Coast & Country News October 2016

Page 1

David Briscoe’s full time job is manager of Waihora Station, a 1050 hectares dairy support block near Taupo, but authentic and hard-hitting Medieval combat is his hobby and sport. He hopes to represent NZ at the 2017 Championships of Historical Medieval Battle in Europe. Read his story pages 4-5. Photo by Elaine Fisher

Oliver’s Hens PAGE 6-7

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Central Plateau PAGE 12-15

Rural Driver PAGE 17-19

Equidays PAGE 28-29

Sheep & Beef PAGE 30-31

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Learning to farm with less nitrogen Change can be threatening and stressful – especially when it is imposed by outside agencies and has the potential to adversely affect your livelihood. I remember when the KiwiGreen integrated pest monitoring system was introduced to the kiwifruit industry 1995. Many growers believed they would be ďŹ nancially ruined without regularly calendar spraying as the new rules meant they could only spray when orchard monitoring showed pests had reached predetermined levels. As it turned out pests didn’t

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destroy the fruit and KiwiGreen is now an accepted and routine part of the industry, which is producing more fruit than ever and using less pesticides. There’s a parallel here, to a degree, with the current angst among farmers regarding restrictions on the use of nitrogen – a fertiliser many have come to rely on for grass production. Councils charged with cleaning up lakes and rivers are passing rules to cap nitrogen leaching, something many farmers say threatens their ability to remain economically viable and could decrease land values.

Livestock

It is not just nitrogen applied as fertiliser that is being blamed for polluting waterways; it’s also the urea excreted by livestock, dairy cows in particular, which travels through the soil and into streams, rivers and lakes. As much as farmers object to the tough new rules, the focus on limiting nitrogen leaching isn’t going to change and like

the kiwifruit industry and its pest programme – pastoral farming needs to ďŹ nd other ways to grow grass without the leaching sideeffects. And I’m sure they will.

Farmer frustration

What is also obvious is the frustration of farmers who, in good faith, have put signiďŹ cant time and energy into participating in the consultative processed instigated by both the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regional councils, only to ďŹ nd much of what they thought had been agreed upon, left out of the proposed plan changes. (See stories pages 3, 15 and Waikato Regional Council’s response on page 39). They must wonder why they bothered and if the consultation process was held just to tick the box to say it had been done. Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Healthy rivers plan change 1 ‘unhealthy’ The Waikato Regional Council’s Healthy Rivers proposed plan change is pitching dairy farmers against drystock farmers, is short-sighted, inequitable and unsustainable, says Rick Burke, who is chairman of the new group Farmers for Positive Change Wai Ora Waipa-Waikato.

Farmers for Positive Change want council to adopt the natural capital approach which would, with land management plans, assess the best uses of individual farms along with means to manage nutrient leaching and sediment run-off on a case-by-case basis.

Farmer ownership

“This is something farmers can take ownership of and pride in, rather than being bowed down by regulations which will seriously impact the ability of some to remain economically viable.” Rick says focusing solely on nitrogen is not the answer to improving the water quality of rivers either. The solution is a much more holistic approach, which will look at soil types, land contour, stocking

The Waikato Regional Coun i released its Draft Healthy Rivers/Wa Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai plan hy for public consultation after a lengt debate at its September meeting. Councillors were deadlocked seven to seven over whether or not to release the plan – and it was chair vote person Paula Southgate’s cashing that decided the outcome. s Paula told Coast & Country New her decision to vote for the plan’s

all parts of the document – but she does uphold the process of co-governers ance and the work of the stakehold and technical advisors groups. “Now the document is out for will public submission all aspects of it ghbe fully digested and heard throu . out the 80 day period,” says Paula See further comment from the Waikato Regional Council on page 39.

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“It is not a healthy place to start a long journey together to achieve the vision of healthy rivers,” says Rick, a drystock farmer in the Western Bay of Plenty. While the proposed change affects farmers in the Waikato, Rick, who is past chair and current member of the Beef + Lamb Mid Northern Farmers Council, has accepted the role of chairman of the new group because he believes “it is of national, importance that this proposed plan change is sustainably credible and unites our farming communities in a vision for the future”. Council’s proposal is to manage nitrogen leaching by giving each property a Nitrogen Discharge Allowance – referred to as an NDA – using Overseer Nutrient Budgets to assess the nitrogen that property was deemed to be leaching in 2014-2015 or 2015-2016 years of production. Rick says this system will in fact reward the polluters and significantly disadvantage those who are already leaching less nitrogen by Rick Burke is chairman of the new group Farmers for Positive locking them into a situation, Change Wai Ora Waipa-Waikato. which gives no flexibility for future farming systems or land use. rates and may include retiring steeper, less productive areas of some farms and recreating wetlands. Natural capital “If the Waikato Regional Council is truly serious Instead, the group advocates council adopt the about achieving its vision for healthy rivers it needs ‘Natural Capital’ principle that James Bailey, who encourage farmers to apply a full range of environis representing drystock farmers on the Collaboramental measures specific to individual land class tive Stakeholders Group, pushed for. This alternate and farming activity that will significantly improve approach to manage nitrogen was very close to being water quality within the catchment,” says Rick. “For accepted by the CSG, says Rick. example, this process should include a focus on the Farmers attending workshops across the Waipare-establishment of wetlands on the lower lying, Waikato catchment hosted by Beef + Lamb had a intensive land use areas.” consistent number one message to the CSG; they Farmers for Positive Change, whose members have no appetite for a Nitrogen Reference Point, or include sheep and beef, deer and dairy farmers, feel grand-parenting. thr proposed plan change one is wrong, and wants “We are now questioning whether the CSG was alternatives to the current grand-parenting approach equitable in its representation and if was committed explored. to the collaborative process. Was the CSG group and Rick says the future for NZ’s drystock and dairy the technical leaders’ groups impartial and balanced?” farming lies in this country producing value-added, Drystock farmers account for 60 per cent of the top quality primary produce, which international land use in the Waipa and Waikato districts – yet consumers are prepared to pay a premium for. their views have been largely overlooked in the pro“However, we can’t go on the world stage and tell posed plan change, says Rick. the story of how we produce foods in an economi“Our issue is not with the vision of Wai Ora cally and environmentally sustainable way, if we have Waipa-Waikato, which we embrace, but with the regulations like the proposed Plan Change 1 which mechanism to achieve currently proposed in the rewards polluters.” healthy rivers plan.” Elaine Fisher

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Page 4

Modern day farmer also medieval foot soldier David Briscoe willingly walks into a ‘buhurt’, to face opponents, armed with heavy swords or maces, who are determined to hit him hard and often enough to knock him off his feet.

David Briscoe of Taupo – a farmer by profession, medieval fighter for pleasure.

Of course, his aim is to do the same to them, before they knock him down; and in that endeavour he’s backed up by four other team members. It’s all in the name of the serious, and internationally recognised, sport of Historical Medieval Battle. “You don’t get too many injuries, other than bruises. I’ve had worse injuries playing rugby,” says David, who manages Waihora Station, the 1050 hectares dairy support block near Taupo for Amer Farms Ltd. “It helps that I have a physical job, but I also work out in the gym to keep fit for combat,” says David.

Weighty armour

It’s not just the blows David must face that makes Medieval combat so testing. It’s the weight and physical and visual restrictions of the armour he wears too. David’s full armour weighs about 40kg – and 10kg of that is in his helmet. The entire outfit, which takes about an hour to put on, has been made specifically to fit by armourer Justin Stockbridge of Taranaki. David belongs to the Steel Thorns medieval full contact heavy armour combat team, which was founded by Justin – who made and repairs David’s armour as part of his participation in the team. “A full suit of armour could cost more than $4000. You can import armour but it is better to have it custom-made

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as well-fitting armour reduces the risk of injury.” David’s wife Shelley Briscoe makes the shirts and tabards worn under and over the armour, even stitching one cotton shirt by hand just to prove she could. “The stitching is so fine you wouldn’t know it wasn’t done by machine,” says David. The armour he wears isn’t the shiny suit of armour seen in museum or stately houses. “What we wear is what the professional foot soldiers of the era would have worn and we try to replicate it as accurately as possible in terms of design and material used.” Medieval combatants wear armour and carry weapon, which are replicas of those used by soldiers from the 14th to 16th Centuries and the rules around authenticity are strict. “For instance, if you are wearing the armour of an English solider you can’t use weapons from a Persian fighter.” Medieval battles and weaponry have fascinated David since he was a child growing up on a dairy farm at Galatea. So when the chance arose to not only learn more about the period, but also participate in a sport reflecting the time come along, he took it.

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Page 5

Ancient armour was surprisingly sophisticated

continued...

We use blunt weapons, just as they would have done in training. There are not many rules, but the ones that are in place are to keep ďŹ ghters from serious injury. “We have marshals, who control

the bouts and will intervene if necessary.â€? They control the ďŹ ghts by way of a yellow ag on a pole, which is waved directly in front of a ďŹ ghter. Because once the visor on their helmet is closed, the participants have virtually no peripheral vision. David is fascinated by the technological developments in medieval armour and weapons. “The armour kept evolving as weapons changed to ďŹ nd ways of inicting injuries on those wearing armour. This included the later wearing of breast plates to deect foil swords, arrows and eventually musket bullets.â€? However, says David, armour eventually became so heavy and cumbersome it was no longer practical to wear in the face of battles with against newer weapons, so was phased out.

Sophisticated design

He is, however, impressed at the sophistication involved in the design and manufacture of the style of armour he wears. “We don’t know exactly how armour was ďŹ tted together because while the metal it was made from has survived, the leather and fabrics have rotted away.â€? Those making the armour

today refer to old paintings and use their intuition to reconstruct it. In the case of David’s set, the leg armour is partly supported by a belt around his waist and the helmet is designed so the chainmail attached to it transfers some of the weight to his shoulders. His knees are protected by metal plates and the gloves are articulated like the scales on an armadillo’s back. Steel plates, like scales, are sown to the inside of his jacket. “You can understand why they wore linen underneath because it absorbs the sweat but keeps you dry and stops chaďŹ ng. Today, we often use cotton because linen is so expensive.â€? David normally competes in the ďŹ ve-on-ďŹ ve bouts but has been part of a 21-man team made up of Australians, Austrians and Kiwis who faced a team of Russian Fighters in 2015. “I did manage to take out a Russian but we were defeated.â€? The ďŹ ghts are won by the team that puts the most opponents on the ground. Once a ďŹ ghter is downed, he has to leave the buhurt. Fights are also halted if just one ďŹ ghter is left facing several opponents. Each contest can last a maximum of eight minutes. David’s full suit of armour, minus his weapons, ďŹ ts into a modern – and slightly battered – suitcase, which is just as well because he has represented New Zealand overseas at the 2015 World Championship of Historical Medieval Battle in Europe, and hopes participate again in 2017. Fundraising, which is underway to send a New Zealand team to the 2017 world championships, included a Medieval Fight Night in Taupo in September.

A Medieval Fight Night in Taupo in which ‘foot soldiers’ armed with ancient weapons attempt to defeat each other in the buhurt (ďŹ ghting ring) as part of fund raising event to send a team to Europe.

Elaine Fisher

Everything about David Briscoe’s medieval combat clothing is as authentic as possible, from his under-shirt to his armour.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Christmas hens launched Oliver’s winning hobby Prize-winning poultry breeder Oliver Cleland, now 16, started his journey at nine years of age when his Christmas present was a hen house and three hens.

Black Beauty, a Silkie, Fluffy, a Frizzle, and Fire, a Belgian, taught him how to care for animals and began his love affair with hens. Oliver had always wanted to have chooks and says he was excited that his first ones were not just brown shavers. “I wanted something different.” The three quickly became 10 when he made his first purchase of a young Araucana pair from TradeMe. He’d researched hen breeds and decided this was the path he would take. These Araucana led to the subsequent breeding of his prize-winning Lavender Araucana ‘Buffy’, which has gone on to be his most successful hens in the show ring winning at different shows around the North Island. “I branched out then with a pair of White Leghorn Bantams. This pair had previously won their classes with the hen winning best Leghorn,” says Oliver. Two years later after several selective hatchings he managed to breed his own line – a line which had all the standards of the breed. This has led to him winning first place and Best Leghorn Bantam at the 2015 Auckland Poultry & Pigeon Association Show and then many other first placings at shows around the North Island with cockerels bred from his stock.

Move to town

Oliver’s hens became his strength during a tough time when a family break-up forced a move from the farm to town. “When I’m doing stuff with my hens or writing about them I could block out what was happening in my human world.” The move to a townhouse in Cambridge town meant he could only bring a handful of his hens. By this stage he had 75 hens and several hen houses at the farm but reality had to be faced. A hard choice for a youngster to make. He sold all but 15, choosing to keep the best of his stock. A new hen house was built. “It is the ‘Martha Stewart’ of hen houses because it has absolutely everything they need.”

Oliver Cleland, 16, Oliver has figured out what with Buffy works best for his hens, giving – his prize them plenty of options for winning nesting, laying or just room to Araucana get away from each other. The hen. hen house has several different length and shaped perches – again to give the hens options. It is obvious his hens are well-loved and cared for with a great deal of respect.

Breeding programme

Oliver is constantly looking to improve his hen stocks; researching on the internet, looking closely at the other breeders’ exhibits at shows and trying different options. He has one of his Jubilee Indian Game hens in a breeding programme in Otorohanga and is hoping to breed a particular colour mix of these hens by introducing outside stock. ...continued

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Poultry provide more than eggs for teenage breeder continued...

Because he now lives in town, Oliver cannot have a rooster; and so to grow and develop his breeding group he must either buy eggs or send his hens out to visit a rooster. Not really the norm but a work in progress. Meanwhile, he has Araucana, Old English Game Bantams, Pekin, Jubilee Indian Game Bantams, Rhode Island Red Bantams, Hamburg Hen and Buff Orpington Hens. As he sits in his hen house talking to the reporter, his favourite hen is on his lap – ‘Buffy’ the Lavender Araucana hen – the hen he first showed when he was 11, the hen who won Champion Junior Soft Feather, Champion Junior in Show and Best Junior Poultry. “I was thrilled and she also won Best Junior at Hastings and won first place Light Breed Hen at Waikato; and in 2012 at Taranaki she won Best

Poultry – Junior section. She is a lovely hen,” he says, with the obvious affection of a hen fancier. Fritha Tagg

The bonus of poultry breeding is the eggs – laid by the prizewinning hens.

Oliver Cleland’s tip for keeping hens Choose your hens wisely. Visit local shows, talk to the top breeders. Ask them what they recommend and look at the many varieties of hens on offer. Check out the ‘personality’ of the breeds. Make sure they are happy and comfortable. They need food, water, good shelter and hay, or something similar, in their nesting boxes. Have a couple of small boxes for sick hens or for new ones. Make sure there are plenty of perches – that vary in height and shape, round and square. A good quality feed is important. Have

oyster shell grit for egg strength and supply of vitamins. Boiled starchy kitchen scraps and green veges like lettuce and diced bacon or meat for a treat. Water is very important – and must be fresh each day. Before each show Oliver Cleland gives his show entrants a bath. Three buckets make up the bath. One with baby shampoo or sunlight soap, one with clean water and the third with a little glycerine to give the feathers a shine. Then they are blow dried. Oliver says they don’t mind it at all.

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Page 9

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“It sure beats running sausage sizzles and making cakes,” says Lance Gower. He’s talking about the highly successful 24-year-old Korakonui School stock scheme, which raises from $8000 to as much as $30,000 for the school each year. “Through the scheme and other fundraising we are able to meet our school’s wish lists, which have included, among other things, employing an extra teacher, building a permanent outdoor covered area, installing a kitchen and creating a resource room.” Lance is an ‘old boy’ of Korakonui School, which is 15km from Kihikihi. So are Duncan Parrott, Brian Chick and Peter Gallien, all of them past and present members of the Stock Scheme committee. Meeting at Lance and Melissa’s home on a hillside overlooking the valley and the school, the men munch on Melissa’s scones and explain how the stock scheme works. It was started in 1992 by Board of Trustee’s members Malcolm Wakefield and Henk Bouma when dairy farmers were asked to donate and raise calves until they were

Korakonui School’s proud old boys (above) and stock scheme supporters are Peter Gallien, Lance Gower with son Owen, Duncan Parrott and Brian Chick. (Left) Student Wyatt Waugh, 6, places a bottle in the recycling facility at the school. weaned. Then they went on to be grazed by drystock farmers until ready for sale. The scheme operates pretty much the same way now. Duncan says it is up to the farmers when the animals are sold. “Each animal has a school ear tag and whatever it achieves when it is sold, goes to the school. Some animals are kept until they are 18 months old and more, some go earlier.” The men reckon the cost of the calf and rearing it for sale equates to about $950 of value, all of which is donated, so whatever the animal achieves at auction is a bonus. Brian says in 2016 three-year-old jersey bulls sold for $4000 each, but that was an exceptional price. Peter says it’s a reflection of how much the community values the school that up to 35 calves can be donated each season. However, this year the school will have about 75 after this November’s pick-up. Not all of the farmers who donate and rear calves have children at the school, but it’s a mark of the importance of the school to

the local community that they want to be involved. “Around the end of November about three utes go around the district to make all the pick-ups of that year’s calves that have been reared and they are brought back to my farm,” says Lance. Korakonui School Principal Rochelle Inwood says the scheme and the funds it raises are crucial to the school being able to provide the very best of facilities and opportunities for its student. In fact it has playgrounds, classroom facilities and technology which would be the envy of urban schools. “The scheme is very much part of what our rural schools is all about. The kindness and generosity of the farmers involved is really special and it’s about more than the money raised. “The sense of pride and ownership in the school reflects how important it is to our community. “I have worked at other rural schools but not experienced this level of support before.”

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Caption the chicken photo to win book prize anxiety, and think more clearly by Sonia Lawry of Te Awamutu sent enjoying a diet rich in the right in four: “Parking “baleâ€? onlyâ€?; “Do nutrients. it yourself, bale feederâ€?; “Beware of In part one of ‘Feed Your Brain’, moved objectsâ€? and “Look before Delia takes us through her sevenyou leapâ€?. step programme, explaining the “Hullo is anyone out there? It’s science behind how the brain dark in here – hulloâ€? came from works, and showing how vitamins, Diane Watson of Te Puke. minerals, fats, oils, carbohydrates “It would be lots easier if mum and proteins affect brain funcput the needle in a pin cushion,â€? tion. Part two of the book features wrote Raymond King of Matamata Te Puke, of , on wt La rry Mo delicious, quick and easy recipes Bev King, also of Matamata, Helping Farmers Reduce OSH Risk and prize-winning the ote wr – and, the tools and inspiration submitted: “I'm going on a beer otograph. ph s thi for n tio cap to come up with our own ideas in hunt. I must go through itâ€?. the kitchen. “Bailed out!â€? came from Sharon So for any of us with trouble focusing, concentratAston of Hamilton. Adrienne Carter of Hamilton ing or learning, experience mood swings and memory wrote the caption: “Hay Mum‌.Look, no handsâ€?. With an eye on compliance, Leith Carmichael wrote: lapses, poor sleep, stress or anxiety, ‘Feed Your Brain’ is a must-read. As Delia says: “Read and use my book “Thank goodness for Work Safe, I’m wearing my and you will experience more happiness, motivation, helmetâ€? while Bernie Carmichael suggested: “Gotcha Are You a Small Business Owner?... mental energy and wellbeing as your brain works more you little buggerâ€?. efďŹ ciently and effectivelyâ€?. John Ludwig of Whakatane caption is: “Got that She has seen time and again that Pokemon’. the right diet can have a The winning caption: “I’m dramatic inuence on our absolutely b----------d! I think Conditions apply memory, moods, ability I’ll hit the hay!â€? comes from to focus and stress levels. Morry Lawton, of Te Puke, 5HTXLUH 6KRUW 7HUP :RUNLQJ &DSLWDO Through her company, who wins a copy of the book Delia Health, she now ‘Mindfulness on the Run’ by 5HTXLUH /LDELOLW\ ,QVXUDQFH presents seminars and workDr Chantal Hofstee, published shops teaching people how by Exisle. Phone Stan for an informal chat to achieve optimum brain Caption this month’s Disclosure documents available health via nutrition. This is Country Funnies photo6WDQ -RQHV )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV her ďŹ rst book. graph and be in to win a 3K RU (PDLO VWDQMRQHV#[WUD FR Q] To be in to win a copy of copy of the book ‘Feed “Feed Your Brainâ€? email Your Brain’ by Delia ZZZ IZMILQDQFH FR Q] captions for the photo McCabe, published by 0 R U W J D J H , Q V X U D Q F H ) L Q D Q F H % U R N H U Exisle. (left), along with your name and address, with ‘Feed Your Brain’ is Country Funnies as the the ultimate guide to subject, to: elaine@thesun. getting our brain in tipco.nz Or put these details top shape and keeping on the back of an enveit healthy via the lope and post to: Country foods we eat. It Funnies, PO Box 240, has now been Tauranga 3140. proven beyond Entries need to arrive doubt that it by October 26. Winners is possible to Caption this picture to be in to win a will be announced in the improve focus book prize. ‘Feed Your Brain’ is December issue of Coast & and memory, the Country Funnies Book Country News. reduce stress and prize for October.

A picture of a motorbike rider head ďŹ rst in a bale of hay tickled the funny bones of Coast & Country News readers, who submitted some great suggestions for captions.

FARMOSH

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BARBARA KURIGER

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A proud supporter of Rural and Provincial New Zealand ELECTORATE OFFICE CONTACT: A: 25 Roche Street, Te Awamutu P: 07 870 1005 E: Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz W: www.barbarakuriger.co.nz F: facebook.com/BarbaraKurigerMP Authorised by Barbara Kuriger MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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After collaboratively cogitating for almost three years, the report created by the Collaborative Stakeholder for the Healthy Rivers Wai Ora project has seen the light of day. The project is to clean up the waters of the Waikato and Waipa rivers, particularly of their current loads of sediment, e.coli, phosphorus and nitrogen. And the group’s prognosis is it will take 80 years to achieve its goal, which is to meet the aspirations of the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River, a legislative document created in partnership between the Government and the five river iwi. This aim is to have the two rivers swimmable everywhere, and fit for taking fish and other foods from. Despite the long preparation timeframe, and the fact detailed information on every meeting of the group has been available on the Waikato Regional Council’s website all that time, it’s amazing just how many people – both urban and rural – are now seemingly hearing about the environmental changes it will encompass for the first time. I guess the naysayers and the ‘nimbys’ had hoped it would never appear, much less result in a significant plan change to the Waikato Regional Plan at some point.

Climate change

We hear endless reports about the future implications of climate change, the fact that much of our freshwater supplies are being polluted one way or another. The implications of an increasing population, and the effects of these on our economic stability, as a country which relies on primary produce and tourism for most of its income. And yet so many people don’t think these things have anything to do with how they live their lives. The primary aim of the group’s report is to achieve 10 per cent of what is needed in the first 10 years. To some this appears impossibly lax, and an 80-year timeframe ridiculously long, given what climate and other hazards might throw at us in the meantime. To others, what is being required of them within this 10 years has them foaming at the mouth, screaming potential bankruptcy, and a grim determination to go on doing as they have been forever.

Having attended a number of meetings during the lifespan of the CSG, and watched the detail and level of consultation that has been involved, I’ve also been following some of the other meetings held in recent weeks, when members of the CSG have spent time explaining their reasoning, and when the report itself has been passed from CSG to Wai Ora Committee and thence to council. It seems to me that there are two major issues that have topped the discussions of late. The first is the recommendation that land use change – that which has the potential to make the leaching and runoff problems worse – is nipped in the bud and stopped on the day the council issues the report for public submissions. The reason for this is councils around the country have already been “caught” by wealthy groups on other issues, where expensive lawyers whip in their proposals the next day and pre-empt having to comply with the proposed changes.

Nitrogen use

The second issue is about the continuation of levels of nitrogen (urea) usage, and this is causing a rift between dairy and drystock farmers. The former are supposedly to be allowed to continue to use the amounts used in the last two years, apart from those who have been wildly overdosing, who will have to cut back. The latter are complaining they haven’t used much, but are going to have these low levels fixed for a decade, which won’t allow them to cope with the vicissitudes of market changes that might require them to use more urea to cope with different land uses at times when sheep, beef or wool prices dive on world markets. With local body elections looming, it behoves everyone, rural and urban, to make themselves aware of how this plan change will impact their lives and businesses, and ensure those vying for election are equally aware, with plans in mind, if not yet on paper. And they can always write their own submissions. At present it seems as though nobody is prepared to think outside the square on nitrogen usage, despite alternatives which use nature rather than chemicals, already being available to open-minded people. Remember, if we kill our environment, and pollute out water, life may not be as we know it now, in 10 years or 80. Sue Edmonds

Managing snapper for the future A new draft plan for the long-term management of the snapper one fishery – known as SNA1 – has been released, which covers the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Plenty and the east coast of Northland. The draft plan was devised by the SNA1 Strategy Group, comprising customary, recreational and commercial fishers. This plan sets out a series of recommendations for managing the fishery and has a strong focus on improving fishing practices, minimising waste, and gathering accurate information. The plan is about maximising the benefits for everyone, and the only way to do that is to work together constructively. It is very pleasing to see all sectors working together for the first time on the shared goal of rebuilding and protecting one of the most popular and valuable fisheries in New Zealand. The group is comprised of representatives from customary, recreational and commercial fishing sectors; there are also alternates and representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries. The independent chair of the group, Sir Ian Barker QC, says there is already evidence of substantial rebuilding of abundance in the fishery, which stretches from East Cape to the top of the North Island. So it is important we look to continue building on the current positive growth in the fisheries, which is why this plan is vital. Recommendations from the plan include an aim to achieve a biomass target of 40 per cent of the unfished state by 2040, with an intermediate checkpoint of 30 per cent by 2025, the undertaking of a snapper tagging survey to estimate biomass later this year, regular monitoring of the status of the fishery to ensure it is on course to reach targets and timeframes and education for all fishers on ways to avoid catch-

ing juvenile fish and how to increase survival rates of released snapper. Our local and national fisheries are important to a wide range of people for many different reasons, many of whom want different things. The main goal is to ensure there are enough fish in the water for future and current generations. Following the drop-in sessions that took place earlier last month, the group will review the recommendations and put advice to the Minister to consider in future decision making. For more information, see the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

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CENTRAL PLATEAU

Page 12

Marion Slagter and her goats.

Marion Slagter milks goats to make special soaps.

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“We make a lot of goats’ milk products for our own consumption including cheeses, yoghurt and this summer hopefully ice cream, but at an average of six litres of milk per goat per day, the girls provide more milk than we could consume.” So Marion turned to the internet to learn about soap making. “It was very much trial and error at first. When things go wrong with soap making they can go very wrong, from soap which sets too quickly, to a batch which goes a horrible colour.” Marion has now pretty much perfected the process but enjoys pushing the boundaries by experimenting with new colours and scents.

Frozen milk

The day Coast and Country News visited, Marion demonstrated the stepby-step process that begins with gently thawing frozen goats’ milk. “It is important to freeze it first as it is much harder to make good soap from fresh milk.” On the stove was a pot containing olive, rice bran, coconut, castor oils and cocoa butter, heated just enough to emulsify. “I’m working with ingredients at very low temperatures because that gives me a bit more time before the soap begins to set,” says Marion, as she mixes red and black mica in two separate pottles to colour the soap. Measuring the ingredients precisely is vital and Marion uses a formula known

to soap makers as saponification values – or SAP – to calculate the precise amount of lye (sodium hydroxide) needed to fully “saponify” a given weight of oils. It’s the use of lye in soap making that has given rise to the brand name ‘White Lye’ for her soaps. “The lye I use is manufactured and 99.9 per cent pure, as opposed to the old fashioned lye made from wood ash. Wood ash lye could give very inconsistent results and often a very soft bar of soap. “All of my soaps contain 38 per cent whole, unpasteurised goats’ milk. I am very particular about what goes into my soaps as I don’t want to risk anyone damaging their skin by using something which is not pure and gentle.” Marion pours the goats’ milk and lye into the oils and mixes it with a stick blender – just enough to activate the process of turning the ingredients into soap. She then adds a fragrance and pours a little of the mixture into each of the pottles of colour. She adds a white colour base to the creamy-coloured milk and oil mixture.

Black Tie

Marion’s partner Lyall Ridge has made soap molds, which enable her to create blocks of soap in sizes to suit whatever batch she is making. It is into one of these, tilted slightly on one side, that she pours first some white soap, then drizzles red then black along its surface. The ...continued

CENTRAL PLATEAU

Soap making a side-line for drystock farmer

continued...

process is repeated with the mold tilted from side to side, until the mold is full. By now the soap has the consistency of a thick, smooth pasta sauce and is setting quickly. On its surface Marion places dots of black and red before using a plastic stick to create a swirling pattern. The soap in its mold is wrapped in towels to keep it warm and hasten the gelling process and by the next morning will be ready to remove and cut into bars. “This is a new soap for men; and I’ve called it Black Tie,” says Marion, who believes men should also enjoy fine quality soaps which are good for their skin. “I can’t make any claims for my soaps but a number of my repeat clients say using the soaps has helped with their skin conditions, and others just love how soft and nice to use the soaps are.” Because it was hard to source colours for soaps in New Zealand, Marion now imports a rainbow of colours including some referred to as ‘neon’, which are popular with youngsters, and also supplies the colours to other soap makers.

Soap community

The soap making community is a close-knit and supportive one. Marion belongs to the online group Kiwi Soapmakers, which has a Facebook page where members exchange information and run competitions

Left: Goats milk and lye is mixed with oils. Above: Swirling pattern formed on Black Tie soap. aimed at encouraging newcomers to the art. As well as making soaps, Marion also makes goats’ milk body butters. Not confident with selling in the farmers’ market environment, Marion relies on her Facebook page – at: www.facebook.com/ WhiteLye – and word of mouth for sales. She also hopes in future to be able to offer soap-making lessons. This would have to fit around running the 220 hectare drystock property belonging to her and Lyall, who also share between them the hand-milking of five goats twice-a-day. “During the winter, feeding and moving stock takes from 6am to 6pm but we love it here.” Before moving to Tirohanga, Lyall and Marion were dairy farming near Opotiki.

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Soap - body butter prize pack Thanks to Marion Slagter, Coast & Country News has a gift pack of White Lye soaps and body butter to give away. To be in to win, write the answer to the following question: ‘What percentage of goats’ milk do Marion’s soaps contain?’ on the back of an envelope, with your names, address and phone number and post

to Coast & Country Soap Prize, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140; or send these details to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with Soap Prize in as the subject. Entries need to arrive by October 14. The winner will be announced in November’s Coast & Country News.

Elaine Fisher

Composting toilet doesn’t need emptying The Enviro Composting Toilet system is the best sewerage treatment available, says Hilton McLachlan CEO of Tuff Plastic Moulders of Rotorua. The company, which is one of New Zealand’s oldest rotational plastic moulding companies, uses Swedish technology in both its Aquatuti and Farmstyle composting toilet models which offer excellent treatment of sewage. In both toilets, the liquid is flushed to a separator where urine and water is separated from faeces and paper. The liquid will then pass through an ultra-violet

light unit and can be infiltrated into the ground or into a suitable receptacle. The solid waste is composted in a bio-chamber, to which composting worms may be added to accelerate the composting process. “The most popular feature of our system is that it won’t need emptying. As each individual bin is filled, the contents of the previous bin will decompose. By the time you have rotated back to the start, the first bin will be nearly empty again and ready to use,” says Hilton.

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CENTRAL PLATEAU

Accelerate 25 –exciting journey In July 2015 Central Government, in consultation with Horizons and seven district councils commissioned a Regional Growth Study which identified some key opportunities to help realise the Manawatu-Rangiteiki-Ruapehu) region’s economic potential. Ruapehu District mayor, Don Cameron has been involved in this study from the beginning and sees it as the beginning of an important and progressive partnership between the regions and Central Government. “Accelerate 25 will contribute to social, cultural and environmental prosperity. It provides a platform for our regions to work from and to form partnerships for new projects.” Don believes opportunities from the Accelerate 25 programme will be wide-

spread from agriculture and tourism, to realising Maori potential and through social services in small towns such as aged care. Don visualises increased job opportunities in his district (Ruapehu) as new projects begin to take form and funding falls into place. “The government is now ready to join regional and district councils to facilitate this move. It has to be beneficial to all aspects of our rural and small towns. Economic growth will encourage investment and the growth will snowball.” The announcement in Ohakune, of 2.5 million towards the cycle trail extension was the first step, says Don. “It is an exciting time for Ruapehu and the other regions included in this first announcement and the benefits will be far reaching.”

Growing ‘forgiving’ and beautiful plants for 32 years Rhodohill Nursery is ‘old school’ – in that its owner grows a lot of stock from scratch at the nursery and garden centre on Paradise Valley Rd at Rotorua. Owner Dave Stewart says this makes the operation very cost-effective – and the nursery can pass these savings on to customers. “Most plants are at least 20 per cent less than the major garden centres and can be as much as 50 per cent less. “We grow plants and trees which really suit the Rotorua/Central Plateau area but that doesn’t mean that many won’t do well in warmer areas.” Started 32 years ago, Rhodohill Nursery specialises in rhododendrons and azaleas. It has both evergreen and deciduous azaleas and a wide range of rhodoLoderi Venus Truss – a rhododendron at Rhodohill Nursery.

dendrons – large trees with spectacular flowers and great foliage along with the smaller bushes. “Rhododendrons are very forgiving plants,” says Dave. “They do well in our acid-free, freedraining soil and although they like steady moisture once established, they can be quite drought-tolerant.” The nursery has a good range of camellias and other ornamental plants and trees and a large range of Japanese maples – many grown at the nursery, which steers away from plants which don’t do well in the local area. “If we haven’t got the plant you want, we can always get it for you and we do plenty of work with landscape gardeners and designers so you can bring your garden plan in and we can show you the plants and work out a competitive quote.” The team at Rhodohill Nursery has a wealth of plant knowledge and is always pleased to help sort out any garden problems, or suggest solutions or alternative plantings. They have three sales each year – Easter, mid-winter and Labour weekend, when the nursery is open seven days. At other times of the year it is open five days from Wednesday to Sunday at 10am-4pm. Rhodohill Nursery is 569 Paradise Valley Rd, Rotorua.

Boost for sheep milk industry New Zealand’s fledgling sheep milk industry has received a significant boost with approval of the business case for a new Primary Growth Partnership programme between the Ministry for Primary Industries and Spring Sheep Milk Co. The new ‘Sheep – Horizon Three’ PGP programme aims to develop a market-driven, end-to-end value chain generating annual revenues of between $200 million and $700 million by 2030. MPI will be investing $12.56 million – or 40 per cent – into the new programme with Spring Sheep Milk Co investing $18.83 million, representing a total investment of $31.39m during its six-year life. Spring Sheep Milk Co chief executive Scottie Chapman says with PGP support, sheep milk represents a unique opportunity for NZ to build a high-value sheep milk industry. Spring Sheep Milk Co is a 50/50 partnership between Landcorp and a number NZ investors through SLC Ventures LP.

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CENTRAL PLATEAU

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Farmers ask ‘where’s the science? The water quality of Lake Rotorua has improved in the last five years and farmers deserve to be informed of the scientific reasons behind that result, says the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective co-chair Neil Heather.

“We were told by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council that it would take 80 years for the lake’s water quality to improve but the lake attained the community target TLI – or Trophic Level Index – five years ago, before council decided to continue pursuing nutrient reductions from farming by way of rules and consents.” Council’s website shows the lake’s current Trophic Level Index is now at 4.2. “We know there will be a scientific review next year, which makes us question why the big rush to push through Proposed Plan Change 10 before that review is released.” Plan Change 10 introduces rules to limit the amount of nitrogen entering Lake Rotorua from

land use and set out how Nitrogen Discharge Allowances will be allocated to individual rural properties.

Profitability affected

Neil says farmers want to see the water quality of the Rotorua lakes improve further but the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective has concerns that regional and local councils’ intended rules and regulations put significant nutrient loss restrictions on all pastoral land owners above five hectares, which will affect their profitability and land values. Neil says he’s disappointed councils are adopting a “big stick” approach to regulating farmers rather than a more positive and pro-active “carrot” approach, which would encourage farmers to make positive changes in ways that work for their individual properties. The collective was part of the Lake Rotorua Stakeholder Advisory Group, formed in September 2012, to provide input, advice and recommendations on the development of new rules and the incentives to help landowners meet them. “Through Lake Rotorua STAG

we thought we had reached agreement on a number of areas but many are not part of PC10 so now we have to go through the laborious process of making submissions both written and verbal, before the Environment Court Commissioners, which take a significant amount of time and effort.” The science behind nutrient leaching is imprecise, believes Neil, who says more research is needed to find out exactly what is influencing Lake Rotorua water quality. “We need to know more about the nitrogen, phosphorus combination instead of focusing solely on nitrogen.”

place, I can no longer afford to retire any more areas to enhance the environment.” From the 1970s until fairly recently the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research –known as NIWA – has been taking water samples from the streams on Neil’s property and he believes that data would be

No more planting

The Ngongotaha and Umurua streams run through Neil’s drystock farm and in the last 30 years he has retired significant areas along the waterways, fencing them out and planting natives. “However, this has in effect increased my nitrogen leaching because I haven’t decreased stock and so am running the same number of animals on a smaller area of land, which is deemed to have increased the leaching levels. “Under the restrictions now in

Dairy farm converts to drystock A dairy farmer has become the first landowner to strike a deal with the Lake Rotorua Incentives Board, a committee of Bay of Plenty Regional Council, as part of its Incentives Programme aimed at reducing nutrients entering Lake Rotorua. The $40 million Incentives Programme, an initiative proposed by the local farming collective, is jointly funded by central government and regional council to compensate willing landowners in the Rotorua catchment to permanently reduce their nitrogen losses below their Nitrogen Discharge Allowance. As part of the first incentive agreement, the sizeable farm – with the owner wishing to remain anonymous – will be converted from dairy to a drystock support unit.

This deal will secure 5.75 tonnes of nitrogen from entering Lake Rotorua, a step toward the 100 tonne target the Lake Rotorua Incentives Board is working to achieve. Board chair Judith Stanway says both the landowner and the Incentives Board have worked hard to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties and is a good outcome for the entire catchment. “The landowner has chosen an option that secures the nitrogen level in perpetuity but maintains flexibility on its future use so an optimal use of the land is maintained. “We have begun negotiation talks with another eight landowners, which could mean up to 28 tonnes of nitrogen secured by the end of the financial year. “We are pleased with how things are tracking to date and look forward to working with other landowners to help achieve this target.”

GRUNDFOS ®

useful in showing what is happening to the quality of the streams’ water, but councils have shown no interest in following up on that information. “Instead of testing the quality of the water along the length of these streams, council takes samples only at the point where the Ngongotaha stream enters the lake.” Elaine Fisher

Page 16

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Water projects seek clean-up funding The Waikato River Authority has received requests for $11.5 million of funding for environmental clean-up projects in the Waikato and Waipa river catchments for its 2016 funding round. In total 56 requests were lodged for funding and the authority has allocated up to $6 million to distribute this year. Waikato River Authority chief executive Bob Penter says there is a strong focus on lakes and wetlands for this funding round with a spread of applications across the whole catchment. “We’ve signalled that wetlands and lakes are priority areas for restoration so it is encouraging to have support for this strategy through the application process.” After five years of project funding there are naturally some challenges for groups and individuals to continue to have capacity for substantial projects. “We are pleased to see that further capability and

capacity is being generated in the community to deliver clean-up projects. “We are also pleased to see once again a strong showing of quality projects from iwi trusts and iwi-based organisations in the funding applications. “Iwi are particularly motivated to see the clean-up of Waikato and Waipa waterways progress and they are demonstrating this more than ever through projects they are putting forward,” says Bob. The applications will undergo an independent evaluation process. The evaluation panel will make recommendations to a sub-committee of the authority, which in turn will make the final funding recommendations to the authority’s board. It is intended successful project applicants will be announced by the end of October. In the previous five years of funding, the WRA has allocated about $27 million to 169 individual projects. The authority promotes an integrated and coordinated approach for clean-up activities across the river catchment, which covers 11,000km2.

Subdivision provides environmental benefits Farmers have always been good at protecting land and now they are getting some recognition in terms of subdivision concessions, identifying that protection of ecological and cultural features provides a positive benefit for the wider community. At a time when fewer subdivision opportunities exist, this is becoming a more common route to obtaining a new title. When many rural councils are restricting subdivision to 40 hectare lots and pushing ‘lifestyle’ lots into enclaves with a more residential nature, this may be the only way for some to create truly ‘rural’ lots for sale or retirement.

Popular features

Wetland areas and regenerating native bush are some of the most popular features with councils. Some even allow for protection of view shafts, cultural sites and even historical buildings. To enable a subdivision, environmental features have to be fenced off and made free of weeds, with pests controlled. A covenant has to be registered on the title as part of the process, committing all future owners to protecting the feature. Western Bay of Plenty, Franklin – now partly in Waikato and Hauraki – Waikato, ThamesCoromandel, Waipa,

Hauraki, South Waikato, MatamataPiako, Whakatane and Opotiki District Plans all now recognise the benefits of protecting these features to some extent.

Similar rules

All their rules are similar but differing areas of feature are required to be set aside. For example, in Western Bay of Plenty, an area as small as half a hectare of wetland can be enough to justify the subdivision of an additional lot. If you have a waterway running through or bordering your property there is a good chance you can get a credit for a subdivision – you need 250m of bank with a 20m strip of native vegetation, existing or planted, along both sides – and 500m on one side. Established forest or regenerating scrubland also qualifies, with various size limits of several hectares as in other districts. Rather than clearing land and draining natural wetland to create more pasture, as was common in the past, farmers are increasingly enhancing and protecting these features for the benefit of the wider community and picking up subdivision credits along the way.

Subdivision credits

In some districts, such as the old Franklin District – which still operates under its own District Plan – Western Bay of Plenty, and Waipa, the subdivision credits can be sold and transferred to another property in that district. It is great to see all councils recognising the public benefit of retaining these environmentally significant features and giving the custodians of the land some financial reward in recognition for their contribution to the sustainability of the region. So, if your land has a feature similar to those mentioned in this article and you want to subdivide your property, I am happy to discuss the prospects with you. Please feel free to give me a call and discuss your situation. 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 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

RURAL DRIVER

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Functional, comfortable – no fuss Six months ago Ivan and Carol Turner decided to purchase a Mahindra Pik Up to replace their old farm truck. They chose a Mahindra 4WD, double cab, Pik Up with a flat deck from Transport Maintenance and Mahindra Tractors. Sales person Andy Lawson says the Mahindra has all the comforts of a modern ute, and a modern 2.2 litre common rail turbo diesel engine. Andy asked Ivan how the Mahindra was going 11,000km down the track. “Ivan and Carols’ farm is separated by a main highway, which is very busy. Ivan says his Pik Up gets across the highway and up to speed

easily, even when towing a trailer.” Driving offroad, on the hills of the grazing block, in low second and third gear, 4WDs are great for getting around. Ivan says the standard tyres are fine for dry weather driving on the hills.

“The quad bike and tractor are used less as the Pik Up gets around so well,” says Ivan. A couple of kiwifruit bins fit easily on the back and can be loaded with a forklift due to the drop sides on the flatdeck tray. The Pik Up is quiet and comfortable and often used for runs to the rural merchant instead of the car. Carol says the seating is good both front and back and the vehicle is so quiet she often doesn’t hear Ivan drive up to the house. “The verdict is – after six months and 11,000km – Ivan and Carol are happy with their ute. It does everything it is supposed to do, without any fuss,” says Andy. Ivan Turner with his Mahindra PIK UP from Transport Maintenance.

Give priority to unique needs of rural-living elderly vices closer to home deserves immediate attention in rural areas,” says Margaret. There remains a distinct lack of primary healthcare services in rural areas and geographical barriers of access. According to a survey of RWNZ members more than 25 per cent of those living in rural areas must travel more than 30 minutes to access the closest GP. RWNZ Health spokesperson “There must be greater governMargaret Pittaway says the ment investment in retaining and strategy sets out a worthy and training a dedicated health workaspirational set of goals for the force for rural populations, if the health and wellbeing of older government is to achieve its goal of adults for the next 10 years “yet it healthy ageing,” says Margaret. fails to give appropriate attention RWNZ‘s submission also highto the special and unique challights concerns around working lenges of ageing in rural areas”. conditions for those in the aged In its submission RWNZ highcare sector and lack of support for light ongoing barriers to access Drive for support of rural elderly. family and carers of older adults. to older adult health services in “Unfortunately the Government’s rural areas, along with health disparities affecting this ‘Ageing in place’ strategy has had the consequence of population group. “Implementation of the actions placing the burden of care of older adults onto family in this strategy must be given special priority in rural members. More support must be made available for areas, in particular the goal of bringing health serthose supporting loved ones with acute health needs.”

Rural Women New Zealand has lodged a submission on the Ministry of Health’s update of the Health of Older people strategy, urging the Government to give priority to the unique needs of older adults in rural areas.

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RURAL DRIVER

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Survey shows safer vehicles don’t have to cost heaps Rural drivers should be able to purchase safer vehicles at every point in the market according to a new survey that tracks the performance of 266 models. The newly-released 2016 Used Car Safety Ratings guide, which is based on extensive real world crash data from New Zealand and Australia and updated

every year, suggests vehicles are becoming safer, but not necessarily more expensive. AA Motoring services general manager Stella Stocks says the good news is all market groups from small cars through to utes have at least one excellent or good driver protection rating with 28 vehicles earning the Safe Pick standard. This means they also provide good protection for occupants in other vehicles, pedestrians and motorcy-

SAME specialise in orchard and vineyard tractors with ultra-compact dimensions ensuring manoeuvrability in the tightest of spaces. Trust one of the worlds best selling Italian brands.

The safety of NZ’s used car fleet improving, according to a new survey. clists in a crash. “With the introduction of tougher safety standards for new vehicles and improved safety design features across the board, we’re seeing the safety of New Zealand’s used car fleet improving,” says Stella. “That also means the benchmark for excellent protection is consistently being set higher.” The guide also shows a large number of the vehicles with excellent ratings are available second-hand for less than $15,000 and many for less than $10,000. “That’s important because we’re now at a point where, on average, you’re 50 per cent more likely to be killed or seriously injured crashing a car built in 1996 than a car built in 2014.

“With so much choice in the secondhand market, being aware of the safety rating of the car you want to buy could make all the difference,” says Stella. The 2016 guide includes 49 more vehicles due to the inclusion of hospital records from New South Wales which, for the first time, has been used alongside real world crash data from NZ and Australia, making the data used to assess the vehicles more comprehensive. This year 115 vehicles received an excellent or good rating for occupant protection in a crash. At the bottom of the rating system, 96 models were considered poor or very poor and shouldn’t be considered as a safe purchase. To see the full 2016 Used Car Safety Ratings guide, visit: www.aa.co.nz/ UCSR2016

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In late-August and early-September, Jacks Machinery held four roadshow days to showcase its range of horticultural tractors and machinery. These were held during two weeks on orchards in Katikati, Te Puke, Opotiki – and Whakatane and Jacks Machinery spokesperson Bruce Pittams says the weather was challenging at times leading up to the roadshows. “Luckily, all four days were fine and plenty of interested parties were shown a range of Antonio Carraro and Same tractors, Polaris quads, Seppi mulchers, Aitchison and Vicon fertiliser spreaders, Silvan and Croplands sprayers.” Attendees enjoyed tasty treats and barista coffee while chatting with Jacks Machinery personal and wholesale

representatives. Orchardists were also able to take the opportunity to talk with other growers debating the use of the different kinds of machinery on show. “Of particular interest was the Ozone systems, which can now be fitted to nearly any sprayer or integrated into an overhead sprinkler system. As well as fighting Psa-V, Ozone can be used to clean up water supply.” Attendees at the roadshows were invited to go into a draw for a new Polaris Kids 90cc. Congratulations to the winner, an orchardist in Opotiki who would like to remain anonymous as he plans to gift the quad to his children. New salesman Steve Donoghue joined the team in time to join the roadshows. He lives in Katikati while Bruce Donald and Steve Jacks look after clients in the Whakatane and Opotiki areas.

A display of Jacks Machinery range of horticultural tractors and machinery at a recent roadshow.

RURAL DRIVER

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Local farmer Max Baxter calling in his dogs in his new Colorado.

That’s the call from Holden to its competitors in what has become a highly competitive race to the top of the shopping list for farmers, business owners and private buyers who like their utes. Ebbett Holden Tauranga’s dealer principal Julian Clements told Coast and Country News the new MY17 Series ll Holden Colorado has had more than a minor makeover. “Holden has adopted significant engineering upgrades designed to improve refinement, noise suppression, driveability, steering, road-holding, safety, comfort, value and connectivity,” says Julian.

The gadgets

First a look at the styling shows the amorphous softness of the original giving way to a far more aggressive, GMC-truck style nose

cone that gives the onetonne truck a real presence. Inside the cabin the large central touchscreen is up-to-date with range-wide reversing camera and apps connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and Apple Android. The instruments are way easier on the eyes – simple and effective climate controls have been introduced – and new-to-series active safety inclusions like lane-change alert and forward collision warning are available on higher-end models.

Quietness and comfort

Improved seat bolstering, thicker glass, improved sealing and more sound insulation are now included, meaning the Colorado is comfier and quieter to sit inside. And – thanks to a whole lot of steering, suspension and tyre tuning – a more settled, more stable, drive

makes long trips a dream. Modifications to the 147kW/440Nm sixspeed manual and 500Nm six-speed automatic 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – and the way it and the transmission are mounted –have been designed to quell noise and vibration too.

On and off-road ability

The Series II Colorado has a towing capacity of 3500kg and one-tonne payload on all versions and remains a formidable off-road machine just as before. It offers off-road ready ground clearances, considerable wheel articulation and high-low range transmission choices to handle the rough stuff straight out of the showroom. Yet it is just as at home back on the bitumen; and the shift to an electric power steering system is immediately obvious from the first turn of the wheel, making manoeuvrability round town a cinch. The latest Colorado is a far better vehicle

E B B E T T TA U R A N G A

to look at, sit inside and drive at any speed, without the lumbering dynamics of some of its competitors. Will it be the top of your shopping list though? Only a test drive will settle that one for sure. But we reckon it should be. Dealer: Ebbett Holden Tauranga, 123 Cameron Road, Tauranga City.

Matt Batchelor

POOLS

Page 20

Pool fencing is required by law For the purpose of the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 a swimming pool is defined as any excavation, structure or product containing water more than 400mm deep that is used or is capable of being used for swimming, wading, paddling or bathing – and includes spa and inflatable pools. All pools must be fenced and comply with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987. Each local council is responsible for monitoring pool fences within their area. Pools must remain empty

until an approved complying fence is installed. A building consent from your local council is required for the installation of pools and in some cases pool fencing. It is recommended – where possible – pools and the immediate pool area are surrounded by isolation fencing to prevent thoroughfare of young children from the house to the pool. If you own the pool the responsibility for the prevention rests with you. Source: www.watersafety.org.nz

A welldesigned and manufactured pool is an asset to any property.

Since changing owners three years ago, the Para Pools branch in Tauranga has been achieving huge growth that shows little signs of slowing. A division of Para Rubber on Cameron Rd, Para Pools is an iconic Kiwi product that generations of families have enjoyed in their own backyard. “We came into the Tauranga branch with good industry knowledge,” says owner Jim Benson. “I started 15 years ago in our pool pump assembly plant learning the nuts and bolts of how things work before moving up through the company. “And my business partners have a combined 65 years’ experience in the pool industry.” The fact the pools have been made in NZ for 49

years is also proving to be a popular selling point, says Jim. “We aren’t drop-shipping from Australia or Canada like some pool resellers. We have a central warehouse with hundreds of thousands of spare parts and we know every step of the manufacturing process.” A new extension to the business this summer is Swimming Pool Valets. This is not a market that Para Pools has traditionally targeted, but growth has occurred from customers asking in-store and through word of mouth. “We are finding a demand for educated water treatment and proper testing. Clients aren’t happy with a ‘man-in-a-van’ just dropping in a couple of chlorine tablets every week and swirling some basic test strips. They want a professional service at a fair price.”

POOLS

Guidelines for disposing of water Swimming and spa pool water can contain chemicals such as chlorine and copper. These chemicals ‘treat’ the water to kill harmful bacteria or algae. But if this treated water is discharged into stormwater systems or streams, it has the potential to harm, even kill, fish and other aquatic life. That’s why the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has put together the guidelines for disposing swimming and spa pool water correctly.

Discharge to sewer Filtered backwash water must not be discharged into the stormwater system. Where possible you should discharge it to the sewer via appropriate plumbing. If your property is not sewered, you will need to consider suitable land disposal or soakage. Phone the council for specific information on these options. Pool overflow water should, wherever possible, be discharged onto land or surface soakage. If this is not possible it should be discharged to the stormwater system. It’s vital you maintain the proper chemical balance and filtration in your pool year-round. If you do, you will not have to drain your pool so often. Also, before using copper algaecides,

try using less toxic alternatives. Only use copper if other products don’t work.

Sewer system

Wherever possible use council’s wastewater sewer when draining your pool. The sewer system is designed to remove many pollutants from water. Draining should be done via pool plumbing, a gully trap or sink at five litres per second or less. It’s important to note if you need to discharge at a higher rate, you will need to obtain approval from council. Please make sure you do not discharge pool water when it’s raining. The best alternative to sewer disposal is irrigation onto your property under the following conditions: Check that no land instability problems, such as slip or erosion, exist in your immediate area. If they do exist don’t use this disposal method. Leave the water to sit for one week without the addition of chemicals. Discharge or irrigate the water so it will not flow in to the stormwater system or natural watercourses. Ensure the water does not flow off your property. Discharge or irrigate the water so it won’t create ‘nuisance conditions’ such as mosquito breeding. Make sure the water temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius. If the above is unsuitable, you can discharge pool water to the stormwater system under the following conditions. Allow the pool to stand for at least two weeks without adding chemicals. Some

pool shops sell Dechlorinator – or sodium thiosulphate – which may also be used to remove chlorine. Products such as Pool Magnet – or phosphonic acid – may also help remove metals such as copper. The pool must also be at ambient temperature. Have your pool’s water tested by a pool maintenance professional to ensure the chlorine concentration is less than 0.5ppm and the copper level is less than 0.2ppm.

Low temperature

Discharge the water at 10 litres per second or less via an on-site stormwater sump or accessible downpipe connection. Please note some private drainage systems may not be capable of accepting such a flow rate. If none of these options are available, discharge to the kerb. It’s important you notify council if you wish to discharge to the stormwater system. Please make sure you do not discharge pool water when it’s raining. Make sure the water temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius. Remember stormwater drains do not remove pollutants from water before it is discharged into streams, the harbour or onto beaches. If water does not meet the above criteria it must not be discharged to the stormwater system. Dispose of wastewater from washing cartridge filters onto a grassed area or discharge to sewer. Put used diatomaceous earth filter medium into the rubbish. Source: WBOPDC website.

Page 21

POULTRY

Page 22

Managing red mite in hen houses Advice on how to control red mite in birds comes from many quarters, some bad and some good, but at the end of the day looking after your poultry comes down to a good management programme, says Ian Selby of Poultrynz. Ian is a well-known international poultry judge and expert on poultry breeds. Through his company Poultrynz he also imports, from Biolink in England, the products Poultry Shield and Diatom for the eradication of Red Mites. Here’s his advice on what to do to control red mite.

“After you have cleaned the coop or house out and removed the sawdust and bedding etc, you absolutely saturate the walls, ceiling, floors, perches and nest box with two parts Poultry Shield diluted in eight parts water.

Physical effect

liberal amount of Diatom over the perches, nest box and floors. Also mix Diatom with water to make a slurry.

the perches. You can also apply it to the walls and ceiling.” When this dries it will form a barrier that repels the red mites.

Under perches

Paint it on

“The amount of Diatom you use depends on how big your house or coop is. Mix the slurry to a consistency that goes through a sprayer.

“And that means saturate; if you just Red mite are a spray around or mist because you think pest that cause Poultry Shield is a conventional chemidistress to hens. cal then it will not work. “Or you can paint it on “Poultry Shield has a physical effect on instead of spraying. You then apply the slurry the mites and must come in contact with the to the cracks, on the perches and nest boxes, mites to work.” making sure you apply a good amount under Let the coop dry out a bit then sprinkle a

“If you paint the slurry on you are able to dab all the nail holes and cracks where the mites live and in effect seal them off. Remember, red mites can’t fly so to feed they need to get at the bird and a lot will be under the perches.” Once the process is complete, Ian says the fowls can be put back in the coop and there is no withholding period before the hens’ eggs can be eaten.

Quality systems for poultry production Central Silo Systems, well-known within New Zealand’s dairy industry for the design, supply and installation of grain storage, handling and animal

meal feeding systems, now also imports VAL-CO highquality systems and components for commercial poultry production, pig production and egg production. Central Silo Systems’ Sean Curry says all VAL-CO products are expertly designed and manufactured with the end-user in mind.

importing Central Silo Systems is now for the New ents pon com and ems VAL-CO syst ltry industry. Zealand commercial pou

Biosecurity systems

The poultry systems include those for feeding and watering hens, providing air conditioning in the hen houses as well as nesting, flooring, animal and feed scales and farm biosecurity systems. Sean says the entities that make up the agriculture division of Valco Companies Inc carry a collective manufacturing expertise of more than 170 years. “They harness this bank of knowledge to develop intuitive, efficient products that cater to the specific requirements of each market application. “Proactively engaging those in the field, VAL-CO is able to continually

introduce cutting-edge solutions for customers.” This fits well with Central Silo Systems’ own experience and philosophy. The company is operated by Bernie and Sean Curry, who have more than 50 years’ combined experience in the industry.

Customer referrals

Central Silo Systems Ltd is centrally located in Palmerston North, where its warehouse and workshop offer a prompt parts dispatch and efficient on-farm servicing. “We take pride in the fact that so many of our new customer enquiries are referrals from existing customers.”

POULTRY

Page 23

Timely devices that make keeping chickens easier Grandpas Feeders has now developed a drinker for chickens and an automatic chook door for your run. The chicken drinker is a unit with two small cups that work with a small valve that releases water as the chooks drink. This unit screws into any standard 10 litre or 20 litre container with a bung, so is very Bill and son Mark Kirkham decided handy for people who do not have a to try to make a business out of water supply at their chook run. this really cool invention as This unit prevents the chooks they knew there would be a from messing up the water demand. supply. Now, more than 20 The ‘Check in’ autoyears down the track, matic chook door opener there are a lot of comis a complete unit that petitors out there – some you can attach to your even claiming to be chook run to replace the Grandpas feeder. But current door. It is easy to despite this, Grandpas programme it to open at feeders are still the most whatever time suits you to popular feeder on the market, let the chooks out. says Alla Kirkham of Grandpas It works on a light sensor, Feeders. The ‘Check in’ automatic which will automatically adjust cho “When someone purchases a opener lets hens in and out ok door with the seasons and runs on of their Grandpas feeder they are dealtwo AA batteries that will last house at times set by thei r owners. ing with a New Zealand family for about one year. This is ideal business. We pride ourselves on for people who work a full-time our no-questions-asked two-year money-back guaranjob but want to free range their chooks. tee and customer service.” “If you let the chooks out too early they might lay The family believes that word of mouth is their their eggs elsewhere, so the ‘Check in’ lets the chooks best advertising so they make sure they have out for you after you have gone to work and will autohappy customers. matically close them back in at dusk.”

In the beginning, when Grandpas Feeders for hens were first developed by ‘Grandpa’ Bill Kirkham, there was nothing out there like it available commercially.

Grandpas Feeders believe they have now covered the bases for chook owners with a busy lifestyle who care about their chooks’ welfare and need an easy care system for keeping their chooks.

House essential for healthy hens All animals need shelter but hens actually need a ‘house’ in which to roost, lay eggs and keep out of the rain, wind and sun. The SPCA recommends anyone planning to keep hens should have a chicken-house set up before bringing any chickens home. The house should be set up on well-drained land that will not flood and needs to provide a minimum space of two square metres for 10 birds; depending on the size of the chickens. The house will need a lockable door or a pop-hole, which is essential to keep out any predators. Good ventilation is very important to provide fresh air, but draughts should be prevented. Nesting boxes should ideally be provided for each chicken to lay their eggs. However, you can provide at least one nesting box for

up to five hens as long as there are enough nesting boxes for them to use without competition. The nesting boxes should be filled with either non-treated wood shavings or straw. The floor of the chicken house should drain freely and be kept clean and dry and there must always be dry areas for roosting. The floor should also be covered with wood shavings for ease of cleaning and for the birds to scratch and forage in. Ideally, the house should be cleaned daily but a thorough clean should be done once a week. The house will also need to have roosting perches. These should be raised off the ground enough to protect them from predators or rodents but low enough so they are readily accessible without the risk of injury to the birds. All chickens should be able to go outside and forage. A run can be provided for this, for protection

from predators including birds such as hawks. If the outdoor area becomes very muddy or dusty and has little vegetation, then the chicken house and run should be moved to provide fresh vegetation. For more information about keeping hens, see: www.spca.org.nz/ AnimalCare/ChickenCare.aspx

Well looked after chickens will reward their owners with eggs.

Supplied by

Grandpas Feeders are only available from the website or from your local Farmlands store. “You cannot purchase them on TradeMe so don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.”

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 24

Whiff of cordite and crack of firearms at estate The skirl of the bagpipes, a whiff of cordite and the crack of prestige firearms echoed through the countryside at Equine Estate. The prestigious Purdey/Bentley Day last month was an exclusive event at

Equine Sporting Claybirds, hosting a team from James Purdey & Sons, the famous British gunmakers who showcased their range of shotguns. The invitation event impressed a group of discerning clay shooters from around the country, getting a feel for the specialised, high-end bespoke sporting shotguns and rifles.

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Purdey holds a number of Royal Warrants of appointment as gun and rifle makers to the British royalty and other European monarchs. Equine’s Kim Kenny says it’s a rare event for the prestigious shotgun-makers to showcase their top of the range products, combined with a hands-on shooting experience. And Bentley Motor Company was on hand to introduce the new Bentayga SUV, which was available for on and off-road test drives. Guests were welcomed to the occasion by a lone piper strolling through the estate before the two dozen gunners shot two fields with Purdey guns, under the attendance of a Purdey instructor. A sumptuous lunch of game fare followed. The gunmakers’ representatives rated the day an enormous success and they have hopes for an extended tour of New Zealand next year. Equine Sporting Clays, on the Rotoehu Rd out of Te Puke, is one of the country’s most highly-rated claybird shooting ranges, ensuring the most realistic experience. The expansive field has been designed to re-create the flight patterns of all common game birds. Kim says the field has the flexibility to satisfy both

the novice hitting a clay target for the first time and the seasoned shooter looking for a challenge. This flexibility makes the sport an ideal ‘time out’ activity when you have a business meeting, client incentive or conference activity. Brian Rogers

The prestigious Purdey/Bentley Day at Equine Sporting Clays, Te Puke, attracted a group of discerning clay shooters from around the country.

Rear-discharge mowing offer advantages If rear-discharge mowing is important to you, then it is worth testing a Grasshopper dedicated rear-discharge ride on mower, says Andrew Peacocke of ZTR Mowers. “They are designed for advanced safety and flexibility with the best possible cut. Grasshopper designed rear-discharge mowing decks are quieter and require less horsepower, which allows for faster mowing and increased productivity.” Rear-discharge mowing is perfect for orchardists, commercial contractors, vineyards, schools and councils – basically anywhere where it is preferable – for safety or convenience, to avoid throwing the grass and other debris out the side of the mowing deck. “Grasshopper has taken rear-discharge to another level on mid-mount models with the development of a unique four-blade design,” says Andrew. “The fourth blade evenly distributes clippings out the back of the deck, which eliminates windrowing and helps reduce material build up for cleaner, faster operation.” Other advantages of Grasshopper Rear-Discharge mowing are: • Allows the operator to trim on either side of the deck and avoid throwing the grass where they are about to mow or onto paved areas. • Extra-deep, 5.5-inch deck handles large volumes of grass, delivers superior airflow for a quality cut and superior clipping distribution. • Heavy duty 8-inch spindle housing, six-bolt pattern and cone-shaped guards protect the spindle

shaft from debris wrap. • Trash shield attaches to rear of the deck to protect the drive assembly and engine area from grass debris build up • Solid steel anvil-edged deck with 1/2-inch-thick leading edge, seven-gauge skirts, and engineered for superior impact protection that will withstand the punishments of heavy mowing. In the Grasshopper range Rear-Discharge is available in 48-inch, 52-inch, 61-inch and 72-inch cutting widths on both front-mount and mid-mount models.

is A rear-discharge mower ns. perfect for many situatio

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 25

Touring the South Island 4x4 this summer NZ Adventures has two great 4WD tours for the coming summer – West Coast Explorer and Southern Ranges. The West Coast Explorer Tour is run in early summer – November and later in the season in April. The Southern Ranges tour starts in Oamaru and runs from February 6-10, 2017. Run by owner-operators Robbie and Connie Crickett these tours offer the perfect way to see more of the stunning South Island countryside. The West Coast Explorer starts in Hanmer Springs and very quickly leaves the dry and tawny tussocks of Canterbury behind as the route takes the trip west towards its first two overnights in Murchison. “Whatever the weather this trip is always spectacular and hugely varied,” says Connie, “Traction is never

an issue as the tracks are generally rocky and dust is seldom present as the route winds through the beech forests. “The views are not as extensive but there is such a lot of history and atmosphere waiting in the bush out west – the trip is always a favourite and one we love hosting,” says Connie. Apart from Murchison overnights, on the coast it tours Westport, Reefton and Greymouth. Connie says highlights of the trip are normally the trip deep into the Alpine Valleys east of Murchison on day two, Historic Denniston on day three, the bumpy old bush road into Big River on day four, and the twisting track off Napoleon Hill on day five. The Southern Ranges Tour is also five days but ventures into an altogether different area and landscape. “Highlights of this very diverse trip include the vast

stations of the Lindis Pass area and the tops of the Dunstan, Old Man, Mataura, Pisa, Bullock and Lindis ranges. “And our clients enjoy the sudden transition from the tawny golden browns of Central Otago to the lush greens of Southland and back again. A day-trip into Macetown is also part of this tour,” says Connie.

The farming industry plays a big part in the Southern Ranges Tour as travellers wind their way through many well-known properties ranging from the extensive high country home of the merino, producing fine wool, through to the much more intensive fat lamb farms of northern Southland. Overnights include Alexandra, Gore, Cromwell and Cardrona.

velled Take the roads less tra with NZ Adventures.

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Pokemon-inspired app targets real pests Registration is now available for the New Zealand-based app and website Pestur, which will launch in 2017 as a social network allowing users to compete with each other in challenges as they work to eradicate different pest species through trapping and hunting. Pestur co-founder Greta Donoghue says the inspiration came in seeing the millions of people around the world willing to try and catch something that doesn’t exist – Pokemon. “The idea being that if even a fraction of these participants put some real world effort into the issue of invasive pest species we could see tangible improvements ranging from the protection of endangered species to the economics of better crop yields.” Pestur will closely model the likes of Strava - a community that allows its participants to share ideas. And in this case that discussion might be what to hunt and when and how to go about it and then challenges can be set up either by users or by Pestur itself. Possibilities here include the likes of a nationwide cane toad challenge in Australia organised by Pestur, or perhaps a possum-trapping challenge set up by a single classroom in NZ. Greta says first goal is a real world reduction in invasive pest species – and of any revenue generated by the app 10 per cent will go back to pest control conservation programmes and another 10 per cent will go into a prize pool for serious Pestur challenge users. Greta says there a potential market in millions of hunters and conservationists around the world. Pest species are an international problem, Pestur will also be available overseas. The app will be app will provide a forum to allow communication around best practice methods, there will be rules around using humane and legal methods, and photographs and GPS locations will need to be logged with kills to verify authenticity. Any inappropriate photographs will result in a ban. Also, locations can be marked as private to protect secret hunting spots. Registration is now available at: Pestur.com

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 26

100,000 tulips in city

EMILIO’S TIMBERS EST1981

The work of planting 100,000 tulip bulbs is hard to imagine but the colour, pattern and impact of them will be seen at this year’s Rotorua Tulip Fest, from October 1-9.

The Rotorua Tulip Fest has only been going for a couple of years but is growing in popularity and size each year. The Rotorua Lakes Council began growing tulips in its city gardens 15 years ago and has increased the number of bulbs planted each year. In 2015 bulbs numbered 30,000. This year 100,000 will flourish. The fest includes talks, demonstrations, guided walks, bus tours, competitions and a range of children’s activities. Gerbera growers Harald and Connie Esendam, who own PlentyFlora, became involved as part of the Tulip Fest committee. Last year they planted 1500 bulbs at their Horohoro property. This year they have 5500 in the ground and are hoping for a good showing. Fest visitors can take the bus tour and visit PlentyFlora to see their tulip display, while also getting an up-close view of thousands of colourful gerbera growing in the commercial glasshouse and learn how the geothermal heated operation works. Harald says their involvement is a way to promote the area, to support Rotorua and because they like the idea of the Tulip Fest; see: www.tulipfestrotorua.co.nz Growing beds of tulips is really second nature for this couple, who are originally from Holland and came to New Zealand many years ago when Harald was working on tissue culture of pine trees. Rotorua Inner City Focus Group spokesperson

Connie and Harald Ese will host busloads of ndam of PlentyFlora visitors at during the Rotorua Tul their nursery ip Fest. Mike Steiner, who suggested the number of tulips be boosted this year, says it’s hard not to feel sheer enthusiasm for the festival. “It has been embraced whole-heartedly by the community. It gives pure pleasure to a wide variety of people – both locals, and the many visitors it attracts to the city. “The displays will be magnificent. One-hundredthousand is a magic ‘wow’ number that will spark the interest of many – nationally too. Rotorua is stepping out and has so much going for it.” Fritha Tagg

Bay clivia make colourful splash in Singapore Clivia plants bred in the Western Bay are on show at the world-renowned Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Judy Shapland of Apata and Ian Duncalf of Te Puna together supplied 300 in-flower clivias in a variety of colours

after being approached by the New Zealand agent for Gardens by the Bay. “They [the Singapore gardens organisers] want top quality plants and can afford to bring in big plants,” says Ian. “They rotate the displays every three

months and as far as I understand, they’re fine importing material so long as it’s incinerated once the display is finished.” Ian and Judy will be among the growers with plants on display at the annual Clivia Show on Sunday, October 2, being held at Te Puna Quarry Park for the first time. “I’ve had it at my place for several years,” says Ian. “But I’ve always felt my benches were a bit high. You really need to look down on the flowers to appreciate them fully.” He’s recently named a clivia for golfing star Lydia Ko – someone he particularly admires – and is considering naming one for Lisa Carrington. The Clivia show with displays, plants for sale and growing advice is on October 2 from noon-4pm at Te Puna Quarry Park, 108 Te Puna Quarry Rd, off SH2, north of Tauranga. Entry is free.

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 27

Time to focus on sun, sunburn and vitamin D With daylight saving returning we are advised to use sun protection during peak UV hours from 10am-4pm to reduce our risk of sunburn and skin cancer. We also know we need sunlight to make vitamin D in our skin. Vitamin D is important in maintaining bone health. It is thought up to ďŹ ve per cent of New Zealand adults are deďŹ cient in vitamin D. The risk of this increases with age, darker skin colour and health problems such as liver and kidney disease. Sensible sun exposure is a daily outdoor activity or walk when the UV index is not too high.

For example, early-morning or late-afternoon during summer. Only ďŹ ve minutes on the face, forearms and hands is all it takes for adequate vitamin D production if you are fair skinned, and 20 minutes if you are dark skinned and tan easily. See: dermnetnz.org This means during the summer you don’t need to go out of your way to have adequate vitamin D levels as incidental amounts of sun exposure during the day for most New Zealanders are more than enough. Sunburn is never okay. The website NIWA.co.nz can provide you with updated UV index levels throughout the year so you know when your risk of sunburn is lowest. For those with a personal history of skin cancer the Ministry of Health’s advice is sunscreen and sun protection year round. If you think you may be deďŹ cient in vitamin D, discuss dietary supplementation with your doctor. Many of us can feel overwhelmed looking at the range of sunscreens available from your supermarket or chemist. Essentially, fragrance-free or hypoallergenic is good if you have sensitive skin. Oil free or ‘non-comedogenic’ sunscreens are recommended for acne-prone skin. Sunscreen sprays or gels are easier to apply to hairy skin. If you have fair skin choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF 50+. Be safe in the sun this summer.

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By Dr Susan Simpkin, the Skin Centre

Tips for a successful big spring clean “My friend announced over coffee last week that her mum is a hoarder,â€? says Jacinta Gray of Miranda Smith Homecare. “Her mum probably isn’t a hoarder but her house could do with some attention and now we are making plans for a big spring clean. “Plans that might be helpful for anyone with elderly parents.â€? Jacinta says helping loved ones spring clean can work wonders for their health and can make their quality of life so much better. “Remember, what we see as clutter might have a strong emotional connection for them so get consent before throwing out things.â€? Jacinta’s top tips for a successful clean: 1. Make sure whoever lives there is on-board and involved throughout the process. 2. Book it in advance so everyone is prepared and ready. 3. Bring along some ďŹ t younger helpers to help with lifting. 4. Write a checklist together of

everything you want to do and agree who will do what. 5. Bring some good housework music with you. 6. Tackle clutter ďŹ rst before focusing on cleaning and hygiene. 7. Remember to include a spring clean of all paperwork – is everything ďŹ led and up-to-date? Jacinta also recommends as you move around the house cleaning and tidying begin to check the general living conditions. “Do you think laundry, preparing food or getting upstairs is becoming too much? Keep an eye out for anything that needs replacing and look out for worn linen. “While you are in there make sure you check for ďŹ re alarm batteries, lightbulbs, trip hazards, old medications and expired food.â€? Or, if it all seems like too big a job, agencies like Miranda

Smith Homecare – where Jacinta is the operations manager – offer a spring cleaning service where they can work with your family members to get everything clean and tidy in a stressfree way.

HOMECARE

Independence is vital to maintaining a quality of life.

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EQUIDAYS

Page 28

Old style saddle custom-made for sisters Terry Marshall had a special commission to complete before Equidays – making a Wade-style Western saddle for the Wilson sisters. Terry, of Circle M Brand in Otorohanga, who has hand crafted 370

saddles in his 40-year career, says the well-known Northland sisters normally use English saddles but this time wanted a Western style. Vicki, Kelly and Amanda Wilson will bring three wild horse breeds from three different countries to Equidays 2016 in an event called The Power of Three, which will be the only time

the public will be able to see them all together. The sisters, who are Equidays ambassadors, are prominent figures on the equestrian scene, having competed with success at the highest levels of show jumping for many years. Since 2012, they have also become widely known for their work with New Zealand’s wild horses. Terry says the saddle he’s made for them is an old-style Western Saddle with a bigger than normal horn. Using skills honed from decades of leather work, Terry has cut, fitted and

stitched the saddle from raw hide. “We work with the leather while it is damp and malleable. The beauty of leather is that you can mould it to shape or put a twist in it, as with the stirrup leather to ensure they turn out, so they are exactly where you want them.” A good number of the saddles Terry has made are still in use, and secondhand ones are in demand. “Some saddles come back for minor repairs or replacement of stirrup leathers, but Terry Marshall of Circle those which are looked after, kept clean M has made this Wadeand regularly oiled, will last a lifetime,” style Western saddle for says Terry. the Wilson sisters.

Red-hot shoeing skills on show fantastic edition to Equidays.” Farriers and blacksmiths from Kowhai Forge’s Ben Stevens says the throughout New Zealand will go hoofchampionship will be a demanding to-hoof at the Maneline Kerckhaert show of professional growth. Farrier and Blacksmith Champion“The Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier ship at Equidays this October, in what and Blacksmith Championship will ask promises to be the largest display of farriers to display their skill, training shoeing skill in the country. and techniques in an environment Equidays will feature the Kowhai designed to see them push themselves,” Forge Artistic Blacksmithing Competisays Ben. “We’re wanting to encourage tion on Friday, October 14, and the their continuous growth and upskilling Great Maneline Kerckhaert Farriers in their profession of farriery. Shoe Off on Saturday, October 15, and “During a series of heats, farriers will Sunday, October 16. be asked to present a wide range of “This is the first farrier competition abilities to show competency, trained to ever be held at Equidays, and we’re ability and knowledgeable insight to thrilled,” says Equidays event manager the wide range of problems and situAmmie Hardie. ations they may encounter on a daily “A core focus of Equidays is education and good hoof care is imperative Farriers will display their basis.” Equidays visitors will vote for a winner in horse management and now spectators skills at the Maneline can see how the pros do it. Kerckhaert Farrier and and all works will be auctioned off with “The Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship proceeds going to charity. Each artist will Blacksmith Championship will be a at Equidays this October. choose their charity of choice.

MORE

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EQUIDAYS

Wild West demonstrations Cutting horse demonstrations return to New Zealand’s Equidays this month, after a three-year hiatus.

world champions in the cutting horse industry in Texas, winning the Texas Year-End Hi-Point Award and competing in the World Finals, to winning many NZ Cutting Horse Association National Championships here, Bryan has learned from and competed against the very best cutting horse competitors in the world. He’s also judged Western horse events throughout the country and is the first and longest serving judge for the NZCHA. Having also been vice president of the New Zealand Quarter Horse Association and president of the NZCHA several times – as well as being a founding council member – Bryan has had a significant influence in the country’s Western riding industry. Three-time Equidays clinician and 2014 KHH Stallion Challenge competitor Ben Longwell, of True West Horsemanship, will also showcase his style of cattle work and horsemanship during the three-day event. For more information, visit: equidays.co.nz

Dating back to Wild West cowboys working on the range, cutting demonstrates the ability of horse and rider to handle cattle, cutting those from the herd that require attention. Come October 14, Equidays visitors will be able to enjoy this highly-skilled sport at Mystery Creek Events Centre, in the Waikato. “We’re delighted. Western is a huge crowd-pleaser and the level of technique and horse-and-rider partnership required in cutting is really something to see!,” says Equidays event Manager Ammie Hardie. “There’s a lot that goes into preparation to be able to accommodate this form of Western – it’s not just a horse, a rider and an arena. With cattle involved, it becomes a whole other logistical effort and we’re excited it’s all coming together this year.” International cutting champion Bryan Lowcay will be at Equidays to give demonstrations during all three days. With a proven track record in the world of Quarter Horse training, care, and breeding, Bryan has been in the game for more than 50 years. “Bryan is an expert in his profession and we’re extremely lucky Cutting hors to have his talent,” says again please e demonstrations will Ammie. the crowds at Equidays. From working for

Whakatane saddlery heading to Equidays Hoofcamp Saddlery will realise a long-term goal this month when the Whakatane-based company attends Equidays at Mystery Creek. Hoofcamp Saddlery manager Nadesha Dick says it exciting that coming into their eighth year of business they will be attending Equidays from October 14-16, 2016. Equidays has always been a long-term goal for the mother-anddaughter team of Kathryn Cook and Nadesha Dick. “We are so proud of how much our saddlery business has grown. For us to be able to exhibit at one of New Zealand’s largest events for equine retailers is a

ything Find ever r you you need fo rse ho and your p at Hoofcam Saddlery.

real step up,” says Nadesha. “Equidays will provide our out-oftown and online customers with the chance to put a face to the name on the end of the phone or email, and the opportunity to check out our extensive range of horse gear. “Our local customers are excited to see us going to Equidays and are looking forward to taking advantage of our clearance deals and see our beautiful new arrivals.” The new items will include the latest ‘Horze’ and ‘B Vertigo’ seasonal range – padded vests, equine and casual clothing. The latest in horse accessories with plenty of variety for all horse lovers. Hoofcamp Saddlery’s site is at J12, where they will have a wide range of gear for horse

and rider, English, Stock and Western, catering for every size, discipline, taste and budget.

Page 29

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 30

Romani takes Coopworth legacy to new level When Ross and Ruth Richards got an email from legendary Coopworth breeder Edward Dinger asking them if they wanted to buy his stud stock, they knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they could not turn down. Edward had already delayed his retirement eight years earlier, and the Richards were on his ‘first to call’ list of interested parties to take over his life’s work. Farming 20km east of Taumarunui, the Richards

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had been long-time clients of Edward’s Mid-North Coopworth Company Coopworth Stud. “We had probably been one of his biggest clients for eight years straight when Edward first threatened to retire, so we bought ewe hoggets from him in 2005 and 2006 and set up our own recorded flock with those. “Edward’s stock were always our first choice due to their Facial Eczema tolerance and the excellent lambing percentages they had helped us achieve,” says Ross. The couple have been on the property since 1993, named after the Battle of Romani that Ruth’s grandfather fought in during World War One. They initially farmed as what today would be the equivalent of equity partners with Ruth’s family. During time Ross and Ruth were able to progressively buy them out.

Farm with greater certainty

Prior to using Edward’s Coopworth bloodlines, the Richards had lifted their Romney flock’s lack-lustre 110 per cent lambing performance by introducing rams with 50 per cent East Friesian, 25 per cent Dorset, 25 per cent Texcel genetics. The hybrid vigour and strong fertility characteristics of the Friesians helped push their lambing percentage to 140 per cent.

Once they achieved that hurdle they were quickly asking themselves ‘where to next?’ in terms of not only lifting fertility performance, but also FE tolerance and carcass yields. Their property initially presented a “feast or famine” challenge to any breed. Sitting across 320m500m altitude on the edge of the Volcanic Plateau the property’s tough winters are sharpened thanks to a high bluffy ridge running the length of its north-eastern boundary. In winter a large part of the farm is in shade all day, and in frosty weather can stay frozen for days or occasionally weeks. Conversely, it was traditionally regarded to be summer-safe country, receiving frequent rain from thunderstorms. During the years changes in weather patterns have moderated the winters, and made summers less predictable. Bringing in Edward’s Coopworth genetics 16 years ago has meant the farm has managed a consistent 150 per cent lambing percentage despite some variable climatic conditions, including severe drought in 2008.

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“Because Edward lived relatively close to Ruakura Research centre he would spend an inordinate amount of time there, getting up to speed with the latest research on FE, and applying all he could back home on his stock,” says Ross. Edward has spent more than 30 years building the flock’s FE tolerance, dosing at progressively higher levels of sporidesmin and measuring its effects. That level has gone as high as 0.62mg/kg live-weight this season, among the highest doses administered across any breed. Combining the good FE tolerance of Edward’s stud stock with their own flock has meant the Richards have managed to achieve some strong performance gains, despite the challenge high spore counts have bought in some summer-autumn months. The couple are increasingly focusing upon lifting carcass yield alongside the heavier lamb weights they are also achieving.

Carcass weights

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“We have lifted average lamb Carcass Weights including stores from about 12kgCW 10 years ago, to 17kgCW in the last year or two. This has come from the improvements we have made in the farm’s fertility, but also from the genetics in the Coopworths – you pretty much know what they are going to do year in year out, making it easy to plan accordingly.” The weaning weights also speak volumes about the strong gains made in flock performance. In 2006-2007 the Richards record 165 per cent lambing produced a 22kg weaning weight, and last year that lifted to 30kg. Ewe efficiency has also improved significantly, lifting from 67 per cent to 81 per cent in terms of kilogram of lambs weaned per kilogram of ewe wintered. From here the Richards are focusing on breeding stud and commercial stock that can deliver higher yielding carcasses and increased growth rates. “We are focusing on stud rams that have greater physical robustness, and ability to perform regardless of the worm challenge they face, and our drenching programme helps sort out those that are most wormtolerant.” Ram lambs will be drenched at weaning, then left for 10 weeks before a faecal egg count and their next drench, and put on a lower feed regime. “We are doing that because we want to see which ones can manage the tougher conditions and still grow out well,” says Ross. He’s found the ones that have come along best have a particularly “meaty” carcass, with a higher level of myomax muscling gene. ...continued

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 31

Ostertagia in cattle, the forgotten enemy? Seasonal patterns in worm populations will see ostertagia numbers peaking on our pastures in the late autumn-early winter period. Cattle grazing these pastures through winter in turn can acquire large numbers of these worms. A unique ability ostertagia have in controlling their life cycle means there are two types – Type I and Type II ostertagiosis – of disease, which if not controlled can severely reduce animal health and result in costly stock losses. Normal circumstances will see ingested larvae develop through to adult worms just as in other worm species do, with their associated impacts on animal health and production. This is Type I ostertagiosis. For reasons not well understood, there are possible environmental and animal factors that cause ostertagia larvae to halt their development and enter an inhibited dormant phase. Again, unknown triggers in spring can causes large numbers of these larvae to simultaneously ‘wake up’ and reemerge on the surface of the abomasum. This process can cause considerable damage to the abomasal wall leading to severe

illness and rapid death, a condition is referred to as Type II ostertagiosis. While many drenches have registered claims for activity against ostertagia, there are some differences that farmers need to be aware of when choosing what treatment to use in spring. Importantly, ensure the product you use will control not only the active ostertagia, but also the inhibited form. The most effective drench actives for controlling all phases of ostertagia are the endectocide-macrocyclic lactones – called MLs – including moxidectin and abamectin. These actives combined with a good preventative worm programme means outbreaks of Type I and Type II ostertagiosis are now relatively uncommon in New Zealand. On the other hand, levamisole is known to not be effective enough in controlling inhibited ostertagia. Injections and pour-ons that provide persistent activity against

Interest in FE-tolerance continued...

“We are targeting those that not only grow well through the feed challenge, but also exhibit a good level of FE tolerance, along with a low FEC and low dag-score. The trick is then getting a balance between good growth rates, and good meat yield, and the two do not always come together.”

Strong meat indices

Ross believes they are getting closer to achieving that, with even strong meat indices. “We are getting our indices up to 300-500 on the SIL index – our top meat indices value is 640 – with growth indices ranging from 1500-2000.” During the last couple of seasons interest has become more widespread in the flock’s FE-tolerant genetics. “This has included enquiry from Taihape and Hunterville, which have not had big problems with FE in

the past, but are experiencing it more frequently.” With generations of Edward’s stock genetics now in the flock, Ross and Ruth have joined the ranks of the country’s leading FE-tolerant flocks, being members of the FEGold certified group. As a group it is doing much to raise awareness among ram buyers on the value of buying FEGold genetics, while also encouraging other sheep breeders to consider working towards accreditation. “We are pretty happy about where we sit in terms of a 0.6 dose level, that is right up there, and the feedback we are getting is that our stock are performing well. “Our clients include some leading Romney breeders seeking to lift their flock’s FE tolerance, which our genetics deliver, along with a boost in productivity. FE tolerance is a key selling point for our stud stock.”

Richard Rennie

ostertagia may be better than shortacting oral formulations using white and clear drenches. With much of the discussion

in recent times being around the control of ML-resistant cooperia worms in cattle, there is a chance we will forget the importance

of ostertagia control. Ostertagia worms should still be considered the most significant parasitic worm within New Zealand cattle.

DAIRY

Page 32

Bureaucracy going mad The world is being overrun by bureaucrats wanting to control us in every way.

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Politicians ramp up a new rule for everything to close loopholes that occur, resulting in stifling enterprise and the economy. They tell me all the health and safety rules are as a result of the Cave Creek tragedy. How is that? One mistake should not result in a whole new level of bureaucracy and controls. Then there was the Pike River mining disaster, which also put in another new level. The recent death in the Waihi Mine will result in yet another new level of compliance for the mining industry. Builders and contractors are now not able to be more than 1.5 metres off the ground without scaffolding. Scaffolding must be the new emerging business to be in;

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such is the demand for it. You see it up everywhere. Just to paint the facia on your house requires expensive scaffolding now. Quad bikes have been in the headlights for some time too. We all took risks and did dumb things on them. Many farmers have gone away from quads to side-by-side vehicles because of the bureaucracy surrounding them.

Compulsory roll bars

It is not that quads are always dangerous; it is what we idiots do on them that is the problem. Why, why, why are roll bars not compulsory? How come bureaucracy missed that point? Much of the advances in farm work have been accelerated with the use of these amazing little movers. Many good British doctors have come to New Zealand to get away from the over-regulated systems only to find it is following them here so fast it is frightening for them. How can this be, they say? Dare I mention the money laundering act, which has bought in another whole new level of detail reporting and restrictions to every transaction we do. Now as governments increase bureaucratic controls on their people, we get disenchanted and grumpy. We get grumpy because of the perceived loss of freedom and personal rights.

Suddenly there is a revolution. Not thank goodness in this great country, but you can see it happening overseas. Bureaucracy also takes away the creativity in people, the freedom and the perception of being in control of their lives and the level of risk. Driving down the road you now have to drive between the two sets of lines, like on a train track, not to mention road cones to Africa. I recently met a fellow who is looking at setting up a ‘road cone washer’ business. Level upon level slows the economy for us; it increases our costs, particularly around compliance. It is really an increase in taxation on farming, whether we like it or not. Fencing off streams (fair enough), the fear amongst farmers is that consent to farm will be required soon along with stocking rate controls and the whole thing will get out of kilter. I agree some of it is long overdue, but will it be realistic and balanced for the farming community? In summary, bureaucracy and people control is increasing at an alarming rate. Compliance issues are at an even faster rate. Yes, some of it is necessary if not essential. It is, however, a matter of keeping it all in balance so you keep your people engaged and happy and willing to work in and for themselves and for the larger New Zealand economy.

“Why, why, why are roll bars not compulsory?”

Revolution sparked

Then governments start to feel threatened as the multitudes start to get even grumpier. A vicious circle evolves and the government add more levels to try and hold the people down.

Disclaimer – These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675. A disclosure document is available on request.

0800 PH ACTION | Ph:07 889 3344 | 0274 927 133

Patrolling for postal pests

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The Ministry for Primary Industries is preventing pests and diseases from arriving in New Zealand through the post, according to a recent survey. MPI’s mail compliance monitoring survey for 2015/2016 showed 99.93 per cent of arriving inter-

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national letters, parcels and other mail items were clear of biosecurity risk. “The result is similar to last year’s survey, showing MPI’s controls continue to work well for New Zealand,” says MPI’s freight and mail Team manager Chris Denny. The survey involved mail inspections that took place after the items had passed through biosecurity controls such as detector dog and x-ray screening at the International Mail Centre in Auckland. MPI inspected 4367 mail items for the survey.

More than 1.6 million items were processed at the mail centre during the survey period from May 16-29. Only five non-compliant risk goods were detected during the survey. They included undeclared seeds, a partly dried leaf with fungal growth and meat in homemade cans. “We strive for 100 per cent compliance, so there is still room for improvement. That is the reason we are constantly refining our processes to find better ways of managing biosecurity threats.”

DAIRY

Payout much needed boost to spirits A lift in the 2016/2017 forecast farm gate milk price by 50c, increasing the price to $5.25 per kilogram of milk solids has also lifted farmers’ spirits. Let’s hope it continues to strengthen into the rumoured return to a $6-plus kg/ms payout. This is the best news farmers have had in the last two seasons. It’s been a hard winter in other ways too, with a lot of rain and then conditions turning good in July-August. Most farmers, except those in the Central Plateau area, are now seeing grass growth with warmer spring conditions and more daylight hours. It’s time to be preparing paddocks for turnips, maize or other crops. Cropping is a good way to restore winter sacrifice paddocks or undertake drainage in areas where wet weather has shown up drainage problems or poor pastures. Be mindful of the need to clean machinery before it leaves your property for another and to check contractors coming on to your land have cleaned all their equipment thoroughly to avoid the risks of introducing or spreading pests like velvet leaf, alligator weed and Noogoora bur.

Unwanted pests

It seems despite the best efforts of Ministry for Primary Industries, more and more pests and disease are getting across our borders and they can be costly to agricultural and horticultural industries. It’s up to us all to play our part to stop the spread of those already here and prevent the introduction of new ones. It might be tempting to buy cheap maize from the United States or import second-hand machinery but before doing so, give consideration to the damage it

might do if they bring unwanted pests and diseases with them. Used agricultural machinery is a way pests could get through our borders as they can be hard to thoroughly clean and have a myriad of places insects and seeds can hide. It appears velvet leaf may have come in mixed with fodder beet seeds. And because all of the seed is coated to protect it and help it grow, it’s almost impossible to tell what’s fodder beet and what’s velvet leaf. Another thought was it came in with some imported chicken feed, then the chicken manure was spread on maize paddocks in the Waikato. Machinery can also be contaminated with diseases like foot and mouth so if you’re thinking of buying second-hand from overseas, check out where it’s been and make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected both before it leaves and when it gets here. MPI can only do so much and it is our industry we want to protect.

Delayed start

The spell of very wet weather in September put us behind for our silage harvesting so our start to planting maize this year will be seven-10 days behind last year. But that’s the reality of farming. As we all know, nature can and will throw up the unexpected. All we can do is prepare as best we can, rather than navigating the seasons by the seat of our pants. So order your feed from us early, when it’s at its cheapest, with early orders straight from the paddock ensuring you’re getting top quality feed.

The great hay debate The benefits of the tow-along unit Clearly the opinions among farmers are mixed on the matter of feeding hay are the fold-down hay compartment, which opens forward to waist height to young stock. Mainline Sheetmetals’ for easy loading, and managing director the wide placement of Trisha King says the tow rails providing “One article on the stability. The hayrack topic refers to “the is galvanised steel with believers and non100mm by 100mm by believers!” 4mm welded mesh. “For those who “I rear replacement choose to provide heifer calves from hay for their calves weaning through to or other young nine months old and stock at any stage they love their hay supof their development, a Mainline Hayrack efficient way to hold hay. plement,” says Trisha. Mainline Sheetmetals hayrack is an efficient way to hold the hay and mini- also manufacture a large range of fuel tanks for petrol and diesel, dog kennels mise wastage,” says Trisha. and dog carriers, chook houses as well Mainline hayracks are available in as general engineering and fabrication two sizes; the tow-along hayrack holds work. two conventional hay bales and is For more information, visit: www. easily moved between paddocks with a mainline.net.nz farm bike.

PK / SILAGE BUNKERS

DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

Page 33

DAIRY

Page 34

Summer surplus – the measure of success The official advice has been to arrange calving in July, in order to maximise milk harvest before the end of December. This points to a lack of faith in summer pasture production.

DAIRY TECH

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Yet by discounting the value of summer growth, the potential available from one-third of the lactation period is largely ignored. But long-term growth figures from the major dairying areas – with perhaps the exception of Canterbury – do not support the concept of unreliable and slow summer growth. Summer pasture production can be variable due to excess heat and lack of moisture. However, management practices often have the biggest impact. A lack of appreciation of summer growth potential by many famers means a large chunk of low-cost production is possibly being squandered. Maximising the potential of mid-season pasture is a case of working with reliable local measures. High fertility grasses go from vegetative to reproductive mode as soon as soil temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius. In the Waikato, coastal Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Manawatu this happens the first week in November every year. Doubtless it’s a combination of factors, however the timing has been the same for at least the last 30 years.

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With increased stalk and seed head, grasses, particularly annuals, are less digestible and stock intake reduces, with production declining accordingly. Clover, on the other hand, thrives in warmer temperatures and, being highly digestible as well as containing three to four times the calcium of grasses, it’s the ideal feed for maintaining milk solid production. Clover-dominant pasture also maintains quality for a longer period, allowing the ideal 30-day grazing interval to be maintained from late-December until autumn rain arrives, when the interval can be further lengthened. Pasture growth figures from two properties in the Edgecumbe region during the 2008-2009 season highlighted the difference between a conventionally

fertilised property where 235kg N/ ha was applied, and a property using Functional Fertiliser’s total nutrient programme applying 25kgN/ha. Functional Fertiliser programmes include higher calcium inputs to help create the conditions that favour vigorous clover growth, along with required phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and magnesium inputs. Although the Functional Fertiliser property grew a little less pasture in late-winter and early-spring, during November, December and January it grew on average 62.5kg DM/ha day, which is 74 per cent more than the 35.8kg DM/ha for the conventionally fertilised property.

Extra tucker

During the following three months of February, March, and April the Functional Fertiliser property grew an average of 44.8kg DM/ha, compared to the 28.8kg DM/ha for the conventional property, which was still 55 per cent more. For the six months from the first of November through until April 30, the difference in pasture production was a substantial 3869kgDM/ha, or an average 21.3kgDM/ha of extra high quality milking tucker per day. For the season from June 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009, the Functional Fertiliser property grew a total of 16,187kg DM/ha, compared to the conventionally fertilised property’s 12,895kg DM/ha. During last season 2015-2016 the growth difference between the two properties had widened to more than 7000kg DM/ha, with the conventionally fertilised property anchored at a similar level to the earlier year, and the Functional Fertiliser property growing 20,600kg DM/ha. So before dismissing the guy in the district busily making hay during summer as “under-stocked”, give thought to the possibility that his animals may be producing significantly more milk each than those on neighbouring ‘conventional’ farms, due to their consumption of high quality clover-rich pasture; and he was using his ‘surplus’ for winter supplement. His costs will also be less, as the requirement for fertiliser nitrogen is negligible as it’s being fixed free of charge by clover. And he farms with comfort of knowing his feed supply during summer is largely guaranteed. The change to a Functional Fertiliser programme is surprisingly seamless, and October is the ideal time to make a conversion to a programme that is rapidly gaining the reputation as the future of pastoral farming. For more information, call Peter on 0800 436 566 (0800 4Dolomite).

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PITGATES

DAIRY

Page 35

A grand-parenting approach to nitrogen use inequitable ‘Grand-parenting’ is a term used for environmental benchmarking of properties using the Overseer Nutrient Budget programme to determine how much nitrogen has been leached or lost historically from a particular property. It was first used around Lake Taupo with the objective of reducing the total amount of nitrogen entering the lake, where each property was given a Nitrogen Discharge Allowance based on the amount of nitrogen a property was historically leaching as determined by the Overseer model between 20012005. These could then be commercially traded between property owners where a property implemented a change of land management practice. For example, going from livestock farming into trees, or from dairy into sheep; and surplus NDAs were transferred to other properties where an owner wanted to maintain or increase their existing nitrogen cap or limit. Historical grand-parenting has now become the preferred modus operandi employed by some regional councils such as Canterbury and was the recommendation of the Combined Stake-holders Group to the Waikato Regional Council, using Overseer Nutrient Budgets based on 2014-2015 or 2015-2016 years of production. When a regional council decides to use historical grand-parenting as a blanket nitrogen reference point for landowners to redue nitrgogen leaching, this unfairly advantages the polluters and disadvantages those growers and farmers who farm more conservatively; and the approach ends up being highly inequitable.

Bad polluters

The only winners are the bad polluters, and in the case of the CSG directive using retrospective data from 2014-2015 season is advantageous to high input dairy farmers stocked right up, buying in lots of feed and applying lots of nitrogen compared to this year when because of economics, many have reduced cow numbers significantly, stopped buying in expensive feed and reduced artificial nitrogen inputs. Those dairy farmers who are high input but had previously spent money on environmentally-reductive infrastructure such as feed barns and pads and extensive effluent systems, lowering their environmental footprint, or who wintered cattle off farm will be disadvantaged compared to those who have not made any such investment. Similarly those dairy farmers who have refused to go down the high nitrogen input and feed input systems will be disadvantaged for starting off with lower nitrogen leaching figures compared to the bad polluters. The biggest losers are the forestry and sheep and beef farmers, whose land will be forever locked into low N loss systems. Maori, in particular, who have unproductive land will not be able to ever develop their land. As it is, many sheep and beef farmers who have been struggling financially to improve their productivity because of low returns have in the last two years, with good beef

Robin Boom

prices, been able to invest in better subdivision and fertiliser inputs. The NZ Grasslands Symposium on Hill Country at Rotorua heard that by getting soil fertility levels close to biological optimum levels, most hill country farms could improve production by 30 per cent. This will not happen with blanket retrospective grand-parenting type rules. Under intensive vegetable growing, which has the highest environmental footprint, growers will never be able to move off their land and buy or lease other properties in the catchment. Environmentalist will not be happy either as they recognise the worst polluters will remain the worst polluters and will be the overall winners, whereas everybody else loses. Under grand-parenting rules you may have neighbouring dairy farms where one may be losing 60kg of N/ha by using lots of artificial nitrogen with a high stocking rate with no feed barns or pads and buying in lots of feed.

Natural capacity

Their neighbour who farms with no nitrogen and is only stocked to the natural capacity of their soil may only be losing 30kg/ha N, but is being forced to drop stocking rate well below the natural capability of the soil and environment. Whereas the neighbour will still be farming well above the soil’s natural capacity and still be polluting twice as much as the other farmer. For drystock farmers the situation is even worse, because they can never change their land-use or develop their farm to its natural capacity but are stuck with low stocking rates. A more fair system and one that makes sense environmentally, economically and socially – but which requires a bit more planning – is to use the Natural Capital of each property within a particular catchment to determine what limit should be set on a property-by-property basis in which all farms in that catchment are assessed by soil classification. And sensible limits are set in which all farmers must come under and the process becomes a level playing field for all landowners regardless of land use. ROBIN BOOM CPAg, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Ph: 0274448764.

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ANIMAL HEALTH

Page 36

Selenium and animal health focus of free seminar New Zealand farmers, producers and animal health professionals – such as veterinarians, nutritionists and feed companies – are being urged to take advantage of a free one-day seminar in Hamilton to help boost animal health and productivity. Focusing on the essential key mineral, selenium, during the October 28 seminar world-renowned experts, Professor Peter Surai and Dr Kevin Liu,

will share the latest global research and developments in selenium nutrition and supplementation. Attendees will learn first-hand about the importance of selenium as an antioxidant in modern NZ intensive animal production. They’ll also be given an insight into the performance of different sources of selenium for both ruminant – dairy, beef, sheep and goats – and monogastric animals for pigs, layer hens, broilers, horses and pets. Country Manager BEC Feed Solutions Trina Parker, who is organising the event, says the seminar is a NZ-first,

and a must for anyone interested in improved animal performance. “It’s well known that NZ has low selenium soils, and because it’s not essential for plant growth, this vital mineral is often overlooked. “We’re keen to raise awareness of the fact selenium is vital to animal health and production and therefore supplementation is essential. The link to human nutrition of optimised selenium in animal products is an area that is waiting to be explored,” says Trina.

Selenium uptake

The event has a morning session from 10am-noon focusing on selenium in ruminant production and nutrition, followed by a session from 1pm-3pm reviewing selenium in monogastric production and nutrition. Participants can

attend the full day or morning or afternoon sessions.

New products

Trina says interesting new research indicates selenium supplements currently available in NZ are not as bio-available to the animal as initially believed. “This is a major concern for NZ animal production, particularly in the dairy sector where selenium options have until now been limited to sodium selenite/selenate and selenium yeast,” says Trina. “That’s why we’re excited by new developments in this field, with the introduction of two new unique selenium products to the NZ market. “The ease of application of these products is the most exciting aspect – particularly the liquid organic

selenium option, which enables water application of this vital mineral.” The seminar has been organised to coincide with the NZ launch of two new organic selenium products, which are unique in the market. Selisseo, which is two per cent selenium, is the only pure source of seleno-hydroxy-methionine and will be available in both powder and liquid forms, and is the only liquid organic selenium product in NZ. Selisseo is something quite new and different for NZ producers, combining purity, reliability, stability and ease of use with 100 per cent efficiency. Seminar registration by October 21 is essential via: www.becfeedsolutions.co.nz/ news/ Or calling 0800 BEC 001.

Leptospirosis - vaccinate calves early Leptospirosis remains a serious threat to the health and livelihood of farmers. While control of lepto in New Zealand dairy cattle has improved markedly thanks to widespread vaccination, evidence remains that there is still room for improvement.

Every year almost 100 cases of leptospirosis are reported in humans, and it is estimated the numbers of unreported or undiagnosed cases are even higher. Farmers or farm workers have a four to seven per cent chance of contracting leptospirosis, which is a risk 25 to 50 times higher than the average person in NZ. Traditional vaccination programmes in calves have delayed vaccination until about six months of age. This has been due to a belief that calves are not at great risk of infection before six months and also because of doubts about how effective the original lepto vaccines were when given to very young calves.

Selenium: A Novel Antioxidant for Animal Production Hamilton Airport Hotel & Conference Centre 201 Airport Road, Tamahere, Hamilton This seminar will update the latest research in selenium nutrition and discuss how to compare various selenium sources. Presented by world renowned experts. Morning 10-12 noon

Selenium in Ruminant Production & Nutrition

Afternoon 1-3pm

Selenium in Monogastric Production & Nutrition (pigs, layer hens, broilers, pets, horses etc)

To register or for more information please see www.becfeedsolutions.co.nz/news/ or call 0800 BEC 001 Registration closes 21 October 2016. Be quick, limited seating available. Light lunch provided for those attending both sessions.

BEC Feed Solutions (NZ) Ltd is the NZ agent for Adisseo

We now know calves are at risk of lepto infection well before six months of age. And if they do become infected they can become chronic shedders of leptospirosis in their urine for months or years, presenting a health risk to you any time they are handled. Once infected, vaccination is too late to be of any use and will not cure their infection. Therefore, calves need to be vaccinated early before they have a chance to become infected. Fortunately, there are vaccines that are effective in young calves, such as Ultravac 7 in 1, which can both be used as early as four weeks of age. Early calf vaccination with two injections four to six weeks apart, then yearly boosters, is the best way to protect you, your family and your valuable employees from this debilitating disease. New Zealand research shows vaccinating earlier than six months of age subsequently reduces the risk of urine shedding in a herd. A convenient time to do early calf lepto vaccinations is at the same time as 5 in 1 clostridial vaccination. This is possible with Ultravac 7 in 1, a vaccine that provides protection against leptospirosis and clostridial disease in one simple shot. Therefore, in keeping with current risk management best practice, leptospirosis early vaccination course for calves from two to three months of age in the spring followed by a third shot in the autumn is recommended. For further information about early calf lepto vaccination and lepto control, speak with your local vet clinic today.

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 37

Council not taking ‘grand-parenting’ approach The Waikato Regional Council has not taken a ‘grand parenting’ approach to nitrogen leaching, says the council’s science and strategy director Tracey May. “The plan change does require the largest emitters to reduce their levels down to the 75th percentile while requiring others to provide Farm Environment Plans, which show how they will reduce their discharges – using their current losses as a baseline – and placing that alongside the degree of water quality improvement we are seeking. “All approaches to nitrogen reduction necessarily begin with the current level of discharges – measuring where people are at now.” Tracey is responding to comments by the new group, Farmers for Positive Change Wai Ora Waipa-Waikato, about council’s decision not to adopt a Natural Capital approach to nitrogen management (see page 3). Tracey says council is legislatively obliged to address water quality in the rivers due to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater and Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato – or Vision and Strategy for the Waikato and Waipa rivers. Council’s passing of the motion to put the proposed plan change one out for public submission honours the collaboration and technical input into the project, as well as the council’s co-governance partnership with river iwi, says Tracey. “Those iwi and major stakeholders supported notification. We know water quality is the number one issue for Waikato people.” The Collaborative Stakeholder Group discussed ‘Land suitability’ or ‘Natural Capital’ in detail. The concept of land suitability is a complex one as it is so variable across the catchment and has not been fully explored yet.

Hold and reduce

“Because of that the CSG decided not to move into a space of allocating discharges. Instead the CSG is directing that an allocation framework be developed during this Plan Change period. Meanwhile, an interim ‘hold and reduce’ policy direction is in place while the full information on land suitability is brought together so it can be applied in a robust and equitable way.” The plan change will be publicly notified this month

and the submission process will run until March 2017. Some drystock farmers claim that the proposed changes pit dairy farmers against drystock farmers and will reward the polluters, failing to solve the problems of water quality.

Complex catchments

Tracey says: “The Plan Change requires all sectors and communities to do their bit to ensure we manage water quality in the Waipa and Waikato Rivers to both protect the significant investment that has already been made towards managing water quality and ensuring there is a return on that investment for our future generations”. Managing water quality is an extremely complex issue, says Tracey. “We are working in one of New Zealand’s most complex catchments. The Collaborative Stakeholder Group process we have used has ensured those most affected by the changes have been able to influence the policy development to make sure we strive to balance the social, economic, cultural and environmental needs of our region.”

Elaine Fisher

Page 38

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

YOUR FARM, YOUR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS. When we planned to change our effluent system, we chose Presco Environmental as we have trusted their quality concrete products in the past and liked the idea of the concrete Prosump over other liner options. Because our project was not straight forward we gained professional advice from Oliver who was able to design the Prosump effluent storage facility to meet our needs, right down to the last detail. We were impressed by how everything went to plan, on time and within budget. We now have a long VGTO UWUVCKPCDNG KPXGUVOGPV CPF CTG CNTGCF[ DGPGÆ’VKPI HTQO URTGCFKPI VJG GHHNWGPV YKVJ KPETGCUGF pasture growth, especially in the summer, reducing our fertiliser costs.

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EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

The passing of the Waikato Healthy Rivers Plan will instil new fear to farmers to change the way they manage their farms in the future. Farmers will be angry the bureaucracy of regional councils will soon have another round of reasons to whip the living daylights out of them, as if they haven’t endured enough already. Federated Farmers will continue to do their political best to soften the blow and the public perception of farmers may drop a notch or two. This has caused me to climb to the top of the hill and look out at the big picture. Several pivotal questions come to light over this dilemma. 1: Do we really have a problem with our streams, rivers and lakes? Yes, we do. 2: Is there an excess of phosphates and nitrates leaching through our soils and into our waterways? Yes, there is. 3: Is it fair and just to blame the farmer for this mess? No, I do not believe that we should blame the farmer entirely. There are two factors contributing to the pollution of our waterways; effluent management and cattle having access, and phosphate and nitrogen application compromising the plant’s ability to hold on to those nutrients. I do believe the industry has number one under control and this does require direct input from the farmer. Compliance to rules and regulations under general circumstances should be the responsibility of the farmer.

Another story

However, I believe number two is another story. Fertiliser application and soil nutrient needs for pasture and cropping is generally a practice that farmers leave to a specialist. These specialists are called on by farmers to advise them on what they need to grow their grass and crops. Possibly 95 per cent of fertiliser in New Zealand is sold by two large companies, Ballance and Ravensdown. Interestingly, it is rumoured these two large companies have influence on the education of soil and fertiliser scientists in New Zealand. I was impressed upon reading Ballance’s website to find most of the specialists, who are employed by them to advise and guide farmers what to buy, are very well educated indeed. Now I know why those environmentalists are so mad. Those companies have turned their well- educated scientists into salesmen. Farmers have been brainwashed and swear allegiance to these specialists, who are now leaving them holding the can. It appears this great science that has been taught needs an overhaul. So just a gentle suggestion to councils round and throw the stones the other way and give the farmers a break.

Ballance-Ravensdown respond

Coast & Country News invited Ravensdown and Ballance to respond to David’s comments:

Ravensdown’s response: “Our business is a cooperative owned by farmers. It is not our purpose to sell or recommend more than our customer-owners actually need. All fertiliser recommendations are based on results of soil, plant and/or animal tests from an independently-accredited laboratory. Of course, farmers are under no obligation to carry out our recommendation. “Our team are well trained and professional – having the highest number of certified nutrient management advisors in the country as well as some of the most well-respected soil scientists. Our agri-manager team and environmental consultants advise on how to reduce potential nitrate and phosphate losses. Our shareholders do not want to waste their investment or risk environmental impacts. “Through our industry body, we invest in nutrient modelling software and individually we commit millions of dollars in researching ways to improve environmental mitigation.” Ballance Agri-Nutrients research and development manager Warwick Catto’s response: “Farmers are increasingly working within regulations designed to reduce the impact of farming on the environment. As a result, the demand for science-based advice and support to limit negative impacts of overuse of fertilisers, such as nutrient losses, is driven by farmers themselves. As a co-op owned by farmers we provide the level of service they need. “We are there to support their decisions – not make them for them. We’re not here to sell more fertiliser, just the right amount in the right places to minimise nutrient losses and maximise the benefits to crops and pasture. We undertake audits of our fertiliser and nutrient budgeting advice to confirm this is the case. We

also invest in research to develop tools and technology to enable even more precise decision making and nutrient application. “To support farmers, many of whom hold applicable degrees, we need the

Page 39

best people on the job. We recruit a range of people including tertiary graduates. It’s common for industry bodies to work with tertiary institutes so that theory remains applicable to practice.”

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Page 40

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Award-winning device gets cows back up Motor trimming and inventing a device to lift and support an unwell cow would seem to have little in common but Ted Handley of Matamata is skilled at both. In 1982 Ted won an innovations award at the Mystery Creek Fieldays for the Anlift Cattle Lifter he invented after a farmer friend asked for his help in finding a better way to care for ‘downer cows’. “The hip clamps some farmers still use to lift cows don’t fully support the cow,” says Ted of Matamata Motor Trimmers, which makes the Anlift Cattle Lifter. “So we came up with a sling, which supports her at four points between her front legs and between her back legs, so the cow can be supported comfortably and even transported that way. “We supply the lifters to farmers in United Kingdom and United States and recfently sent another shipment overseas. “The system has even been used to lift a cow by helicopter out of a drain,” says Ted. The term ‘downer cow’ is used to describe any cow that is sitting or lying on the ground and unable to get up. There are a number of reasons for this but in most cases it occurs pre-calving or post-calving. Ted says with a new generation of younger farmers on the land, many are unaware of his

lifters – but he’d like to see them more widely used because he believes they are kinder to the animal. The New Zealand company TechniPharm, which specialises in animal handling and farm automation solutions, is the agent for the Anlift and describes it as “a proper front-to-rear support frame and canvas to support the cow for longer periods. It is the very best way to get blood circulating again, which is vital to get the animal back on its feet”. Making the lifters is just part of the work Ted and his team specialise in at Matamata Motor Trimmers, which has branches in Matamata and Tauranga. They also specialist in upholstery and trimming for vintage, classic and modern cars, for boats, motorhomes and furniture. Elaine Fisher

A cow can be transported while supported in an Anlift Cattle Lifter.

The award-winning Anlift Cattle Lifter, designed by Ted Handley of Matamata, fully supports a cow until she’s able to stand unaided.

‘Starving’ mum makes point A man called his mother in Florida. “Mom, how are you?,” asks the son.

“Not too good,” says the mother. “I’ve been very weak.” The son asks: “Why are you so weak?”

The mother says: “Because I haven’t eaten in 38 days”. The son says: “That’s terrible. Why haven’t you eaten in 38 days?” The mother answers: “Because, I didn't want my mouth to be full in case you should call”.

FERTILISER

Page 41

Soil comes first – everything else follows Marlborough farmer Steve Mackenzie first discovered the balancing effect of soil nutrients more than 20 years ago, when he met Neal Kinsey at a seminar in Blenheim.

Afterwards he showed Neal two soil tests, one where the Calcium/Magnesium were 68 per cent and 12 per cent, but Phosphorus was low. The other test had Ca at 60 per cent and Mg at five per cent, but P was high. In Neal’s opinion the first test was better. He was right; the first test yielded 3t of barley versus 1.5t. It was then he started sending soil samples to Perry Agricultural Lab in Missouri for analysis. The first thing to show up was an acute copper deficiency to the extent where Steve was advised to take steps to rectify this as the level was 0.03 ppm (should be >2). He injected yearling bulls with copper and within 48 hours the results were unbelievable. They stopped riding each other, they stopped eating soil; they stopped scouring. They started behaving normally; all this from a proper soil test from a laboratory halfway across the world. Next was to balance the cations, Mg, Ca, Na and K and other trace minerals. Steve found as he progressed that thresholds are important. For example, it is a waste of time putting 2kg of copper on when it takes 5kg to actually work. The effects of Ca become much more obvious when reaching 60 per cent of base saturation. This is the point where the pore space allows for the proper air and water movement and subsequent biological activity and consequently more plant and animal growth of superior quality.

Microbes encouraged

The balancing effect means hot or cold, wet or dry becomes less important because both air and water movement within the soil is enhanced. This encourages the microbes to work to break down crop residues into humus and mineral into plant available nutrients. Legumes thrive, giving the system the right amount of nitrogen. It takes three to five years to get soil in balance. For example, Ca at 65-70 per cent, Mg at 10-12 per cent, K at threefive per cent, Na at one-three per cent on the PAL results, depending on how far out it is to start with. Many improvements happen when the balance is right. Grass grub, cut worm and porina damage largely disappears; metabolic problems such as bloat, milk fever, and hypomagnesemia fade away. Other problems also tend to disappear including birth defects, retained placentas, laminitis and facial eczema. Weeds also tell a story about what is right or wrong with the soil. Rhizome-type weeds like couch, yarrow, California thistles and morning glories

all diminish. This is because under a balanced regime fungi increase, which consume rhizomes, this is far more beneficial than any spray. Broadleaf weeds denote sour ground, and wireweed means low calcium. Acid soil weeds include sorrel, docks, and dandelions, hawkweed etc.

Red clover

Steve grows red clover. It disappears when there is a shortage of potassium. People say their pasture is run out. It’s not the pasture, it is the soil that is feeding it. Potassium is very often complexed and unavailable for plants to use when soils goes dry. This is very important for both red clover and many other crops. An interesting development has taken place in the vineyard. Glyphosate is an antibiotic. Steve believes the use of glyphosate damages soil microbes for long periods to the extent that vines are starved of nutrients. He uses an underwire mower instead of the sprayed strip. The grapes mature earlier, before rain, and taste better; and have good strong canes for the next year, with no discernible disease spores. When he turns sheep and cattle into the vineyard, they eat the clover under the vines first. Under a balanced system, plants and animals provide more of their own protection against disease and insect attack. Soil balancing improves phosphate especially if the pH is low or out of balance. How pH is constructed is very important. The phosphate does not lock up with iron and/or aluminium as easily. Consequently, much less is required. If you need large amounts of calcium or magnesium we have found normal ground limestone or Dolomite is required until correct levels are met. This applies also to trace minerals. It appears dairy farms in NZ use 500,000 tonnes of urea on their grass every year. That $350 million, or $25,000 per farm, which could be used to balance soils and the subsequent clover will provide more than enough nitrogen in a form that doesn’t leach.

Urea effects

Steve’s experience of the effects of urea are: • Elongation of the cell wall – longer grass with the same number of cells. • Greater evapotranspiration – more water required. • Greater insect attack – insects prefer excessive nitrogen. • Non-protein nitrogen – bloat and nitrate poisoning. • Pollution – excess into the system means excess nitrogen out of the system. • Calcium depletion – excess nitrogen departs as calcium nitrate. This also hardens the soil. • Crop lodging – elongation of the stem combined with copper reduc-

tion makes the straw weak in grain crops. (Nitrogen removes copper). • Do not put urea on pastures after a dry spell. There is already an excess of nitrogen there. The soil comes first. Everything else follows from there. This column is adapted from a presentation by Steve Mackenzie; “Turning the Albrect-Kinsey model of soil fertility into sustainable profits”.

FERTILISER

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Tempting professionals to provinces A group of student health professionals had a taste of what it’s like to work in rural areas when they spent a weekend in the Eastern Bay. Thirty Auckland-based students training in medicine, nursing, social work and podiatry, stayed at Puwairua marae, took a tour of Whakatane Hospital and were put through their paces

in a mock rural emergency situation with local St John crews. The ‘Grassroots’ weekend was organised by the Whakatane Rural Health Inter-professional Programme, a student placement joint initiative between the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s Clinical School and the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology and Waiariki Institute of Technology. The programme, launched in

Whakatane in 2013, aims to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in rural New Zealand. The programme is also run in Gisborne. The students also had the opportunity of enjoying some of the Eastern Bay’s great outdoors including kayaking on Ohiwa harbour and visiting the Awakeri Hot pools. It’s the second time academic coordinator Yvonne Boyes has run the Grassroots weekend.

Yvonne says for some students, being exposed to life in a rural town was quite a contrast to their lives in Auckland. And some expressed an interest in returning to the region in their final year of medicine.

A mock rural emergency put 30 Auckland students through their paces in Whakatane.

Growing market for eco-friendly food Consumers have had enough of toxic chemicals in their food, says Agrissentials NZ Ltd chief executive John Morris. “If you open your heart and your mind you will recognise the rising consumer call for safe, certified, nutritiously dense food, produced in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. “This is the new market and it is growing,” says John. “Consumers don’t want genetically modified food products; all they want is good wholesome healthy food. That’s not too much to ask for and it is an easy recipe to provide, but let go of the chemicals first.” Agrissentials multi-mineral microbial rich Organx

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FERTILISER

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Maximising fertiliser benefits in spring Spring pasture is often the most valuable feed you will produce all year as it is typically a pinch-point in the calendar on many farms, says Ravensdown agri manager Marty O’Connor. Here’s his advice for spring on finishing farms about what to expect from fertiliser as the soil temperatures warm up and how to make the most of it. Whether providing extra feed for lambing ewes or finishing cattle there is typically a good return on increasing the amount of quality pasture you produce early in the season. Ewes fed well during lactation will produce more milk, meaning more lambs can be drafted on the truck at weaning, when returns are highest and the total amount of dry matter consumed is least. A good rule of thumb is to time spring nitrogen applications three weeks prior to lambing or calving, as this should be about the time spring pasture growth typically kicks in. High country or cold inland valleys, where lambing/calving occurs prior to spring

pasture growth, will do better with an autumn application when soil temperatures are still conducive to growth. Cattle will also benefit from more feed during this period, allowing more weight to be added before the schedule starts to drop or pasture quality declines in early summer. Three things that will drive your pasture production in spring:

Soil temperature

Farmers often lament the slowness of spring growth, however long-term climate records show this is often very consistent year-on-year. While there is nothing we can do to change this, it is good to know when soil temperatures start to lift where you live. Generally, soil temperatures peak in late-summer and are often lowest about the time lambing and calving are commencing. Frost has a big negative impact on soil temperature. Farmers often say they need rain in the spring to get things moving when in reality it is the lack of frost, rather than the moisture, that is needed.

Two new OVERSEER directors OVERSEER Limited has appointed two independent directors to its board, completing the set-up of the company formed to deliver the farm nutrient management tool OVERSEER Nutrient Budgets. Bill Luff and Ian Clarke join three existing board members – Greg Campbell of the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand, Tom Richardson from AgResearch Limited and Dan Bolger from the Ministry for Primary Industries. OVERSEER Limited Acting Chair Greg Campbell says he’s excited to welcome Bill and Ian to the board. “They both have excellent governance experience and expertise. “They will provide an independent perspective as we further develop OVERSEER to support the longterm success of New Zealand primary industries.” Bill is appointed as chair. He’s a professional director, with extensive experience in government and business. He had a considerable period at British Petroleum Group, as CEO of BP Shipping and head of strategy, planning and control for BP Oil International. Bill held executive roles with Network Tasman Limited, Can-

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terbury Development Corporation as CEO, and with Solid Energy New Zealand Limited. He’s also held a number of directorships, including with Silver Fern Farms Limited and the Lyttelton Port Company Limited. Bill is currently a director of Enable Services and Enable Network Limited, Isaac Construction Limited, J Ballantyne and Co Limited and Central Plains Water Limited, and a trustee of the Lighthouse Vision Trust, Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Trust. Ian is appointed as an independent director of the board. He has more than 30 years’ experience in medium and large NZ companies. Ian has a farming background and extensive experience in software development and system integration, notably heading Fronde as its CEO. OVERSEER Limited Chief Executive, Dr. Caroline Read says: “Achieving our strategic plan, launched last December, will be enhanced by the addition of Bill and Ian to the board. Our new company is now fully in place and we are going from strength to strength”.

It should be remembered in irrigated areas that wet soil is slower to heat than dry soil. The temptation to irrigate should be resisted as long as possible to allow soil to warm up.

Nitrogen effective

The Nitrate and Ammonium that is plant available is the next biggest driver of spring growth. Most N found in soil is ‘organic N’ stored in the organic compounds generated by animal returns and breaking-down plant material. It is this N that requires ‘bugs’ in the soil to convert it to the mineral form mentioned above. These bugs require warm temperatures to perform

this at the required rate for rapid pasture growth. In the meantime, applying fertiliser N in the form of urea or ammonium-sulphate (Ammo), when soil temperatures are increasing in the spring, will dramatically lift pasture growth rates. At the time of writing, $1.10/kg of N urea is a cost effective way of increasing production. I recommend applying a minimum of 30kgN/ha (65kg Urea/ha) to the warmer parts of your property when soil Similar to N, the major pool of soil Sulphur temperatures are 5degrees and is also stored in organic matter and can be rising. available in limited quantities in spring. This is easily measured through soil tests Sulphur required that will show the sulphate-sulphur level. Sulphate-sulphur is the last Generally, levels will be good if an S leg of the trifecta to ensure fertiliser has been applied in autumn, or the maximum spring growth. winter has been dry with limited drainage.

Page 44

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 45

New skill sets asset for machinery company Spring has sprung at Capital Tractors, Tauranga, with the addition of two new staff members. The first is Bruce Lasenby, who joined the sales department at the end of July. “Bruce has really hit the ground running, he’s such a positive addition to the team and comes with so much knowledge from having previously spent 10 years selling tractors for three tractor dealerships in the Waikato area,” says Capital Tractors owner Reg Hedges. “He has now settled in the Bay of Plenty and it’s a pleasure to have him on board,” says Reg.

James Keer-Keer has also recently joined the field mechanical team at Capital Tractors. “James has a really solid background having worked for the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a diesel mechanic and more recently, on trucks and heavy vehicles in Mount Maunganui,” says Reg. “We are fortunate to have James join our team.” Capital Tractors co-owner and advertising manager Michelle Hedges says the company has plenty of spring specials on at the moment. “We have a Spring promo for Hustler Zero Turn Mowers that we haven’t done previously, with 24 months interest free. This comes with the opportunity to go

Safety manual to tempt entrants Entrants in the 2017 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards who are members of Federated Farmers, will receive a copy of its Farm Safety Management System resource. John Mackintosh, of the award’s organising committee, says the resource is worth several hundred dollars and it is a generous sponsorship by Federated Farmers. “We hope the manual will help tempt even more farmers and growers to enter the awards, which offer significant benefits to those who do take part,” says John. Entries for the 2017 awards close on October 21, followed by a round of

judging by a team of farmers and rural professionals who, as well as assessing entrants, share their knowledge and advice. It is this aspect of the awards that entrants find very useful, because it gives them access to expert advice and the chance to share information with like-minded people. John acknowledges many farmers and growers may be reluctant to put themselves forward for the awards and wants to reassure those considering doing so that it is not a daunting process. Entry details can be found at: www.nzfeatrust.org.nz/

into a draw for a mystery weekend for two. “We also have tractor/forkhoist specials for the horticultural growers.” Michelle says the market is so buoyant right now with the start of what is set to be a record-breaking 2017 season for kiwifruit. “If you need anything horticultural, agricultural or for a lifestyle block, give us a call, we are here to help and pride ourselves on doing business with integrity.”

James Keer-Keer is a new member of the field mechanical team at Capital Tractors.

Bruce Lasenby has joined the Capital Tractors sales team.

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 46

Horse power and trip wires – maize planting in the 1940s Sowing two to three rows of grain at a time and using trip wires to space the kernels evenly are a far cry from today’s modern maize planting methods. However, they are among those described in ‘Maize Growing for Grain’ Bulletin No 269 – from the NZ Department of Agriculture that I found in some of the documents belonging to my late father-in-law, Harry Fisher. The 28-page bulletin is dated March 1946 and was written by C Walker, an

instructor in agriculture in Thames. It includes a series of black and white photographs of cultivation, planting and harvesting, using both tractordriven and horse-drawn equipment. Despite the decades since he wrote this bulletin, and the advances in technology, the author’s basic advice is as applicable today as it was then. He talks about selecting the best areas for planting, careful preparation of the land before sowing and selecting varieties suited to the location. However, the methods of cultivation, sowing and harvesting are vastly different from today. “In preparing for maize one should

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aim at providing the best p possible conditions of tilth Intercultivating duel cro plant. by the time the seed is sown. with small powern’ Bulle tin No 269. for Grai Photo: ‘Maize Growing “In general, well-planned cultivation, spread over several months, will produce good results, but hurried cultivation is always likely to lead to disappointment. No amount of cultivation after the crop is sown can make up for any deficiencies in preparatory work,” writes C Walker. Intriguing is C Walker’s description of a system for spacing the plants. “A check system of sowing is adopted in the Gisborne district where the maize planter travels along wires stretched from (including Motiti end to end of the field maize), Horsetooth, being sown. Checks Early Butler, Excelspaced about 34 inch sior, Large Yellow apart on these wires Dent, Silver Queen The way trip the machine and and Pfister Hybrid. it was – so w w in it g maize allow two or three “The average yields Photo: ‘M h a two-ro w aize Grow ing for G planter. kernels of maize to for grain in this counrain’ Bulle tin N o 269. be dropped at each try is from 45 to 50 spacing. bushels of shelled maize “This method…provides for per acre. Where condispacing both ways so that subsequent inter-cultitions of soil and climate vations can be carried out in two directions, which is are particularly favourof great assistance where weeds are troublesome”. able, yields of over 100 The bulletin lists 11 main varieties of maize, and bushels are fairly frequent,” writes C Walker. One their attributes. They are Marigold, Prairie Queen, bushel of corn equals slightly more than 25kg. Elaine Fisher Funk’s Yellow Dent, Hickory King, Flint Types

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The University of Waikato’s Deputy ViceChancellor Research Professor Bruce Clarkson has been awarded the Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement by the Royal Society of New Zealand. The award, made every three years, honours those who have achieved distinction in the protection, maintenance, management, improvement or understanding of the environment, in particular the sustainable management of the New Zealand environment. The prize consists of a medal, a cash grant of $2000 and an all-expenses paid lecture tour of New Zealand cities to talk about his work. Bruce is an international authority on volcanic and urban restoration. The professor has also received more than $2.8 million Endeavour funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise to lead a four-year interdisciplinary project called People, Cities and Nature: Restoring indigenous nature in urban environments.

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SPRING PLANTING & MAIZE

Growing proven varieties pays Looking back at a tough year and forward to another, the fate of the maize industry is strongly entwined with the dairy.

and silage yields in ideal conditions throughout the Waikato and Manawatu/Rangitikei – and in the more challenged, dry environments in and around Greytown and Masterton for example.

Low global commodity prices are making it tough for everyone. Seed companies are feeling the pinch as Higher yields PAC 230 is a fraction longer than PAC 249 with much as anyone with margins as tight as ever due to significantly higher yield, regularly out-yielding reduced demand and increasing costs of production. hybrids in the 100CRM to 105CRM maturity With the area planted to maize down again by about group. It is a medium height plant that produces 30 per cent survival will be based on lean systems, solid silage yields with exceptionally high grain maintaining market share and through diversificacontent. tion. Introduced to the NZ market With low prices at the farm in 2015, it has had another gate profitably for contract very good year in the Foundagrowers is going to depend tion for Arable Research MPT primarily on yield. For those trials. For silage this hybrid’s growing maize on the platform strength is in more challenged it will be a more complicated soils, where it will deliver good equation balancing yield and yields with exceptionally high quality and feed management grain content. And for grain it to optimise heard performance will go well in most situations. and production. Again, no need to push the It’s always a fine line between population above 100,000 on cutting costs, but to grow a profitable crop of anything cut- Leanne Doherty and Alistair Thompson this one. A little longer again at the ting corners rarely pays off. of Carrfields upper end of the mid-season Craig says, under Carrfields bracket, PAC 343 and PAC 432 have both been stewardship, Pacific Seeds continues to provide a generating a lot of hype in the upper North Island – diverse and highly productive portfolio of maize and summer forage products to the New Zealand farming particularly among the grain-growing fraternity and for good reason. Both of these hybrids will deliver community. very competitive silage yields with exceptionally high Drought tolerant grain content in a wide variety of situations. They’re Pacific Seeds sources material from some of the definitely worth a look. world’s leading seed breeding companies including On top of these four mid-season hybrids Pacific Dekalb, Limagrain, Advanta and others. Seeds has a full range of highly competitive hybrids During the last 10 years Dekalb has been developcovering all of the key maturity groups and market ing a portfolio of non-genetically modified organism, segments. These range from the quick PAC 040 heat and drought tolerant maize hybrids branded (80CRM), which regularly outperforms all other DKoptim’eau – which is French for ‘optimum water’. hybrids in the 75CRM to 85CRM maturity group These hybrids are bred from parent lines with proven right through to the ultra-full season PAC 624 (115 tolerance to hot dry conditions, but to be branded CRM), which still serves as a benchmark for yield DKoptim’eau each hybrid must also empirically potential and low population ‘flex’ in the warm express enhanced tolerance of hot dry conditions coastal regions of the compared to standard hybrids. upper North Island and Pacific seeds currently has two such hybrids in its indeed NZ. portfolio: PAC 249 and PAC 230. Released to the Craig Graham, group general manager, NZ market in 2012, PAC 249 has proven itself to Canterbury Seed Company be a solid workhorse capable of delivering high grain

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SPRING PLANTING & MAIZE

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Attitude change required to hearing aids Two in three adults aged 70-plus will lose some hearing because of age, and by the time they hit 85, four in five will, according to a team of scientists from the Unites States. The researchers studied more than 600 people above the age of 80 and found even though the vast majority had hearing loss, only six in 10 used hearing aids. Given how important hearing aids can be to health and quality of life, the authors recommend thinking of them as a ‘lifestyle modification’ to help increase their acceptance and use.

SPRING PLANTING & MAIZE

Page 49

Cautious confidence returns to dairying

During recent weeks there has been a cautious increase in confidence in the dairy industry as the price of whole milk powder has crept toward $3000 per tonne, which is the supposed breakeven point for most dairy farms, says Tim White of Neville Marsh Contracting. “Just as rural contractors are the first to feel the effects of a downturn in the pastoral sector after the farmers themselves, we are also amongst the first to see any small amount of confidence return – and, although it is early days, we hope it continues.” Many dairy farmers have decided to bring their heifers home to graze on-farm as a result of the downturn and in turn graziers have been replacing these heifers with beef stock, which has driven the demand up for beef and dairy beef cattle and also underpinned the market for well-bred dairy beef calves and weaners. “To this end dairy grazers have changed their system and dairy farmers may have a little trouble sourcing off-farm grazing for their young stock for a year or two. “There has also been increased demand for balage, which has coincided with the announced increase in payout by Fonterra and a slow start to spring most contractors stocks of balage have dropped.” Interest in maize has also heightened, both to buy and grow on-farm, and tonnages for those who have stayed in the maize system are returning to levels of three years ago. “At Marsh Contracting we are using a shredlage processor on our chopper that ensures every corn kernel is cracked and more available for the cow to digest. “And our clients have told us they have noticed after milkings, when they are hosing down, there are very few or no kernels that have passed through the cows system undigested.”

The shredlage system also slices the stalk and leaves of the maize plant into 26mm-30mm planks, which allows greater microbial activity, allowing the cow to digest it more efficiently and also results in a more densely packed stack. “An American trial shows shredlage made maize silage had a dry matter density of 20.4lb per cubic foot as opposed to 16.9lb per cubic foot for conventionally processed maize silage. “Also trialled by us last year was ‘glad wrap’ transparent silage sealing cover, which is placed under the main stack cover. This shrinks down onto the stack, creating an airtight seal and stopping wastage – particularly in the corners and ends of bunkers where compacting with stack tractors is difficult. It also provides more protection against pukeko and other vermin,” says Tim. “Cost is minimal and clients who trialled it for us last year have ordered it for their stacks this year, particularly for the stacks that are likely to be the last ones opened. Tim says if you wish to know any further details about the shredlage processing system and/or the transparent silage seal please, contact Neville Marsh Contracting by phone or email “and we will be able to discuss all of the benefits of using these systems and show how they will save you money by increasing digestive efficiency and minimising wastage of your valuable maize silage,” says Tim.

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HORTICULTURE

Orchard netting has many benefits citrus and fig growers and the fabric has a 10-year warranty including against ultra violet light damage. Western Bay of Plenty District Council bylaws mean white netting cannot be installed within 30 metres of a main highway or a neighbouring property. “Which is why you will see black or green net as well as white net on some orchards,” says Mike, who is based in Tauranga. “We supply our white netting, ”Some growers choose the black called Kiwinet, in lengths to fit Mike King of Cosio Industries netting because it absorbs the sun’s the rows so there is no waste,” accurately measures orchards to heat during the day and releases says Mike, who visits orchards to it to the orchard at night. The determine how much netting is accurately measure the lengths green does the same but to a lesser required to protect vines or trees. required. degree.” He’s a fan of the Cosio whiteMike, a former dairy farmer from knitted fabric because of the advantages it brings for Galatea, says the company’s wind cloth is also used by orchardists. “Because the white net reflects light back farmers for calf shelters and in herd barns to the plants it helps with plant health and growth and Cosio Industries is a leading supplier of a range of can have an influence on fruit dry matter, as well as products including plastic films, reservoir linings, protecting the plants and fruit from wind.” geotextiles and fabrics for industrial, construction, It’s not just kiwifruit orchardists who install the netting. It is also used by blueberry, passionfruit, horticultural and agricultural applications.

Made to measure netting – which not only protects kiwifruit vines and fruit from wind but also promotes plant health and fruit maturity – is what Mike King of Cosio Industries specialises in.

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Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn,Auckland 27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland. Email sales@cosio.co.nz Website www.cosio.co.nz Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

Stink bug among most unwanted pests It has a very unpleasant name, which is appropriate, because the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a nasty insect – especially if you are an orchardist. Called BMSB for short by those in the know – this stink bug is number two on Kiwifruit Vine Health’s must unwanted organism list and is ranked as possibly one of the greatest biosecurity risk threats currently facing New Zealand. The insect isn’t yet established here yet but according to KVH’s annual report, there were 38 “interception events” at the NZ border in the summer of 2015-2016. Each interception was of between one and 15 insects. This insect is hard to keep out as it can hitch a lift to NZ in many ways including in containers, vehicles and mail from Asia, the United States and Europe. The BMSB is not fussy about what it eats and will feast on more than 300 types of plants. This is likely to include kiwifruit and research is underway to find out if that’s the case. Unlike fruit fly there are no effective ways to trap small populations of the bug. So if it does get here NZ doesn’t yet have an effective surveillance system in place to detect it. The bug is hard to kill and eradication would only be successful if it was detected early. The bug is a serious nuisance pest as adults enter vehicles, homes and factories in large numbers in autumn looking for places to shelter during winter. BMSB is a major focus If you see a Brown for KVH, Ministry for Primary Industries and all Marmorated Stink Bug - catch it and horticultural industries call MPI on efforts are being put into 0800 80 99 66. keeping this pest out.

HORTICULTURE

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Asia steps up demand for quality fruit and vegetables Last month I was able to see first-hand the potential for New Zealand’s fruit and vegetable exports to Asia during a week in Hong Kong that included attending Asia Fruit Logistica. This is an enormous expo, from September 7-9, which attracts more than 9000 buyers and visitors to see 65-plus exhibitors from 37 different countries, including a strong New Zealand showcase. I also visited local Hong Kong markets to observe, at the consumer level, how fruit and vegetables are displayed to match buyer preferences. New Zealand fruit and vegetables were exported to 125 countries in 2015. The top five markets in order of size were Australia, the Unites States, Japan, the United Kingdom and, for the first time, China. These five export markets accounted for more than $2.58 billion in sales, an increase of $130 million from 2014. While Japan is the largest importer of New Zealand’s fresh vegetables and a significant market for fruit, there is wider potential in Asia for both our fruit and vegetables. Given the sheer size of its population – at 1.3 billion people – and a growing middle class, there is a focus on China as an export market.

Asian neighbours There is also potential to further expand in markets such as South Korea and Taiwan, and in developing markets such as Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. We are seeing New Zealand export volumes decrease in our traditional markets of the United States and Europe, and increase throughout our closer Asian neighbours. Consumer demand in Asia centres is on healthy

eating, and there’s a growing appetite for organics and exotic fruit and small vegetables that have some novelty factor. Attractive packaging is very important for making sales at premium prices. As cellphone and internet technology continues to be adopted by many people in Asian countries, e-sales are rapidly increasing and present new channels for exports. While consumer demand is high for quality fruit and vegetables, one of the biggest problems facing New Zealand exporters is market access – that is, agreement for our products to enter the market, from the countries we want to export to.

Free trade

The New Zealand Government has made significant gains with Free Trade Agreements, but access remains critical to increasing horticulture’s export performance in Asia. Fruit exports have benefited from the Taiwan FTA, kiwifruit from the Korean FTA and buttercup squash, traditionally reliant on Japan, should also start to benefit from recent trade agreements with China, Taiwan and South Korea. For horticulture there are real tariff benefits, totalling about $26 million per annum, from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. New Zealand apples, kiwifruit, buttercup squash and onions will be the big winners when the TPPA comes into force. For kiwifruit growers, this is worth about $6000 a year for each grower. Asia Fruit Logistica was a great place to see just what is on offer in horticulture on a global scale; and to get an understanding of what different Asian markets want and will pay for. The trade stands covered an area equivalent to three rugby fields. Fresh and good quality fruit and vegetables are in high demand in Asia and as affluence increases, more consumers are able to pay for that quality. To secure

successful sales at a premium, exporters need to focus on consistency in supplying that quality. Attending such events is invaluable for both established and new, or aspiring exporters. The views expressed in this article are those of the author.

Consumers in Asia focus on healthy eating , and are keen on organics, exotic fruits and small vegetables that have some novelty factor.

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FORESTRY

New weta identified Three new species of ground weta and mating calls have been identified as a result of research by doctoral student Briar Taylor-Smith and her supervisors Professor Steven Trewick and Associate Professor Mary Morgan-Richard of the Massey Ecology Group.

They have reported their findings in ‘New Zealand Journal of Zoology’. Two of the new species, which were previously classified as Hemiandrus maculifrons, have now been named Hemiandrus luna and Hemiandru brucei. A third species, related to the other two, has been named Hemiandrus nox. Hemiandrus luna and Hemiandrus nox were named after Roman goddesses and Hemiandru brucei (Bruce’s weta) is named for Briar’s grandfather and mentor. Ground weta are found in native forest throughout the North and South islands, as well as on numerous offshore islands. Most species of ground weta have restricted ranges but the three new species are found on both main islands. Institute of Agriculture and Environment’s Steven Trewick says many species of

weta are abundant in NZ forests and other habitats, but a lot of these have yet to be described. “The similarity of these three species explains why they were previ- ously treated as a single taxon. However, amongst New Zealand’s weta, ground weta are the most poorly characterised and most in need of taxonomic and ecological work. “Although ground weta are common in many places we know little about them because they are only active at night.”

One of the newly discovered species of ground weta – Bruce’s weta, Hemiandrus brucei. Additional taxonomic and ecological work on ground weta is needed to test the reported diversity of this genus. Mary Morgan-Richards says: “Taxonomy lies at the heart of species conservation and many large New Zealand orthopterans

[order of insects] remain to be described”. “Even in 2016, there are new species to discover and important diversity to describe. We cannot conserve an animal if we do not know it exists, which is why it is so important to begin conservation by documenting our biodiversity,” says Mary. “We can study the whakapapa of the species, and understand how they are related to one another, and use this information to provide the habitat the species needs to survive.” New Zealand Anostostomatidae (true weta) includes three main lineages: giant and tree weta, tusked weta, and ground weta. Together, they comprise some 60 species that occupy diverse habitats from lowland forest to the alpine zone. A separate group, the Rhaphidophoridae or cave weta, are also being studied by the Massey team. In related research, the mating calls of ground weta have been recorded. Until recently it was not known that ground weta communicated using sounds. These weta do not have the ‘ears’ on their legs that many other weta have, but it appears they use vibrations to signal to each other. The male ground weta does this by rapidly drumming its body against the leaf it is standing on. The resulting sound is inaudible to humans but can be detected using a specialised sensor.

Processors hampered by lack of logs There is a supply challenge for many regions in the Timber processors are being hindered by a current lack of logs, especially in the higher grades, says New Zealand Wood Council chair Brian Stanley. domestic processing industry as small-scale woodlot

owners are enticed into quick export contracts and buyers are not providing domestic processors with an opportunity to purchase these logs. “The problem is not so much with the large-scale dedicated forest operators, who depend on being able to supply a constant volume into both the local and export markets and are managed and equipped for this. “In many areas small-scale owners would do well to get expert advice on terms and conditions for their sale and who to sell to, and not rush into contracts just because their logs are nearly mature. A slightly longer term view might provide a better return.” Brian says the security of future investment into both forestry and processing in New Zealand has suffered from fluctuations in government policy during the last 30 years. “If anyone is going to invest in more processing, they need to be sure there will be a continuous supply of logs, especially where small farm woodlots are an important source of that log supply. “This requires stable and long-term policy. Woodco is united in its positon that government should not attempt to control price or volume on forest products or production. That wouldn’t work.” Government policies that would help develop local processing capacity and competitiveness include more research into wood processing, through to accelerated depreciation and rural roading assistance.

AVOCADO

Island plantings of Gem fruit when ripe. The quality and taste has been described as exceptional in independent, European-based tasting panels.” Lynnaire says consumers will recognise Gem as an avocado so will not be confused by its appearance. Gem is an attractive The budwood can be grafted “This is an exciting developfruit which holds on trees to almost any root stock which ment for Seeka and the industry later in the season. suits individual orchard locations and is the start of what we believe will be rapidly increasing plantings of Gem, which and needs. Seeka currently has licences with growers offers a number of advantages for the category,” to plant approximately 7000 trees in the spring of says Seeka avocado category manager Lynnaire 2017 with numbers steadily increasing from then Avers. onwards. The planting of an initial 50 trees follow the “We expect to harvest the first fruit from the securing by Seeka of an exclusive New Zealand island orchard in two years.” As well as new trees, licence from Westfalia Fruit Estates Pty Ltd to Seeka is also “top working” 40 existing trees on the grow and market the new ‘3-29-5’ variety of avoisland, pruning them in preparation for grafting cado, marketed under the trademark Gem. Gem budwood which in turn could produce more The Gem avocado was bred by researchers at budwood if required. the University of California, Riverside, United The planting and management of the trees in the States, which subsequently awarded Westfalia Fruit new Gem orchard will be carefully monitored and Estates the right to internationally commercialise overseen by Dr Jonathan Dixon, Chief Technical the variety. Officer at Seeka. “Gem typically grows its fruit inside the tree, mostly in clusters, which are protected from damage. The trees can be grown at a density of up to 300 per hectare which is more than other varieties, largely because Gem has a semi-compact growth pattern which makes it easier to manage. Research indicates Gem trees may be less susceptible to alternate bearing than other varieties; and that the fruit will hold on the trees until later in the season, at a time when market prices are generally stronger. “Gem fruit are attractive with a dark green colour, which turns black with wee yellow speckles

Page 53

Growing the next generation

Gem Avocado

Seeka has begun the first commercial planting in New Zealand of the new avocado variety called Gem on an orchard on Motuhoa Island in Tauranga Harbour.

The Gem avocado tree has a semi-compact growth which makes it easier to manage.

ƭșMore-consistent yields

ƭșAttractive, great-tasting fruit

ƭșHigh-yielding, compact trees ƭșGreat handling characteristics

Licences Available Now! We love to talk avocados Call our grower support team today. Lynnaire Avers 021 836 579

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AVOCADO

Page 54

‘Audacious step’ challenges avocado status quo The new Avora concept repreFreshmax NZ has announced a new collaborative avocado procurement and distribution model for the 2016/2017 season and has sents a completely new approach to avocado marketing and employed an industry veteran, Jim Tarawa, to help lead the change. promises a true grower-marketer partnership to deliver the most cost-efficient path to markets, says Jim, who is the company’s avocado procurement manager. TM

12-month supply

Freshmax NZ has in recent years consolidated its competitive position by acquiring and integrating the Australian-based operations of De Luca Banana Marketing, Sunraysia and finally in 2014 Freshmax become a major shareholder in Valleyfresh Australia and Valleyfresh North America. Freshmax has connected its trans-Tasman distribution platform to successfully provide direct access to retail and wholesale markets in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. “The strategy to offer Australian

supermarkets 12-month avocado supply utilising NZ and Australian domestic fruit has been very successful in establishing programmed supply,” says Jim. “The Avora concept revolves around leveraging a fully transparent logistics model which delivers all cost efficiencies back to growers.” In addition, Freshmax has used the Freshmax Australia/DBM sales and distribution platform to reduce distribution costs and margins.

Radically different

On the back of exceptional grower returns last season, Jim says Freshmax is optimistic this radically different model can create scale for its growers, meet growing demand in Australian and Asian retail, and ultimately drive enhanced grower returns. Jim has joined the business

to drive the new model alongside category leaders Duncan Lilley and Dave Alderton. Jim has a wealth of avocado experience in the NZ industry and is particularly enthusiastic about introducing Avora to NZ producers. “I’m really excited to be part of the Avora marketing team and talking to growers about direct access to customers. Freshmax has taken an audacious step in challenging the status quo. “The message is simple – single commissions, no more multiple clips of the ticket through the supply chain and a marketer that works on declared fixed costs is a bold step.” Avora aims to develop a truly collaborative concept with avocado grower supply linking the best NZ grown fruit with local and global markets at the lowest cost.

Showcasing NZ avocados in Asia THE BEST MARKETED

GREEN GOLD

OUR COMMITMENT TO DELIVER

New Zealand solidified its reputation as the preferred supplier of premium quality avocados to the Asian market after a successful season-opening trip to Asia Fruit Logistica. Held in Hong Kong, Asia’s leading trade show for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry was a chance for AVOCO and its team of experienced marketers to capture the attention of customers and explain how its

Collaborative Procurement Single Margin

Point of difference

Transparent Supply Chain Efficiency

“The seasonal nature of New Zealand’s supply automatically gives us a point of difference in the market and when you combine this with how New Zealand fruit is creamier and tastier, you have a very powerful value proposition,” says Ted. In 2016-2017, AVOCO expects to export about 3.2 million trays, with 17 per cent to be sent to various Asian markets, such as Thailand, Singapore, Korea and Japan. The Asia programme runs between August and the end of January, with all five of AVOCO’s packhouses across the Bay of Plenty and Northland now supplying these markets with fruit. Japan is a priority market for AVANZA, which will ship 210,000 trays there this year – a 65 per cent increase on last season. Farmind, an importer with a strong consumer focus, will deliver the fruit to market for the fourth year for AVANZA. Ted says this year’s promotional activity has been designed to tap into the attitudes and buying behaviours of Japanese consumers, which came out of a research project involving both AVANZA and the Avocado Industry Council.

Direct Retail AISA, AUST, NZ Enhanced OGR JIM TARAWA

DAVID ALDERTON

DUNCAN LILLEY

+ 6 4 2 7 2 7 4 7 0 7 6

+ 6 4 2 1 5 0 5 8 1 4

+ 6 4 2 7 4 0 6 0 3 4 8

jtarawae@freshmax.co.nz

dalderton@freshmax.co.nz

dlilley@freshmax.co.nz

supply model can successfully meet their need for greattasting premium avocados under the AVANZA brand. It’s the third consecutive year AVANZA has operated a joint trade booth with United States-based marketing partner, Mission Produce, with both parties using the event to promote how effectively their partnership provides a 12-month supply solution. AVOCO export manager Ted Thomas says Asia will continue to be a strategic focus for AVOCO with Asian consumers developing an appetite for high quality, healthy food options. “Once again AVANZA’s attendance at the expo was very beneficial with the joint trade booth a fantastic way to connect with key Asian customers – our existing and our future.”

The AVOCO/AVANZA marketing team held a joint booth at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong with their United States marketing partners Mission Produce.

Nutritional benefit

Let us take it from here. enquiries @avoco.co.nz Leading AVOCO Bay of Plenty growers Hugh Moore, John Schnackenberg and Ron Bailey.

CC010916

5 Grower-led 5 Future proofed 5 Delivering value

Last season, AVANZA supplied 100 per cent of New Zealand’s fruit to Japan. To further drive sales for the brand in a high volume year, AVANZA partnered with the AIC in the project to better understand what motivates the Japanese consumer to buy avocados. The project determined the nutritional benefit of avocados was the most important trigger point for consumers in Japan, closely followed by New Zealand’s story in its context as the source of origin. Ted says for these reasons, the New Zealand ‘AVANZA’ avocado would be positioned as the perfect choice for consumers who value nutrition, taste and quality of life. “The AVANZA brand in Japan carries a solid reputation for high food safety and quality and we are proud to continue building upon this,” says Ted.

AVOCADO

Disruptive innovations showcase Developers, innovators, technology suppliers, service providers or researchers all targeting the primary sector are invited to be part of MobileTECH 2017 in Rotorua.

“Applications are now open to those interested in being part of the TECH Talks presentations for 2017,” says MobileTECH’s programme manager Ken Wilson. There is no question that new digital and wireless technologies are transforming the way we operate our businesses, says Ken. New Zealand’s primary industry has an opportunity to lead the world in how the technologies are adopted and who the innovators are. “The TECH Talks generated a lot of interest during the last MobileTECH programme; and for 2017 we are looking to really expand on this exciting format.” The TECH Talks gives presenters five minutes to passionately showcase their idea, product or service on-stage live and direct to the primary sector. These are quick-fire sessions dedicated to promoting the best mobile technologies and innovations within the sector. Technologies can involve mobile communications, productivity apps, cloud computing, the internet of things, automation, remote

sensors, smart customer integrations, rural connectivity, mobile hardware, big data, aerial drones, M2M, robotics, satellite mapping, communications, data ownership and field capture tools. Now in its fifth year, MobileTECH has firmly established itself as one of the leading crossindustry technology events in NZ, attracting close to 350 attendees from the agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries in 2016. It has become a key meeting place for technology leaders, innovative developers, early adopters and the next generation of primary sector operators. CONNEX: Event Innovators, is the team behind MobileTECH, and the event on March 22-23, 2017, in Rotorua is on a mission to create a platform of change for the region’s primary sector with the theme for MobileTECH 2017 being disruptive innovations. If you are interested in being part of the TECH Talks, or the programme itself, see: www.mobiletech.events

Climate change projects get $3.1m funding Thirteen new agriculture and forestry climate change projects have been granted $3.1 million in funding. Primary Industries Ministers Nathan Guy and Jo Goodhew have welcomed $3.1 million in new funding for the climate change research projects in the agriculture and forestry sectors. The grants were announced last month by the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change research programme. “This funding plays an important part in helping our primary industries prepare for the future challenges of climate change,” says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

“[As] $935,000 is being invested in three projects to analyse soil carbon on hill country farms and under irrigation systems. “These projects and others like greenhouse gas mitigation research will help build our knowledge around the impacts of climate change on the sector and how we can adapt and mitigate these effects.” Associate Minister for Primary Industries Jo Goodhew has welcomed a $250,000 grant for a review of climate change research in New Zealand focusing on forests by the NZ Forest Research Institute Ltd. “Forestry is one of NZ’s largest and cheapest forms of carbon storage and will play an important role in adapting to climate change. We need to keep building our knowledge in this area if we are to ensure our forests continue to thrive in a changing climate.”

Page 55

KIWIFRUIT

Page 56

Nourishing strong plant growth Sold in bulk to the horticultural and agricultural markets, the fertilisers are based on compost, chicken manure and vermicast, naturally produced by earthworms. “Available in liquid and solid form, the fertilisers are not only good for the environment and productivity, but can also help suppress weeds and plant diseases – including Psa-V,” says Phil. “These days there’s a move towards more of a biological approach to farming and horticulture and our products are being used successfully on both conventional and organic orchards and farms.” Revital Fertilisers is a one-stop shop for farmers and orchardists, not only supplying a great range of BioGro certified, organic fertilisers but blending them with Revital Fertilisers’ products come other fertilisers as required and in liquid or sold form for spreading providing a cartage and spreadin orchards or on pasture. ing service too.

While many orchardists and farmers across the Bay of Plenty are still discovering the secret to healthy soils, healthy vines, healthy pasture and healthy profits, it’s something many loyal Revital Fertilisers customers have known for more than 20 years, says Revital Fertilisers’ horticultural sales representative Phil Jefferson.

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It involves regular applications of the company’s environmentally-sustainable organic-based fertilisers, which can be blended with other fertilisers to provide the nutrient and organic requirements necessary for strong plant and pasture growth.

An elicitor, invented and manufactured in New Zealand, is celebrating 10 years’ of success in lifting kiwifruit orchard returns and improving the health of vines. Nathan Balasingham of Indigo Ltd is the inventor of Agrizest, which activates natural defence processes in plants. “Now with more than 10 years’ of commercial scale trials and a strong following of leading growers behind us, we have a lot of information we can share with growers to help them get the best out of their orchards this season,” says Nathan. Agrizest has been tested on export crops using commercial scale, scientifically designed, and independently conducted split block trials for more than 10 years. Agrizest is an elicitor of the phe-

regulate its own growth, balance its nylpropanoid pathway. Hormones own internal chemistry and avoids are sometimes classed as chemical the risk of side-effects and damage elicitors. Agrizest is not a hormone while enabling the plant to overspray. Agrizest is safe and does not come stress and produce the best cause phytotoxicity. “There are many products promising record yields but at what cost and will focusing on yield get growers the best Orchard Gate Return? Agrizest won’t guarantee record yields or jumbo fruit but, with Mike and Jenny Franklin, have been Agrizest, you can using Agrizet for more than eight years. achieve high OGR sustainably,” says fruit possible, says Nathan. Nathan. “Agrizest is proven to increase “We have proven every year since OGR through high yields of high 2006 that Agrizest improves vine quality fruit. Agrizest reduces stress health and increases OGRs.” in your vines allowing them to Using an elicitor like Agrizest, recover from heavy cropping, prowhich triggers the plant’s own duce good cane replacement and system, will allow the plant to remain healthier year after year.”

KIWIFRUIT

Leading performance – consistently In mid-September, Mount Pack and Cool, which is a Mount Maunganui-based specialised kiwifruit packing and coolstorage facility close to the Port of Tauranga, packed the last of the kiwifruit fruit that had been stored in its controlled atmosphere conditions since May. MPAC general manager Murray Gough says growers supplying MPAC produce 4.7 per cent of the industry’s Hayward Green variety, 2.4 per cent of the Gold 3 crop and 4.3 per cent of the Sweet Green, yielding a total 5.5 million trays of Class I export fruit in 2016. Despite its modest size, MPAC has consistently provided its growers with an industry leading level of performance across the range of services it provides. “The Orchard Gate Returns received by MPAC growers for all three varieties have been consistently higher than industry average, which translates to an enhanced level of profitability when combined with the crop yields that MPAC growers typically achieve.” In 2016 MPAC’s Hayward green growers produced an average yield of 13,200 trays a hectare, which is 1000 trays more than the industry all-time record high of 12,200 trays per hectare. MPAC’s Gold 3 growers averaged 11,300 trays a hectare and Sweet Green growers 8100 trays a hectare, both very comparable

figures to the 2016 industry averages. “Taste is a key component of kiwifruit being sold to consumers around the globe. The taste profile of fruit supplied by MPAC’s growers in 2016 was better than industry average across all three varieties. Once again translating to enhanced orchard profitability for growers supporting MPAC,” says Murray. “MPAC’s point of difference is centred around an experienced and talented group of people providing a very personal level of service excellence to each of its supplying growers”

The MPAC packhouse is a specialist kiwifruit facility.

Nutrition experts defend dietary guidelines New Zealand nutrition experts are calling for an end to the pitting of carbohydrates against fats and say we should instead focus on what is most important – the quality of food in our diets. Current nutrition guidelines have been criticised by some who claim carbohydrates should be restricted in diets rather than fats. A commentary on dietary guidelines published in the prestigious medical United Kingdom journal ‘The Lancet’ includes leading nutrition and public health researchers from the University of Otago’s Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research centre, the University of Auckland and the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge. “Dietary guidelines produced by expert panels around the world are

largely consistent in advising that the quality of fats and carbohydrates we eat is more important than the proportion of fat versus carbohydrate that we consume,” says Professor Jim Mann of EDOR. “There are good fats, just as there are good carbohydrates that are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer. “Pitting one nutrient against another – such as fat versus carbs – risks confusing the public, health professionals and policy makers, and undermines confidence in evidence-based nutrition advice.” The researchers have defended dietary guidelines, saying that they are based on the “totality of international evidence” from objective, systematic and thorough expert reviews of a range of different types of studies, which evaluate the effects of foods and nutrients on health outcomes.

Jim says a clear recommendation from studies undertaken in NZ and internationally, is we should be aiming for substantial reductions in our intakes of free sugars and saturated fats. But there are a wide range of healthy fats and carbohydrates associated with a reduced risk of disease. “What’s more these recommendations can be easily met by culturally diverse dietary patterns; from the traditional high carbohydrate, low-fat diet of Japan, which is associated with the greatest longevity, to relatively high fat high carbohydrate Mediterranean diets which are associated with low risk of non-communicable diseases. “What dietary patterns associated with the lowest risk of non-communicable diseases all have in common is they tend to include lots of fibre-rich fruit and vegetables, legumes, pulses, nuts, wholegrains, and plant oils.”

My Name is Neil Woodward. I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother. Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing. Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy. We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications. We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance. We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect your crop with excellence.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

trades & services

for sale TO LIST YOUR RURAL EVENT please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

October 1

activities

MARGARET’S GOLDEN TOURS 21 DAYS SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

Departs Palmerston North – Auckland departures 7 am on day prior

1 & 28 April 2017 COST $3,530

18 DAYS SOUTH ISLAND TOUR 2 October 2017 COST $3,320

14 DAYS BAY OF ISLANDS TOUR 13 March 2017 COST $2,950

For an itinerary please ring MARGARET who has 26 years of experience

www.margaretsgoldentours.com

Enquiries any time: TOLL FREE 0800 77 00 70

Plant Sale, 10am-4pm outside the information centre, Hamilton Gardens. Northern Daffodil Club Late Show, noon-4pm Hamilton Gardens. Guided Tour of Koanga Institute, 1pm-4pm, 96 Kotare Rd, Wairoa, cost $20, includes afternoon tea. Details: tinyurl.com/htua2l6 Free Home Composting Workshop, 3pm-4.30pm, Taupo Community Gardens. Register: tinyurl.com/ gqseptb

October 1-2

Waikato Botanical Society field trip, Waitete Bay, Coromandel. Details: tinyurl.com/ zhdnckc

October 1-9

Rotorua Tulip Festival. www.tulipfestrotorua.co.nz

situations vacant

October 2

Tauranga Clivia Show, 12pm-4pm, Te Puna Quarry Park off State Highway 2, free. Includes plants for sale.

Orchard Manager / Supervisor ou࢟1†Ѳ|†u; rrou|†mb|‹

October 3-4

Are you an experienced kiwifruit orchard supervisor or manager looking to take the next step in your career? Are you ready to assist and support our Field Operations Manager in running our pruning and harvest teams?

Growing nutrient-dense food, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, cost $320. Details: tinyurl.com/n9jcr8f

Aongatete Coolstores Horticulture Division looks after leased and managed orchards from its base in KatiKati and we are looking to employ an experienced orchard supervisor or manager.

October 6

The role includes: • Managing all aspects of pruning and vine management • Supervision of pruning and harvest gangs • Supporting our Operations Manager in the day to day organising and management of pruning teams • Being part of our harvest programme • General canopy work as required

Annual Bird Spotting Challenge, 4pm-5.30pm, meet at Whakatane i-Site for family fun. Details: tinyurl.com/zjfn5o3

This is a full time position, offering a base salary, bonus and vehicle.

October 8

Moutohora (Whale Island) Tour, 9.30am-1.30pm, from Whakatane, cost adults $89.10/adult, child 15 and under costs $59.

Our ideal person will have the following: • Hands on Kiwifruit Orchard management experience • Proven knowledge of pruning and vine management • Good leadership and team supervisions skills • A strong commitment to Health and Safety • Sound computer and numerical skills • Proven time management and reporting skills • A can do attitude

3 (33( 5

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17 0( $7

Aongatete Coolstores Ltd 2380 SH 2, RD 4 Katikati Attention: Madeleine

Home Gardening Workshop, 9am-5pm, Thames, cost $144 includes lunch. Tutors Harry Parke and Yotam Kay. Details: pakarakafarm.co.nz Life’s a Circus, 4.30pm, Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga, $55. ‘Floral theatre’ with Francine Thomas. Details: www. aoralaffair.co.nz St Francis Plant Sale, 9am-1pm, 92 Mansel Rd, Hillcrest, Hamilton. Plants, books, garden accessories, baking. Bring secateurs /clippers for sharpening. Contact 07 854 7662.

October 9

Rotorua Botanical Society field trip, Maungaongaonga Scenic Reserve, near Waiotapu. Details: tinyurl.com/ h4zph2x

October 9 & 14

Living with the Land, with Sheryn Clothier, Tirau, Waikato, cost $750. Details: www.lals.nz

October 10-11

Forest Garden Design, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, cost $320. Details: tinyurl.com/ovs83c7

October 12

Birds of Ohiwa Harbour, 5.30pm, Eastbay REAP, Pyne St, Whakatane.

October 15

Rotorua Botanical Society Work Day, meet 8.45am, Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project, all abilities and ages. Details: tinyurl.com/ h4zph2x Forest & Bird Native Plant Sale, 9am-noon, Fortunes Rd off State Highway 30, near Whakatane, cash only. Phone Annette 07 307 0227.

October 17-18

Remedies at Home, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, cost $320. Details: tinyurl.com/q3lmcch

cars wanted

In return Aongatete will provide a great working environment, ongoing training and support, the opportunity to work for an industry leading company who values our employees above all else. Applicants for this position should apply by Friday 7, October, have New Zealand residency and apply either via email to: madeleine@coolstore.co.nz or post to:

Bookings essential. Ph 07 308 9588 or see: www. whiteisland.co.nz (use promo code: saddleback).

WE ALWAYS PAY MORE!

$1000 CASH per week

0800 382 828

Easy Gardening, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $75. Six Tuesdays. Details: tinyurl.com/ jqm5j6a

October 20

Dairy Women’s Network pizza and ‘make’ workshop at The Old Courthouse CafĂŠ & Bar, 191 Main St, Huntly 6.30pm. Come for a post-calving catchup and demonstration on how to make your own household cleaning products etc RSVP www. dwn.co.nz/

October 21-24

National Iris Society Convention, Auckland.

October 22

Island Kayak Tour of Ohiwa Harbour, from 11am, Port Ohope. Hire kayaks available. Phone Meg 07 974 6510.

October 27

Waikato Horticultural Society stall Dahlias 7.30pm, Wintec classroom, Hamilton Gardens (Gate 2), $5 for non-members. Phone Carmel 07 859 0158.

October 28-Nov 6

Taranaki Garden Spectacular & Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival.

October 29 & Nov 4

Garden Makeover Course, 9am-3pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $85. Details: tinyurl.com/ j5gxfzq.

October 29-30

Scarecrow Festival, Hamilton Gardens, free family fun. Details: tinyurl.com/hu5ol46

October 31 & Nov 1 Urban Farm Design, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, cost $320. Details: tinyurl.com/og5pbgg

November 5

120th AP&H Show – Te Aroha Traditional AP&H Show showcasing everything from home industries to equestrian and cattle competitions. Boyd Park, Stanley Ave, Te Aroha,

runon listings curriculum vitae NEED A C.V.? A C.V. For You can provide you with the professional touch. From scratch or alterations. “Get the interview‌.Land the jobâ€? Contact via www.facebook.com/ acvforyou or 0204 037 6034 for sale PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Awash with memories? We’d love to hear them Opotiki Museum manager Dot Wilson believes this month’s mystery item will evoke memories among many Coast & Country News readers, who grew up in the days before automatic washing machines. If the items in this photograph are familiar, we’d love to hear your stories and you could be in to win admission for two to the Opotiki Museum. Send your entry to elaine@thesun. co.nz with ‘Mystery item’ in the subject line, or post to Mystery Item, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than October 19. Last month’s mystery item was a gong, which once belonged to the Morrinsville Orphans Club, established in 1923 and now on display at the Morrinsville Heritage Centre. Orphans clubs in New Zealand were an off-shoot of the ‘Savage Club’ formed in the mid- 1800s by a group of actors, musicians, literary and art people. Within 30 years clubs had been formed in New Zealand. At their peak there were 46 clubs with a total membership of 5000. Such was

the growth that they had closed membership and a breakaway group was formed under the name of ‘Orphan's Clubs’. Clubs met monthly with raids or visits to and from other clubs. The aims were to provide rational entertainment all the time and the motto was ‘Tact - Talent and Tolerance’ – the three Ts with no reference to politics or religion to disturb the peace. Because of the decline in clubs and membership, by the 1990s various changes were needed and in 1998 women were admitted as full members, whereas before women had their own clubs known as ‘Wahines’ or ‘Pani’ and operated in a similar manner. ut these Send in your stories abo in to win a items from the past to be . visit to the Opotiki Museum

x x x x x

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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