.

The Department of Labour (now Ministry of Innovation & Employment) has introduced ‘Guidelines for Safe Use of Quad Bikes’ which may be used by the Courts to help decide whether or not an employer has failed to comply with any provision of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSE Act) warns the industry training organization FarmSafe.

FarmSafe says it is committed to reducing accidents and changing attitudes through training in safe quad bike riding practices which is why it is offering the Quad Bike Farm Licence.

This is gained through a practical training package that covers safe quad bike riding practices as well as teaching participants to effectively identify, minimise and isolate potential bike riding hazards and make safe riding decisions.

Participants in training also gain an understanding of industry guidelines and their responsibilities, demonstrate they have taken all practicable steps to minimise risk of injuries, set clear expectations about what is required for safe riding on their property and have a clear method of verifying employees’ training and assessment.

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Benefits for employers • Set clear expectation of what is required for safe riding on their property

• Develop a method of verifying employees’ training and assessment • Gain an understanding of industry guidelines and a means of demonstrating they have taken all practical steps to minimise risks of quad bike injuries.

Benefits for employees • Reduce risk of injury • Safeguard income – time off work really costs • Enhance long term career prospects – employers value knowledge and safe use of their equip ment • Effectively identify, minimise and isolate potential bike riding hazards • Make safe decisions about realistic bike use and plan work accordingly • Support safe riding practices

Applicants required: • To undertake quad bike training and hold unit standards relevant to the safe use of quad bikes.

Previous training will be acknowledged upon applicant providing NZQA record of learning showing unit standards achieved.

• Complete an application and have ridden for three months and 30 hours injury free.

• Successfully pass a multi-choice assessment based around their knowledge of the Department of Labour Guidelines for Safe Use of Quad Bikes.

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Page 31

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Food, fishing, fibre and forestry - key to future prosperity A new school opened its doors in New Zealand last month – not just any school, but the cooking school with the famous French name and long English connection, Le Cordon Bleu International.

It’s great news for our hospitality industry that the school which first opened in Paris in 1895 has chosen Wellington for a new home, and will eventually be training up to 300 budding international chefs.

What I was particularly pleased to hear was the comment made by the president of Le Cordon Bleu International, Andre Cointreau that New Zealand’s strong reputation for food and wine made it ‘a perfect fit’ for the culinary institute.

He went on to say, “It’s a rather unique country. Where is another country who has so much agriculture, food and wine?”

This is a great vote of confidence

for New Zealand producers.

The people and businesses that make up our primary industries, from producers through to processors and exporters, are among the best the world.

Even in the face of a tough global economy and high exchange rates, the outlook is good, with emerging markets for our products continuing to grow.

There is a wealth of opportunity for New Zealand’s farmers and growers. We are rich in natural resources and we sit on the doorstep of the world’s fastest growing region.

Growing our economy depends on the primary sector. After all, the agri-food sector accounts for more than $24 billion of exports, about two-thirds of our total merchandise export earnings. But to succeed further, we need to increase production and increase

the value of what we produce.

We need to be even more innovative, build on our strengths and continue to earn our reputation for safe, high-quality and sustainablyproduced food.

After all, this is the drawcard that’s attracted Le Cordon Bleu International to our shores.

As Government, we are committed to working with the primary sector to lift our export earnings through more value-added products, developed through market-leading research programmes.

To get higher economic growth and greater prosperity, New Zealand as a whole has to keep investing more in innovation – it’s as simple as that.

This is why I’m such a staunch champion of the Primary Growth Partnership which has now pledged around $600 million

towards cutting-edge primary sector research and innovation.

This is the most ambitious R&D programme of its type ever seen in New Zealand, and I’m very proud of the commitment shown by industry to work with the Government to lift primary production to a new level.

In three years, PGP has been an outstanding success – attracting proposals

across a broad spectrum, from dairy, red meat and wool to seafood, manuka honey and forestry. And I know there are plenty more ideas in the pipeline.

As I have said many times, every New Zealander stands to benefit from innovative investment in the primary sector because our food, fishing, fibre and forestry industries are the key to our future prosperity.

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Page 32

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Kiwi shearer gives cricket captain advice Whakatane’s Tony Hodge had the rare experience of giving a few pointers to English Cricket Capitan Alistair Cook- on shearing not cricket - while on a working holiday in the UK.

parents of Alistair’s girlfriend.

“Tony who is a keen cricketer, was stocked to meet Alistair and even more so when Alistair asked to have a go at shearing,” says Carol Hodge.

Tony spent the New Zealand winter in the UK shearing for Andrew Deverall, son of former shearing contractors Robert and Janet Deverall of Tauranga.

Tony, the son of well-respected shearers and national and international judges Carol and David Hodge of Pikowai near Whakatane met Alistair while shearing sheep on the farm owned by the

Tony Hodge of Whakatane gives England Cricket Captain Alistair Cook a few pointers as he tries his hand at shearing.

He found conditions very different from New Zealand, shearing small mobs of sheep on farms with few facilities to keep sheep under cover and as part of a gang equipped with portable yards and shearing plant.

Tony, who recently graduated from Lincoln, has now returned home keen to continue with a professional shearing career. #Alistair Cook is a left-handed opening batsman who plays county cricket for Essex and International cricket for England.

New owner for established firm

Te Puke Farm and Trail has a new owner, Mark Mear who has successfully managed professional service and repair facilities in New Zealand and around the world.

With more than 25 years’ experience in all things mechanical, Mark is well accustomed to providing a very high quality service while fulfilling customers’ requirements for ‘on time and on budget’. His skills and experience complement those of Steve Jensen, an A grade motorcycle mechanic for the past 25 years, so Te Puke Farm and Trail have all farm, orchard and biking needs covered.

The company is well known in the district and has been part of the community for close to 20 years establishing itself as an economi-

cal, professional, dependable and quality service outlet and Mark’s focus is to provide even higher levels of customer satisfaction and greater coverage of services offered to truly become a ‘one stop shop’ Whether its bikes, pumps, generators, sprayers, diesels or spares Te Puke Farm and Trail have it covered.

“Te Puke Farm & Trail are now offering special discounts to those affected by Psa so please contact us directly for more details,” says Mark.

“We will fully support the local community as much as we can by using local suppliers and businesses and become more active in local events and charities.

Please feel free to call in and see

the team, and keep an eye out for exciting future developments.”

Te Puke Farm and Trail is offering discounts to Psa affected growers.

Council fund hotly contested Forty-seven applicants are likely to vie for a share of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s $38 million Regional Infrastructure Fund.



The Regional Council’s General Manager Strategy Fiona McTavish says following a recent expressions of interest process, it was obvious that demand was likely to outweigh the amount of funding to be applied for. The fund is to support projects that promote sustainable regional economic growth, or promote environmental protection and enhancement that supports sustainable regional economic development.

“Council received 47 expressions of interest in the fund, requesting approximately $250 million across the nine years 2013/14 to 2012/22. These came from a wide range of public, private, Maori and community entities throughout the region.”

Servicing The Bay. We’ve got it covered.

The council has set aside $38 million in its 10 Year Plan 2012-2022.

“What the expressions of interest process has shown us is that this fund will fill a need within the Bay of Plenty to assist with infrastructure development.

“However the process has also highlighted that due to the high demand, applications will need to provide a strong business case to be considered for the hotly contested funding that is available.”

Organisations considering applying to the fund are invited to attend a public briefing on Thursday, November 8 at The Orchard, Te Puke at 2pm. To register for the briefing, email rif@boprc. govt.nz Read more about the fund, including the full Regional Infrastructure Funding Policy and Procedures document on the Regional Council’s website www.boprc.govt.nz/rif

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

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850 injured on quad bikes each year Typically, five people will die and 850 will be injured each year in accidents involving quad bikes on farms.

That is the harsh reality New Zealanders must face if quad bike safety is not addressed.

Farmers, their families and employees are once again being reminded of the dangers of quad bikes says Labour Group Deputy Chief Executive, Lesley Haines.

The Labour Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is committed to reducing the number of injuries

and fatalities caused by quad bike accidents.

“With the pace of work in farms picking up as spring approaches it is vital that people understand how to use quad bikes.

“Quad bike safety is one of four key campaigns the Labour Group is delivering to reduce New Zealand’s unacceptable work toll. We are committed to working to educate people on how to use quads safely, we will challenge dangerous behaviour, and we will consider prosecution following cases of serious injury or fatality if the basic safety steps have not been taken.

“Farms continue to have one of the high-

est levels of injury of any workplace in New Zealand. Quad bikes are a major factor in this, but one that is easily preventable if these machines are used correctly.

“Accidents and fatalities caused by quad bike are, unfortunately, regularly in the news. At the recent inquest into the death of Geoffrey Gill, who lost control of his quad bike on his farm in Tuatapare, the coroner endorsed the advice of the Labour Group and ACC on the importance of using the most appropriate vehicle for the job, wearing a helmet and most importantly receiving the correct training, however experienced the user believes they are.”

Farmers need to be prepared for visits from health and safety inspectors throughout the year. Inspectors are carrying out regular farm visits to ensure quad bike safety is being actively managed to educate on safe practices when operating quads. Farmers can expect action to be taken if unsafe practices are identified.

There are four key safety messages as part of the campaign: • Ensure riders are trained and experienced • Always wear a helmet • Never let children ride adult quad bikes • Choose the right vehicle for the job

Lowing friction in tyres could save money Tyres which reduce friction could save motorists around 40 litres of fuel a year, says the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

The authority estimates the low rolling resistance tyres could save New Zealand over $100 million in fuel a year because they improve a car’s overall fuel efficiency by reducing the friction a tyre has to overcome when it rolls, meaning less fuel is required to travel the same distance.

International research has shown fitting them could translate into fuel efficiency savings of three per cent - around 40 litres of fuel a year for the average New Zealand car.

New Zealand roads, however, are constructed using different materials and there have been some questions over whether low rolling resistance tyres could perform to the same standards here.

“As the coarse chip-seal on a lot of New

Zealand roads is quite different to the asphalt and concrete surfaces widely used in other countries, we decided to investigate whether low rolling resistance tyres could also provide fuel saving benefits on New Zealand roads”, says EECA Transport Manager Liz Yeaman.

EECA engaged independent testing laboratory OPUS Central Laboratories to trial the relative on-road performance of low rolling resistance tyres and standard tyres.

Specifically, the rolling resistance and wet emergency braking stopping distance of two makes of low rolling resistance tyres were measured against two makes of standard tyres.

“Using a ‘coast-down’ method of testing, which measures the distance taken for a car to coast to a complete stop when fitted with different tyres, the research was able to confirm that low rolling resistance tyres can make fuel savings possible on fine and coarse textured New Zealand chip-seal road surfaces compared with standard tyres.”

“If we consider that international research shows these fuel savings equate to around a three per cent improvement in overall fuel efficiency, fitting even half of all light petrol and diesel vehicles in New Zealand with low rolling resistance tyres could mean savings of about 55 million litres, or $114 million worth of fuel a year.”

Liz says concerns that low rolling resistance could compromise safety were not borne out, with only a slight trade-off between reduced rolling resistance and wet emergency braking stopping distance on the tested coarse chip-seal surface only noticeable when going 70km/h.

Low rolling resistance tyres are widely available at most tyre retailers, and cost around $20 more per tyre than their standard equivalent. Any concerns about low rolling resistance tyres can be discussed with tyre retailers.

More information can be found at www. energywise.govt.nz/your-vehicle/tyres/lowrolling-resistance-tyres.

Melodrama to lift Te Puke spirit The Te Puke Repertory Society is to stage “Only an Orphan Girl” a melodrama, later this month, to mark its 60th anniversary and to lift the spirits of a community hard hit by the effects of the kiwifruit vine disease Psa. Director Di Leach says the play, written by Henning Nelms, will star kiwifruit grower and dairy farmer Denis Browne in the roll

of the villain as well as three 10-year-old girls as the neighbour's triplets, a 13 year old boy as the hero and a 15 year old girl as the damsel in distress.

The play will be the first since the theatre’s new tiered seating was installed and as with all good melodrama, audience participation with booing and cheering is encouraged along with singing good old fashion songs.

“Only an Orphan Girl” plays from November 21 to December 1.

Tickets are available at Paper Plus Te Puke.

KIWIFRUIT

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Vine health key to coping with Psa Some new plantings of kiwifruit vines in Italy are going on under greenhouse type structures in a bid to protect the vines from the disease Psa-V.

Kiwifruit growers using a product designed to stimulate the vine’s immune system believe it is not a cure for Psa but is helping their orchards survive and be productive despite the disease.

Peter and Barbara Hope and sons Ryan and Daniel of Katikati have used the product Agrizest for six years and credit it, and their overall orchard management practices, with keeping the plants healthy. So far their vines are free of the disease but they believe it is inevitable the disease will arrive in their orchards.

They are not using copper or KeyStrepto, but are adhering to strict orchard hygiene protocols and haven’t girdled their vines in years.

“We have come in for some criticism for not using the Kiwifruit Vine Health crop protection recommendations but our immediate neighbour has done everything KVH recommends and still didn’t escape Psa,” says Peter.

“We have used Agrizest for six years on the 16A gold orchard we manage and it has shown Psa like symptoms this year on two vines but it has not spread and testing has shown the bacteria to be undetectable. We have not cut the whole vine out and continue weekly checks with no further signs to date.”

Pollination

Ryan believes Agrizest also influences pollination.

“Green Hayward flowers don’t normally have much perfume but since we’ve been using Agrizest the perfume in the orchard is very noticeable and even more so in the gold. This must help keep bees working in the orchard.”

The Hope’s green orchard has consistently produced 10,000 trays of good sized, long storing fruit, well

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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.

above the industry average of 8000 trays.

Nathan Balasingham of Indigo, which developed the product, says Agrizest is an elicitor that strengthens a plant’s defence systems, supporting its growth systems and enhancing its ability to repair damaged cells.

“Agrizest is not a pesticide or a fertiliser. It is a scientific product the results of which can be observed, measured and repeated. Unlike other products on the market, Agrizest is designed to work on the biological system as a whole and not on targets.

“What Agrizest does is increases yield and quality of fruit while enabling the plant to tolerate and repair the damage from Psa. It is therefore not a cost bleed in managing Psa. One of the only gold kiwifruit orchards to be free of Psa symptoms in Katikati has been using Agrizest for five years.”

Italian trial

Nathan say two trials carried out on kiwifruit orchards in 2010-2011 show that Agrizest helps the plant to overcome the Psa stress and produce higher quality crops and yield.

The product has also been trialled in Italy, on a site managed by Zespri on behalf of the University of Bologna in the Latina region of Italy, where Agrizest is one of 13 products being tested. A Zespri spokesman says to date there have been no conclusions drawn from that trial.

Dave (who didn’t want his full name published), believes Psa will cause growers to change their management practices forever and those who don’t pay attention to the health of their vines may not survive.

He has used Agrizest for three seasons now on his orchard, which has been infected with Psa since January this year.

“The vines are as healthy as can be expected. Some vines are struggling, and about four per cent of canopy has been removed, which is excellent given the length of time this orchard has displayed symptoms of Psa. I’m hopeful of harvesting a crop.

“Only one copper was applied post winter pruning as per Italian recommendations, and no KeyStrepto or spring coppers were applied. The key focus is on overall soil and plant biology and health.

Stress to the vines has to be minimised, whether climatic, nutritional, or specific management practices.”

Dave gives much of the credit for the ability of his orchard to survive the bacteria to the product Agrizest.

“It’s not the total answer but it’s a very

Ryan and Peter Hope on their green kiwifruit orchard which has consistently produced above industry average in terms of quantity, fruit size and keeping qualities. important part and I believe it’s the best elicitor in the world and an important tool to use going forward.”

Plant health

Fred Harvey of Te Puke, who has Psa on his orchard, wanted to know more about what he was facing and how to handle the disease, so he went to Italy in October.

“I found peer reviewed scientific papers on the Net which seemed to contradict what growers here were being told, especially about copper, so I paid for my own trip to see what was happening in Italy.”

Nathan says the first completed harvest of the early Italian variety "Green Light" has produced a similar lift in fruit quality and yield as has been found in New Zealand.

Six of the seven orchards Fred visited were now using copper only as a winter clean-up spray and Italian growers told him their information showed spraying copper at other times was not the answer to controlling Psa as it was now in the plant.

“They were concentrating on healthy plants and soil, not cropping too heavily and not trunk girdling, which they call ring barking.”

The orchards trialling Argizest showed a marked difference between vines to which the product was applied and those to which it wasn’t.

“The treated vines looked healthier.

The leaves were green and ‘crunchy’.

If you squeezed the leaf it springs back but untreated vines had leaves which were brittle.

“Most of the gold has gone but they are grafting with their own gold variety and growers have confidence in the future. I saw a lot of new planting there.”

Production

Gary Sigley of Te Puke had 12 plants showing red exudate in September in his 6.5 ha green orchard at Rangiuru south of Te Puke.

“I removed the affected parts of these plants ,and the vines have fully recovered.”

Agrizet is just one of a number of products Gary uses to improve the health of the soil and vines. Fish fertilisers are applied to enhance soil health and copper sprays as a protectant for the vines. “The orchard was organic when we bought it 10 years ago and we continued to manage it that way for three years but were growing just 36,000 trays. Now using mainly conventional methods we have lifted production to 85,000 trays.”

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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KIWIFRUIT

Page 35

Saving money through sustainability Embarking on a sustainability journey has helped Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool save money, benefiting not only the company but its growers and the environment too.

The 37-year-old family-owned business has won the Bay of Plenty 2012 Sustainable Business Network Award, in the Emerging Large/Corporate category and on the road to doing so, made savings in operational costs, something vitally important given the serious impact the vine disease Psa-V is having on the industry.

“The award is a credit to all our staff as everyone has had a part to play in achieving it. What is also very pleasing is that it has helped us find more ways of saving money, which in turn helps us look after our growers to help them stay in business,” says executive director Alister Hawkey.

Trevelyan’s ‘eco-warriors’ Rachel Brodie and Diana Ihringer, who took up the challenge of coordinating the company’s entry in the awards, had assured Alister the changes proposed would indeed save money and he is delighted they did.

Underlying everything the company does is giving the best possible service and returns to Trevelyan’s has invested in a compactor its growers, for the 100 tonne of cardboard which reflected in needs recycling each season, pressing it Trevelyan’s into strapped bundles, which is sold. catch phrase “For us packing and storing fruit is personal”.

Because of Psa, that is more important than ever, and helping growers cope with the impacts of the disease on a financial, practical and emotional level is the aim for Trevelyan’s, which holds regular field days, discussion groups and social events as well as maintaining personal contact with growers.

“Sustainability is an enduring way of doing business.

It’s more than just recycling and managing our environmental footprint. It’s about treating our people and our customers fairly and looking out for our community. It’s about performing with excellence and driving innovation for a profitable and sustainable future,” says Alister.

The company, which packs and stores kiwifruit and avocados is one of the few remaining, and largest, family-owned post-harvest companies in the industry, founded in the 1970s by John and Elizabeth Trevelyan.

Staff had a crucial role in the reduction of waste to landfill by 85 per cent since 2009 through a comprehensive recycling programme.

In 2009 the site on No. 1 Rd Te Puke had 34 rubbish bins, emptied three times a week, sending 2000 cubic metres of waste to landfill each year. Today just one nine cubic metre skip bin takes around 10 days to fill during the packing season and the company is on track to meet its target of sending only 300 cubic metres of waste to landfill, saving around $35,000 annually.

Diana and Rachel say recycling has been enthusiastically embraced by staff, who diligently place anything which can be recycled into appropriately labelled wheelie bins. “Staff are just so keen to be involved and many are now recycling at home too, which is fantastic,” says Rachel.

Trevelyan’s has invested in a compactor for the 100 tonne of cardboard which needs recycling each season, pressing it into strapped bundles, which is sold.

“We are also recycling the polypropylene strapping used on pallets and hope, when portable technology is available, to be able to weld and re-use the strapping without having to send it away,” says Diana.

Electricity is Trevelyan’s third biggest cost so a consultant was engaged to monitor procurement; using fixed and spot purchasing resulted in a saving of around three per cent.

Managing cool storage and defrost operations, which draw significant electricity, is now controlled to smooth out demand and optimise usage. Labels on light switches and equipment encourage staff to turn off when not in use. Catalyst R&D Ltd helped Trevelyan’s monitor its carbon emissions and the completion of the 2010 carbon inventory report provided a bench-

mark and measurement which showed a 12 month reduction in emissions of 45 per cent from 3945 tonnes to 2155 tones.

As well as caring for the environment, Trevelyan’s also stepped up its already excellent focus on staff, holding a wellness day with health professionals available for all staff. Healthy food options are available in the canteen and in response to suggestions, a walking track has

Trevelyan ‘ecowarrior’ Diana Ihringer with some of the 100 tonne of cardboard which is compacted and sold each year.

Trevelyan’s executive director Alister Hawkey and Diana Ihringer at the start of the walking track used by staff.

been constructed around the 20ha site for staff use.

The Tauranga-based company Edvance provides workplace skill development training for 27 staff and support and encouragement is given by Trevelyan’s to staff studying at tertiary level, with 11 completing Horticulture Level 1 certification.

Trevelyan’s staff has one of the most pleasant cafeteria/meeting rooms in the industry, with an attractive outdoor area complete with boardwalks, fish pond, fountain and shade sails. The facilities are enjoyed by up to 1000 staff during the packing season, including those who return each year to live in campervans and mobile homes on-site. There are also villas for extra accommodation and the company has a free bus providing transport to and from nearby Te Puke.

Carpooling among staff is encouraged

and a ‘green fleet’ audit has been carried out to ensure efficiency in vehicle and fuel use.

The step up to a more sustainable business hasn’t been hard for Trevelyan’s.

It is a natural progression of what has long been part of the company’s ethos of caring for its growers, its staff and the environment and an extension of the LEAN manufacturing processes it implemented in 2008.

“The focus is to be a successful business that takes care of the world and its people, while caring about our growers, our staff and our community,” says Alister. Eco-worriers Diana and Rachel agree. They’re already planning the next step in the sustainable journey.

Trevelyan’s will compete in the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards on Thursday, November 22, at The Cloud in Auckland.

By Elaine Fisher

Trevelyan’s cafeteria has an attractive outdoor area complete with boardwalks, fish pond, fountain and shade sails

Calling All Te Puke Growers...Attend our complimentary grower field days Enjoy expert advice, grower discussion along with the latest ideas and innovations

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Its purpose is simple: to address the seasonal growing issues every grower is facing and bring the best expertise along with the wisdom of the other growers to the field so we can all make better decisions.

All Growers Welcome Due to the wide interest and positive feedback these field days are now open to all growers.

Each field day runs for a couple of hours. They are facilitated by Trevelyan’s with input coming from independent industry experts along with plenty of opportunity for growers to add to the discussion including Q & A time.

Contact us to find out the date and time and topic of the next event.

Call reception on 07 573 0085.

310 No 1. Road, R.D.2, Te Puke, 3182 · Phone (07) 573 0085 · www.trevelyan.co.nz

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HORTICULTURE

Page 36

Growing our global leaders Expressions of interest are being invited now for the Global Executive Leadership Programme, which is an opportunity for senior management to broaden their international experience and skills in a programme that spans New Zealand, the United States and China.

The Global Executive Leadership Programme, now in its second year, is the only programme of its kind in New Zealand. It is for leaders of companies with a presence internationally who have the potential to grow further. The idea is to learn from businesses succeeding in key markets, getting the tools to become true global thinkers and leaders of innovative

organisations, capable of achieving sustained international growth.

The government will cover almost 50 per cent of tuition fees. A maximum of 25 New Zealand chief executives, directors and senior managers will participate in the programme which commences on February 12, 2013.

Applications for the programme close on December 31, 2012.

For more information, visit www.globalexecutive.co.nz

Award for helping fight Psa The man who says he hates spring – now that Psa-V has hit the kiwifruit industry - has received a New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science award for his work in helping growers manage the disease Shane Max, Zespri Orchard Productivity Manager, was presented the award during the October Momentum Kiwifruit Conference by Dr Sonia Whiteman of HortNZ. Sonia said the award was in recognition of the work Shane had done and continued to do in the fields of technology transfer to help

growers deal with the disease.

Shane is widely respected within the industry for the way in which he insures growers have ready access to the information and technology they need to cope with Psa-V. Psa-V, a bacteria which attacks kiwifruit vines, was first discovered in New Zealand in 2010 and has since spread to most of the country’s growing regions. Signs of infection increase in spring, which is why Shane told the conference he hated the season. However, he believed the industry would overcome Psa-V.

“We will beat this thing. We have a united and innovative industry.

We will do it, I am certain,” he said when accepting the award.

Shane Max, Zespri Orchard Productivity Manager, accepting his award at the Momentum Conference.

Certification of nutrient advisors will raise standards

In a move to improve the quality of advice farmers are receiving, a national standard for the training, certification and continuing professional development of farm nutrient management advisers has been established.

Sixteen primary sector organisations have committed to the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme. DairyNZ commissioned the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand to develop the programme as part of its Primary Growth Partnership, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

It is run by an industry advisory group which sets standards, manages certification and continuing professional development and operates a registration system.

Russ Tillman, chair of the advisory group, anticipates that within two years, half of all nutrient management advisers will be certified.

“The programme will ensure New Zealand nutrient management advisory standards are maintained to the highest level internationally. It will give confidence and credibility to the increasingly important role of

managing nutrient cycling and nutrient loss within environmental limits on farms.

“The importance of this programme to improve the production value farmers will extract from the investment they make in nutrients and reducing the impact nutrient loss has on the environment shouldn’t be underestimated.” He says the programme will ensure advice is conveyed to farmers in a consistent way through advisers who are working to the same agreed standards across the country.

“It will also give assurance to central and regional government regulators, local and international markets and the public at large that the primary sector is managing its nutrient footprint consistently nationwide.”

At the core of the programme is work undertaken by the fertiliser industry to train its fertiliser representatives through postgraduate courses in sustainable nutrient management, taught at Massey University.

The certification framework will be extended to all in the primary sector who provide nutrient management advice to farmers, or who are involved in the broader field of farm management.

The website for the programme will be available soon at www.nmacertification.org.nz.

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HORTICULTURE

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What is Psa-V Costing the kiwifruit industry?

I was asked by a politician the other day how much Psa-V is costing the kiwifruit industry. My ball park figure, including capital loss, is more than $2.1 billion – so far. I hasten to say these are just my simple calculations. If anything they are on the light side.

The cost to the kiwifruit industry of Psa-V is in effect the aggregation of all the individual orchardist’s loss of production and additional costs, pack-house costs, redundancies, the cost of setting up and running an organisation committed to controlling Psa-V – Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) – and the dramatic reduction in capital values. The personal cost is much more than dollar and cents. It affects whole families and everyone involved in the kiwifruit industry.

Starting with the capital value loss incurred by orchardists, my estimate is that this is within the order of $1.9 billion. The capital cost is only realised if the orchard is sold but a reduced capital cost impacts on equity ratios. This affects the ability to borrow money to continue orcharding operations and can result in credit reviews by the banks. My calculation is based on per hectare gold orchards now worth at best $100,000 per hectare (down from $450,000 per hectare) and green orchards now worth $150,000 per hectare (down from $250,000 per hectare) multiplied by the number of hectares: gold times 2,600 hectares and green times 10,000 hectares.

Turning to orchard costs and income - cutting out gold Hort16A and replacing it with the more Psa-V tolerant Gold3 was estimated by the Ministry for Primary Industries, based on industry feedback, to cost $25,100 per hectare. This totals $33,100 when the cost of the Zespri licence to grow Gold3 is added in. My calculation is that around 1,800 hectares have been cut over to Gold3 at a total cost of around $60 million. Gold3 will not start producing a crop for two to three years and each hectare is likely, due to Psa-V, to have less than a full canopy.

Based on this year’s figures across the industry (before on-orchard expenses, debt repayment and drawings) that equates to a staggering $182 million of income not coming back to kiwifruit orchardists each year until they can grow a crop. This does not include re-grafting Gold3 onto the vine stumps replacing Hort16A. Frost, rain and wind in recent weeks have caused graft failures.

We also need to factor in the decrease in produc-

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tion from orchards that are fortunate enough to still be producing export fruit. The Ministry for Primary Industries, based on industry feedback, has done some estimates which predict that green production will drop 10 per cent and gold production by 27 per cent next year.

Added to this is Lincoln University’s estimate that the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty region will lose between 360 to 470 full time equivalent jobs each year between 2012 and 2016.

When this loss of jobs in the kiwifruit industry is combined with the loss of income coming into the region each year, this is a very significant and catastrophic economic crisis for not only the kiwifruit industry but also for the region. Before Psa-V attacked our vines, the kiwifruit industry generated $2 billion in flow on revenues in the Bay of Plenty Region and accounted for just under 20 per cent of the region’s GDP each year.

Now putting this in perspective the Government has allocated $25 million to assist the industry. This is less than 1 per cent of what the kiwifruit industry previously generated every year in flow-on revenues in just the Bay of Plenty. The recovery of the kiwifruit industry is vital for the economic well-being of the Bay of Plenty and not insignificant for all of New Zealand.

As you can see from my calculations, the industry itself is making significant investments in the industry’s future well in excess of the Government’s $25

million. So I ask you, do you think Government has contributed enough to help the kiwifruit industry and the Bay of Plenty? I do not think so.

Then the key question is: Does the kiwifruit industry has the ability to

survive Psa-V and return to a prosperous future? That will be the topic for a future column. # The calculations and the views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.

HORTICULTURE

Page 38

Enhanced humans, lab meat – the future?

Vertical gardens, technologies to make us smarter, mega cities of 120 million people and humans who live to 190 may be part of our future, according to Rohit Talwar, global futurist and director of Fast Future Research and Trends.

Rohit, who advises organisations on how they can adapt and thrive in response to emerging trends and technologies, gave the kiwifruit industry a taste of what the future might bring when he spoke at the Zespri Momentum Conference in October.

While growing food in multistoried structures, and electric and drug stimulations to aid learning are already here, the ability to extend life expectancy is close, he said.

“Scientists have identified a protein in a worm called a nematode which controls aging.

When they stop its functioning, it extends the life of the worm three to five times. They think they have found the same protein in humans.

“What would you buy your parent for their 200th birthday?

Just think about marriage lasting 130 years.”

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to map our personal genetic pro- sufficient in energy to control its cost base. file. “It can tell what drugs have “New materials, naturally positive and negative indications occurring or man-made which for us, what diseases we may sound like they stepped off catch or carry, how long we are the pages of Star Trek will be likely to live. Within a few years there will be an app so when you available, like indestructible, self-repairing concrete and glass, go to a restaurant you wave a cutting the costs of owning phone over the menu and it will buildings and speeding constructell you what you can and can’t tion time.” have because of what each dish The internet will become contains.” multisensory.

Rohit said the more immediate “When you book your hotel future is one of economic crisis. online, you will be able to feel “We are in the very early stages the bed linen, smell, even taste of the global economic crisis. the food.”

There is massive shift in wealth Zespri could ask consumand power from west to east.” ers, online, for their taste China and Asia will become preferences for a new dominate forces in kiwifruit. the world economy What would “Empowering but it won’t be you buy your the consumer a smooth path can drive new because issues parent for their markets by around infra200th birthday? getting the end structure, lack consumer to say of transparency Just think about what particular in government, marriage lasting variety of organic fresh water and 130 years. gold they want their environment pressupermarket to stock. sures will slow growth.

The technology opens up a New Zealand can’t rely on a recovery of the global economy huge wave of opportunities.”

The biggest area of shock in for at least a decade and must the next decade will be the use of use its own resources and innohuman enhancement. vations to drive growth.

It’s a technology which has The growth of mega cities gone largely under the radar, said with huge populations will be Rohit. Already 20 per cent of among the forces increasing university students in the US are energy demands by 20 to 30 per using the drug Ritalin, designed cent by 2022 and every business to help with attention deficit will need to become more self-

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disorder, to concentrate their mental performance.

“We have more understanding of how the brain works through technologies like transcranial direct current stimulation, which applies a micro charge to the brain. Using this, the US army has halved the time it takes to train pilots to fly drones.”

The technique has dramatically improved maths abilities and, once applied, the change in performance is enhanced for up to six months.

“If we are able to enhance ourselves, we will have to make choices. If we see a competitor do better, do we give our staff enhancement? If you kid comes home and says ‘Sammy gets 100 per cent in tests and she has had chemical, genetic or electric enhancement and can I have one please?’ – what do you do?”

Rohit said there were several possible future scenarios for the food industry in particular.

One is that in the next 10 to 20 years there is a breakthrough in energy or technology which reduces the reliance on fossil fuels. Food production improves in developing economies, and health improves but a segment of the world still suffers poverty.

The second is a major food scare, or even poisoning in the food chain, so the focus turns to local markets, buying locally and innovation in producing food locally.

A third possibility is a collapse of the global economy which could see the disappearance of food and vegetable retailers, with most people not getting access to fresh foods. Super foods will be developed but half the world would be in poverty.

Another possibility is a transformation in how meat is produced. Experiments are underway in the Netherlands to grow meat in the laboratory, freeing up arable land to grow more fruit and vegetables.

The future is not a place, it is a continuing and very turbulent journey but for those who were prepared for change and to try new things it also offers significant opportunities, Rohit said.

By Elaine Fisher

Page 39

HORTICULTURE

Gardens help sell houses Simply put, houses with good gardens sell quicker, for a better price. International research involving more than 5,000 homeowners, real estate agents and valuers from nine countries answered questions about how much a garden can increase a property’s value.

This all showed that an attractive garden will have the following positive effect: • An average 16 per cent increase in property value – the payback (if sold) from a well maintained garden is approximately 3.1 times the investment • Faster sale - an appealing garden reduces the time to sell by weeks • Whereas a neglected garden will lower the sale price by somewhere between 5 and 15 per cent.

So whether you are planning on selling this year or sometime in the future here are some tips;

The top six enhancers 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

A well-maintained lawn An inviting social area Good quality paths and walkways Decorative trees and shrubs Well-kept hedges Nicely designed flowerbeds

Lawns

Having a good lawn was rated the most important feature. Keep your lawn well-groomed by mowing regularly but not too short. Some say to not remove more than one third of the leaf surface at any one time. Mow when the lawns are dry. Apply some lawn fertiliser - feed your lawn about two or three times a year between early September and the end of April.

Weeds will appear in your lawn, when required, spray your lawns once or

twice a year in spring and autumn.

Reduce the moisture needs of your lawn by not over-fertilising, and not mowing it too short. Water regularly when warm and dry.

The ‘social garden’

Kiwis have always liked to use their garden for socializing and as the second more important way to add value to your property its worth doing well.

An attractive, all season outdoor living space is an extension of the house, effectively an extra room and An attractive outdoor living space is Houses with good gardens sell Well-kept hedges are an will add value. Ideally it should adjoin an extension of the house. quicker, for a better price. asset to any garden. the indoor living space or be as close equately built structures or poorly or go to your local Go Gardening to find the members working your as you can make it. In the interests of centre. designed spaces can devalue a area and the range of their work. resale invest on top quality paving or Or visit Landscaping New Zeadecking. Avoid cluttering up the deck property. land’s website – www.lianz.org.

Visit www.gogardening.co.nz – with too many plants in pots.

Jill Ford, Nursery and Garden Industry New Zealand nz - and look up its members’ list How to, for design tips/ advice,

Add some colour

Fill pots with colorful flowers. In warmer months, lobelias, petunia and marigolds are easy to keep looking nice. They are among the world’s most reliable flowers for pots and hanging baskets. In cooler months pansies, primulas and polyanthus are good for instant colour. Cheerful flowers such as calendula, cosmos, sunflowers and marigolds not only add stunning colour contrast; they also attract beneficial insects and repel pests in the vegetable garden. Marigolds and nasturtiums are good as they prosper throughout summer’s peak, remaining fresh and vibrant in the hottest weather.

Add charm to a bare wall or boring fence. Flowers can be planted in wall baskets, or pots supported by wall brackets. Plants with beautiful cascading habits include petunias, calibrachoas, verbenas, pelargoniums, African daisies, diascias, nasturtiums, and the new Tumbler impatiens.

Landscaping

Landscaping should always add value to your home. The bigger the investment the more worthwhile it is to employ an expert, for either or both the design and ‘build’. Obvious DIY jobs, inad-

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Page 40

MAIZE MANAGEMENT

Maize import part of farm system

Maize silage is an integral part of New Zealand livestock systems allowing farmers to increase production and profit.

Growing a maize crop increases total annual dry-matter yields and allows farmers to decrease the build-up of nutrients in dairy effluent paddocks.

Maize silage is a valuable part of a pasture renewal programme allowing the establishment of new, higher yielding pastures.

Having a stack of maize silage on hand throughout the year allows farmers to: • Feed their livestock year round regardless of the weather and its impact on pasture growth rates.

• Increase milk production optimising stocking rates and extending lactation length.

• Increase cow condition improving reproductive performance and profit.

• Increase beef live weight gains

and take advantage of schedule premiums.

Most farmers choose a paddock for their maize crop during the winter or early spring. Selecting a paddock and spraying it out in the autumn will allow better control of hard-to-kill perennial weeds.

Choose a flat to rolling paddock with good vehicle access. Consult your planting contractor prior to finalising your site as they can assist you in selecting the best paddock to sow in maize.

Maize does not perform well in waterlogged soils. Drain any areas where water ponds to allow earlier cultivation, better weed control and less chance of nutrient leaching.

Always take a representative soil test to determine fertiliser and lime inputs. Soil core to the depth of cultivation - normally 150 mm and up to 300 mm on peat soils.

Ensure that the soil sample is free of plant or crop debris and large root pieces. Take a deep nitrogen (60 cm) soil sample 2 – 4 weeks after planting to determine whether your crop requires any side dress nitrogen.

Spray out pasture as soon the paddock can be taken out of the grazing rotation. Spraying out 3 - 6 weeks prior to planting date is ideal as it gives plenty of time to create a good seedbed, however many farmers spray out 1 - 3 weeks prior to planting.

If contouring is not required apply lime as soon as pasture has started to change colour. If contouring is required, undertake cultivation and apply lime when shaping is completed. Apply extra lime where drain banks or humps have been removed, especially on peat or clay soils.

Spread and incorporate the base

fertiliser dressing. Allow 7 - 10 days between applying the base fertiliser and planting to reduce the chance of fertiliser burn damaging the seed or seedling roots.

This is especially important in free draining soils.

Keep cultivation to a minimum and avoid cultivation when the soil is too wet or too dry. Bring the seedbed to a crumb size no larger than a maize seed. A well-prepared seedbed enables weed control chemicals and insecticides to give optimum results, enhances crop establishment and allows planting machinery to function more accurately.

If more than 24 hours have elapsed or it has rained since the last pass of the cultivator, make a further pass with a surface cultivator (e.g. rotor-tiller), before planting.

(Source Farmlands - www.farmlands.co.nz/ userfiles/file/Farmlands.pdf )

Grain and Seed conference this month The New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) will hold its annual conference in Queenstown on November 21.

The association exists to foster the business environment for its members and represents 80 companies who not only breed seed, but also research, produce, process and market the nation’s grain and seed outputs.

This involves both importing and exporting. Some NZGSTA members produce seed under contract.

Others sell seed or licenses for advanced pastoral seed technologies including forages, animal-friendly fungal endophytes, pasture legumes and more.

Still others make a market in cereals and pulses, to be used as feed supplements for New Zealand’s pastoral industries or for the high quality flour and bread-making industries. Other export markets include barley for use in Chinese beer, or pulses for snack foods for Japan.

To find out more about the conference and NZGSTA go to www.nzgsta.co.nz/

Page 41

MAIZE MANAGEMENT

Pioneer still in line for major award

US drought sees drop in production The summer drought in the USA is likely to result in a 13 per cent drop in the production of cereals, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

The department is forecasting production of 10.7 million bushels, down from 12.4 million in 2011 and the lowest since 2006.

Corn yield was expected to be in the region of 123 bushels an acre, down considerably on the 160 bushels achieved in recent seasons and the lowest since 114 bushels

A 5m folding Cross Slot drill (150mm row spacing) in New Zealand. (Source www.crossslot.com/)

A New Zealand scientist who helped develop a system of sowing crops without first tilling the land was among those nominated for the prestigious World Food Prize, awarded last month to Israeli water and soil scientist Daniel Hillel.

was threatening the very sustainability of world food supply,” the book says.

The new level of biological and engineering performance achieved by the machines John helped develop is credited with spearheading an increase in New Zealand’s adoption rate of no-tillage from four per cent of all seeding in 1990 to 25 per cent by 2006, the book says. “It has simultaneously created new standards of sustainability in some 15 counDr John Baker initiated the no-tilltries and has already become the age project in at Massey University in clear system of choice for several 1967 and has led it ever since. He is US soil conservation agencies.” a founder of the company Cross-Slot From 1989-91 John was PresiNo-Tillage Systems which manufacdent of a USA no-tillage company tures and sells no-tillage machinery and was Director of the Massey and has offices in the USA, Canada, University Agricultural MachinUnited Kingdom, Europe, Africa and ery Research Centre for 10 years Australia as well as New Zealand.

A worms-eye view of the Cross Slot before resigning to found Baker No-tillage is a system of farming opener in action. (Source www.crossslot.com/) No-Tillage Ltd as Chairman and in which seed planting is done in a Chief Executive. narrow trench, without tillage, and weeds are conHe created the initial vision, led the science and has trolled with herbicide. played a leading role in all Cross Slot design and busiJohn, whose nomination for the World Food Prize ness matters, as well as co-authoring four books on the now carries over to 2013, has warned that continuing subject. to use conventional tillage which releases carbon to the Today John continues to be the key-note speaker at atmosphere risks declining soil fertility and ultimately international no-tillage conferences and addressed the famine in large parts of the world US Senate on the topic in 1989. He is an acknowlHis work features in the book by the The Riddet edged international authority in this area, which was Institute called Floreat Scientia which traces the develrecognised by the Royal Society of New Zealand with opment of the new drill opener concept that created horizontal (inverted-T-shaped) seed slots in the soil and the award of a Science and Technology Medal in 1997.

The New Zealand Government recognised his became known as the `Baker boot’. achievements in the 2006 New Year’s Honours by “Environmentalists and soil scientists quickly recogmaking John an Officer of the New Zealand Order of nised that low-disturbance no-tillage (in which stubble Merit for "Services to agriculture". and residues from the proceeding crop remain almost # The 2012 World Food Prize laureate Daniel totally undisturbed on the soil surface to decompose Hillel has revolutionized food production in some and thereby add – sequester – carbon into the soil) of the driest areas of the world in a way that saved had strong positive impacts on the environment, not water, increased crop yields and minimized environthe least of which was to greatly reduce soil erosion, mental degradation. which otherwise resulted from repetitive tillage and

in 1995. The surplus at the end of this marketing year would be the smallest since 1996 but 24 per cent larger than the trade expected.

US soybean production was forecast at 2.6 million bushels, down 14 per cent from 2011.

In addition to the US, drought has damaged the wheat crop in the Black Sea region.

The world wheat crop is down 5 per cent from 2011 and coarse grains down marginally.

World rice production is similar to last year.

Crop prices in the US have surged approximately 50 per cent since mid-June.

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Page 42

MAIZE MANAGEMENT

Outlook for farming not all bleak Cutting back government spending and paying off debt are two measures which could help farmers, says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President.

“What would really help us is less pressure on the dollar. There is no quick fix but winding back government spending and paying down debt would help relieve the pressure.

“We know the high dollar robbed New Zealand of an extra billion dollars from Fonterra’s recent 2011/12 results. It similarly affects all parts of the primary sectors, from what we get for sheep to fisheries,” he says.

While the 2012/13 season will be tough he believes it is not as dire as some commentators have speculated.

“Will some farm businesses fail as a result of lower pay outs and a high dollar? Sadly, that answer is probably yes,” says Bruce.

“I can understand why the outlook for some is negative given a slew of farm confidence results and projected falls in income. Federated Farmers was painfully honest even before the start of this season that it would be a tough one.

“Yet there are blue clouds appearing among the grey. Five of the last six GlobalDairyTrade auctions have been up and in the latest auction, Whole milk Powder jumped 9.2 per cent.”

There has been an excellent start to the new season

with milk volumes up 13 per cent on last year.

“I can say from my farm we currently have excellent growing conditions for beef and lamb too.”

However, cold weather and rain has impacted grass growth in some areas but wool prices are slowly climbing.

“Beef prices are holding up despite the drought in the United States. While lamb has reversed recent gains to be in the $90 range, initiatives like what McDonald’s New Zealand is doing with lamb may open up new export opportunities.

“Look, this is a tough season and make no bones about it. Yet tough does not mean dire because we produce food and fibre the world needs. I guess we need to look past the short term because the medium term remains bright,” says Bruce.

Journalism award winners Tauranga freelance journalist Richard Rennie was among the winners in this year’s New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators awards.

Richard, who also writes for Coast & Country, won the new Beef + Lamb New Zealand News Award, for a portfolio of articles about Transpower’s plans to establish buffer zones for transmission lines on rural land.

An Auckland-based freelance journalist, Benedict Collins, took out this year’s top award the TBfree New Zealand Rongo Award for a series of programmes on the

devastation of the kiwifruit industry by Psa-V, which appeared on Country99TV. The runner-up was Shawn McAvinue, for articles that appeared in the Southland Times.

The inaugural winner of the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Farm Business Writing Award was Tim Cronshaw, of The Press. Tim also won the AgResearch Science Writers Award.

The PGG Wrightson Sustainable Land Management Award was won by Susan Murray, of Radio New Zealand’s Country Life programme. The Horticulture New Zealand Journalism Award, went to Tim Fulton of New Zealand Farmers Weekly and the Rural

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Women of New Zealand Award, to Jackie Harrigan for articles which appeared in Country-Wide.

The AGMARDT Agribusiness Award was won by Hugh Stringleman, for articles which appeared in NZ Farmers Weekly and the Federated Farmers Rural Photography Award, by Taranaki Daily News photographer, Jonathan Cameron The guild’s own award is designed to encourage and recognise excellence among journalists with three or less years reporting on agricultural issues, The Agricultural Journalism Encouragement Award, went to John Watson, of Country99TV.

It’s 5 + A Day month November is 5+ A Day Fruit and Vegetable Month and to celebrate 5+ A Day is issuing a challenge for everyone to add an extra serving of fresh fruit and vegetables to their daily diet and to hold a special event.

The national body which promotes a healthy diet including at least five serving of fruit and vegetables a day suggest people hold a 5+ A Day event like a healthy lunch, dig a new garden or get the children to brainstorm ideas and register on the website www.5aday.co.nz There are prizes to win and entries are open until the end of November. Events can be held at local schools or somewhere in the community.

There are five Apple iPads to be won by schools as well as fruit and vegetables delivered for the whole school for a week.

There are no limits or rules; just plan a picnic, lesson, field trip or anything at all that supports students learning about healthy eating and 5+ A Day. Go to the website and order curriculum linked resources to help get started. Winners will be drawn in early December.

EQUINE

Page 43

Trekking holiday spurs medical research ted to raising money to help the Malaghan Institute find answers for the debilitating disease of the central nervous system that affects movement, sensation and body functions.

To find out more about the trek, visit www.greatnewzealandtrek.com To find out more about the Malahan Institute go to: www.malaghan.org.nz/what-we-do/ multiple-sclerosis/ Every evening those taking part in the Great New Zealand Trek are treated to a hearty meal prepared for them by caterers.

It’s not often a holiday combines walking, horse riding or mountain biking through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful countryside with raising funds for important medical research but that’s exactly what the Great New Zealand Trek offers.

Organised by GNZT Charitable Trust, the trek began in 2006 with the aim of giving people the chance to enjoy parts of the country they’d never normally see and support the Malaghan Institute of Research in Wellington in its work to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Trek co-ordinator Kitty Johnson of Hastings says next year’s trek from February 23 to March 3 is stage eight in the series which will, over the next 12 years, traverse the length of New Zealand.

Stage eight begins at Eketahuna and ends at Lake Ferry in the Wairarapa.

Registrations are open now.

“We have people of all ages taking part. The youngest has been seven and the oldest in their 80s,” says Kitty.

Each day’s trek covers around 30km but doing just half that distance is an option for walkers, thanks to the fleet of support vehicles which accompany the trek.

Bikers and horse riders on the Great New Zealand Trek.

“We also have marshals on quad bikes who will give walkers a ride up steeper parts of the route and you often see horse riders dismounting to give tired walkers a ride along the way.

Everyone helps each other.”

Stages one to seven have attracted an average of 240 participants and 80 volunteers and hopes are high that stage eight, the last leg in the North Island, will be just as popular.

“Some people, including a woman horse rider who has multiple sclerosis, have completed all

seven treks so far,” says Kitty.

Trekkers need take only their own tents and personal gear.

Everything else is catered for and at the end of each day a mini town is set up with marquee, hot showers, flush toilets and caterers. There is a ‘fuel stop’ half way along the day’s trek and medics, a farrier and vet travel with the trekkers.

Kitty says so far the treks have raised $150,000 for MS research and while she has no personal experience of the disease, she and others on the trust are commit-

One stop equestrian shop Located in the heart of Whakatane is one of New Zealand’s largest equestrian speciality stores called Hoofcamp Saddlery, Owned and operated by Mathew, Kathryn and Nadesha Dick, it has a reputation nationwide as a one-stop saddlery and trekking business which covers all disciplines of riding and with friendly knowledgeable advice.

The store has a relaxed atmosphere, where customers are made to feel welcome. Its stock includes an extensive range for pony club riders, show jumper or dressage riders and for the western rider there is a line of imported western saddles and bridles.

Bitless bridles are made to order on the premises and Hoofcamp has designed its own bareback pad including a special size for the mini or small pony.

The store stocks a comprehensive range of performance horse feed, not available elsewhere in the Whakatane area.

It is well priced, and made with home grown quality baleage and hay.

Hoofcamp also has available a horse float for hire or lease at a great price. It is a modern float that tows well, with extra room in the front for gear.

The large workshop is equipped to do all types of leather repairs and not just on saddlery items.

Staff make leather weight belts, pig dog rip collars, hunting belts, knife sheaths and much more.

Horse covers are laundered, repaired and re-proofed all on the premises, with a top quality job done. Hoofcamp Saddlery will design and make to order almost anything clients want to meet their unique requirements Hoofcamp Saddlery has a web site (www.hoofcamp.co.nz) and items can be posted anywhere in the country.

Page 44

COUNTRY LIVING

Miners’ strike subject of art exhibition November 11, 1912, a dark day in New Zealand’s social history, is to be marked in an exhibition by well-known Wellington artist Bob Kerr at the Waihi Arts Centre and Museum.

It was the date when radical Waihi unionist Fred Evans was beaten by police and later died of his injuries during the Waihi Gold Miner’s strike and it’s on this piece of history that Bob focuses for his latest exhibition called “Gold Strike” which opens,

appropriately enough on Sunday November 11.

Fred is believed to have fired at nonunion workers and police who attacked him and other union workers in the Union Hall, during the strike. A police constable was shot in the stomach and a non-union worker in the knee before Fred was beaten to the ground by police.

Bob is one of the country’s leading history and landscape artists who uses his work to turn attention to important and often controversial events in New Zealand’s past.

His earlier exhibitions have portrayed the World War I Gallipoli and Western Front campaigns, Maori leader Rua Kenana’s community in the Te Urewera Ranges and the exploration of the Whanganui River. He also illustrated the cover of historian Michael King’s book `Penguin History of New Zealand’.

The paintings in his latest exhibition also feature in the book by another historian Mark Derby called `Waiheathens – voices from a mining town’ which will be launched at the Gold Strike exhibition.

“I think both Waihi locals and visitors to the town will be fascinated by these paintings,” says Berys Daly, the Waihi Arts Centre and Museum coordinator. An international seminar about the 1912 Waihi strike coincides with both the book launch and the art exhibition.

The “Gold Strike” exhibition opens on Sunday November 11 and runs until November 25 at the Waihi Arts Centre and Museum. Admission is $5.

Two of the works inWellington artist Bob Kerr’s exhibition ‘Gold Strike’.

Food, landscaping and beauty at Piako Fete Landscape, culinary arts and beauty are the unique mix on offer at the inaugural Piako Fete on Thursday November 15, 2012.

“Since the Ellerslie Flower Show moved south, ladies of the north have missed out on all the fun of a garden design show and event,” says event manager Lynsey Champion.

The Piako Fete aims to fill that gap and those attending will find creative inspiration for the summer at the event which offers an opportunity to see two masters of design in action.

Both award winning landscape designer Xanthe White and Masterchef runner up and foodie genius Ana Schwarz will be in attendance to demonstrate creative and best practice in design.

They will be joined by local Tamahere artist and photographer Jenny Scown and sculptor Mark Dimock from Eketahuna who will be exhibiting their renowned works to a backdrop of live music and performing arts.

“Stalls will include fashion, home ware, natural beauty products, artisan food hampers, and plenty of products to delight all members of the family.” says Lynsey.

Dalton’s Plantation, a joint venture with leading landscape Ddsigner Xanthe White is 4.04 hectares of display gardens with a function centre and cafe making it an ideal venue for the Piako Fete.

The event creators are Lynsey Champion one of New Zealand’s most distinguished cloth hat makers and Michelle Lewis, a talented graphic designer who runs her own company.

Piako Fete is on Thursday November 15 at Daltons Plantation, Matamata. Tickets cost $19/- for more go to www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/ piako-fete/matamata

Page 45

COUNTRY LIVING

Rodeo rules changes proposed Rodeo rides could be limited to 30 seconds under proposed changes to the rules governing the sport.

The time limit is just one of the proposals made by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), which has reviewed the standards applying to rodeos which are now open for public submissions.

Other proposals include an increase in the weight of stock used in some events and preventing the use of fully locked rowels on

spurs in any event. NAWAC is also seeking comment in relation to the calf and sheep riding events and the rope and tie event.

John Hellström, chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), which reviewed the 2003 code, says maintaining the welfare of rodeo animals depends on the experience and training of those handling and caring for the animals. NAWAC is an expert committee formed to give advice about animal welfare to the Minister for Primary Industries.

The proposed Animal Welfare (Rodeos) Code of Welfare describes

the minimum standards and best practice guidelines for all rodeo animals, including those used in training and rodeo schools. This code will replace the existing code set down in 2003. Public consultation will run until Monday November 26.

“The proposals in this code of welfare are designed to encourage all those responsible for the care of rodeo animals to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling, and to equal or exceed the minimum standards.

“Input from the general public is also an important part of the

Karts are fun for all ages The whole family can enjoy the thrill of motorsport thanks to the efforts of a Tauranga business.

Go Karts Direct is an exclusive importer and distributor of drift go karts for the New Zealand market.

Owners Bryce Marshall and Jan Wyllie began importing drift go karts into New Zealand seven years ago and now supply them to buyers all over the country.

They have established a reputation for quality drift go karts, suitable for children and adults. Bryce says they karts are extremely safe to use thanks to their design which gives them a low centre of gravity while still maintaining good ground clearance.

“They are designed to travel on flat, even terrain and because of their design, they drift rather than roll.”

They come pre-assembled in three parts and are extremely easy to put together.

“It’s a great way for children to learn driving techniques and control out in the open spaces and it’s something we can do safely with our kids.

It is a great way for everyone to gain confidence and of course have lots of fun.

We recommend everybody wears a helmet and uses the fitted seat belt when they are driving a kart.” The machine develops plenty of low-down torque allowing for power slides. Featuring a simple, strong design, the drift go karts have a Honda design cam, four stroke engine and are capable of speeds 45-50 kph.

The speed can be governed for younger riders by a simple screw adjustment.

The karts run on 91 octane petrol, and are extremely economical. They have an easy-to-operate recoil pullstart mechanism and an automatic centrifugal clutch and can carry drivers weighing up to 120kgs.

The karts are ideal for use on orchards, farms, lifestyle blocks, paddocks or any large open spaces.

The four stroke engines are very quiet compared to two stroke motorcycle engines. They are surprisingly inexpensive and cost much less than most other motorsport machines so would make excellent Christmas presents.

With Christmas nearly here, it’s time to place orders and colour preferences. The karts can be sent direct to purchasers at reduced freight rates or picked up from Tauranga.

review of this code of welfare. NAWAC welcomes submissions from anyone interested in the welfare of rodeo animals or involved in their management.”

The proposed minimum standards relate to stockmanship; food and water; selecting and handling animals; the arena; gear; saddle and bareback bronc riding; bull and steer riding; rope and tie; team roping; steer wrestling; calf and sheep riding; barrel racing; health, injury and disease; and emergency

humane destruction.

Codes of welfare expand on the requirements in the Animal Welfare Act 1999 with minimum standards and best practices designed to provide for animals’ overall physical, health and behavioural needs.

You can read the proposed code on the web, at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity-animalwelfare/animal-welfare Anyone wanting to make a submission on the draft code should do so in writing to awsubmission@mpi.govt.nz

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New vision needed to protect hunting’s future The future of hunting in New Zealand will be influenced by hunters with master’s degrees and PhDs rather than by enthusiastic weekend hunters, ex-cullers and old meat hunters as it has in the past, believes hunter and author Alex Gale.

“We need new vision and new leadership in our New Zealand hunting world and we need to be far

more proactive than we have in the past. Gone are the days when ‘she’ll be right’ was an acceptable attitude,” he writes in his latest book ‘A Passion for Hunting’ which he has written with his son Tim Gale.

Alex believes this country’s hunting future will be determined by experts and consistent credible hunter representatives backed by quality research, in the context of political compromise.

“If we want good hunting in the future, we need to plan for it and fight for it. We will need to fund both the research and the fight.

“We can’t change the past but we can have a huge influence on the future and we have critical choices to make.”

Alex believes a hunting licence fee should be introduced, managed by a trust run by hunters, not a government department. “The reality is we are not going to get a better future for hunting without the financial support of hunters.

“If hunters paid say a fee of $30 per annum and if there were 30,000 hunters paying that fee it would equate to $1 million per annum.”

The funds could be used for education; scholarships for young hunters to attend university; research on hunters; game herds and related environmental issues; conservation projects; train-

‘A Passion for ing hunters; Hunting Trips providing resources for and Tips’ by Alex mountain and Tim Gale is a safety and fire Coast & Country arms safety book prize for courses; and November. management of certain herds including thar and chamois.

Hunters have to ‘get real and get mobile’ to stand up to their opposition.

“As an indication of what we are up against, the Forest & Bird Society had an income of $3,220,000 for the year ended February 2009.

By comparison, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, our main voice for hunters, had an income for the 12 months to February 2010 of just $266,945.”

But hunting politics is not all that Alex and Tim write about in their latest book. It’s full of the experiences and insights of the father and son, who are both professional hunters. It includes some great camp oven cuisine and the story of their trip to Dusky Sounds in November 2011 to look for the Fiordland Moose, which Alex believes are still here.

Thanks to publishers Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘A Passion for Hunting Trips and Tips’ to give away. To be in to win answer email A Passion for Hunting Prize, along with your name, address and phone number to 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 November 17, 2012.

The winner will be announced in the December Coast & Country.

One in five employees has had sex in the workplace In his book the “Living Dead”, David Bolchover states that one in five employees has had sex in the workplace, and one in three has taken a Class A drug

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at work. Further, one in six employees admits to “constantly” surfing the web on matters totally unrelated to work.

Other interesting facts: According to the NBRI, 30 per cent of employees fall asleep or become extremely fatigued during a work month; the average employee spends 4.5 hours a week engaging in water cooler gossip (that’s equivalent to a six week vacation); and social media sites cost US employers upwards of $2.25 billion every year. Why? Because, apparently, employees are bored at work or “disengaged”. Many employees state they do not have anything meaningful to do while at work.

Employee well-being is becoming increasingly important as organisations realise the link between happy healthy staff and their long term success.

If employees feel valued and involved,

customers have great experiences dealing with the organisation, and positive results follow.

In September 2011 the NBRI stated that only one in three employees is engaged while at work, and 55 per cent of employees state they will definitely be leaving their present employment in the near future (NBRI).

On average it costs an employer 10 to 30 per cent of an employee’s gross income to replace him/her (NBRI).

So how does an employer engage and retain their employees? We will look at these two important issues over the next few months.

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.

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Page 47

COUNTRY LIVING

Tokoroa’s Big Weekend is really big The Christmas parade, A&P Show, opening of a new events centre and drag racing are all part of Tokoroa’s Big Weekend on December 1 and 2.

Graeme Earles of the A&P Show Society says several community groups and organisations have

combined to stage a weekend of non-stop action for all ages.

“For the past five years the A&P Show has combined with the Tokoroa Host Lions Club to co-ordinate the Christmas parade and the show. “This year there’s an additional highlight with the opening of the town’s new events centre on Saturday too,” he says.

On Sunday Christmas in the Park will be staged by the combined

churches and there will be drag racing at the Tokoroa airport. Drag cars from around the country will be on display at the A&P Show on Saturday.

This is the A&P Society’s 75th show and as well as the cattle and horse events there will be a pet corner, and entertainment provided

by Endurocross, Chelsea Marriner and her Dog Stars (of New Zealand’s Got Talent fame), a magi-

cian, Mahon's Amusements, and Papa Crete, as well as local school bands and kapa haka groups performing on stage.

The National Axeman’s Association Championships will be held over the two days of the weekend too.

Graeme says the Tokoroa Big Week-

end is a true community event well supported by local businesses and organisations as well as the public and attracts visitors from out of town too.

Admission to this year’s A&P Show is free – to find out more go to: www.bigweekend.co.nz

Book is no swan song for Kim Kim Swan is ‘a diminutive soul who, paradoxically, is a lady of few words’ according to Darryl Crimp, editor of ‘The Fishing Paper’.

The paradox of Kim’s shy nature is that she is a gifted story teller and author of nine books and countless columns for Crimpy’s publications.

Kim’s latest book ‘Swanning Around - A Kiwi Bird’s Wild Life’ is about Kim’s particular and very unique life in which pigs, pig dogs, hunting, wildlife, game conservation, pine trees, possums and the love of her life Possum (Stephen Bryant) feature above all else.

Kim and Possum ‘Swanning Around - A live in Rai Valley, Kiwi Bird’s Wild Life’ is Marlborough where a Coast & Country Book they own a small block of land farmprize for November. ing sheep, horses, dogs and poultry. She and Possum share virtually everything but when it comes to hunting – they hunt alone – and that’s the way Kim likes it.

This book is glimpse into the life of a unique ‘Kiwi Bird’ who has followed her heart into the outdoors to hunt, tramp and fish her way, unrestricted by social codes. For years she has shared her stories and her

thoughts through books and columns, and gathered a loyal following among men and women who enjoy Kim’s style and her ability to ‘take the mickey’ out of life and herself.

Thanks to publishers Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘Swanning Around’ to give away.

To be in to win answer the following question: How many books has Kim written? Email your answer to Swanning Around Prize, along with your name, address and phone number to 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 November 17, 2012.

The winner will be announced in the December Coast & Country.

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COUNTRY LIVING

On-line maps help open up great outdoors It’s easy enough to find road maps but information about tracks in the great outdoors hasn’t been that accessible.

   

Now that’s changed thanks to the introduction of major enhancements to the Walking Access Mapping System.

The mapping system has been developed by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission to display publicly accessible land across the country.

It uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to display topographical maps and aerial photography of most of the country and includes an enquiry function that enables users to submit questions about access and access disputes direct to the Commission.

Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson says the enhancements include an improved user interface and mobile functionality that allows users to access the system on smartphones and tablet computers.

A new component has also been added to enable third party organisations to display their own accessrelated information to the public. That information could include walking, horse riding and cycling tracks, fishing access points, surf beach access points, camp sites, or other outdoor points of interest. This is a creative way to mix and match public and private information on a nationwide basis.

“These enhancements will vastly improve the mapping system as a tool for people planning trips into the outdoors.

“The mobile functionality allows people to access the mapping system on the go, while the ability for other organisations to display their own data has the potential to make the system the ‘go-to’ site for people looking for information about recreational opportunities in the outdoors.”

Partner organisations that have so far expressed an interest in uploading their own information to the mapping system include the Department of Conservation, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, Fish & Game Wellington, Wellington City Council, and Venture Southland. The system displays the locations of outdoor points of interest identified by partner organisations and provides links back to their websites for users who want to find out more.

The mapping system has been developed for the Commission by Geographic Business Solutions, with assistance from Eagle Technology, Terralink International, SQL Services Ltd, LandZone and Planit Software Testing. Project management was handled by LandZone.

The first version of the mapping system was launched to the public on July 21, 2011 and it has since been visited more than 100,000 times.

There are many different types of legal public access ways. These include: Walkways There are about 40 gazetted Walkways in New Zealand. Any statutory Walkway is subject to constraints on behaviour set out in sections 54-58 of the Walking Access Act 2008. The Commission appoints controlling authorities to administer Walkways.

Coastal area Public access to the coastal area (essentially beaches) is covered by the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011. Most of the common marine and coastal area is open to public access, except some areas that have been affected by erosion

and some areas where private title extends across the foreshore.

Access around the coast, lakes and along rivers is provided by a range of reservations. These water margin reservations, popularly known as the ‘Queen’s Chain’, are far from complete and have been affected by erosion in some cases. A public right of access around the coast above the foreshore depends on the existence of these kinds of reservations.

Public land also includes: • esplanades and other reserves administered by local authorities; • Crown land; and • marginal strips and unformed legal roads (paper roads).

A mobile friendly version of the mapping system is now available for most popular smartphones and tablet computers. The mobile version can make use of mobile devices’ GPS functionality. Anybody accessing the site on a smartphone or tablet device will automatically be sent to the mobile version of the site.

The mapping system’s user interface has been enhanced to ensure more screen space is dedicated to the maps, making them easier to view and navigate.

Many of the system's existing tools have also been improved.

A ‘Partner Information Portal’ has been added to the mapping system to enable other organisations to upload their own outdoor access-related information for view by the public.

To obtain a login for the portal, organisations must sign a partnership agreement with the commission.

Partner organisations can mark points of interest on the map using the portal's builtin draw tools, or upload the locations of points and associated information by uploading from a file.

The mapping system will also be compatible with map feeds, allowing partners to populate the mapping system with information automatically if they have their own map feed already setup.

To check out the maps go to www.wams.org.nz

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Page 49

Revolutionary new laser treatment for skin Fraxel re:store laser treatment is a revolutionary new way to correct aged and damaged skin – without the prolonged downtime or adverse reactions of other resurfacing procedures, says Dr Paul Salmon of the Skin Centre, Tauranga.

“Safe and effective, the Fraxel has undergone extensive testing in the lab and out in the field. It is the accepted gold standard for treating conditions such as, acne scars, wrinkles, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, sun

Dr Paul Salmon of the Skin Centre, Tauranga

spots and age spots, achieving remarkable results you can see and feel.

“With Fraxel re:store treatment, you get dramatic results without going under the knife. Instead, the laser uses points of light to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of your skin. The treatment penetrates deep into the skin to remove old, damaged skin cells, stimulates your body’s own natural healing process, and replaces the cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.”

Because the technology is so precise, Fraxel re:store treatment works not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands, says Paul.

“Fraxel re:store treatment delivers dramatic results.

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Submit now on Waipa subdivision rules There have been many submissions to the proposed subdivision rules and you may have a chance to support them if you are quick.

The first round of submissions to their Proposed District Plan have now been summarised by Waipa District Council. These can be found on their web site and you have until November 7 to submit in favour or against any of these if you have an interest and want to be involved.

This is perhaps the only time in the next 10 years that you can influence this document so, if you own land or have an interest in the economic development of the district, you should carefully consider the proposed changes.

The proposed changes are very significant from a subdivision point of view and could severely impact the economy of the district and availability of land, according to the submissions from the Federated Farmers. Their submission states that people “that do not

require a minimum of 40ha lot to be an economic unit will either be forced to purchase land that they do not require or not establish in the district ” They have supported many of the plan's provisions, however opposed many rules that make farming uncertain, restrictive and expensive in terms of compliance – such as the need for a discretionary resource consent to build a worker’s dwelling and the apparent inability to create small blocks for the equine industry.

At present rural subdivision can be approved if the average lot size is over 25ha. Boundary relocations can be done to reduce existing larger lots down to a minimum of 2500m², leaving a larger (over 50ha) farming lot. Surplus houses can be subdivided off the farm to provide capital or simply escape the liability of renting out the old house. Retirement and rejuvenation of the rural community is catered for by the provision

of 'long association holding' provisions. These enable someone who has lived on the land for over 15 years to subdivide a small retirement block either with or without a house on it.

This is all set to change dramatically if these proposed rules are ratified by council. The new rules are complex and they generally don't allow any subdivision below 40ha in size on good quality farmland. The surplus house rule is destined to disappear, as is the long association rule.

Over the next short while you can still make an application for subdivision under the existing rules. So, now is the time for landowners in any rural area, not just Waipa, to move on their plans. If you have any such intention, I am happy to discuss the situation so don't hesitate to give me a call.

Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. For further information call 07 838 1571 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

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NAIT ‘misses mark’ The National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme has missed the mark as a biosecurity control by excluding the estimated 40 million sheep in New Zealand.

July 1, 2012 saw the radio frequency tagging of cattle become compulsory under the requirements of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act 2012. The implementation of radio frequency tagging and animal movement recording is an attempt by industry to meet international biosecurity regimes to ensure New Zealand’s meat and livestock exports remain competitive.

However, the exclusion of sheep does little to protect New Zealand agriculture from its most threatening biosecurity risk, an outbreak of foot-andmouth disease (FMD). Reserve Bank and Treasury figures estimated that a FMD outbreak could: • wipe $10 billion off the economy • result in the loss of 20,000 jobs • close export meat markets for 12 months • depress export prices for up to 4 years.

Biosecurity

NAIT Ltd, the industry-owned company responsible for implementing the NAIT scheme, has fallen short in improving biosecurity management, a key purpose of the scheme outlined in the NAIT Act 2012. While NAIT’s IT system has been designed to accommodate other species, it does appear that the decision for other species to join the scheme has been left to the respective industry groups to make.

As a result, the current scheme fails to enhance New Zealand’s ability to respond more quickly if there is a biosecurity threat such as a disease outbreak.

Cost

It seems sheep have been excluded from the scheme due to the predicted significant cost to farmers.

Many are questioning whether the cost of implementing NAIT is necessary in a year when: • Fonterra payout projections have declined • beef returns are likely to come under pressure from US cull increases in response to drought conditions lamb incomes are forecast to drop by up to $20 per lamb.

Initial projections estimated the cost of funding NAIT and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ activities to support the NAIT scheme at approximately $8m per annum, with a contribution of 18-20 per cent from the Crown.

Although it is not easy to compare NAIT to similar David Webb from identification and PPB Advisory. tracing schemes, a UK National Audit Office report ‘Identifying and Tracking Livestock in England’ estimates the cost of identifying and tracking the movements of the 25 million cattle, sheep and pigs in England at $110m. This illustrates that the relatively low running costs budgeted for New Zealand by NAIT may be unrealistic given the uncertainty around the monitoring and compliance costs.

NAIT Ltd estimates the levies could cost approximately $5.50 over the lifetime of each animal ($2.45 tag and slaughter levies and $2.98 for a basic radio frequency tag). If these costs were applied to sheep, this would mean a cost of $5.50 for an animal only worth about $80 on the hook. We have already seen additional costs applied such as the levies imposed by stock agents on animals passing through sale yards. This is, reportedly, to recoup time spent entering animal movements, and the investment in technology required to administer NAIT tagged animals.

Potential

On the surface NAIT has the potential to be a key initiative in improving New Zealand’s biosecurity.

However in the short term it fails to achieve its original objective with the introduction of a scheme that covers only a proportion of livestock and as such continues to expose New Zealand farms to potentially devastating disease risks. # PPB Advisory is a firm experienced in resolving the complex issues that arise in the rural and agribusiness sector.

By David Webb of PPB Advisory

Page 51

COUNTRY LIVING

ARRC Wildlife calls for volunteers Spring has arrived and with it our usual onslaught of orphaned and injured wildlife, mainly baby birds.

Especially after windy weather, we are inundated with baby birds brought in by well-meaning and concerned people but often they’re better off without our intervention.

Many of these are fledgling birds (usually thrushes and blackbirds) that have just left the nest. They can often fly or at least hop around quite efficiently as

they’re learning to fly and have their parents in close proximity watching over them.

It is best to observe them from a distance to assess if they have any major injuries such as a drooping wing or bleeding area. This being the case, intervention is appropriate and they can be gently caught and brought in for care.

For uninjured fledglings, they are best left to be raised by their parents. Where possible, return these birds to the nearest tree or hedge (difficult for cats to penetrate), or place them in a box at a height – an ice-cream box can have drainage holes punctured in the bottom, be lined with wood shavings or leaves and be hung from a branch or even a clothes line.

It is a fallacy that handling a baby bird

will deter their parents from caring for them but try and keep handling to a minimum.

Watch to see that their parents return, (they usually do once they hear their offspring calling) and if they don’t return or there is a high risk of cats in the surrounds that might prey on them, then re-consider intervention.

Non-native species such as thrushes

and ducklings may be hand reared.

They require feeding 2 – 3 hourly (but thankfully not through the night!) for 3 to 5 weeks.

If you are keen to help us foster these baby birds, please contact Sue Mackey info@arrc.org.nz or 552 5503.

By Dr Liz Schneider of ARRC Wildlife Trust

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Today we look at health problems caused or defined by extreme fatigue. The most obvious is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) but is associated with most autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.

In these conditions the fatigue can seriously reduce quality of life. I know this too well having suffered with CFS from late 20s to my early 40s.

In many cases the underlying disease state causing the fatigue is incurable but there is still much we can do through targeted nutritional therapy to improve energy levels. Most of our energy, as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is produced within our cell energy factories- our amazing mitochondria. These highly specialised cell organelles take high energy food compounds from carbohydrates, fats and proteins then break these down to produce the ATP we need. A common feature of many of these problems is the inability of our cell mitochondria to produce sufficient energy.

There has been a great deal of research into mitochondrial dysfunction and extreme fatigue states.

One study, “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mitochondrial Dysfunction” was conducted at Oxford University (S. Myhill, N. Booth and J. McLarenHoward, 2009). They compared the ATP output of 71 people with CFS and compared them to 53 normal people. They concluded that a “remarkable correlation is observed between the degree of mitochondrial dysfunction and the severity of the disease.” Other researchers such as Martin Pall have identified the mitochondrial processes affected by CFS, Fibromyalgia and other problems.

My first goal with people with CFS and other mitochondrial problems is to saturate tissues with the most potent antioxidants to mop up the free radicals and to help re-build critical antioxidant enzyme systems. We then target the actual mitochondrial problem by adding cocktail of nutrients and co factors.

These can be anything from B vitamins, to CoQ10 to exotic sounding compounds such as R-Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl L Carnitine. These all work to help stressed cells manufacture energy more efficiently.

Interestingly, when working with people with Polymyalgia, Parkinson’s and MS the first improvement most notice is an improvement in energy. If we can rebuild our energy processes we can go a long way to helping people improve their quality of life. Over time this increases the chance of improving the underlying problem.

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 contact John phone 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

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Page 52

FORESTRY

Free trees info on line soon Developers of a new on-line resource about trees are asking farmers to help them design the site which, once up and running, will be free to access.

The project is being funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund, the NZ Farm Forestry Association and Scion

Research, with support from Rural Women NZ and the NZ Institute of Forestry.

Project manager Harriet Palmer says the aim is design a database listing the most useful and credible information resources available to help farmers looking for information about any aspect of planting and managing trees in the working landscape.

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This database will range from practical aspects of growing and harvesting trees for timber through to establishing riparian plantings and management information such as budgeting and forest ownership options.

“Since the 1950s, there have been many initiatives aimed at encouraging farmers to plant more trees, and manage existing plantations and native bush for all sorts of reasons - timber, shade, shelter, or fodder, control of soil erosion, conservation, carbon storage, or amenity benefits,” says Harriet.

“At the same time there has been a large amount of research centred around small-scale forestry, resulting in a plethora of information resources and tech-transfer activity.

Much of the experience and information generated over the years is very high calibre and still relevant but the resources are scattered and sometimes hard to find.

Farmers already involved in or considering tree ventures, and organisations whose role includes advising farmers on integrated land management

strategies, will benefit from the planned database. All listings in the database will be assessed by leading farm foresters, forestry consultants and researchers to ensure they reflect current knowledge and best practice.

As well as unlocking existing resources and research to wider access, the project will help identify information gaps. It will also provide information on how farmers prefer to learn about planting and managing trees.

Farmers and landowners are being asked to participate in an online survey to ascertain their specific information and training needs related to trees on farms, and also their preferred methods for receiving new information – formally and informally.

To participate in the survey go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ Trees_on_Farms All surveys completed before December 31, 2012 will go into the draw for $100 fuel vouchers, a copy of Native Trees of New Zealand and Their Story by John Wardle, or Rural Women NZ’s cookbooks ‘A Good Spread’ and ‘A Good Harvest’.

Forestry industry levy proposed Forest growers will decide the future direction and funding of their industry in a referendum being held in March next year.

“Forestry has a huge untapped potential. To achieve that potential we need a fairer and more cohesive industry where all growers are involved and playing their part,” says Paul Nicholls vice president of the Farm Forestry and Forest Owners Associations.

“Members of the two associations account for more than 80 per cent of the plantation forest harvest, but fewer than a quarter of the sector’s 10,000-plus growers. The aim is to bring all growers into the sector’s information streams and get them involved in decision making and funding.”

This will mean having a commodity levy on logs and other forest products in the year of harvest. By law, this requires the support of a dual majority in a referendum, with votes counted both by number of growers and by forest area. The levy rate has not been finalised but is expected to be around 40 cents a tonne.

Paul says work that benefits all growers has long been funded by the voluntary subscriptions and efforts of

those growers who join an association.

“That voluntary work will continue. But the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead need the commitment of all growers, not just the enthusiasts.

“For example, pests and diseases do not respect property boundaries. So we need all growers involved in forest monitoring and funding biosecurity research and readiness.”

Farm Forestry president Ian Jackson says grower representatives made a commitment to increased science funding at a recent pan-industry workshop.

“It’s really quite exciting. There’s recognition that in order to increase profitability we need a step-change in the way we do things. We need to produce higher yields of better quality timber and to harvest it more efficiently. That means making a bigger investment in well-targeted research.”

The Forest Owners and Farm Foresters are now setting up a board to plan and conduct what will be known as the Forest Voice Referendum.

The referendum was originally going to be held before Christmas, but has been delayed until March 2013 because of the importance of the decisions made at the science and innovation workshop last month.

Between 60 and 70 per cent of the funds generated by the levy will be used for science funding.

The Forest Voice website www.forestvoice. org.nz explains the Plantation Forest Strategy and how to vote.

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COAST & COUNTRY

What can we learn from Australia?

Following my recent trip to Cairns and where I looked critically at the Australian economy, I make the following observations

Sugar

In Gordonvale, half an hour south of Cairns, is a large and sweet smelling sugar mill which is surrounded by the town which also has four pubs. The mill has been sold to Asian interests and the sugar is exported.

Narrow-gauge railway lines still carry the cane to the mill.

All good cane producing land is protected from urban sprawl for cane production.

Atherton Tablelands Up until 2000 and the Dairy Industry De-regulation Bill there was a thriving 250 farm co-op business on the Tablelands. After de-regulation and the co-op was side-lined;

pay-out fell and now there are 73 dairy farms left with numbers falling fast. Cattle farmers are taking over the dairy farms for grazing.

Economy

There was talk of Australia becoming as bad as Greece as the mineral exportation boom slows. It appears they have hollowed out their economy by selling key assets to offshore interests.

Julia Gillard, to her credit, has got a larger tax take from the mines too, as many of the mines are owned by Asian countries.

The largest irrigated cotton farm has just been sold to Chinese interests also.

The wheat belt in Western Australia is doing very well on the back of high grain prices.

So, Australia faces all the same issues as we do, but our soft commodities are in demand (and replaced every year). Australia’s hard commodities are in decline and not replaceable.

They too are facing over regulation, slowing the local economy and putting a lot more cost into simple things.

The hollowing out of the economy continues and must be of concern.

So what can we in New Zealand learn from looking over the ditch?

I believe NZ needs to ...

• Protect our prime asset – good agricultural land from urbanisation • Protect our soils • Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure our farming industry (and farmers) remain viable • Be careful not to sell our valuable land to offshore interests • We definitely need to retain and embrace the co-operative concepts where we can; retaining ownership and control of our key strategic assets and businesses • Retain our competitive advantage of producing food cheaply using our largely grass based system • Finally, we need to be aware that Australia may not be able to feed itself in the future. We are a major supplier of food to that country.

As food supplies are static and demand increases, prices can only do one thing.

Australia needs us and we need Australia.

To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

Saturday 3 November

Saturday 10 November

Hayward Domain, Ngatea. Starts 9.30am. Sheep racing, floral art competition for primary school & adults. Calf club section starts 9.30am, must be there at 9am. Trade & craft stalls.

Plus children’s entertainment. Free day out. Ph Julie 07 867 7357

Showgrounds, SH2 Waihi. Attractions this year include: lucky adult gate draw, alpacas display, trade & craft stalls, big fun sideshows, horse & pony events. Nov 11 – show jumping & show hunters. Ph Marilyn Parker 07 863 8243

Tuesday 6 November

Franklin Hospice Town and Country Garden Ramble Nov 17-18. Over 30 gardens – from half

Hauraki Plains Rural Show At Hugh

Dairy Womens Network Dairy Day – Morrinsville At BNZ Partners Business Centre, 268 Thames St, Morrinsville 10am – 2pm. This workshop will help you understand the things in your business you can control and give you tips to help you draw up a plan for the rest of the season.

You will leave with tools to help you plan for your business through to May 31 and a personalised action plan. Bring: Tips and ideas for the coming months; a calculator; financials for the past years and a budget forecast if available. Register online www.dwn.co.nz or ph 07 823 4700 or email: info@dwn.co.nz

Thursday 8 November

Effluent Field Day – Tokoroa At Steve Andrews, 2791 Old Taupo Road, Tokoroa SN78114 10am – 1pm. Effluent planning and design workshop. If you are looking at modifying your FDE system this workshop is for you. Presented

by Trevor Foley, DairyNZ Environment Extension Specialist.

Ph Amy Johnson 0274 832 205 or email: amy.johnson@dairynz.co.nz

Waihi A&P 74th Annual Show Waihi A&P

Saturday 17 November

to 40 acres and everything in between - are open to view in the Waiau Pa, Clarks Beach, Waiuku and Pukekohe areas from 10am - 6pm on both days.

All funds to support Franklin Hospice respite care services.

Tickets can bought online www. franklinhospiceramble.org.nz For further information call Franklin Hospice 09 2363554

Te Aroha AP&H Show Saturday November 17

is the 116th at Boyd Park at Stanley Avenue, Te Aroha. Dog Fancy Dress Competition, Towes Insurance Golf Chipping Competition, Waikato’s Strongest Man Competition, Ravensdown Truck Pull, Grand National Sheeplechase. Gates open at 9am at Boyd Park entry costs $5 for adults, $2 children 12yrs and under.

Any queries contact the show secretary Eileen Shine 8849422 or Te Aroha Show on facebook

Tuesday 20 November

Effluent Field Day – Otorohanga At Kio Kio Hall, cnr Kio Kio Station & Ellis Rds, Otorohanga 10am –

1pm. Effluent planning and design workshop. If you are looking at modifying your FDE system this workshop is for you. Presented by Trevor Foley, DairyNZ Environment Extension Specialist. Lunch provided.

Ph Sarah Dirks 021 770 859 or email: sarah.dirks@ dairynz.co.nz

Tuesday 20 November

Variation 6 Information Session – Te Awamutu

At Te Awamutu Club, 542 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu 11am – 12.30pm. Rules for water takes used for milking and dairy shed wash down. Information will include: A background to Variation 6; Who is going to need consent; How to get consent; Why measuring peak water is important. Ph John Vosper 0274 750 918 or email: john.vosper@dairynz.co.nz

Saturday 24 November

Cambridge A&P Association Held at Cambridge

Raceway. Free gate entry. Attractions include: Children’s rides, trades & craft, donkeys and gypsy cobs, horses – miniatures too, cattle, dairy and beef. Ph Robyn Brettell 07 827 5542

Tuesday 27 November

Variation 6 Information Session – Tokoroa

At Tokoroa Club, Chambers St, Tokoroa 11am – 12.30pm. Rules for water takes used for milking and dairy shed wash down. Information will include: A background to Variation 6; Who is going to need consent; How to get consent; Why measuring peak water is important. Ph Amy Johnson 0274 832 205 or email: amy.johnson@dairynz.co.nz

Thursday 29 November

Variation 6 Information Session – Otorohanga At Kio Kio Hall, cnr Kio Kio Station and Ellis Roads, Otorohanga 11am – 12.30pm. Rules for water takes used for milking and dairy shed wash

down. Information will include: A background to Variation 6; Who is going to need consent; How to get consent; Why measuring peak water is important. Ph Sarah Dirks 021 770 859 or email: sarah.dirks@dairynz.co.nz

Wednesday 5 December

Tokoroa Biz Start Meet in upstairs meeting room, Tokoroa Club, Chambers St, Tokoroa 11am – 1pm. Budgeting basics: Gain understandings of a range of budgets and budgeting principles. Bring your lunch. Ph Amy Johnson 0274 832 205 or email: amy.johnson@dairynz.co.nz

WE ALWAYS PAY MORE!

$1000 CASH per week

0800 382 828

FRE QUOTEE S! Card

www.gorringebros.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY

Keep your cows in milk over summer Plan your summer crops now • Pasture Sprayout

• •

Ph 07 928 3042 or tasha@thesun.co.nz

Cultivation & Seeding Direct Drilling

We do the complete job.

Book early—Call us on 07 549 1075

farm supplies

MODULAR FARM BRIDGES Phone Pat now 0800 222 189 www.bridgebuilders.co.nz BRIDGE IT NZ LTD for sale

S

BER TR TIM E NT ME AT

PEPP ER

Page 54

JACK RUSSELL PUPPIES Born on the 2nd October, ready to go to your new home first week of December. Just in time for Christmas! Mum & Dad are both pure breed (no papers) Mum is smooth & Dad is short hair, Tri colours. We own both parents, beautiful nature dogs prefect for the farm. Only $600 each includes vet check, first vac and wormed. Option: if wanted for a present, extra cost for holding them for Christmas Day. Ph Sarah 027 307 4686 PASSIONFRUIT PLANTS for sale 1 metre tall $4.50 & GST. Kiwifruit seedlings in 5 cm tubes ready for nursery plantings $1.50 & GST, grown in Cambridge Ph 573 4122 PULLETS Brown Shaver.

Point of lay, good layers.

Ph 07 824 1762 trades & services

BUILDERS Murray Pedersen licensed builder with his experienced team will undertake additions renovations also reclads. We can arrange plans & consents.

Ph 07 575 7870 INSULATED PANEL CONSTRUCTION we make to order sheds, animal shelters, pig sties, & dog kennels.

Made from 75mm thick insulated panels. This makes them warm in winter & cool in summer. Very strong, easy to clean, no painting. We also do coolrooms & freezers from 1.8 to 3.6mtrs square. Ph Hugh 021 025 57268

e We servic of all makes pumps

TREES TREES TREES Felling, Pruning, Maintenance, Chipping, & Removal. Ph Scott Today on 027 462 4769 ADVERTISE YOUR TRADE or services in the Coast & Country RunOn listings for only $20+gst conditions apply. Ph Tasha on 07 928 3042 or email tasha@thesun.co.nz wanted to buy

KIWIFRUIT 3M STRAINERS wanted for making a retaining wall, approximately x20 posts.

Ph Scott 027 462 4769

COAST & COUNTRY

feature properties & auctions feature properties & auctions ADVANTAGE REALTY LTD MREINZ

Page 55

www.harcourts.co.nz www.harcourts.co.nz

Advantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent REAA Advantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent2008 REAA 2008

Tauranga Central Office – 07 578 0879 Cherrywood Office – 07 576 8770 Bethlehem Office – 07 579 2206 Mount Central Office – 07 575 6384 Papamoa Office – 07 542 9012 Te Puke Office – 07 573 4754

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 56

COAST & COUNTRY

PRIZE PACK UP FOR GRABS!

Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to sarah@thesun.co.nz “Country Camera� or posted to Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga. Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.

8 month old Grace playing with pet lamb, Benny.

By Natasha Dunne

Ferocious Lab Puppy.

By Staci Old.

Jackson Stewart on our farm in Paengaroa.

Dean Petersen with nephew from Whangarei, Scott Illerbrun checking heifers, these are the friendliest heifers, they came right up close to give him a lick, was a real buzz for townie kid.

By Sharyn Petersen.

This is Jackson, 20months, feeding the Labrador puppies their breakfast. By S Brown.

Sam feeding the goat.

By Staci Old.