C&C 03/12

INSIDE 2012

march

KIWIFRUIT HEILALA VANILLA HUNT, FISH, EAT DAIRY AWARDS DAIRY FERTILISER HORSE OF THE YEAR HORTICULTURE COUNTRY LIVING

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Conflicting varieties On the same day Zespri announced it will look to tender more licences for the new Gold3 variety in May – which is proving to be more resistant to Psa-v than Gold HORT16A – Turners & Growers announced its ENZAGold variety is resistant to Psa-V. Meanwhile, the independent organisation set up in response to the Psa outbreak, Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc, is unable to test the two varieties against each other as T&G is suspicious of KVH’s ‘independence’.

Grower David Marshall (pictured) is growing both varieties on his Te Puke orchard. His ENZAGold is proving resistant to Psa. Read more page 2-3.

Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Issue No. 139 Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle news

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

Varietal pressure put on Zespri

The future of kiwifruit In February, Zespri announced it will tender more licences for the new Gold3 variety in May. Zespri says this variety is proving to be more resistant to Psa-V than Gold HORT16A. On the same day as the Zespri announcement, Turners & Growers declared its ENZAGold variety is resistant to the vine bacterial disease.

The independent pan-industry group set up in response to the outbreak of the vine bacterial disease, Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc, is yet to test the two varieties against each other.

T&G says its ENZAGold is resistant, however, the news is unhelpful as under the Kiwifruit Export Regulations 1999, only Zespri is permitted to export kiwifruit from New Zealand to market other than Australia – so the economic payback for T&G growers is slim.

It begs the question of what is right for the industry and the economy; kiwifruit growers want to be growing the hardiest, most resistant variety for security – but yet the fruit has to be

marketable. Zespri maintains that it takes years to market a new export variety – catering for fruit taste, size and shape.

It has invested 10 years and millions of dollars testing Gold3 on the export market.

Read C&C coverage of what Zespri, T&G and KVH has to say on the matter, and also read about a grower who says there is a lot to learn about growing the new Gold3 variety.

In other news, read about Tauranga’s leading vanilla plant which is set to push more into the global market; dairy farmers can learn some tips about smart water use, while some farmers are awaiting their fate in this year’s Dairy Industry Awards – with the winners announced during March.

It is almost time for duck hunters to start thinking about getting their maimais ready and pegging their territory.

Check out the Hunt, Fish, Eat to read about some clay bird shooting competitions coming up to help get your eye in for the first Saturday of May.

By SHeryl Brown

The Psa-V virus destroying Zespri’s Hort16A Gold kiwifruit strain may provide Turners and Growers with the lever that opens New Zealand kiwifruit exports to non-Zespri varieties.

T&G is now declaring publicly something they have known for months – Psa-V is not affecting its EnzaGold variety.

Te Puke orchardist David Marshall is growing both Hort16A and EnzaGold on the same orchard. His Hort16A vines are withering, while a few metres away the EnzaGold remains Psa-V free.

The Marshall orchard is the first in New Zealand to show the impact of Psa-V on the two varieties growing side-by-side.

David Marshall is cautiously optimistic his EnzaGold crop could be a potentially viable Gold variety that can be farmed through Psa. This season, production from his EnzaGold crop is increasing in line with projections. The crop, in its second year, is on track to jump in production from 6000 to 14000 trays per hectare. David estimates he will lose at least half of his Hort16A crop to Psa.

Not free to export

“It’s absolutely heart breaking to see all the hard work and investment in the ZespriGold going to waste, but on top of that, I have all this beautiful fruit right next door and it’s doing so well, but growers cannot freely export it,” says David.

Under the Kiwifruit Export Regulations 1999, only Zespri is permitted to export kiwifruit from New Zealand to markets other than Australia. It has only two varieties; the green Hayward kiwifruit, which even before Psa was uneconomic for many growers with returns below the cost of production, and Hort16A ZespriGold, which has been a cash cow for the industry. But now, according to some industry figures could, and should, be completely cut out as soon as possible to lower the

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pressure from the airborne bacteria.

David Marshall says he planted Enza Gold alongside the Zespri’s Hort16A because he thought it important to spread his risk across different varieties.

“I’ve always believed it’s good to have something else to compare with.”

David says he grew the different varieties out of interest and he decided to put in the ENZAGold because there was nothing else at that time without a beak on the fruit.

David has been growing kiwifruit since 1975 and believes the industry should be run by a single desk.

“Single desk is still the best system – it’s the only way. But you’ve got to work in with collaborative marketing. It takes all parties to make it work.”

Hort16A must go

“The fact of the matter is the Hort16A vines must go,” says Lee Hoggard, another Te Puke based EnzaGold grower.

“The sooner we cut out every vine in the country and start again the better. While our other varieties are showing pretty good resistance to Psa at this stage, every time it rains the air becomes a toxic soup of Psa inoculum. So we continually have to spend more on sprays and disease management to keep our orchards safe.

“When it comes to allowing other potentially viable gold varieties for export, Zespri and the government have got blinkers on,” says Lee. “I’m worried they’d sooner let the whole industry go down than let people sell other varieties overseas.

Surely they must realise it’s not about the monopoly debate anymore, it’s about the survival of growers and the industry.”

David Marshall says he planted Enza Gold alongside the Zespri’s Hort16A because he thought it important to spread his risk across different varieties.

Chris Dunn, another Te Puke orchardist says it is dangerous having the entire crop coming from a narrow group of genetics from Zespri’s breeding programme,

especially as no one can guarantee a variety to be 100 per cent resistant to Psa or any other future unknown diseases.

“With horticulture you need biodiversity to ensure a safe future,” says Chris.

“If we get into the same situation where we have a monoculture again, a year down the track we could find ourselves in the same boat. The ZespriGold crop in Italy was decimated by Psa, but across their national crop they had several different varieties, so they’re coming through it.

“Our industry as a whole needs to spread the risk and invest in several viable varieties and orchardists themselves should also be growing at least two or three varieties for the same reason.”

The way forward

Turners & Growers managing director Jeff Wesley says allowing kiwifruit growers to graft over to a range of different varieties, which are showing potential to be farmed through in a Psa environment, is the only way forward.

“One look at David Marshall’s orchard will show you why,” says Jeff.

“Decisions this winter will be critical to the survival of many kiwifruit orchardists. If they can’t graft over to new gold varieties this year, they may not survive. We have plenty of vine stock, which in most cases can be grafted directly onto the grower’s existing rootstock and be producing within two years.”

The international fresh produce trade is all about relationships says Jeff.

“When there’s a void, someone will fill it. If New Zealand gold kiwifruit is off the shelves for too long another country will fill that space and we’ll be left on the side line. Every year that passes – and we are talking in years, it’ll be harder for New Zealand kiwifruit to get back in.”

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Page 3 LEFT: These pictures show healthy ENZA Gold (left) growing alongside PSA-V impacted Hort16A Zespri Gold (right) on the same Te Puke Orchard.

Psa – remedies in conflict KVH is a pan-industry group, established following agreement of the Industry Advisory Council to transition the management of the Psa response from MAF Biosecurity NZ and Zespri to a separate entity.

KVH is working with T&G on ways to compare the relative Psa-V tolerance of different cultivars.

“One of the difficulties we are having is trying to get some quantitative field observational data on the various cultivars,” says KVH general manager John Burke.

“It’s all very well saying my variety is tolerant, but what’s the relativity of that?”

KVH is trying to line up all the cultivars so an objective tolerance of the various cultivars can be made, but there is suspicion about KVH’s place in the scheme of things.

“I guess from their (T&G) point of view, they might be cautious about the independence of that assessment,” says John.

“We will try and get a process underway where we can.

“We have got to try and overcome some issues there and perhaps work out a process whereby they are comfortable that it is being handled in a proper arms-length fashion.

“But it is important to growers and it’s important for KVH that we are able to measure that properly. So that’s what we are trying to overcome at this stage.

“You can’t say you have got a tolerant cultivar unless it’s lined up.

“You have got to actually put your money where your mouth is, basically.”

Unable to advise growers

KVH would not be able to advise growers on the relative merits without being able to back it up with a good comparative process.

“We are trying to get everyone to line up and have a process whereby we can get an objective assessment of the relative tolerance of each cultivar. And we haven’t quite got there yet.

“We are measuring G3, G9, G14 – Zespri

cultivars, but just getting the permission of the owners to get in and look at the other ones and do some robust assessment is proving a little bit difficult just at the moment.”

Psa-V tolerance is only part of the puzzle, says John.

There are cultivars that have a known tolerance to Psa-V, but commercial attributes have also got to be considered like storage ability, and even if people like the taste.

“You have to tick the boxes on those, it’s not that easy,” says John.

“Everyone’s got to front up and be measured.”

Zespri announced in February they would release more licences for Gold3 in May if it continues to show resistance to Psa-V.

G3 10 years in making

Zespri innovation manager Bryan Parkes says Gold3 has spent 10 years going through various testing and trials in the export market.

Bryan says Zespri has spent in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year on the exploratory stages of testing G3 and then into the millions when testing against consumers and markets.

“We’re spending, on new cultivars, $5-6million a year,” says Bryan.

Bryan says a company could market an untested variety of kiwifruit on the market, but there would be a high chance of failure.

“A lot of cultivars fail.

“If you’re a company that just wants to get a cultivar out there you can just launch a whole heap of cultivars and if it falls over it’s the growers’ fault.

“It didn’t cost you much to release it because you didn’t invest much and if it fails it’s not your problem.

“We are at the other end of the spectrum; when we release cultivars and it fails, we’re in there with the grower, sharing the pain. So we put in the appropriate amount of work.”

Bryan says he has yet to see any data from T&G on its ENZAGold performance.

“I believe they’ve started selling it, but I haven’t seen any data on how it’s performing.”

Zespri is considering two options for releasing G3 licences: The first option is a simple commercial proposal, offering an opportunity to all. Under this option, Hort16A growers will be paid $5000 per hectare to return their existing Hort16A licence. The grower can then choose to join a commercial (closed) tender process, whereby the highest bids are successful.

Two options for licences

The second option is intended to provide opportunity for all Hort16A growers to access a licence if/when they deem the timing to be right to re-graft based on their personal circumstances. Under this option, Hort16A growers can make a fixed price bid (proposed to be $12,000 a hectare) for enough Gold3 licence to replace their existing Hort16A plantings.

Under both options, a further 400 hectares of Gold3 are being released to give nonHort16A orchards an opportunity to buy Gold3 licences and diversify their growing portfolio.

Also, under both options there will be the opportunity to make a deferred payment, with deferred payment terms being offered on 80 per cent of the cost. Growers can re-pay the money when their orchards begin to produce again.

A further 200ha of Green14, a sweet Green variety, which is also showing a positive market response and a good level of tolerance to Psa, will also be made available.

Zespri says G3 has naturally high orchard yields, appears easier to manage through the supply chain than Hort16A, stores well late in the season and delivers a good eating experience to consumers, with positive responses received through in-market consumer sensory work over consecutive seasons.

Zespri is discussing the options with growers and other industry representatives to seek their feedback on any licence release process during March, before the Zespri board makes a final decision on the release in March 2012.

By Andrew Campbell and Sheryl Brown

Page 4

COAST & COUNTRY

Coast & Country

New varieties: New lessons

One of the country’s top kiwifruit growers says there is a lot to learn about growing the new Gold variety – G3.

It is being touted as a possible replacement for the lucrative Gold variety, Hort16A, as this variety is proving vulnerable to the bacterial vine disease Psa-V. Colin Jenkins manages the Maori trust Ngai Tukairangi at Matapihi in the Bay of Plenty.

The trust has more than 50 hectares of kiwifruit, including 24ha of Green, 18ha of Hort16A and 10ha of new varieties.

He was one of the trial growers for G3 three years ago and then tendered and got more G3, G14 and G9 in 2010 when the licences became available for the new varieties.

The trust now has 4ha of G3 producing and a further 2ha, which were grafted last year.

“It’s no problem to get big fruit (with G3),” says Colin.

“But G3 does grow differently; we have to learn how to grow it.

“It’s less vigorous than Hort 16A and it appears you need more winter chilling than the Gold we’ve been growing because we struggled with bud break this year.

“We were disappointed in our

bud break this year; there are probably about 3000 trays/ha – we had hopes for more.”

Colin says there was a poor bud break across all the crops after a mild winter.

G3 doesn’t break bud so easily off the leader – so there are more challenges in getting replacement cane for the following season.

“I think we put the Hi-cane on too early; maybe the copper (Psa-V protectant spray) has upset it as well.”

They got 15,000 trays per hectare last season off the G3 trial area though, which was a good crop, says Colin.

He says it was a struggle to get Growers who have cut out their HORT16A vines with Psa-V should be stringing up the new suckers (as above) to be able to graft onto. good dry matter.

Kiwifruit is graded into three dry matter categories: Y, T and M (Y is the highest dry matter quality).

“But all dry matter was down last

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Colin has 13ha of Hort16A left after cutting out 3.5ha in August.

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Page 5

Grafting on Gold

By Sheryl Brown

Orchard manager Colin Jenkins , right, with KVH general manger John Burke inspect the Gold3 fruit.

Colin says growers have to learn how to grow the new G3 Gold variety.

He cut the vines back to the stump three weeks after they showed symptoms of PsaV. “We made the decision to cut them out early – 1500 vines. We didn’t want to risk it.”

He is constantly monitoring the remaining vines in the orchard.

“We cut five canes out of the Hort16A last week.

“We are monitoring the orchards very closely – weekly during the wetter periods we’ve had.”

Colin, who has been growing kiwifruit for the trust for more than 25 years, says they can’t really complain about a bad harvest this year.

“We were all Green, then in ‘96 we grafted to Hort16A – we were one of the larger Gold growers for a number of years.”

Forty per cent of the orchard areas went to Hort16A, and Colin says a couple of years ago they were thinking about why they

hadn’t grafted over everything when the money was so good. “But now, we’ve got Green, which is showing to be more tolerant to Psa-V, and some new varieties which appear more resistant.

“I think that we’re lucky because we’re so diversified.

“It hasn’t been a good year for us because we didn’t have a good bud break on any of our varieties.

“We’re a bit disappointed – and we’ve been dealing with Psa issues at the same time and loss of crops, but we’ve had some very good years, so we can’t complain really.”

Colin says no other growers in the Matapihi area have Psa-V infections.

“We have a very proactive Matapihi growers group to look at Psa-V issues.”

Kiwifruit Vine Health general manager John Burke says the aggressive decision to cut back vines early is paying dividends for Colin.

“Psa-V is certainly not rampant (through his orchard).”

Because Colin cut out the vines so early, the regrowth from stumps is significant – with four suckers growing up from the vines, which Colin has secured.

“This is a good model, this is what we’re exploring for re-grafting,” says John, “having four suckers coming up from the root, strung up”.

He says other Hort16A growers who have tried to take their affected crops through to harvest have “given up” and had to cut off the affected vines during summer.

“They will not have the same level of sucker growth to graft onto. They will instead have to graft onto the stump.”

Orchardists will usually graft onto a stump during winter and onto suckers in summer, but John says they would probably prefer to have suckers to graft onto.

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Vanilla runs in the veins of a family who share a passion for producing the resource: Garth and Jennifer Boggiss are directors of the Tauranga-based vanilla factory. Heilala Vanilla has a new investor and is planning to target more international markets. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

It is a crop that a Bay of Plenty family has started growing and are now taking on the world market with their vanilla products.

Heilala Vanilla products are 100 per cent pure vanilla beans – compared to 98 per cent of the world’s products which use synthetic chemicals instead – making its products more authentic and taste substantially better than their rivals.

The vanilla is grown in Tonga and processed in the Tauranga factory.

Heilala Vanilla founder John Ross was gifted land in Tonga by the Latu family in recognition of his humanitarian efforts to help re-build their local community following a destructive cyclone in 2001.

The retired dairy farmer had personally sent money to help repair the family’s roof and organised his Rotary Club in South Auckland to undertake various repair projects in the local villages.

Laulile Latu later offered John the lease on his family’s plot of land in return for establishing a business that would provide for the local community.

John spent some time researching the best crop to grow and Heilala Vanilla was launched in late 2002.

The business has since flourished; John now supervises the vanilla crop in Tonga, while his daughter Jennifer and her husband Garth Boggiss are directors in Tauranga.

Jennifer, an accountant by trade with skills in marketing, oversees business development, while Garth, with an IT and horticultural background, is responsible for Heilala Vanilla’s product knowledge and research and development.

Jennifer and Garth say they have set up a unique business because they control the growing rights from the plantation through to the pantry.

The family are off to a good start in

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Page 7

Investing in quality vanilla products producing the richest grade of vanilla in the AsiaPacific region, which they say calls for lots of ‘tender love and care’.

They say having the most perfect and natural growing environment means they have a good foundation to produce high-quality vanilla.

“Add to this our organic growing principles and you get vanilla grown in organic virgin soil, on coconut husk frames, hand pollinated and dried under the pacific sun.

“This is then stored at optimum conditions to ensure full flavour develops.

“This is what gives our 100 per cent pure Heilala Vanilla, of the bourbon variety, its distinctive aroma, shine and plumpness.”

Heilala Vanilla is now expanding its enterprise and this year signed a deal with New Zealand Venture Investment Fun and Enterprise Angels BOP – a Tauranga-based consortium, which is investing in the company.

The company can now take on the international gourmet food market after securing the support from the high-powered investors.

“Heilala Vanilla is an example of the kind of innovative world-class food company New Zealand can produce and the kind of company we look to invest in,” says Enterprise Angels chairman Neil Craig.

The deal will provide the capital injecFounder of Heilala Vanilla John Ross at the vanilla plantation in Tonga.

Photo supplied.

tion Heilala Vanilla needs to substantially expand its innovative business and ram up its current exports to Australia, the United States and South East Asia.

The company is also looking at new opportunities in the US, UK and Japan, something which will be explored this year.

“This investment, with NZVIF and Enterprise Angels BOP, will allow us to move

forward with confidence to both grow existing markets and develop new markets, while also driving product development and innovation.”

The company has partnered with Massey University in recent years to develop their innovative creations such as their award-winning vanilla syrup.

“Our new investment partners have seen the terrific commercial opportunity that lies ahead, and we’re very excited to be moving into the next phase of our company’s development,” says Jennifer.

She says the company’s aim is to become a globally-recognised brand which professional chefs, bartenders and food lovers around the world will seek out.

“New Zealand has been a great testing ground for our new products and we are confident we can achieve strong growth in Australia which has a similar foodie market.

“We’ve been exporting there for two

years now and in 2011 we gained listing with Thomas Dux (the Woolworths gourmet food retail chain) ranging the full product range. The plan for 2012 is to focus on boosting our sales and marketing resources across the Tasman.”

Americans are also big vanilla consumers and Jennifer and Garth say the company will establish warehouse facilities on both the West Coast and in New York in the near future.

“Our Heilala Vanilla beans and paste are now in a number of high profile New York restaurants and our Heilala Vanilla Syrup is in 200 US stores through prestigious food retail chain Williams-Sonoma.

“Dean and Deluca, another US gourmet food retail chain, is also set to stock Heilala Vanilla Sugar from Easter 2012.

“We’ve made a good start on the US market, but there’s still a long way to go.”

By Letitia Atkinson

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 8

Coast & Country

Future directions of NZ Aquaculture If aquaculture is to reach the $1 billion target by 2025, it must diversify.

Government has a leading role to play in encouraging the research and development that will lead to diversity in crops and participation.

Will the aquaculture industry feature significantly in New Zealand’s future? Yes, barring mishaps.

International markets for seafood are strong and likely to remain that way so long as more and more people join the middle classes in developing nations like China. These people now have the spending power to include – and demand – protein in their diet, and the health benefits gained from seafood.

But as the market increases, wild fish stocks are diminishing dramatically. These factors, together with strong backing from the government, have created a ‘perfect storm’ for aquaculture

that should allow the industry to reach its target of $1 billion exports within 15 years.

The flagships for growth will be salmon and green

Community grown giant clams are in demand for aquria.

lipped mussels, so when industry says that aquaculture will reach $1 billion, they are really saying that the salmon and mussel industries will reach $1 billion.

But there are great dangers in putting all the eggs into one or two baskets – graphically illustrated by the recent herpes virus outbreak that has all but destroyed the oyster industry in many regions. Water, salt or fresh, is an alien environment and, apart from a few identified diseases, aquacultur-

risks. The alternative is to involve small business and interested individuals, such as farmers and coastal hapu, but there is little encouragement in New Zealand for small new entrants to become engaged and they are currently being largely excluded from the government’s increased backing for the industry.

Encouraging small operators should be a win-win for the industry and government. Farmers, small communities and hapu often have access to good quality clean water, land and labour – all the prerequisites for aquaculture.

Many farmers would be interested in adding a second or third string

officers backed by a $1-2 million budget to work with communities, secured the assistance of other State and Federal Government departments to work with communities on feasibilities and business plans, and developed industry partnerships for their marketing and business expertise.

An example of industry involvement is Arafura Blue, an aquarium fish supplier who has developed a strong market for giant clams.

With the help of Fisheries Department experts, they have recently begun breeding clams and placing them with remote coastal communities to grow to market size and then buying them back for

ists don’t know what is out there and a single new viral infection could put a serious dent in their target. Similarly, the industry is concentrated in only a few hands, so one business failure would be a disproportionate setback.

Diversification in both farmed species and farmers is the industry’s only protection, but diversity is not as easy to achieve as it should be. Established aquaculture businesses are focused on developing their core products, and major new investors are generally risk-averse enough to eschew new species. Establishing an aquaculture farm is expensive and risky enough without adding more

to their bows and small, often impoverished communities, are desperate for the employment, skills and income aquaculture would bring.

Australia’s Northern Territory, which has more than its fair share of impoverished communities, may offer a model for New Zealand to bring these individuals and communities into the industry.

They are establishing government, community and business partnerships that are helping indigenous communities into fishing and aquaculture ventures.

The NT Fisheries Department has established a dedicated team of extension and development

on-selling.

With our close cultural links to water, such arrangements could work well in New Zealand and go a long way toward solving both industry and social problems. But success can only happen if the government gets behind it with incentives and legislative changes.

Ultimately, it will all depend on the development of strategic government, research, industry and community partnerships.

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By Graeme Dobson

PH 07 578 0030

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 9

Cooking up a good harvest Is your garden bursting with tomatoes or overrun with pumpkins? Are your feijoa or lemon trees dripping with fruit?

Do you grow a few herbs in pots and wonder what to do with them?

Whether you grow a few vegetables in the back yard or have a large kitchen garden or orchard, ‘A Good Harvest: Recipes from the gardens of Rural Women New Zealand’ shows you how to make the

most of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Practical, easy to use and dependable, these recipes from members of Rural Women New Zealand include chutneys, jams, pickles, pestos, marinades and sauces, cakes, drinks and more.

Step-by-step instructions on bottling, jam making and other preserving methods are clear and easy to follow.

The book explains how to grow many types of fruit and vegetables, to help readers

Attention rural business women Rural women with emerging businesses should take the opportunity of benchmarking themselves against others in the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards.

Entries for the 2012 awards are due in by March 16 and 2010 winner Tineke Verkade from Homeopathic Farm Support Ltd says rural women shouldn’t hesitate to enter.

Tineke’s animal homeopathy business won both the North Island and the overall Supreme award.

“It gives recognition for somebody who is maybe not well known; gives recognition of rural women who are working hard, who have a really good product,” says Tineke. “It definitely gives them a boost. It gets you to look at your business and you learn so much from it.”

Tineke says the publicity alone generated from the awards – whether you win or not – gives your business great exposure.

Even a negative article written about homeopathy in a farming publication gave Tineke more business.

“A professional wrote a negative article; there was an amazing response from farmers saying ‘hang on’ – feedback in letters to the editor about homeopathy.

‘People said ‘how dare you talk about someone who has supported our whole family, our children as well as our animals, for the last 15 or 20 years’.

“It was very heart Rural Women award winner, warming. SomeTineke Verkade.

thing negative, something good came out of it.”

Tineke’s business was set up to support farmers in a complimentary way to “make their cows happy”.

“The farmers end up with happy cows, with good animal health.”

Fonterra says a quarter to a third of its dairy suppliers use homeopathy products.

Tineke has been running her business, based in Hamilton, since 1994 and is organically certified and has class determination from ACVM. Rural Women New Zealand national president Liz Evans says this is the fourth year they have run the Enterprising Rural Women Awards, which have been very successful in uncovering some exciting businesses run by women in rural areas.

The wide variety of businesses has seen past winners include Tineke’s animal homeopathy business, a farm walk and homestay enterprise, a forestry trucking company, a children’s merino sock producer and a traditional-style cheese maker. This year, there are three award categories: The Telecom North Island Award, the Access Homehealth South Island Award, and a new category, the Fly Buys Online Business Award, recognising the growth of internet-based businesses. Each category winner will receive $1000 in prize money.

The supreme winner of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2012 is chosen from the three category winners, and will receive a further $1000 as well as a trophy.

The RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2012 are open to small businesses with 10 staff or less, that have been operating for at least two years. Women must be an active partner of 50 per cent or more. Past entrants are welcome to re-enter.

For entry forms and further information visit www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

By Sheryl Brown

achieve the bumper crop in the first place.

A Good Harvest also includes many handy tips and comments, sharing generational wisdom learned in country kitchens.

A companion volume to A Good Spread - Recipes from the kitchens of Rural Women New Zealand (2010).

A Good Harvest and A Good Spread can be purchased from the RWNZ website, visit www.ruralwomen. org.nz/shop or enquire at your local bookshop.

with

Coast & Country has two copies of A Good Harvest to give away to readers who send us their favourite rural recipe, which will be printed in our April issue.

Email Sheryl@thesun.co.nz or send to Sheryl at PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140.

HOMEOPATHY

HOMEOPATHIC FARM SUPPORT

Page 10

HUNT FISH EAT

Coast & Country

Ideal maimai set-up Maimais ranging spartan to the lavish from the examples are in the . These fine Coromandel.

r Built-in wate collection and a pot belly.

Concealment is the key: Kee nothing out of the ordina ping the ducks thinking there’s ry. Even the flash of pin k skin on the fingers may give the show away.

Eye Opener for hunters The Western Bay of Plenty Fish and Game Club ‘Eye Opener’ clay bird shoot is an excellent opportunity to get "your eye in" leading up to duck shooting on the first Saturday of May. Vice chairman Ross Allen says the Eye Opener shoot on Sunday, April 15 at Turner’s Farm (end of Works Road, Katikati) is open to anybody and everybody – “you don't have to be a member, just come along and enjoy a great day”.

“We are only too happy

to teach anyone to learn to clay bird shoot,” says Ross.

“We also teach firearm safety too.”

Broncos owner Ben Tuck says it’s an excellent event to shoot.

“There are great prizes; a gun to be won and all the prizes are drawn from a hat, so anyone can win.”

Based in Katikati, the WBOP Fish & Game Club is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year.

The AGM is in April and Ross says they would love to add to their 180 members, with membership costing $45 a year.

“New members, new ideas makes for a strong club.”

The club organises several annual events, including the swan shoot in Tauranga Harbour to manage swan numbers; pheasant shooting on Matakana Island; peacock and pheasant shooting in Coromandel and Opotiki – to manage pest numbers on farms; and trout and saltwater fishing, just to mention a few activities.

The club also sponsors the Katikati College clay bird shooting team – it’s becoming a more followed sport in schools says Ross.

“We also hold an annual game dinner where we supply the meat; wild pork, venison, eel, wild goat, trout and many more, and we announce the winners of our annual photo competition which has four categories; people, game, places and open.”

Anybody interested in joining the WBOP Fish & Game Club or attending one of the clay bird shoots can contact Ross; phone 07 548 0997 or email padaroski@xtra.co.nz

The first Hunting & Fishing clay bird shooting event at Tauranga’s new Tect Park is on Sunday, March 25 – where the first prize winner gets a Beretta 3901 Citizen Shotgun valued at $1899.

“Clay bird shooting is a great way to prepare for duck shooting season.” says Ben Tuck from Broncos Sports.

Ben says hunters should be getting their guns out now and checking if they're ready to go.

“Get your guns out now; most people bring them in to us in the last week leading up to duck shooting.

So there is always huge pressure on us to get them all repaired in time.

“Check your decoys and your lines and your maimais. Pick up your gun every day and get used to its weight again – guys go out and wonder why their eye isn’t in – it’s the same thing every year.”

For those interested in the Tect Park clay bird shoot phone 07 928 4303.

PH 07 578 0030

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 11

Pegging out your maimai early When duck hunting, there are two crucial things to think of – stay out of sight and encourage the ducks to think your place is safe.

While camouflage clothing and thick vegetation can provide the necessary cover, often it will be necessary to build a hunters’ hut – a maimai – to escape the weather and for better concealment. Try to blend the maimai into the local area by using similar vegetation, but don’t remove this from its

• It must allow you to shoot comfortably and safely.

• Incorporating a dog port.

• Any maimai has to be part and parcel of the immediate surroundings and well camouflaged.

• Don’t clear the surround area of vegetation and don’t use vegetation unnatural to the area.

• Pegging and claiming a maimai or stand: On public land you will need to ‘peg’ or ‘claim’ your maimai, and your licence explains how to do this. Pegging day is usually at least four weeks before opening week-

immediate surroundings. Build it well before the season so the ducks end, so you will need to purchase get used to it. For more information, visit www.fishandgame.org.nz. your licence before this date. On private land, pegging is not necesAnother alternative is a portable sary, but you still need a licence. maimai that you take with you.

Often there will be someone else’s These range from a camo net and a maimai present at a choice spot. few poles, to purpose-built collapsible systems available from hunting You can set up 90 metres or more away from an existing maimai retailers. Once you are confident if there’s free space. You can use you can keep out of sight, selectany maimai on public land for ing a good site is important. This the remainder of the day if it is requires consideration of prevailunoccupied after 7:30am. After the ing wind – ducks prefer to land first week of the season, many such and take off into the wind – flight paths, rising and setting sun.

When building a There’s a high degree of permanent maimai, you anticipation building among the should consider the folfour-legged community too. lowing points: • You must be able to get in and out easily.

• It should provide enough shelter for you, a companion and dogs.

• A suggested size is 2x2m.

• The licence holder claiming a stand must be present in person at the stand when marking it up. No one can claim more than one stand.

• A stand cannot be claimed closer than 90m to a stand already claimed by another person without that person’s consent.

• Any stand not occupied by the claimant within one hour after the opening of hunting, on any day, can be occupied by another licence holder for the remainder of the day.

spots are vacant, often with ducks right in front of them!

• A person, following purchase of a 2012 Whole Season game bird hunting licence, can reclaim the stand claimed during the 2011 Game Season at any time prior to 10am on April 15, 2012 in all Fish & Game regions.

• Otherwise, unclaimed stands can only be claimed any time after 10am on April 15, 2012 in all Fish & Game regions.

Supplied by Fish & Game

• A stand may be claimed by planting on it a stake, having either a board or identifying label attached, plainly identifying the name of the claimant and the number of his/her licence. The hunting stand claim tag provided must be completed with the name of the claimant and affixed to the board identifying the label.

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Page 12

DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS

Coast & Country

Milking out the rewards Mark and Nika Booker will be amongst the competitors at the Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards dinner in March.

The couple have entered the Sharemilker Farmer of the Year category for the second time. Last year they walked away with the LIC Merit Award for recording and productivity. Mark and Nika are 50:50 sharemilking 300 Jersey cows at Awakeri.

Nika says they learnt so much from entering the competition last year, they wanted to have another crack.

“It really helped us focus on what we’re doing really well and also what we need to work on.

“It really jump started us to do some major professional development. We’ve learnt so much in the last year.

“This year we feel like we’re a lot more equipped for the competition.”

Nika says they’ve seen a flow on effect into the financial and planning aspects of their business; and it has helped them plan their business growth for the future.

“The big goal is farm ownership; some days we think ‘oh gosh it’s never going to happen’, and other

days we think it’s possible.”

Competing in the Dairy Industry Awards is getting them closer to their goal though says Nika.

She says now they have more of an understanding of what they need to do financially to achieve farm ownership.

Mark and Nika are looking for a new, bigger sharemilking opporrunity for the next phase of their farming career.

By Sheryl Brown

Announcing the cream of the crop The three winners of the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Dairy Industry Awards will be found out during March.

Meridian is proud to be part of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards family We’d like to congratulate Rob and Debbie Mackle on winning the 2011 Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award.

Seeing our customers do well makes our job all the more worthwhile.

We’re wishing all entrants in the 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards the best of luck. Let us know if we can do anything to help with your entry.

If you’re not involved with the Awards this year but would like to see how Meridian can help you on your farm, give the Meridian Agribusiness Team a call on 0800 496 444.

The Bay of Plenty Awards gala dinner is at Awakeri Events Centre on Thursday, March 15.

Regional convenors Jon and Steph Russell say the region received 36 entries across the Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions – up from 27 entries last year.

“We are really pleased with the number of entries received and

overall quality of entries. It is a great result. Bay of Plenty has had a great summer for grass growth and dairy farming, so that all helps to generate positive thinking and attitudes heading in to the awards dinner.

“The number of entrants and favourable farming conditions will ensure there is a tight contest between entrants to determine the region’s winners.”

Jon and Steph Russell won the 2010 Bay of Plenty Sharemillker of the Year title and are convening the awards for a second time.

The couple expects more than 200 people to attend the awards night.

“It’s going to be a great night and

proud national sponsors of the new zealand dairy industry awards At Ecolab we are proud to be part of New Zealand’s dairy industry and we are proud to support the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. We believe in helping farmers succeed and further their careers in the industry and we look forward to a strong working partnership now and in the future.

For independent, qualified and free advice on all your farming sanitation and milk quality requirements please call your Ecolab Territory Manager on 0508 732 733. e ew s n ea el r

meridian.co.nz/forfarm

Meridian is proud to be a major sponsor of NZDIA

the room will be full of the region’s ‘who’s who’ in the dairy industry.”

The three Bay of Plenty regional winners will each progress to the national finals in Auckland on May 12.

Tickets to the Bay of Plenty awards dinner cost $65 and can be purchased at the RD1 Edgecumbe and Te Puke stores or by contacting Charlotte Jones, phone 07 304 8040 or email scotts1@xtra.co.nz The Waikato Regional Awards dinner is on Monday, March 12 at the Bledisloe Hall, Mystery Creek.

The dinner costs $85. To purchase a ticket contact Lisa Suisted, phone 07 824 2189.

DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Page 13

Potassium salts versus sodium salts Many years ago, I visited a family in Minnesota and found all their cooking was conducted using potassium salts as opposed to common sodium salts.

The dear lady of the house asked me to comment, which I did, much to my amazement my comment was not well accepted; that is, until I explained why I thought she was putting her family at risk.

required for osmosis. Sodium is the major cation in the body’s acid-base balance and for the osmosis which controls the transfer of nutrients to the cells and the removal of waste materials and the maintenance of the water balance in tissues.

Sodium

Sodium is a constituent of pancreatic juice, bile, sweat and tears. It is associated with nerve functions, see above, and plays a specific role in the absorption of carbohydrates.

Animals craving sodium will be seen to drink urine of other animals. This element may be toxic when a high intake is associated with water restrictions. Excess sodium will result in hypertension as the fast food industry has worked out; they put the pop chiller right beside the fish and chip counter.

Your taste buds cense a high sodium intake and this creates a craving for fluid. The fluid intake is required to dilute the concentration of potassium outside the cell, if this concentration is not diluted, self toxemia will result and you will die of saline poisoning.

Potassium

The fact that potassium salts are called salts, in no way can they be replaced by sodium.

They are both found to be required at similar sites in metabolism, however, their functions are opposing.

Potassium controls the fluids within the cell and sodium controls the fluids outside the cell. They both function together and are

Deficiency symptoms include loss of appetite, reduced growth and a marked reduction in feed efficiency and utilisation in growing animals. Reduced milk production (cows should have access to sodium daily or their milk flow will be reduced) plus weight loss, infertility in males, and delayed sexual maturity in females.

This element is contiguously aligned with sodium, but in no way can it supplement it. These two elements must be kept in balance, a large intake of potassium may slow the heart to a standstill, and this is termed potassium inhibition. Excessive potassium will interfere with the animal’s magnesium absorption and many tetany problems are magnified when potassium is consumed in excess. Potassium is lost when sodium is fed in excess.

Misconception

Ironically, our pastures are very high in this element and its concentration has been misinterpreted as being due to high levels in the soils in which our feed are grown; this is not the case. The high level of potassium

A sustainable farming relationship Mamaku team are Supreme Winners of the 2012 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Jim and Barbara Hitchcock, left and Rhys and Kim Meredith and their children, Max and Libby.

Farm owners Jim and Barbara Hitchcock and sharemilkers, Rhys and Kim Meredith, also won the Ballance Nutrient Management Award and the LIC Dairy Farm Award. The Hitchcocks own Castlerock

Farm, a 190ha dairy unit in the Mamaku Ranges near Rotorua. Castlerock milks about 510 cows, achieving production of about 360kg/MS/cow. Castlerock utilises a low-input, low-cost system, with no purchased feed.

Castlerock’s location in the Rotorua Lakes catchment means it is subject to regional council rules that restrict most means of increasing farm production. Dairy effluent is carefully managed and the Hitchcocks recently invested an extra $150,000 in their effluent system, even though the previous system already met council requirements.

Two large stand-off pads are used in winter to minimise pasture damage and reduce run-off.

A field day will be held on Castlerock Farm on March 27, 2012.

Other award winners in the 2012 BoP Ballance Farm Environment Awards were: Hill Laboratories Harvest Award and Beef + Lamb NZ Livestock Award; Rangitaiki Station. PGG Land and Life Award and ZESPRI Kiwifruit Orchard Award; Mark Mayston, Bruntwood Farms Ltd. Massey University Discovery Award; Harry and Anne Frost, Mamaku Blue. WaterForce Integrated Management Award; Bruce and Judy Woods, Dreamfields Farm Ltd. Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Award; Whakaue Farming Limited, Tihiotonga.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Award; Douglas and Catherine Bull, Lake Farm.

Peter Lester of Quantum Laboratories

from the lab found in plant tissue is due to a cation imbalance in the soil. The atomic weight of potassium is almost the same as calcium, calcium has an atomic weight of 40 and the atomic weight of potassium is 39, almost identical! Their valance electron charge is where they differ though; calcium is a dibasic cation whereas potassium is monobasic. That means potassium is poorly held to the surface of the soil particles and calcium is held tenaciously. As the plant feeds, hydrogen is exchanged and the weakest held are first displaced, this is why we find potassium concentrates the plant tissue in abundance, not because its concentration is greater.

In fact, high levels of potassium will be found in plants even when the concentration in the soil is low.

Balance the soil cation ratios and the levels of K in the plant will fall, even when K is applied to balance the ratios.

The ratio of potassium to calcium, while critical, is no less critical than their ratios to magnesium – sodium – phosphorus or any other element. These nutrient ratios have been well established and equally as well documented along with the levels of protein and energy.

DAIRY

Page 14

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Coast & Country

We need to value water “When the well’s dry, we know the value of water.”

Benjamin Franklin, 1774.

In New Zealand, we don’t at present have the population pressures and pollution levels of the US, but we do also have a finite supply. The Until recently, water has been seen calculations in the US are for by those in the US and the population there to rise by New Zealand as an 120,000,000 by 2050 inexhaustible resource and if they’ve got what with no cost. is being called a ‘crisis’ So the Royal Socinow, they’ll have a ety lecture entitled ‘catastrophe’ unless ‘Unquenchable: they start taking water America’s water crisis usage seriously. and what to do about it’, Hopefully, as yet, delivered by Prof Robert us Kiwis don’t go in Glennon of Arizona to for ‘power showers’ a large Hamilton audiwith nine water heads, ence may have been or their toilet flushing a wakeup call for system which fills the pan some, but a forceful before swooshing it away, confirmation for and which accounts others. for billions of litres In many states flushed every day. One of the US, there expert, Ann Coulter Prof Robert Glennon of has been no permit has claimed that ‘the flush Arizona told a conference in system at all for toilet is man’s greatest Hamilton that while every- invention’ Really? drilling a hole and taking water, while in one has a right to water, it The US is already must have an appropriate showing signs of a water others, the applicost and price. cants merely had crisis; they’ve already had to think of a reason crop failures in places like to do it – preferably one which would Colorado, levels in Lake Superior too make money – for permits to be freely low to float cargo ships. They also have granted at no cost. a national fixation on ethanol producRobert likened the US system to a tion, which is calculated to use 2500 milkshake; where an unlimited number litres of water (including irrigation) to of straws were allowed into the glass, produce one litre of ethanol. with no knowledge of the original Water treatment plants don’t remove quantity. pharmaceutical residues. In a pill-popThe result has been unlimited ground- ping nation, Robert says they are now water pumping. In some places, ground producing some strange animals and levels have lowered up to 10 metres plants downstream from such treatment in 50 years and new measurements of plants, not to mention who gets to major aquifers are showing levels up to drink the stuff downstream.

150 metres lower than a century ago.

Nobody pays for water used in the They also built dams everywhere US. If they do get a bill, it’s for the possible, but the pollution now caused utility cost of getting it to the tap. And from slower streams has seen hundreds there are some places where it gets removed in the last decade. cheaper if you use more! They have Land use capability has obviously what they call ‘the reasonable use rule’, not featured much either. Otherwise, which in reality, means if you can think why would they build Las Vegas in the of a use for it, then you can have it. middle of the Mojave desert and get Robert’s view is that, while everyone 40,000,000 visitors a year – every one has a right to water, it must have an of which will use copious amounts of appropriate cost and price. He considers water? we are moving into an era of water realWhile a few cities are attempting to location and water marketing, using a curb and tackle the water problems demand offset policy. by recycling and reusing, rather than Waikato’s Variation 6 would therefore aiming for drinking water standards seem to Robert to be a move in the for every different usage, there are still right direction. Maybe yard washing Americans such as Senator Dianne should be compared to power showers Feinstein who think they have ‘a God and we should think about our permit given right to water gardens and lawns’ policy. Probably ‘first in, best dressed’ in low rainfall areas such as California. doesn’t work with water.

By Sue Edmonds

DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Page 15

Plug the leak to improve efficiency A Katikati dairy farmer has a pressure gauge connected to his toilet water pressure so while he’s taking a leak he can also see if there is a water leak on the farm.

It’s a good example of how to find water leaks quickly; a key message DairyNZ is hammering home to farmers as part of its Smart Water Use programme.

Water is a finite natural resource and conserving water use is not only a smart environmental decision; DairyNZ says it’s a smart economic one too.

With an increasing number of regional council water regulations and restrictions, water use is an issue that dairy farmers will be forced to take more seriously in the future.

DairyNZ consulting officer Wayne Berry says traditional attitudes need to change.

“We take water for granted on farms; how we use it. It’s something that turns up daily and then disappears.”

But water is a resource and farmers are going to have to pay for it, if they aren’t already, and will have more restrictions put on their water take.

Variation 6

With the likes of Variation 6 being introduced by the Waikato Regional Council, becoming part of dairy operations, Wayne suspects water consents are going to be a nationwide requirement.

“There is change in legislation coming; so as a farmer you want options and you want options for long-term sustainability,” says Wayne.

“How would you feel if your water was restricted? Or if you had no water tomorrow? There’d be no milk.

“I want the choice of water use because I want choice of profitability; let’s have control of our destinations.”

Wayne says farmers shouldn’t get “tied up with thinking it is about compliance”

though. A dairy farmer himself, Wayne says there are many ways farmers can become more efficient using water, which will create less effluent to deal with, and more importantly have a positive effect on their bottom line.

“This water usage future has got nothing to do with compliance – and your regional councils coming and whacking you with a compliance stick and the cost stick again; it’s actually reality.

“And you can get more profit by being smart with your water.”

Open water talks

DairyNZ, together with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, held open discussions across the Bay of Plenty on Smart Water Use during February.

The sessions were framed to get farmers thinking about how they use water and where there are opportunities to conserve it or reuse it before it goes into the effluent pond.

Wayne says there is a big theme coming on where water efficiency ties in on a dairy farm – and the answer is effluent .

“Effluent is a pain to deal with and there is going to be more and more requirements for us to deal with.”

With the looming pressures on farmers to build bigger effluent storage ponds; have farmers stopped to consider using less water instead? The sessions discussed examples of water use both on the farm and in the dairy shed and how farmers can create a more efficient, sustainable and, more importantly, a more profitable system.

Everybody has a ‘pet water line’ that requires more maintenance and is consequently costing more money; “just like your pet cows, it requires more attention than you can afford to give it,” says Wayne.

“I’m surprised how farmers put up with pain-in-the-backside waterlines – replacing it can save you time and cost.”

There are many alert systems and tech-

nologies available to help farmers find water leaks early, including light alerts and pressure gauges, which can be put in good visual spots around the farm.”

Dairy shed water

Wayne says in the dairy shed there are several areas to think about: • Reuse the plate cooler water; by putting it into a second tank for wash down purposes is a good start.

• Put a timer on the yard hose to get farm workers to use less water.

• Use ‘green water’ off the effluent pond for wash down (a new regulation brought in last year).

The DairyNZ average of water use by farmers is 70 litres/per cow/per day for drinking water, and 70 litres/ per cow/per day in the dairy shed.

DairyNZ Smart Water Use programme manager Gord Stewart says these are old figures that vary hugely across farms, depending on what systems they have in place.

He says the key is for farmers to use the systems they have the most efficient way they can.

“Water is a finite natural resource. We’ve all got our part to play.”

To read more ways of how to improve water efficiency,

By Sheryl Brown visit www.dairynz.co.nz

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Page 16

DAIRY

Coast & Country

A blast of new water technology Steve and Kim McCarthy have been supplying and servicing Karcher water blasters to domestic, commercial and industrial industries for more than 20 years.

the expected life of the machine.”

SMAC Electrical and Auto Air conditionFor example, Karcher always uses stainless ing, located in Judea industrial area is the steel springs which are non-corrosive instead only Karcher authorised service agent in of steel – for some of their internal parts Tauranga, also servicing Katikati and Waihi – “so the products have better areas. longevity,” says Steve.

The German-made Karcher products set He says they are still servicing a benchmark for quality says Steve – and repairing 20-plus year old they have been in the industry for Karcher machines.

75 years.

Steve says the key is to look “A lot of people buy by price, after the machines as you when they should also be conwould a car. sidering the application and “Compare it to a motor car; cleaning power of the machine,” they have oil and seals just like a says Steve. motor car.

“The cleaning power is the “If you get it regularly serviced, sum of the psi multiplied by it will last a lot longer.” water flow in litres per minute.

SMAC supply a wide range of The Karcher trained people industries with water blasters and at SMAC are only too happy a full range of cleaning machines. to help and advise you of the Key industries include the kiwifruit best solution. and avocado industries, the Tauranga “Karcher is a top quality wharf, car franchises, supermarkets, brand, with a range of workshops, trucking and bus busiproducts to suit most nesses, through to dairy farmers budgets, but rememberCompact cold-water high and forestry. ing that price also reflects pressure cleaner.

Steve is happy to recommend the correct machine for your business requirements.

“You don’t want to buy an entry level machine if you want to use it 40-plus hours a week!

“We’re quite happy to advise what machine would suit your business. Karcher’s new HDS machines are really smart, with onboard computers telling you how many hours it’s been used, how many hot and cold water hours and are able to shut the machine down automatically if a problem should arise.

“Karcher’s latest design has many userfriendly features, ergonomic hand gun, well-balanced for easy manoeuvring and a chassis designed with cut outs for use with fork-lifts.”

Kim says Karcher make a wide range of machines, including floor cleaners, scrubbers and polishers, from battery powered to petrol or diesel run ride-on machines.

Another neat new machine is a window cleaner with an in-built vacuum, which sucks the water so your windows, your restaurant’s tables, or shower door is left without streak marks.

Complimentary cow care; less antibiotics more natural approach Excessive antibiotic use is causing problems in farming systems around the world.

In New Zealand we are increasingly relying on antibiotics and hormones to keep cows in production.

Antibiotics depress the cow’s immune system and prompt resistance in microbes. Hormones, even in tiny doses, are harmful to the food chain and the environment. The New Zealand average length of lactation is

2.5, compared to USA (mostly confinement dairying) average of 1.8 lactations per animal. Twenty five per cent of NZ heifers are sent to the works each year for failure to cycle or hold, while 50 per cent of NZ herds have been on mastitis antibiotics at some stage during the season. The common treatments for dairy ills seem less effective now.

There are effective things farmers can do to naturally improve cow performance while reducing use of hormones and antibiotics: • Keeps rumen flora intact and functioning productively.

• No withholding of AB milk from vat – income retained.

• Reduces hassle of keeping AB milk separate – reduces chances of error.

• Helps soil microbes retain health and community integrity.

• Easy to administer.

• Reduces likelihood of antibiotic resistance in herd.

• No jabs to cows.

• Strengthens instead of weakening cow immune system.

• Fights bacteria with powerful complex plant metabolites that microbes can’t develop resistance to.

• Cows back to health quickly.

We can support cow health and comfort through a range of natural therapies and botanical based prod-

ucts, such as: • Aloe vera that stimulates the immune system to ward off disease, increases skin healing and prompts better joint function.

• Herbal Tinctures or extracts of plant molecules that have specific healing effects. Generally these are alcohol-based and include parts from plants like garlic, Echinacea, Caulophyllum, Golden Seal, Red Clover, etc.

• Essential Oils found in small amounts in aromatic plants which have strong energies to stimulate human and animal systems to better functioning. Oils such as Tea Tree, Peppermint, Thyme, Cinnamon and Lavender.

• Homeopathy based on treating ‘like with like’ was common in the early 1900s and effective in a range of conditions.

Uses herbs and minerals to create powerful healing ‘memory’ for water.

• Vitamins and Antioxidants that support the lymph and immune systems under times of stress and inflammation.

• Probiotics which are naturally occurring bacterial products to aid proper digestion.

• Trace and Macro minerals such as kelp and other botanicals rich in a wide range of micro and major elements that may be unavailable from the soil or when extra is needed during stress times.

DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Page 17

Energy content: Pasture to animals The recent feedback from Eco-Logic Soil Improvement dairy farm clients using DoloZest/ CalciZest based soil fertility programmes, is that this season, if not the most productive to date, certainly rivals any in the last 15 years.

Pasture growth rates from our monitor property near Edgecumbe have provided the following grass growth figures for the last four months: October 71kgDM/ha/ day; November 67kgDM/ha/day; December 71kgDM/ha/day; January 74kgDM/ha/day.

With approximately 55kgDM/ha/day required to fully feed cows, there has been surplus to conserve for possible use later in autumn, however, given the rain due in the second half of February it is more likely to be fed in winter.

Dry matter is a somewhat crude, but useful measure as there is a great deal of historic dry matter pasture measures to compare with; however, it is the quality of the feed that really counts.

Pastoral farming is essentially an exercise in converting sunlight to usable energy via photosynthesis. This means that when sunshine hours are greatest

and pasture growth is not restricted by lack of moisture, the potential to produce both volume and exceptional quality is greatest.

The energy content of pasture can be measured in different ways, however, it is animal performance that is the most relevant.

Farmer clients

photosynthesis as well as increased energy storage capacity.

Grasses at this stage develop a seed head and become stalky reducing their digestibility, however, clovers remain highly digestible.

Some of the energy developed is fed back down to the roots increasing the activity of mycorrhizal fungi.

Mycorrhizal fungi

extend the effective area plant roots are able to harvest nutrients, particularly phosphorus, and moisture from.

With roots extending well beyond top 150mm, moisture availability seldom restricts pasture growth except in extended periods of dry weather and when grazing intervals are extended to 30-plus days, high quality feed is able to be stored ahead of the animals.

Healthy plants are largely resistant to flea, weevil and other pest

attack. Pests are always likely to be present, however, not in sufficient numbers to have a marked effect on plant growth.

DoloZest and CalciZest have been developed largely from local resources and during seven years on-going monitoring here in New Zealand, has shown pastures to which these products have been applied are able to steadily increase both the total quantity of pasture grown throughout the year as well as its energy content.

have recently reported exceptional production with little drop in production since the peak production period in October.

The reason for this is that when soils are calcium rich and well-structured, clover growth during summer can be quite exceptional. Clover, being higher in calcium and available energy than grasses, as well as being more digestible, is the ideal food for high producing lactating animals.

To achieve maximum energy, pastures must have passed their peak growth phase. At this time, there is maximum leaf surface area allowing more rapid

Natural = no more bugs These natural approaches involve all the systems of the animal’s body so farmers no longer chase bugs and cover up symptoms. Products used are safe to handle and have few, if any, side effects. This approach is useful and powerful for both organic and conventional dairies.

Hundreds of NZ dairy farmers are applying similar techniques and find they can get along on a lot less antibiotics and production doesn’t suffer. The environment also benefits from having fewer chemicals dumped into it so crucial soil microbe communities can flourish. This is the way our market wants us to go and it has strong advantages over the status quo of continued or even escalated chemical usage in farming.

In mid-March Dr Dettloff will be delivering a daylong, practical workshop on alternative therapies for dairy health in Te Poi. It will be one of seven workshops nationwide. His style is very approachable and enables farmers to check out the cutting edge of dairy health and production while picking up lots of easily usable tips for better calf care, better approaches to mastitis and better reproductive outcomes.

Consumers are demanding better quality in food with fewer chemicals used in production.

Dr Paul Dettloff is a biological ag vet with 40 years extensive dairy experience. For the last 20 years, he’s focused on alternative approaches including coaching organically certified dairies and developing herbal treatment products.

By Dr Paul Dettloff

DoloZest & CalciZest from

esi www.esi.org.nz

07 362 7288

or 0800 843 809 esi

DoloZest/CalciZest based solid fertiliser programmes deliver:* more natural nitrogen fixation * fewer pests and weeds * improved moisture holding capacity “E S I programmes consistently out-perform fertiliser N driven programmes with more total DM grown containing more energy resulting in higher levels of animal production.”

Eco-Logic Soil I mprovement Ltd

“Changing th e way we do soil fer tility”

esi

Page 18

DAIRY

Coast & Country

Meeting nature’s balance Bill Webb says with the increased rain volumes this summer, farmers are doing well; the cows are in good condition and they’re doing record production in a good payout season.

When Coast & Country talked to him in February he was hoping for a week of fine weather to dry paddocks out for maize harvesting.

“We’ve been challenged by the weather. We don’t want wet ground conditions

because it causes a lot of drama; machines get stuck.”

Bill says they will be about a week to 10 days behind their normal harvest schedule due to the rain.

The maize crops are looking very good though, says Bill, even though they’re lacking in a bit of height.

“They’re not as tall this year; everyone thinks all the rain is great for the maize, but maize actually needs heat units to grow.

“The cob-stover ratio is really good though.

“The ratio of grain is going to be higher this year so you’ll get good energy from your maize silage – but less tonnage.”

Bill says there will be many nervous farmers after the

wet muggy weather and they need to be mindful of facial eczema.

“Don’t over graze your pasture; don’t let the residuals get too low because facial eczema can have an impact for years.”

He says farmers need to be thinking of feeding out quality supplements to counteract stock over grazing paddocks.

Supplement feed is important going into a longer lactation too, says Bill.

“Farmers will be milking for longer; everyone is going to be taking advantage of the payout because they’ve got grass – they’ll want the benefits of the extra feed.”

Bill says farmers need to keep their cows in calf in good condition if they’re going to milk them longer and be in good condition for the next season.

“We’ve still got some maize for sale and really good quality grass silage from our annuals last year.

“We had some bales sampled; they are over 11.2 ME on average and we’ve had farmers ringing back for more because it’s such good quality.”

Bill says as always; farmers need to think ahead about their supplements.

His weather forecast is saying the summer is supposed to return in March and April.

“Nature has a way of balancing itself. Farmers have a lot of grass and supplements at the moment, but they always need to be thinking ahead.

“It can be quite tempting to become complacent when you look out the window at the green paddocks.

“I know there may be a shortage of straw as it hasn’t been very dry for harvesting barley and grain. It’s got wet and you can’t bail the straw.

“So there’s not going to be a lot of straw around.

Farmers need to ensure they’ve got their orders in early.”

By Sheryl Brown

PH 07 578 0030

Is your estate in order? insuring futures with Theresa Pharo Financial Advisor

If your family don’t know you have an insurance policy, they can’t make a claim; it’s as simple as that.

Insurance companies try their best to pay out all claims, even going so far as to check the obituaries, it doesn’t always help. So when they can’t trace the estate, the IRD usually ends up holding the funds.

Just before Christmas we had news that a very dear friend had died suddenly in a tragic accident. This was about the same time I was writing an article for Coast & Country encouraging everyone to ensure they had a good financial advisor taking care of them, especially important at claim time.

Well – after being called on by our friend’s family to help with the paperwork, I realised first hand that I had omitted something very important in my December article.

Tim had always taken care of the financial details for the family, his wife Lisa had said yes, signed forms, and basically trusted that everything was okay. After the accident, Lisa was faced with un-ravelling a complicated and messy pile of papers, a difficult task under normal circumstances, but in a state of shock, near on impossible. Frustratingly, once again, it appeared some insurance cover may have been taken out through a bank. No one at the bank was stepping up to take responsibility for helping her sort through this, which is how I came into the picture. She needed someone who would take care of claims.

Sorting issues

Lisa had thought everything was in order; they’d done the right thing, sorted estate planning issues, had up-to-date wills, and enduring powers of attorney. But Tim had omitted to include details of his life insurance policies. It seems obvious, but many people forget to do this very simple thing. It’s been a challenging and time consuming task to sort out and even now, Lisa is still not 100 per cent sure we’ve found everything.

So as a result, I’d like to go back over two very important points omitted from my article in December.

Farm and family insurance policies often get overlooked – forgotten – and are sometimes left at the bottom of a drawer for years. Old polices could have excellent benefits, but they can also be expensive and be inappropriate for your current needs. Make sure you keep a current record of all your policies and investments.

Looking after policies

Another very important consideration is who do you have looking after these polices for you? Do you have a qualified advisor to help you if you ever do need to make a claim? Ensure that this record is kept with your estate details or with one of your professional advisors.

This is especially important if you have taken out polices or investments through an institution such as a bank.

At Planwise, we review our client’s needs annually and provide them with an updated, detailed schedule of all their policies. We have a dedicated claims administrator who personally looks after all aspects of the claim process and it’s a job done with passion and commitment.

Theresa is a qualified professional advisor, with a keen interest to help, whatever the situation may be. She is accepting new clients by referral, if you would like an initial consultation free of charge to discuss your needs phone 0800 838 676 or email theresa@planwsie.co.nz.

FINANCE

Page 19

The world’s most valuable resource

We all probably differ on this, but I believe soil is the world’s most valuable resource.

Some time ago, David Bellamy gave us a wake-up call on just how important the soil is to our very existence.

I studied under Professor Walker at Lincoln University (now deceased) who was one of only a handful of soil enthusiasts in New Zealand. He was an absolute advocate and very passionate about soil and taught me well during my time at Lincoln University.

He was a strong proponent of biological nitrogen fixation and much of his research, and that of his staff and students, was concerned with the correction of nutrient deficiencies, such as sulphur, molybdenum and phosphorus limiting the growth of legumes and, as a consequence, nitrogen build up in soils. Professor Walker’s great legacy to Lincoln University was the establishment of a strong, cohesive and happy Soil Science Department.

I find it amazing, even after Prof Walker’s efforts, there is no independent soil authority in New Zealand. Soils are formed over millions of years from dust, erosion of rocks

producing chips, pebbles, gravels, sands, silts and clays. These various materials hold and exchange all the essential elements as soil.

There seems to be a misconception that the more input we make to the soil, the faster the pastures will grow, but this is not always true.

A P-level of 30 is apparently optimum, yet many farmers strive for a P-level of 70-plus!

Are the sprays used to minimise cultivation and fuel usage sterilising the soil and killing the micro-organisms that lie below the surface, which are so essential to the soil’s stomach or life? Will high levels of nitrogen input also sterilise our soils or can soils manage 200-300 kilograms per ha/per annum without upsetting the balance?

Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils believes excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides compromises this balance in the soil, achieving the exact opposite of what is required (NZ Dairy Exporter, 2012).

The avocado industry wanted 12 copper sprays per annum on orchards. From my expe-

rience, the result would have been dead soil, as worms and many micro-organisms just “leave home” under heavy copper toxicity.

Bowling greens and golf courses actually spray the greens with a weak solution of copper sulphate to dispose of the worms, so there are no worm casts on top!

To conclude, we as farmers are only custodians of this land and the soil, for your occupational time. We need to think about what we are doing to a vital and valuable world resource.

We need to remember the soil is alive and needs to be cared for and balance our expectations against reality. Remembering Bellamy and Walker and thinking about what they had to say is vital for the future.

Soils in New Zealand, and for that matter, the world, belong to the universe – not us!

As with the land, we only have the right to occupy them for our lifetime.

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.

FERTILISER

Page 20

Fluid Fertilisers are the way forward Fluid fertilisers are defined in New Zealand as high-solids products containing only 10-20 per cent water – just enough to allow them to be kept agitated and spread through specialised equipment.

Unlike what are commercially defined as ‘fpa’ – fine particle application, in which all ingredients are finely ground regardless of benefit and cost – each individual ingredient in fluid fertilisers is present in a range of particle sizes to suit that nutrient.

The main factors deciding the particle size range chosen for each nutrient are;

a) whether it is possible and intended for some or all of that nutrient to be taken up through the leaves, as in a foliar fertiliser; and b) what sizing will allow passage of the particular ingredient through the plant canopy to the soil, with as many individual particles as possible, with a totally even spread, to optimise nutrient uptake.

‘Liquid’ fertilisers got a deservedly bad name in New Zealand beginning in the 1980s, because of blatantly dishonest and misleading claims that the tiny amounts of nutrient being applied per hectare at the rates recommended by the seller would maintain production.

Typically, these products were applying less than 1kg/ ha of the key nutrients, and trivial amounts of trace elements. They made huge profits for their suppliers, but cost farmers dearly. Several such companies added growth promotants and ‘greening’ agents to their products, to create an impressive, but fleeting visual benefit.

Maintenance requirements

This type of con has arisen again recently, but wrapped in a more sophisticated, single-invoice ‘package’ of onfarm ‘advice’ and application. Nutrient application rates remain massively below maintenance requirements.

Unfortunately, this has distracted attention from the enormous benefits of true fluid fertilisers, as described above. Fluid fertilisers have all the advantages of solid fertilisers – relatively low cost products designed to maintain and improve soil fertility and plant growth – but avoid their disadvantages of dust, segregation of components during handling, transport and spreading, and entry of nutrients into waterways.

Advantages

NE

W

In addition, fluid fertilisers offer a combination of important advantages; extremely accurate placement – thereby allowing deposition of nutrients into waterways to be avoided; extremely even coverage of much smaller-sized particles than granules, optimising both leaf and root uptake; and the easy addition of both solid and liquid additives, additional nutrients, seed and insecticide.

In particular, the additives can include cutting-edge products that greatly increase both P and N efficiency and reduce losses.

For all these reasons, I believe ‘fluids’ are the way to go. The water content is simply the carrier, the means to ensure that the nutrients and additives required to optimise productivity on each given farm can be applied in the most cost-effective manner, in any terrain, in any weather.

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Coast & Country

FERTILISER

PH 07 578 0030

Page 21

Ever heard of fattening bees?

While the scientists and the sceptics continue to ask for ‘proof ’ on how ‘biological farming’, focused on soil health, can work better than chemicals, yet another good news story on it popped up this month – fat bees.

We’ve written before about Jeff and Fiona Graham’s biological dairy goat farm at Pukeatua Peak with its amazing mixed pasture of 11 species, and no ryegrass in the new areas.

Well now a local apiarist, Barbara Cahalane, is using the farm to fatten up some of her bees – up to 60 hives at a time – when she brings them back from

fly far from the hives to get it. In other places, there is always a six week period when there isn’t enough food for bees.

At this time they stop work and require supplementary feeds to get them started again.

There aren’t too many women apiarists around, so I asked Barbara how she became one. After years of working in education, she decided a change was needed. Her father had been a hobbyist beekeeper and she had also spent many weekends ‘helping’ a beekeeper friend in Auckland and had fallen in love with bees.

So she asked a local beekeeper about part-time work and promptly was appointed to a full time post as a queen raiser. She stayed for two years and learned a lot, despite the fact that the other workers thought she’d last about a week, as the work is hard and heavy.

Four seasons ago, she set up her own round with a business partner, which is now about 600 hives, spread

What beekeepers do in winter. other areas when the hives are ‘split’ and the bees need a boost.

Because there are so many food and pollen sources on the farm, Barbara calls it ‘bee heaven’ and thinks her bees “just roll out of bed there, drag out their picnic rug and snack just outside their door, it’s just so lush”.

With the amazing variety of bee foods – dandelion, honeysuckle, barberry, hawthorn, gorse, vinca major, clover (red and white and Persian), lucerne, chicory, kamahi, rewarewa and other ‘bush stuff – there’s always something all year to help honey and brood production and the bees don’t have to

Now where to site the

se hives?

from Northland to the Central Plateau.

The bees are wintered around Maungatautari Mountain and moved to mainly manuka sites in spring.

The amazing season this year has kept her busy racing round adding boxes frequently to many hives to make more

space for the bees, and is about to begin the honey harvest, assisted by friends and relations.

No doubt if they find any bees needing a ‘plumping’ holiday, they’ll end up at Pukeatua Peak.

Page 22

FERTILISER

Coast & Country

Watching the weather to keep ponds low Farmers around the country have made great strides improving the quality of their dairy effluent ponds and farm practice around effluent management.

To keep up the momentum and lower non-compliance issues, the DairyNZ message this summer is – empty your storage ponds when you can.

The issue we come up against is that effluent storage ponds won’t cope if they are full and sustain wet

weather hits when autumn arrives. The best way to ensure your pond can cope is to empty it regularly and make sure it’s well maintained.

The response to our reminder has been positive, with farmers we’ve talked to being more aware of the benefit of regular checking routines.

We know dairy farmers are seeing an effluent management system as an important part of the whole farming system. When the system is correctly designed and operated, not only will it comply with regional council requirements, but the whole system will work more efficiently.

Staying on top

The easiest way to stay on top of pond levels is to keep an eye on the conditions. By getting to know what the weather is doing as far ahead as possible with current forecasting, and knowing the level of your storage pond, you can avoid being caught out with inadequate storage when a storm blows in.

Dairy NZ has organised with Met Service to have reminder ads on the weather forecasting page, a place where many farmers are regular visitors. The adverts will appear in March at www. metservice.com/rural/index To help spread the message, we’re

dairy nz Theresa Wilson, DairyNZ Effluent Development Project Manager

using a magnetic pond level indicator, t-shirts and, the highlight of the promotion, a ‘Prize Pond’ photo competition.

Farmers are invited to send in a picture to show how low their ponds can go – visit dairynz.co.nz/prizepond – and the farmer with the best looking pond wins a barbecue hosted by former All Black prop, TV sport commentator, radio personality and farmer, Richard Loe. The magnetic pond markers can be obtained by emailing keepitlow@ dairynz.co.nz

Comparing ponds

Having people compare their ponds can helps farmers promote good practice for managing effluent ponds.

Farmers have made good progress meeting effluent management requirements and nationally the rate of serious non-compliance fell to 11 per cent last season.

But it’s clear the bar is high, so any non-compliance is unacceptable.

If you’ve got a pond – the best advice is to keep it low.

JORDAAN

COAST & COUNTRY

PH 07 578 0030

Getting to the roots of gorse

Scott Adamson, owner of Rural Contractors BOP Ltd, says gorse has had ideal growing conditions this year.

Gorse is always a problem wherever you go, says contractor Scott Adamson, but keeping on top of it will cost you less in the end.

Scott started spraying gorse as a sideline to his Rural Contractors business a few years ago. Now The custom all terrain machine it’s become a is perfect for any property. main part of the business.

There had than if they leave been quite a it for two years lot of gorse and then they’re growth in the just about back last two years to square one.” thanks to a mild Rural Conwinter and ideal tractors can growing condispray gorse tions. e up on properties “Everything’s Spraying gors Katikati. all across the growing well,” – gson Road in un Yo Western Bay including gorse of Plenty. They – says Scott. will supply whichever chemical “We spray all the customer wants to use, or the year round; it densest of gorse you can’t get customer can supply the chemidoesn’t matter what time of the into,” says Scott. cals, says Scott. year we’re spraying because it’s “On dense gorse we’ll spray in Rural Contractors charges on an growing all throughout the year. from the outside and then do a hourly rate and offers a free and “But we have a successful kill follow up visit after a few months honest estimate on jobs. rate on it all year-round too.” and get in a bit further.”

“I will go out to the property Scott says the phone rings Gorse can get away on you and have a look,” says Scott. more when the gorse is flowering quickly so Scott always recom“We’re pretty good with our estibecause people start to notice it mends a follow-up visit. mates and we also work to people’s more.

“Normally, most of our custombudgets.”

The team at Rural Contracers are people who have let it get Spraying gorse is not easy and tors has a high kill-rate on gorse away and we get in there and do not something most people are because they can get to places an initial spray and then it could keen to do, says Scott. where a lot of standard machinery be 6-12 months before we do a “It’s hard work and involves can’t get to. follow-up spray. handling chemicals.”

“We have a specialised eight“If they keep doing that – if we To get on top of your gorse now, wheel all terrain machine with go back every 12 months – it’s just phone Scott at Rural Contractors a 100 metre hose, so there’s not a small cost as a follow-up, rather 0274 624 769. much we miss – only the very

Page 23

Page 24

ENRICHING THE ENVIRONMENT

Coast & Country

The benefits of planting natives

It makes sense to add native plants to your garden.

Because they were ‘home grown’ during millions of years, natives can be quite well suited to our conditions, in some cases thriving with a minimum of fuss. This saves you time on watering and maintenance, so you can relax and enjoy your outdoor surroundings.

They also hold the soil well on slopes.

Planting natives helps preserve our natural heritage – more than 80 per cent of New Zealand's plant species are found nowhere else. Urban expansion and intensified rural land use is crowding out wetlands and bush.

Every little bit of native planting helps – it’s worth doing, even if you’ve got only a tiny back yard – try flowering natives like hebe and phormium (flax).

Native birds and insects such as moths like native plants too. Besides, looking and sounding beautiful bellbird, tui and silvereye lend a helpful beak and claw by eating up insect pests and help pollinate your plants.

If you do find your garden is a popular place for native birds, ensure you don’t put them at risk. Your pet can be a predator, so try putting a bell on your cat’s collar, keep your cat in at night and ensure it’s being well fed by you, so that hunting is not essential.

Weeds: It’s important to keep on top

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of exotic weeds such as bramble, ivy, tradescantia and aluminium plant – they can spread quickly and crowd out native plants, taking their sunshine, water and soil nutrients.

Your regional council and Department of Conservation offices have useful free illustrated guides available to the ‘wicked’ weeds that spread easily into bush areas, such as passion fruit, buddleia, old man's beard and Chilean flame creeper.

They can advise on attractive plants to choose instead of the invasive ones.

Using mulch on your garden is a good way of keeping weeds down.

Otherwise, it’s a case of pulling gumboots on, getting into the garden and pulling them right out, including the roots. It’s easiest to do following rain, when the soil is soft.

NZ Native Flora Ltd is a family run native nursery that specialises in wholesale native plants, growing plants in bulk quantities for conservation, re-vegetation, wetlands, farm planting, land development and shelter.

NZ Native Flora can provide a total nursery and planting solution – and are able to provide continuity and contact throughout the job. They also offer on-site and personal help through the planting process.

NZ Native Flora source ecosource seed for the areas, grow the plants, advise the appropriate plant locations and then plant them.

They provide a large selection of native plants at a variety of sizes, ranging from Pb2 (1.2 litre) size through to 35litre bags.

PH 07 578 0030

ENRICHING THE ENVIRONMENT

Page 25

Getting tired of tyres on the farm?

This pile of unwanted tyres has been sitting on this land for several years and can be clearly seen next to the SH29 between Matamata and Tauranga.

Carbon Recovery Ltd, a Bay of Plenty and Waikato-based company, has had an overwhelming response to its new recycling programme ‘Tyre Back’.

“Many farmers are sick of dirty, filthy tyres that have been sitting around the property for years,” says general manager Ray Austen.

“They’ve jumped on board and our 0800 number hasn’t stopped ringing.”

Carbon Recovery can recycle all scrap tyres. That means car tyres, truck tyres and oversized tyres from tractors and large machines can all be collected, cut, chipped into a fuel and exported as a

commodity rather than dumped into landfills or thrown down the nearest gully.

Part of the problem according to Ray is the cost of removing tyres from farms in the future could hit farmers in the back pocket. Many people are starting to realise this now. There could be up to 50 million of them sitting around the countryside leaching into the soil and providing a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“At some stage in the future, that pile of tyres sitting against the fence or next to the shed could become a costly removal exercise for many farms.

“Often, when there is a change in the farming practice, the farm is sold or there is simply no use for the piles of

Fencing for the future Nobody could ever accuse the Fagan family of not sticking to the job at hand.

Four generations of Fagans have been farming and fencing in the Bay of Plenty, and their long-term experience, quality workmanship and understanding of the environment has stood the test of time.

Today, Mark Fagan and his team, including son Jason, are well sorted for fencing in the Bay. The four generations of farming experience behind them has

given them a comprehensive understanding of the needs of their clients, and they combine their knowledge of stock flow and cattle yards with practical skills.

Local knowledge is another bonus in the business – they’re familiar with the rural landscape and know what will work best in which areas.

As well as doing all aspects of rural fencing, they are skilled in building retaining walls, paling fences and security fences. They’re able to draw up plans for fencing and yards, provide quotes and travel anywhere in the Bay. They run a bulldozer for clearing fence lines and drainways, so all aspects of the job can be tackled in one efficient operation. The size of their team is also a factor in completing large jobs quickly.

“Having all the right gear on the job and knowing how to use it is hugely important,” says Mark.

The job always has its challenges, but the best aspect, they say, is that if a job is done well, using the right equipment, it’s still there many years down the track.

tyres sitting around – that’s when my phone starts to ring hot.

“Trucking charges and landfill fees keep increasing every year and the bloke from the tyre shop that dropped them off, certainly doesn’t want them back.”

Many people are surprised there is a small cost for recycling tyres says Ray. Unfortunately, like old televisions, cans of paint, silage wrap or used chemical containers, tyres don’t have an immediate value.

“That’s why we need to charge a small fee and most of it goes

toward the cost of transporting the tyres to our processing centre. The fee pays the cost of collecting and trucking the tyres to our processing centre.” Special equipment is required to do the job properly, so there is a cost to transport the tyres and a cost to dismantle and chip the tyres.

“It’s the same reason customers are charged a disposal fee by tyre shops when they purchase new tyres.”

Ray says farmers can get rid of unwanted piles of tyres in an environmentally responsible way, before

it becomes a health risk and a cost for the next generation.

“Don’t leave them for your kids to clean up.”

Tyres can become breeding grounds for pests such as rats and mosquitoes. They can also leach into the soil over time. Tyres contain natural and synthetic rubbers, carbon black, oils, resins, sulphur, zinc and a variety of other chemicals. It’s illegal to burn them, bury them or use them in drains. It’s best to get them off the farm if they’re no longer required says Ray.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 26

Coast & Country

Up for the challenge What drives a busy dairy farmer to train for six weeks and then spend the best part of a week cycling from Wellington to Auckland?

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The Lion Foundation is the major sponsor and organiser of the event which raises money for a variety of charities in each of the towns and cities that the riders pass through. At one function alone, held at Coombes Johnston BMW in Hamilton, $4000 was raised for the Achilles Foundation which assists disaFor Kelly Shaw, who milks bled athletes to travel overseas.

650 cows just out of Te Puke, Other fundraisit’s the endurance challenge ing activities were coupled with more community helping raise based, as local funds for charischools like Kakaties. tahi School in the Kelly recently King Country, competed in the which has just 11 Lion Foundation pupils on the role, Cycle Chalhosted the riders lenge, finishing for lunch one day in 25th place with a sausage out of 150 riders sizzle that earned and, although more than $1200 the going was in donations. certainly ‘chalTe Puke dairy farmer, Kelly Shaw, The riders also lenging’ from time had a ‘blast’ on the Lion Foundation built up a great to time, he enjoyed Cycle Challenge. comradeship along every minute of it. the way and the nightly prizegivings As a long-time cyclist and triathlete were always enjoyed by all, with spot who trains mostly on the back country prizes donated by the group of supportroads around Te Puke, Kelly saw the ive sponsors. challenge as the ideal opportunity to be “The whole experience absolutely blew part of a very worthwhile event, while me away,” says Kelly. doing something he loves.

“The competitors came from all walks “It’s a quieter time of year on the of life and in all shapes and sizes, but farm,” says Kelly, “and with the support each and every one of us who entered of my family and relief milkers, I was able to put the work in so I could do the had a blast. I highly recommend it to anyone.” challenge.”

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Coast & Country

Putting give way changes into gear The NZ Transport Agency says a multi-media public awareness campaign will kick off next month to ensure that drivers are aware of changes to New Zealand's give way rules.

NZTA Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield says publicity around the rule changes, which change over at 5am on Sunday March 25, was being carefully timed in order to ensure maximum awareness of the changes.

“In the long run the new rules will help to

reduce confusion and reduce crashes by making decision-making easier for drivers at intersections, but there are obvious safety risks if some people start following the new rules too early.”

On March 25, there are two changes. The first change is the left-turn versus right turn rule where all traffic turning right to give way to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and turning left.

This applies at cross roads, T-intersections and driveways where both vehicles are facing each other with no signs or signals, or the same signs or signals.

The second change is at uncontrolled T-intersections (‘uncontrolled’ means when there are

no signs or signals to tell you what to do) where all traffic from a terminating road (bottom of the T) will have to give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of the T). This will bring it into line with T-intersections where there are Stop or Give Way signs on the terminating road.

No changes will take place to roundabouts.

Geoff says a $1.2 million nationwide advertising campaign promoting awareness of the rule changes would kick off on March 15, ten days prior to the ‘go-live’ date, and would continue through until April 1.

The campaign will include TV, radio, online and print advertising, along with a leaflet door drop to 1.73 million homes. The ads will focus

on highlighting the date of the change, and will provide a simple overview of the new rules.

The advertising campaign will be preceded by a major update to the official website for information on the new rules - www.giveway.govt.nz on February 29.

At the same time half a million leaflets detailing the rule changes will be distributed via councils, Police, the NZTA and driver licensing agents.

Changing the give way rules is one of the first actions being implemented as part of the Government’s Safer Journeys road safety strategy, aimed at significantly reducing death and injury on New Zealand’s roads by 2020.

ACC inspecting farms in autumn for quad bike safety ACC and the Department of Labour are going to be inspecting farms in autumn to remind people of the dangers of not adhering to safety rules while riding quad bikes.

Some 850 people are injured on quad bikes on farms each year and five die. The total cost to ACC for quad bike related claims in the 2010/2011 financial year, including ongoing claims lodged in previous years, was approximately $8.6 million.

At Christmas, a number of families had people injured in quad bike accidents on farms and beaches across the country, which included the death of a child.

The Department of Labour’s quad bike safety campaign aims to reduce the number of people being hurt and killed while riding quad bikes on farms.

“Everyone has a responsibility to improve safety on quad bikes – especially during the summer months when farmers tend to work longer hours,” says the department’s general manager central region Ona de Rooy.

“Long hours can lead to fatigue and an increase in accidents.”

The ACC department’s campaign focuses on four key safety steps: Always wear a helmet, riders must be trained or experienced enough to do the job, never let kids ride adult quad bikes and choose the right vehicle for the job.

These safety steps were the focus of the

department’s spring enforcement phase, where 518 farms were visited across New Zealand and 197 enforcement notices were issued where safety issues were identified with quad bikes.

“We will be continuing this campaign and the focus on the four safety steps in 2012 – with another round of farm visits in autumn,” says Ona. “Where our inspectors find safety issues or where the four key safety steps are not being taken, they will take action.”

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HORSE OF THE YEAR

Page 29

Building a new stable keep horses happy just screwed in so that if we want to remove it in the future it can be easily dismantled.”

The building comes as a kitset, and Rosemary says they were lucky enough to have some great friends and neighbours that helped them get it built.

“It was a great project that we could build with just basic hand tools and we really enjoyed it.

“One of our neighbours had a digger so we used that to get the site ready, spread and roll the crusher dust for the pad so we had a nice level site that provides excellent drainage.”

Outpost Buildings was able to match the colour of the existing buildings with the colorsteel cladding in a nice red – Scoria.

The wooden parts of the build-

ing were left natural, although there was an option to stain the wood.

“We are very happy with our stable and our two horses seem to be enjoying it too.”

To see more photos visit http://www.outpostbuildings. co.nz/products/horse-stables/ index.html and click on Testimonial.

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Rosemary Hassan was on the lookout for a building they could use as a shelter to protect their horses from the weather.

They wanted to find something that could also be used as a holding stall or stable for grooming and feeding etcetera.

Outpost Buildings had a design that was a great size and was able to include

some variations to the building to suit Rosemary’s requirements.

The building design was ‘skid mounted’, “which we really liked the idea of ” says Rosemary.

“It meant that if we wanted to, we could easily shift the building to a different paddock or a new property if we were ever to move house.”

The building can be towed or lifted by crane.

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Coast & Country

Full horse stable solutions Your animals, your machinery, your gear and you need caring for and Aztech Buildings has the full stable solution to meet your needs.

The Aztech team provide the full solution for housing your horses and equipment, whether it’s for breeding, training, racing or show-jumping.

Optional extras such as stable fit-outs; wall lining; air ventilation systems; vermin proofing; tack rooms; wash bays;

and accommodation are some of the many standard accessories they offer.

All Aztech buildings come with essential zero bird perch as well.

Aztech Buildings head office is in Hamilton, servicing the North Island and is fully flexible on design and any special requirements.

They provide full construction or kit set options.

Aztech Buildings aims to increase your return on your building investment by providing cost-effective protection from the elements through innovative building solutions, whilst surpassing your expectations in customer care and service with a hassle free building process from start to finish.

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fully resulted in more animal feeds produced from your paddocks.

Make sure your hay and other feeds are well covered.

• Machinery only rusts and gear depreciates outside; make sure all your gear is covered with a durable and good looking building that will stand as a long-term asset on your property.

•Protect your animals by sheltering them indoors.

There is plenty of ways to care for your investments, but having a cost-effective, simple and innovative building is number one. If you have any building requirements, receive your free information pack by contacting Aztech Buildings today on 0800 298 324 or email sales@aztechbuildings.co.nz

for your animals, machinery, gear and yourself and when dealing with Aztech Buildings they help you ensure the maximum care is provided providing return on your investments.

Some more examples of how to care for your investments: • With calving season approaching fast, ensure you have enough room in a covered calf facility for each one of them, the standard allowance should be 1.5Sqm per calf.

• Save pasture damage and effluent disposal costs by having a feedpad, making sure you cover it to increase your herd’s productivity. Remember cool cows produce more milk.

• Having a wet summer hope-

Plenty of experience in the saddle Tauranga Saddlery Ltd is situated on Barkes Corner, Greerton in Tauranga.

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horse care and equestrian disciplines.

Owner Kris Newcombe has spent many years competing in horse events, with success in many different disciplines and working in the veterinary field.

There is very little she has not come across when it comes to horse health, care and riding.

“We stock an extensive range from many different suppliers,” says Kris, including major brand names Weatheebeeta – the Roma, Bates, Kincade, Wintec, Saxon ranges plus Prestige, Cavallino, Equistar, Mark Todd, Techna and many more.

There is always a wide variety of feedstuffs, health products and additives, plus grooming and turn-out products.

“In addition to all this, we offer a prompt inexpensive repair service – there's not much in the way of trashed covers that we can't put back together after your horse has done his darndest!

“So come into the shop, introduce yourself and 'talk horses'.”

PH 07 578 0030

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Page 31

Best fetlocks forward

Olympians, future Olympians, stars and future stars will all have their best feet and fetlocks forward at the 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings in March.

The show is the last chance for Kiwis to see London Olympian Louisa Hill in full flight before she heads to Europe.

The dressage star – the first of the 2012 equestrian team to be officially named – is a favourite to take the $20,000 GJ Gardner Dressage Kur and the special.

Paralympian hopeful Rachel Stock is also competing in both para and able-bodied classes at the show.

Dressage and para dressage are just two of the 18

both sides of the Tasman and New Zealand’s best onshore eventers will be competing along with the cream of the national dressage crop and so much more.

An exciting new parade of stallions has been introduced, along with the growing young horse section, both of which showcase New Zealand’s impressive breeding industry.

The trade section is almost as important as the competitive side of things, and that too has hit new heights.

Kevin continues to push the boundaries of an event that has garnered high praise from all round the globe.

Cup hat trick and if successful, would be the first ever to do so. There’s plenty of interest from Australia in the class as the Aussies are sending a top team for the Mitavite Australasian test which is incorporated in the second biggest class of the show, the $50,000 CRT Silver Fern Stakes on the Friday night.

Also in the Land Rover Premier Arena is Singapore’s Ho Nai Yue, the only O level showjumping judge in the Southern Hemisphere, who will oversee the ring.

Entertainment is also big, with celebrations starting on Thursday night with the Hall of Fame dinner, followed the next day by the reunion lunch for those involved in the sport before 1990, and then later the Friday Night Extravaganza and the Saturday Night Variety Show, which includes the Hunt Chase.

For the first time there’ll be showjumping under lights with the New Zealand Speed Horse of the Year scheduled to go at 8.30pm on Saturday.

“It’s bigger, smarter and more exciting all round,” says Kevin, “if that’s possible!”

Numbers of those coming through the gates continues to rise too, with the 2011 show attracting 74,000 people. The show pumps in excess of $12.5 million into the Hawke’s Bay economy.

“I know I’m biased, but this is truly a world class event that does New Zealand proud.

“It’s not to be missed!”

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disciplines at the prestigious six-day show, which also includes the Rush Munro Three Day Event and the mounted games, who are gearing up for their 2013 world champs to be held at HOY next year.

Show director Kevin Hansen promises it’s bigger and better than ever.

Top international showjumpers from

“This will be the 14th Horse of the Year Show we have hosted in Hawke’s Bay and really, I think we are only just beginning to tap into the full potential of this event.

“Things will just continue to progress from here.”

Venezuelan course guru Leopoldo Palacios is back again and will fully challenge entrants in the $200,000 Bell Tea Olympic Cup. Katie McVean is sitting on an Olympic

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PASTURE

Page 32

Coast & Country

Yellow bristle grass spreading fast Originally thought of as an isolated Waikato problem, Yellow Bristle Grass is rapidly spreading to wherever it can hitch a ride.

It has already shown up in Taranaki, and research on its climate preferences elsewhere in the world have shown that it could potentially grow anywhere in New Zealand apart from the Southern Alps.

An annual, YBG is a member of the C4 group of species; it starts germinating about October and produces

copious seed heads with large seeds from January to March.

Each seed head can contain up to 500 seeds and these drop to the ground about a week after the bristles turn brown. At this time, they aren’t mature, but carry on getting there until spring comes again, when they all turn into plants, particularly where there are gaps in pasture.

Originally found mainly in roadside verges, it is thought to have ‘jumped the fence’ into pasture

In lush pasture it grows tall. when the cost of weed control by councils saw a change from long-acting herbicides to, more often, glyphosate alone, which is often applied too early in spring to affect YBG germination.

It’s a grass and cows will eat it, at least until seed heads appear, so what is the problem? It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality and as the season progresses; its metabolisable energy drops to the point that cows eating 25 per cent of their diet in YBG reduce milk production by 11 per cent, which lowers the vat level a bit!

Note that ‘summer grass’, which is also quick to fill empty spaces, has the same problem, causing the same

result. And when both die, they leave spaces for winter weeds to grow madly.

If cows have been grazing on YBG-infested pasture and are then moved to ‘clean’ pasture, the seeds get carried along in the rumen and deposited in dung at the new site. And existing plants will produce new seedheads just 21 days after being grazed.

Since the publication of the original Ute Guide to YBG in 2006, the Yellow Bristle Grass Action Committee has been researching ways to both cope with it and get rid of it. At a recent field day near Matamata, AgResearch scientist Trevor James initially announced “We have a cure� – but then went on to explain that, in fact, the cure wasn’t available just yet.

A thick infestation and thousands of seeds.

Apparently Bayer has a herbicide called Puma S, but so far it’s not registered for pasture –they are working on it. This stuff is selective for YBG, but will have a 42-day non-grazing period after spraying, which makes things tricky for grazing rounds in late summer.

At present, the best time to spray is two weeks before Christmas.

The researchers are also attempting to persuade councils to defer spraying affected areas on roadsides until December this year.

So what can farmers do about it? For bad infestations, you may need to cut your stocking rate. For small infestations – which are hard to spot until the seed heads appear and it’s too late – you can fence it off and spot treat it or pull it. If it’s inadvertently made into maize or wrapped grass silage, research to date has shown it probably takes at least three months for the seed to be killed within it.

Get hold of the second edition of the YBG Ute Guide from MAF and start swotting up.

By Sue Edmonds

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PASTURE

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Page 33

Dairy goat cooperative needs more goat herds Once upon a time, before the Dairy Goat Cooperative came along, if you had a baby with intolerance, you probably needed to keep a goat and milk it.

These days they are kept in herds, housed mainly indoors, and the Cooperative is proving hugely successful, selling product everywhere.

Success can sometimes bring its own problems though. Due to ever increasing sales of its products overseas, the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Cooperative is looking for more suppliers in Northland, Taranaki and the Waikato.

In 1993, when current chief executive Dave Stanley began work there, he was the only employee.

These days, there’s a staff of 100, a turnover of more than $100m, and three modern plants in Hamilton coping with drying, blending, canning. A further plant in Auckland makes the different cans for their

multiple markets for infant and child formulas.

Stanley recently addressed a meeting of the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science Inc. at Ruakura to let more people know about their success. They also held an open day at the plants, where groups were able to watch all the different processes from viewing galleries.

The blending and can-filling plants have been built for future expansion, and at present are also being used to process similar materials for cow-based products on contract.

“We’ve deliberately kept a low profile as, compared to dairy, we’re still a niche marketer,” says Stanley.

“But despite producing a comparatively high-priced product for infant food, our customers, particularly in Asia, seem prepared to pay for it in increasing numbers.

“We now export to 20 countries and recent sales in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Korea keep growing at record levels. Our sales have grown over 50 per cent in the last two years, so we’re now

looking for new suppliers to cope.”

Stanley says their plants are state of the art and farmers are always hugely impressed when they take them round the sites.

The overseas market for infant formulas is fiercely contested and the Cooperative has clear rules on many aspects of goat feed and care, to ensure its reputation remains squeaky clean for all its markets.

While this can involve suppliers in reporting on what they are doing, those same suppliers are receiving extremely high prices for their milk solids, which makes working within the system well worthwhile.

Goat milk differs from cows’ milk in containing different proteins and other minor components. The secretion process for goats is like that for humans and is known as apocrine secretion – against process for cows known as merocrine secretion. For some babies and young children, who don’t tolerate cows’ milk well, that from goats can prevent eczema and asthma.

“Some reports have said that many Asians are lactose intolerant,” says Stanley.

“In fact, goat milk also contains lactose, but it’s the different proteins that mainly make the difference for intolerance in babies.”

Part of the Cooperative’s Hamilton plant.

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PASTURE

Coast & Country

Strike while the flies are not Flystrike is the most important ectoparasitic disease of sheep in New Zealand. It is caused by blowflies laying their eggs on sheep, which then hatch to maggots and invade the animal. It’s a very serious disease affecting millions, and killing hundreds of thousands of sheep annually.

An animal may take six weeks to regain lost weight after treatment for flystrike, and up to eight months for its fleece to recover.

Flies must be attracted to lay their eggs on sheep, so such factors like faecal/urine stains, fleece rot, footrot and wounds predispose to flystrike. Sheep that have already been ‘struck’, ie have live maggots, should be

treated as soon as possible with an insecticide product (as well as removing wool around the area) to reduce pain and suffering and minimise production losses. Ideally, maximal effort should be directed towards preventative measures.

Flystrike has historically been prevented by ‘dipping’, which saturates the entire fleece or body regions most prone to flystrike, in a product (usually IGR) that persists for long enough to cover the fly period. However, several other aspects of control are used.

Well-fed sheep, with an effective worm control programme – less dags – rotationally grazed on pasture previously grazed by cattle or deer are less susceptible to flystrike. Shearing is effective at preventing flystrike for a few weeks because the eggs

vet’s view

with Ravensdown Vet Gavin Goble BVSc MRCVS

and maggots dry-out with exposure to UV light.

Treat shearing cuts to prevent fly attraction and keep diseases such as footrot and fleece rot under control. Grazing management is also important; keep sheep away from areas that have a particularly high fly challenge, including areas that are warm and sheltered, such as scrub-filled gullies, bush margins and in the lee of shelterbelts – windy exposed paddocks are less favourable to flies. Remove potential fly breeding grounds; burn, or bury deeply, dead animals, cover offal pits and avoid creating dung heaps or composting vegetation – for example rotting hay.

Finally, get expert advice on the appropriate dip chemicals to use, along with the correct application method and timing.

New ideas on facial eczema The sporidesmin bugs which cause facial eczema in animals breed mostly in the dead material at the base of pasture.

So DairyNZ, with the help of a small group of farmers and the Sustainable Farming Fund, are looking at what can be done to improve matters within the pasture itself.

This year they are focusing on three areas: The first is the impact of lime on spore development.

Will liming at critical times have an effect on that dead material, and perhaps stop the spores from developing and proliferating?

The second is looking at sward diversity. Plants with more open architecture – those which don’t form tight clumps – tend to have their dead material decompose more rapidly, because it falls into more exposed spaces on the ground. So plants like clover, plantain, chicory and other more ‘open shaped’ species may reduce the amount of dead material at ground level, giving the spores less to work on.

The third issue is to take a hard look at the different practices for spore counting, using the various different methods currently in use.

How variable are the results from

these and thus how reliable are the figures given out to farmers?

All these are seen as practicable and measurable research, which could in future be easily used by farmers. The research will take place over this current season, with the idea that a protocol can be developed for farmers to use next year.

Other ideas, such as the effect of increasing earthworm counts in soils, may be looked at in future.

The top dwelling earthworms consume and break down dead matter, and more worms may contribute to faster removal of this material.

Increasing such populations is seen as more complex, however, and the idea at present is to give farmers some useful tools as soon as possible.

Facial Eczema is a disease which causes lowered production and sometimes death from liver damage. Fungal spores produced by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum growing on pasture produce a toxin which when ingested by cattle damage the liver and bile ducts.

The damaged liver cannot rid the body of wastes and a breakdown product of chlorophyll builds up in the body causing sensitivity to sunlight, which in turn causes

inflammation of the skin.

The first sign of FE is a drop in milk production occurring soon after the intake of toxic spores (subclinical FE). Cows are restless at milking time, seek shade, and lick their udder. Another drop in production occurs when physical symptoms (clinical FE) become obvious. Exposed unpigmented or thin skin thickens and peels. Watch white areas, teats, inside the hind legs, and the udder and udder support area.

PH 07 578 0030

HORTICULTURE

Kiwifruit proposals

Page 35

Darryl Isaac Ltd

On February 22, Zespri released two proposals for industry consultation which are reported on in this edition of Coast and Country.

As the representative grower organisation, we had sent to the Zespri board, before they released their proposals, what NZ Kiwifruit Growers considered the key principles were to assist with the design of the proposals.

What we will now do is through grower consultation and meetings, is find out what growers think about these proposals and reach a view. The NZ Kiwifruit Grower’s view will then be tabled at the next Zespri board meeting when they make the decision on which proposal (or variant of it) to adopt.

The proposals are designed to put the industry on a recovery pathway. We need a recovery pathway because the main gold variety of kiwifruit, Hort16A, dies when attacked by Psa-V. The progression from a healthy vine to a dying vine is often very fast. It leaves the grower with no way to grow a crop and make a living. To see cut out orchards where there are only stumps or just grass where there was once a thriving gold orchard is soul destroying.

We are fortunate that not all Golds, and certainly not Hayward – Green – kiwifruit are as susceptible to an attack from Psa-V as is Hort16A. Every different variety of kiwifruit has different tolerance levels to Psa-V. So the first step towards recovery is to identify the most Psa-V tolerant Gold variety that meets all the other conditions to be a successful crop for kiwifruit orchardists to grow.

Some of the required characteristics are good on orchard yield, good keeping qualities and, most importantly, consumers like it, will repeat purchase and pay a good price for it.

Good taste and health attributes are important for consumer acceptance. Finding the perfect kiwifruit variety that fits all the requirements is not easy and takes many years.

The Gold variety that is being put forward by Zespri to replace Hort16A is a best fit today and for the next few years. It has its risks as it has only just been commercialised and we don’t know much about it. So each grower will need to consider his or her situation carefully and make a choice based on what is best for them. To ensure survival of this variety, a protective spray regime must be employed, particularly around wet and windy weather events which we now know spreads Psa-V around the countryside. Zespri cannot force growers to replace their Hort16A with this variety – each grower must make their own decision.

To put what Zespri is proposing in context, Kiwifruit Vine Health – the organisation set up by the industry to manage the industry’s response to Psa-V – has requested

that the industry replace infected and at risk Hort16A, as a priority, due to its Psa vulnerability and threat to other varieties. This is because infected Hort16A has very high Psa-V inoculum levels and infects all the kiwifruit vines around it. Psa-V only attacks kiwifruit vines and does not affect any other plant.

The organisation I work for, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, has endorsed this request from KVH, but added that all non-Hort16A growers, i.e. Green growers and others, must also have their opportunity to change varieties if they so wish as well.

Zespri, as the main kiwifruit exporter and marketer, needs to first, retain markets by replacing Gold volume that is disappearing as Hort16A vines die; second, continue to grow the Gold category in our overseas markets at a sensible rate so that demand is always ahead of supply; and third, ensure that growers as owners of the industry, (including owning Zespri), are generally satisfied with the terms offered to growers both Hort16A and others.

This is where NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated has a critical role to play. We having meetings to consider the Zespri proposal and then a Forum Meeting, like our Parliament, to determine our position on the Zespri proposal. All growers are invited to these meetings which are being held. Growers are encouraged to come along and have their say. Or if you are not able to make one of the meetings, let your NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated representative know what you think or ring in to our office, phone 07 574 7139.

NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated Grower Meetings Monday 5 March 2012 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm Te Puke Grower Meeting The Orchard, 20 Macloughlin Drive, Te Puke Tuesday 6 March 2012 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm Katikati Grower Meeting Katikati War Memorial Hall - Lounge, Main Road, Katikati Thursday 8 March 2012 10 am – 5 pm NZ Kiwifruit Growers Forum Meeting Suite 3, TECT Arena, Baypark, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui

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HORTICULTURE

Page 36

Coast & Country

Big avocado crop falls short The avocado industry has some soul searching to do after failing to capitalise on a record crop this season.

It’s going to involve a search to establish new and sustainable export markets to cater for an even bigger crop expected in two years’ time.

The need for new markets comes after the Australia market could not absorb the influx of extra New Zealand avocados this summer.

Avocado Industry Council chief executive Jen Scoular says it has been a “really tough season”.

“This was a year that growers were anticipating making some money; a lot of growers haven’t been getting a great return on their investment and this should have been a year when that return should have been very positive.”

Jen has been getting some backlash from growers.

“I’ve been getting phone calls – growers are saying we didn’t plan well enough; we should have been doing more new-market development.

“At the moment people are saying: ‘It’s broken – we need more sustainable returns’.”

Jen says last year the industry was anticipating the high record volume of fruit and believed they had

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“Growers should be getting better information on the plans of their exporter and what their plans are this season, and other season’s further out.”

- Avocado Industry Council chief executive Jen Scoular.

planned well to process it.

The Australian forecast was down and exporters believed the Australian market could absorb the extra fruit from New Zealand.

“But the forecasters at the Australian end were inaccurate,” says Jen. “So there was a lot of Australian fruit still in the market when New Zealand fruit arrived.

“So we had an over-supply right from the beginning.”

The unexpected supply from Aus-

tralia was coupled with cold weather there during the early summer months.

This saw fruit stay on the shelves.

“Normally, as summer kicks in, Australia consumer demand really increases,” says Jen. “But the weather stayed cold, so the fruit wasn’t going out the door as quickly as normal or as we anticipated.

“In hindsight, we overestimated the amount of volume we thought the Australian market could take.”

HORTICULTURE

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Page 37

Waiting for the call crops in the future and Jen says growers should be questioning whether exporters are going to develop new markets to take the avocados.

“This season, the crop will be down to about 4.2m-4.5m for 2012/13, but the growth on the trees now looks like the 2013/14 year could be up to seven million trays.

“And that’s a lot of new markets to find for our fruit.”

Jen says growers should also ask: ‘What’s the destination of my fruit Mr Exporter?’, “because if it’s just going to go into the wholesale market in Australia, which doesn’t have a buyer up front, there is not a contract for it; then the risk is very high for the grower”.

“Growers should be getting better information on the plans of their exporter and what their plans are this season, and other season’s further out.”

The AIC is currently reviewing the export market strategy.

“We have quite a few submissions to ensure that market plans are developed, collaboratively, collectively or independently. And make sure those are able to be reported against.

“I think throughout the whole chain, from grower to retail, there needs to be performance measures that we are able to benchmark – we’re able to say what great performance is and suggest if performance needs to improve.”

By Sheryl Brown

CHICKEN FERTILISER & LIME The way the export system works is New Zealand doesn’t export to Australia until the retailers (Woolworths and Coles) decide to switch from Australian to New Zealand fruit.

“So we wait for that call, and when they want to switch to NZ fruit they say – ‘ship it in’.

“The retailers look at what the Australian forecast is so they anticipate that there is not going to be enough supply from Australia, so they need NZ fruit.”

When it became obvious the Australian forecast was wrong, exporters agreed they would redirect 25 per cent of their volume outside of Australia.

“And they did endeavour to do that,” says Jen. “They also slowed down volumes when the market was really over supplied and that did help and it looked like things were going right.

“But with bad weather in Australia, demand was just poor.

“It meant the market was over supplied, and over supply always pushes price down.”

The oversupply also meant quality became a problem because of fruit age.

Avocados don’t last longer than 35 days, but were sitting in the market for longer.

“New Zealand avocados have a reputation of very premium quality, so the reputation was damaged by the fact that the fruit was old,” says Jen. “Retailers brought in a rule that fruit over 30 days had to come out of their retail programmes; some of that was disposed of, some were – and shouldn’t have been – put on the wholesale market. There was some wastage of fruit.

“The fruit kept being shipped.”

Jen says one possible bad move was closing down other markets because exporters were holding out for Australia.

“There were plans for more fruit to go to the US and for some good volumes of Class 2 to go to the US, but in fact, early in the season, exporters decided not to send a lot to the US.

“I think they were still holding their hopes on decent returns out of Australia – and the exchange rate definitely doesn’t help.”

Jen says exporters closed down markets out of Australia earlier than normal.

“When in hindsight, we should have shipped more to the US and we should have continued shipping to Japan for longer.

“We finished shipping to Japan a month before we planned to; the Mexicans came in with very low pricing.

“We thought that the orchard gate return for growers at those sorts of prices wasn’t sustainable, but in actual fact, it would have been a good return for growers.”

Growers are now looking at a return of about $10 a tray, compared to an average $20 a tray last season, “albeit with twice as much volume”. The AIC is forecasting even bigger

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 38

Coast & Country

Taxing times for orchardists Kiwifruit orchardists hit by Psa will be able to smooth out income and loss spikes across financial years with the IRD due to announce approval of the use of income equalisation.

Business Results Group Ltd director Trudi Ballantyne, who has been leading meetings between a group of Te Puke accountants and the IRD, says the department’s

approval of this method will assist grower cashflow.

Trudi says this is a real issue for the many orchardists who will be having a highly profitable year on paper – from last season’s crop payment and lower orchard management expenses – ahead of a few years of losses.

Under the income equalisation deposit scheme, orchardists can have their incomes over two financial periods ‘equalised’ – by paying

the IRD a cheque for one year’s surplus that will be repaid the following year when the business operates at a loss.

Releasing money

“They usually have to leave the money with IRD for 12 months for it to work, but IRD have within their discretion the ability to release the money early.”

The approval of this approach could potentially mean a grower

can write the cheque one week and then have it released the next. The rules around how this will apply to kiwifruit orchardists will be announced soon.

Trudi says IRD’s response to the crisis had been very positive and the department was working through a number of tax issues relating to different scenarios orchardists could face. An example is the impact on asset values and licences from cutting off Gold and regrafting with a new variety.

“They are definitely very helpful and very aware of the problems that are being faced and could certainly see some problems with the tax laws as they are at the moment,” says Trudi.

Committed to change

IRD has committed to making any changes retrospective.

An IRD spokesman said in contrast to a flood or a drought disaster, which the department dealt with in a standard way, the Psa outbreak had raised technical legal questions that may need minor law changes to achieve fairer outcomes for orchardists.

Income equalisation

“The issues have ranged from technical issues, to do with removal of the kiwifruit vines and orchard infrastructure, to how the Commissioner of Inland Revenue can appropriately apply the discretions available under the income equalisation scheme, to debt issues where orchardists are in financial hardship.”

20 C PER TRAY

20 C PER TRAY

Te Puke accountant Trudi Ballantyne has been working with the IRD to help Psa-affected orchardists. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

The spokesman said the government will consider adjustments to the law to make it fairer and announce any changes as soon as possible.

He said IRD is finalising its income equalisation discretions and its first round of answers to technical issues that have been raised.

It is expected these will be published by the end of February on a dedicated Psa area on its website www.ird.govt.nz Trudi encourages orchardists to keep in touch with their accountants and keep up-to-date with their tax bills.

40

By Hamish Carter

C

KIWIFRUIT

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Kiwifruit: Commission of inquiry About 150 kiwifruit growers gathered in Te Puke in February to voice annoyance about the industry response to the Psa crisis.

Grower Rob Thoed called the meeting; calling for an inquiry into the breach in biosecurity which allowed Psa-V into the country. He wants compensation for what he thinks should be declared an ‘adverse event’.

“There should be some compensation because the government is responsible for biosecurity,” says Rob. “Biosecurity is outside of growers’ control – growers haven’t done this to themselves.

“We’ve been living 15 months with a major disaster, but it hasn’t been declared as an adverse event,” says Rob. “It’s very important the government declares it so there is some support that can be given.”

Rob has lost five hectares of Gold 16A kiwifruit; his 10ha of Green is showing more resistance to Psa-V, but he is expecting the crop will be down 20 per cent this season.

“I’m fortunate I still have got Green. It’s been devastating watching my orchard die and the people working on my orchard, I feel responsible for.”

Growers need to be consulted and involved more in the recovery says Rob. “There is the frustration that a lot of things are behind closed doors. Growers haven’t been getting a say.”

decisions. But it’s far too premature to talk about a commission of enquiry.”

Rob says the work Kiwifruit Vine Health is doing Mike says what they took out of the meeting was that the got an endorsement from to draft an impact analysis report is “excellent”, but the contents of the package hasn’t been discussed with the majority of growers.

“You’re always going to have a few people who are unhappy. growers.

“But to take home, we need to keep engaging with growers. Anyone is welcome to Growers also discussed how Zespri had been perhave a meeting and talk about things. forming and if the marketing structure is working.

“It’s such tough times; and everything does take a little bit of time.”

Rob says there is concern after Zespri was fined in Korea, that trays of Class 1 fruit were dumped, and

By Sheryl Brown about the incredibly low payout for Green growers.

Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive Mike Chapman says Zespri has done well under difficult circumstances.

“Part of the all allegations were that Zespri hadn’t performed well in the Chinese and Korean markets.

“In the Korean market, the rough figures are they’ve increased sales by 20 per cent from last year, and China by 35 per cent.”

Mike says there are concerns about what the season payout will be because fruit was sold a bit longer than normal this season.

The season payout is due next week along with the crop estimate for this season.

The growers at the meeting were told the industry is working with the government on tracing and MAF processes around biosecurity says Mike.

“He (Rob) was calling for a commission of inquiry.

But the general consensus of the meeting was that what’s happening with MAF needs to play through and see what the results are and then we can make some

European shores in AIC’s sights The New Zealand avocado industry has successfully sent its first container to France using ‘Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere’.

The Avocado Industry Council has worked with Plant & Food Research for two years on the system which reduces the amount of oxygen in the container.

The reduced oxygen causes the avocado to ‘hibernate’, but not be damaged.

“It’s called ‘dynamic’ because that

level is dependent on the levels of the actual avocados,” says AIC chief executive Jen Scoular.

“So you bring the oxygen levels down to what you call a ‘stress level’ and it hibernates and it’s able to be shipped longer.”

Jen says the 2000 trays of avocados sent to France under Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere had mixed results.

“They weren’t perfect results – one grower line was positive, one not so good; but it was giving us some real information and it’s certainly backing up that that tech-

nology needs to be utilised to open some new markets.”

Avocados have a short shelf life, but this technology could extend that to open new European markets for New Zealand.

Currently, avocados spend 9-14 days on a ship getting to Australia, with a maximum 20 day trip to Japan.

The trip to France takes 20-30 days.

Another two trial shipments are destined for Honolulu in the coming months.

By Sheryl Brown

FORESTRY

Page 40

Coast & Country

Dependent on China – like it or not The ongoing debate during the last few months about the sale of the Crafar farms has raised a lot of issues regarding foreign ownership of New Zealand productive land, and perhaps especially Chinese ownership.

Is this particular fear of Chinese ownership just good old-fashioned xenophobia? I suspect it is a recognition that China is becoming the dominant

force in the Asia-Pacific economy, if not the world.

New Zealanders, like the rest of the world, are concerned they will be sucked into the economic vortex that is China, and life as we know it will never be the same again.

Another recent sign China is the centre of the universe, so far as world economies are concerned, is the fear the problems in Mediterranean Europe, especially Greece, will cause a ripple around the world until, horror

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of horrors, the Chinese economy loses some of its momentum.

There is no doubt the New Zealand economy is becoming increasingly dependent on China. The majority of our commodity trade is now heavily dependent on Chinese markets.

Unfortunately our log trade is no exception. The log export trade started in the 60s with Japan, and in the 1990s, Korea became a major player, but in just the last few years, China has taken a very dominant position in the Pacific Rim log trade.

Not only has the New Zealand log export trade become dominated by China, but the entire New Zealand log trade has become totally export orientated.

This follows the major collapse of the New Zealand domestic sawmill and wood processing industries as a result of a major decline in domestic construction, and tough trading conditions exporting sawn timber, especially into the USA. The New Zealand log traders are now in the position where everybody is looking to China the whole time.

When the log yards are full in China and Chinese demand drops, the result is an instant drop in the log prices in New Zealand. When the log stocks in China get low, the response is a price increase in New Zealand.

This is a terrible position for the New Zealand forest industry to find itself in. We have become the tail that gets wagged.

As an industry, we have to learn to live with price fluctuations which we have no control over. One of the worst victims is harvesting and transport contractors who get turned on and off with the fluctuating market prices.

As all New Zealand commodity producers have also become more dependent on China, I suspect this may become a common thread for all New Zealand exports.

Radiata used in earthquake resistant building Massey University’s new Wellington College of Creative Arts building is designed to handle earthquakes by springing back like a child’s push-puppet toy.

Construction of a new building for the College of Creative Arts on Massey University’s Wellington campus involves the first use of several combinations of earthquake resistant materials in a multi-storey building.

When it is completed in May, the $20.1 million structure covering 3600Sqm will provide flexible gallery and studio space for teaching and learning at the college. It will also provide a global first in the use of a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) frame, designed in components that are bound together by tensioned steel tensions.

Project manager for head contractor Arrow International, Bill Stockman says in simple terms, the combination of post-tensioned precast concrete shear walls and laminated veneer lumber columns and beams will allow the building to rock and sway during an earthquake. It would then spring back to its original position – allowing re-occupation of the building as soon as possible after such a seismic event.

“Developers, architects and engi-

neers say this innovative technology will be instrumental in the upcoming Christchurch rebuild and will be eventually used in buildings across New Zealand and Australia.”

Canterbury University professor Andy Buchanan says he and his colleagues Stefano Pampanin and Alessandro Palermo came up with

the concept of using post-tensioned timber materials for buildings in areas subject to earthquakes, six years ago.

“LVL is a remarkable material.

It turns New Zealand radiata pine into top class engineering material as well as being sustainable and renewable.”

Its use was timely as the upcoming rebuild of Christchurch looms.

“Having knowledge of the building methodology creates so many opportunities for new buildings in the Canterbury region,” says Andy.

“Similar buildings using posttensioned timber walls have recently been completed, but this is the first to use a multi-storey timber frame.”

Consulting engineers Dunning Thornton Consultants Ltd prepared a prototype beam- column joint that was then rigorously tested for its structural and seismic performance by the Canterbury University team in its structural laboratory.

Director Alistair Cattanach says the key to its success is that the LVL joints move and spring back – similar to a children’s push puppet toy. “It is designed so that the joints are not damaged and that the elements of structure which absorb the earthquake energy are replaceable.

“The technology controls the locations of damage, ensuring they are not areas essential to the building’s stability and on-going use.”

Bill says Massey University had to be commended for having the vision to support and encourage the application of this new technology.

The design also meant the entire LVL building and roof could be prefabricated on the ground and then hoisted into place, allowing the building to be erected faster.

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Coast & Country

FORESTRY

Page 41

What does sustainability mean?

Why societies fail or thrive? Many people are conscious of the uncertainty that underlies our economic, social and environmental systems, yet are unsure what to do.

civilisations. He identified eight contributing environmental problems that have brought about the capitulation of societies.

These include: Deforestation and habitat destruction, soil problems (erosion, salinization, soil fertility losses), water management problems, overhunting, overfishing, effects of introduced species (predominately ruminant livestock), overpopulation and increased per-capita impact of people.

Diamond goes on to outline that today we face additional challenges that previous societies did not have to deal with.

These man-made issues such as climate change, the build-up of toxins in the environment and energy shortages will be crucial in determining how much longer the human experience continues.

It sounds dramatic and it is.

Down the same track

This convergence of crisis is covered almost daily in our news media, with increased energy and food costs, economic ruin around the globe and civil unrest, yet the fundamentals underlying this uncertainty are often overlooked.

The answer to our problem can be found in sustainable design and systems.

What is sustainability?

So how did others survive?

The civilisations that have averted collapse have had one thing in common, they ensured plentiful forest environments and took care of the local natural systems. Massive reforestation projects were undertaken in an attempt to replenish the top soil and put back nutrients into ecosystems. Many societies soon realised that trees were the lifeblood of the land.

Compost for agriculture was no longer available once the trees were gone. Land birds disappeared and ecosystems went into terminal decline when forest regions disappeared.

Japan was suffering from over exploitation of forest environments and in 1582 implemented a strict preservation of forests that protected much of the country from being exploited by profiteering logging interests. To this day, approximately 75 to 80 per cent of Japan is forested.

It is interesting to compare this with New Zealand – where approximately 70 per cent of the native forests have been cleared since human inhabitation, leaving under 30 per cent of the land in its original native state.

Another feature of successful societies is that they managed resources effectively and did not grow populations outside the nature’s limits of natural replenishment.

The Tikopians of the South West Pacific Islands realised introduced species such as livestock were more damaging to the environment and highly energy-intensive to farm. They made a conscious decision to kill all the pigs on the island as they were consuming far more food and energy than they received by eating the pigs.

As we stand upon the edge of a new energy and global economic uncertainty, it is hard to believe we are continuing on as if it were business as usual and not learning from the mistakes of our forefa-

thers. The definition of ‘farming’ has to be examined as intensive livestock production on a finite resource is akin to discounting the future for short-term profits. There has been no civilisation that has survived societal collapse that has practiced intensive farming, deforestation and unsustainable uses of natural resources like many Western countries are currently demonstrating.

There are alternatives to our current antiquated model of unsustainable farming and destructive practices. We need to think for ourselves and not accept the conventional version of doing things. There are exciting initiatives that are sustainable currently being taught, fostered and successfully practised throughout the world. These models help promote the sustainable use of resources, build local resilience in communities and go toward increasing bio diversity in ecosystems.

Andrew Martin is the author of ‘One – A Survival Guide for the Future’. He analyses global trends and publishes an online news service that discusses economic, energy and environmental issues that will impact individuals and society over the coming years. He now lives in New Zealand and helps educate people as to the risks and opportunities that will present society over the following decades.

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THREE BROTHERS

To be sustainable, the use of renewable resources must proceed at a rate that is less than, or equal, to that of natural replenishment.

Sustainability requires that substances introduced into the environment from human activities be minimised and rendered harmless to biosphere.

To be brutally honest, the human species is far from anywhere near being sustainable. Sustainability and living in harmony with each other and our planet is essential to our existence. As many past civilisations discovered, sustainability is crucial for survival. The unfettered exploitation of fossil fuels has added a layer of complexity to our economic, social and environmental systems, which is the cause of much of the instability both in environmental and economic circles.

In 2005, Jared Diamond a Pulitzer prize winner, scientist and author from UCLA, wrote an insightful book, aptly named Collapse, ‘How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive’.

Diamond outlines in great detail why previous societies have disappeared or collapsed. From his extensive research, experience and studies he developed a list of contributing factors that have led to the collapse of past

Diamond’s research and findings paint a very clear picture for what needs to be done for societies to avert collapse. It seems frighteningly obvious that we are heading headlong down the same track as many of these collapsed civilisations such as the Easter Islanders, Anasazi, Greenland’s Norse and Mayan civilisations.

Why didn’t anyone see this coming?

Some did, although most were oblivious to any changes occurring. Diamond goes onto explain that the rulers of the day kept reassuring the citizens that everything would be okay, while they continued to prosper and enjoy the wealth and resources that were being depleted. Many people starved, wars broke out and diseases increased throughout the communities, until they eventually perished.

Another important point to note as to why most societies didn’t see these collapses coming, is a term aptly named ‘creeping normalcy’. Creeping normalcy is a term used to describe the gradual way a major change can be accepted as the normal situation if it happens slowly, in unnoticed increments, when it would be regarded as objectionable if it took place in a single step or short period. We see our political leaders and corporations allowing various ‘destructive practices’ to occur for benefit of a few, while they justify this with ‘it is good for the economy’.

The most obvious example of ‘creeping normalcy’ we are currently witnessing is around the climate change debate. The scientific evidence is overwhelming as we experience increasing extreme weather events, overall higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, yet we continue on our merry way doing the same old things.

THREE BROTHERS

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 42

Coast & Country

Men and machines that shaped New Zealand Rows of old bulldozers lined up in a shed was never going to be good enough says Lindsay Willis, owner of The New Zealand Caterpillar Experience in Rotorua.

“So with the vision of preserving part of our country’s pioneering past, I employed the services of a specialist consultant and a script-writer; 12 months later I was pleased to open the doors to the public.”

An all-consuming hobby that has taken 15 years of painstaking machinery restoration, the result is breath-taking.

Recreated natural settings feature over 30 of Lindsay’s prized collection of antique Caterpillar bulldozers and vintage vehicles.

The story starts from early surveying days and follows the transformation of bushland into fertile farmland, accompanied by some mighty archival film footage.

Of particular interest is ‘Pumice-

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Lindsay Willis has created The New Zealand Caterpillar Experience in Rotorua; displaying a collection of Caterpillar bulldozers and vintage vehicles.

Kaimai Forum for sustainable land management In early December, 42 stakeholders from groups representing production, conservation, recreation and iwi from the catchments of the Kaimai Range and northern Mamaku Plateau met at the Kaimai Catchments Forum in Mount Maunganui and agreed unanimously to establish the Forum as a formal, independent, selfgoverning body.

The Forum supports the work of the Kaimai Catchments Project which works in partnership with the community and resource management agencies in the Tauranga Harbour and Waihou River catchments along the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges to promote sustainable land management and, in particular, to address the major issues of land sediment and nutrient run-off.

The project is funded through the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund, by Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council and DOC as well as Ministry for the Environment.

At the December Forum, delegates also agreed that one of the Forum’s primary roles would be to provide input into council and Department of Conservation long-term plans for future catchment initiatives.

The Forum was opened with a karakia and whakatau by Waka Taite of Nga Potiki Hapu Tauranga, and welcomed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council Group manager for land management Warwick Murray.

Chairman of the Kaimai Interagency Coordination Committee, Andrew Baucke from the Department of Conservation, spoke to the group on the history and purpose of the Forum, the role of members, and the benefits of formalising the Forum.

The chair of the national Land & Water Forum – Alastair Bisley – presented on his experiences with collaborative governance with iwi and key stakeholders with regards to land and water issues.

A workshop on members’ views of the Forum’s structure and operating procedures was then facilitated by Kaimai Catchments Project coordinator Kate Akers, and these will form the basis for future Forum meetings. Waikato Regional Council group manager for biosecurity and natural heritage John Simmons wrapped up proceedings with a discussion about the nomination process for the Forum chairperson.

The Forum is due to resume in March, with a Plenary session open to the general public in July.

For more information please contact Kate Akers: Kaimai Catchments Project coordinator, NZ Landcare Trust, email Kate.akers@landcare.org.nz Or visit http://www.landcare.org.nz/Regional-Focus/HamiltonTauranga-Offices/Kaimai-Catchments-Project

COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country

Page 43

Farming experience for the ‘townies’ Federated Farmers Farm Day gives individuals and families the perfect chance to see working farms in action.

Rotorua-Taupo Federated Farmers president Neil Heather says Farm Day is a great way to see the effort that goes into producing the meat, milk and fibre people use every day.

“Our farm is 325 hectares, of which we graze 230 hectares with 250 Angus beef cattle and 3000 Romney sheep.

“The largest part of the farm is on the side towards the top of Mt Ngongotaha.”

Neil says Farm Day is a great way to see what farmers are doing with the environment.

“While our farm is sheep and Beef, we’re showcasing other aspects of farming, including a Fonterra milk

tanker and a range of milk products.

“The Bay Trust Helicopter will be on display demonstrating the work they do. We will be selling barbecue Angus Pure Sausages to raise a donation for this great service.

“We will have shearers shearing sheep and a spinner spinning the wool into yarn.

“For budding vets there will be a pregnancy scanner on show, and a range of fun activities hosted by our local vets.

“For the young children we will have a display of cute small animals and a lolly pops to find in the haystack!

“We’ve even got a scavenger hunt questionnaire and spot prizes for the bigger people.”

The Farm Day is Sunday, March 18 between 10am and 3pm at 945 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua.

There is another Farm Day in the

Bay of Plenty at Andrew and Robin McLeod’s dairy farm.

The family’s current favourites cows are 341, 227 and 255. The trio love having a pat and always come up to them in the paddock for a bit of attention.

During the years, the McLeods have had their fair share of resident rascals, at the moment, cow 321 is causing a bit of a stir. She has taken to jumping the fence.

Another cow which caused a stir awhile back was a female who went crazy whenever she saw the feed truck.

She would chase the truck all the way to the cowshed and go berserk, only to refuse to eat any of the feed once she got there.

Her behaviour had the McLeods puzzled and they still haven’t figured out what it was about the truck she liked so much.

Visit Andrew and Robyn McLeod’s farm at 1189 Welcome Bay Road, Papamoa between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, March 18.

Visit www.farmday.org.nz

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Waikato gets a subdivision reprieve It is business as usual for those wanting to subdivide in the Waikato District. The proposed change, restricting subdivision, has been appealed by several parties.

This means that we can use the old rules to subdivide whilst the appeal is processed by the Environment Court.

So, subject to your property qualifying in terms of size and date of title, you can proceed again to subdivide two lifestyle blocks off down to a size of 5000Sqm (1.25 acres) each.

This opportunity has a ‘use by’ date, governed by the time the Environment Court takes to deal with the appeals.

This time frame can be as little as several months, but there are examples around where appeals have taken years to resolve.

The appeals mainly relate to the size of the parent title that is to be subdivided and the number of resultant blocks. Most are suggesting the rules return to where they were before the change was notified, however the Waikato Regional Council are pushing for the parent block to be more than 40ha before any subdivision is allowed to take place. If they win the day, any future lifestyle blocks will be located well away from the current population centres, amongst the larger farming operations. Lifestyle blocks close to town will be limited to what they are today with a subsequent lift in value, I believe.

The Environment Court proceedings are open only to those who have made original submissions and then either appealed themselves or registered as interested parties to the appeal, which we have. As such, we will be monitoring the situation carefully on behalf of our existing and future clients to see what opportunities arise or are likely to disappear.

If you have just considered subdivision in the past you may like to seek another opinion now. Whilst there may be many months before this is settled and new rules in place, applications take time and that time will quickly disappear.

I am betting that the outcome of this proposed rule change has the potential to be far worse that the notified rules once the Environment Court and regional council have finished with it, so you shouldn’t even count on getting the one lifestyle lot, particularly if you have less than 40ha to start with.

What we have here is a reprieve, not a result, so if you are one who has been procrastinating over how to get the best value out of your land – now is the time to act,

before it is too late.

Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Waipa and Thames Coromandel are all reviewing rules following Western Bay of Plenty earlier. If you are interested to find out how the changes may affect you, feel free to give me a call.

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

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Page 44

COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country

Rewarding woodcutting spree The other week the view from my kitchen window changed. The tall and rotting stump of a white poplar down the paddock was no longer vertical, but horizontal.

Abundant Health

I assume a cow had done some heavy leaning, but the rot at ground level had obviously completed a full circle, leaving a bare patch on the ground where the hollow centre had been. That hollow bit had, for several winters, provided shelter for some small animal, although I never discovered exactly what.

A friend offered to bring a chainsaw and reduce the very large lump to manageable bits and there wasn’t much left that would have been worth burning, with the chainsaw sashaying through most of it at high speed.

So we carried the cut pieces to the end of the paddock and threw them over the fence into a fenced tree area.

No doubt the bugs that produced the rot will finish it all off in fine style.

Several days before this, I had noticed that a group of lemonwoods, originally planted 14 years ago as seedlings, were now almost touching the power lines along the road. Armed with two handsaws and a ladder, I spent an exhausting two hours cutting through just two, which promptly fell part way over the fence and got jammed in the foliage.

So when my friend arrived he first did some felling, trimming and cutting up of lemonwoods, while I sweated and heaved, making a huge pile of twiggy foliage sitting on the berm.

I’ve promised myself to attempt to do something with it when it’s a bit drier! In the meantime, I rescued all the

potential firewood and stacked it in a sunny spot until next year, by which time it will be burnable.

I am now more confident, however, that the power board people won’t come back demanding more tree trimming just yet, as I had my ‘free’ trim last year and would have to pay this time!

The deluges of rain which fell over Hamilton and the Bay recently seemed to have an aversion to Eureka.

While they got flooded and drenched running to their cars, we got a miserable 20mm during the week.

The ground had been rock-like, and my efforts when shifting the fence in the mornings required jumping on the stakes to get them in far enough, and grass growth had seriously slowed.

At least I can now get the stakes in, although some are going to require another session in the vice in the garage to straighten them out a bit, and I’ve been waving my hands at the other paddocks, urging those tillers to get going.

I’ve got 10 bags of lime in the garage, which have been there since autumn. My kind neighbour has, in the past, whirled my fertiliser and lime around behind his ATV, but first there was calving, and then mating, and then he got married, and went on honeymoon!

I cleared the thistles and other nasties from around his maize crop (at least where our boundaries join, but on his side of the fence) so will have another go at asking politely. In the meantime, as with other farms around here, the docks are doing well.

Alternatives to anti-inflammatory medications Almost every long-term disease will either be caused or affected by inflammation.

Fortunately, modern medicine has at its disposal a wide array of antiinflammatory medications, ranging from the humble aspirin to more powerful non-steroid drugs such as brufen and diclofenac, through to the very powerful steroids such as prednisone.

All these medicines and their many derivatives have real benefits and they also have risks. For some, the side effects mean they can no longer be used. I have many people who ask me about alternatives to traditional anti-inflammatory therapy. Some because they can not tolerate the medications and for others, they prefer not to use them.

Before we look at other options, it is important to understand what we are dealing with. The source of inflammation is our immune system. One of its main roles is to

create and release a wide variety of inflammatory chemicals as part of the body’s repair mechanism.

Anti-inflammatory medications temporarily block these inflammatory chemicals and offer significant reduction of inflammation.

There are also many naturally occurring compounds in foods that have anti-inflammatory properties.

These properties are very different from those of medicines. Medications act as a temporary immune system block. These natural compounds, if included daily from diet and supplements, work in two ways. Firstly, they help the body to produce its own potent antiinflammatory compounds which act directly to lower local and systemic inflammation. Also, other compounds help restrict the unnecessary production of pro-inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins, cytokines and histamine.

There are two main groups of these natural compounds. The

most important are the Omega 3 fats from oily fish, but also include monounsaturated fats in olives, avocados and almonds and surprising some saturated fats, especially short chain fats found in tropical foods especially coconuts.

The second group are a wide range of biologically-active food compounds. This diverse group includes many antioxidants and compounds in spices such as turmeric and tropical fruit including pineapples and papaya. Whenever I am asked to help people with inflammation, I will build this around an antiinflammatory diet and supplements that can help lower painful inflammation.

If you would like help phone 0800 423559, email john@johnarts.co.nz or visit www.johnarts.co.nz or www.abundant.co.nz and register for my online newsletter.

To read more visit www.sunlive.co.nz

COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country

Fostering Te Puke business growth Te Puke businesses have endorsed Focus Te Puke coordinator Mark Boyle says the group should be estabplans for a new economic lished this month. development group to foster He says the group, to be funded by member fees, was being established growth in the district.

A series of consultation meetings on the Te Puke Economic Development Group show strong support for the organisation, jointly proposed by Focus Te Puke and Te Puke Fast Forward.

partly in response to the Psa kiwifruit crisis to promote a diverse economic base and to lay the foundations for sustainable long-term growth.

“There is a good amount of support for us to try to work on initiatives that will support the Te Puke economy, particularly in a period

Te Puke business people – including retailer Trudy Rowe – have endorsed plans being promoted

by Focus Te Puke coordinator Mark Boyle, for an economic development group for the district.

Always on sick leave?

Do you have an employee that is frequently away sick on a Friday or a Monday?

What can you do if you suspect an employee’s absence for sickness is not genuine? This is a question I am frequently asked by my employer clients.

If you have reasonable grounds to suspect one of your employees is not really sick, despite them informing you they are away from work because they are sick; you can request a medical certificate.

You are able to do this even if they have not been away for three consecutive days. You do not have to explain why you are asking for the medical certificate, but you do need to inform the employee as early as possible of the request; and pay their reasonable expenses to obtain the certificate.

Was that you?

Expenses usually include the doctor’s fees, but could also include a taxi to get to and from the doctor, if the employee is too ill to drive, and has no one else to take him or her.

If the employee does not provide the proof required, and does not provide a reasonable excuse, you are not obliged to pay for the sick leave until it is provided.

If your employee has been away sick for three consecutive days or more, you can ask for proof of sickness at his or her expense.

Be sure of your facts before making any accusations.

It is wise to check payroll records closely before accusing your employee of misleading behaviour.

This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice.

Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.

Definitely not! TASTI DINNER SELECT MEATS IS ENRICHED with YUCCA.

Page 45 Specialists in Brushweeds and Pasture Control

when the whole economy is very flat and Te Puke is under pressure from Psa.” It will focus on attracting new industry sectors and investment, supporting the town centre redevelopment and working with the primary sector to explore alternative land uses.

“We want to help businesses to better perform and generally try to leverage off all the strengths of the district so we can add growth and development,” says Mark.

He says while Psa has had a major impact on the district’s economy, he does not believe any businesses had closed because of it, although some had shifted away. “It has certainly had an impact on local business. Industrial, services and retail have all been affected by Psa with the ongoing uncertainty and reduced spend.”

Te Puke retailer Trudy Rowe of Ceramico Designer Tiles is among the many businesses backing the group, describing it as an “outstanding” plan.

“I hope it will future-proof us against the bypass – I hope that people will embrace the ideas and help to make Te Puke a destination,” says Trudy.

Trevelyan’s general manager Stephen Butler says the packhouse and coolstore business was “very, very supportive” of the new group.

“Especially now with the effects of Psa coming through, we need to take control of Te Puke and drive it. Local people and community leaders need to get behind it.”

By Hamish Carter

All Work is Fully Guaranteed

Page 46

RURAL CONTRACTORS

Coast & Country

How to produce more yield from crops Speakers at the recent three-yearly Maize Conference, hosted by the Foundation for Arable Research, made growing maize seem something like an art form these days.

Even the title ‘Beyond our Boundaries’ gave a sense of reaching out to further improvements, both in harvest yield and production cost management.

Bob Nielsen, extension maize specialist and Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, Indiana, provided updates during both indoor and in-field presentations on development in maize growing in the US, since his last visit here.

He produced fascinating details of attempts to increase crop yield since the American Civil War ended in 1865 as the growing of corn became more organised and widespread. In all that time, there have been just two really significant advancements in how it’s done.

Better tolerance

In about 1940, when they had got over the Depression and the Dust Bowl years, farmers could finally try out the new genetic technology in the form of double-cross hybrid seed corn, gaining hybrid vigour and better tolerance to stress.

Incremental improvements followed, but the next ‘big thing’ happened about 1956, when singlecross hybrids, inorganic nitrogen fertilisers, chemical pesticides and agricultural mechanisation combined to produce a continuing leap in yield from around 3.5 tonnes/ha to the heights achievable on some farms of about 10.7 T/ha.

Silver bullet

Bob warned that no ‘silver bullet’ for a further major increase had yet appeared, and the focus had shifted to improvements in drought tolerance, automation, soil mapping, and variable seeding and chemical usage to get the most out of every different area of soil.

While soil tests allow application

Professor Bob Nielsen, maize specialist spoke at the FAR Maize Conference on increasing crop yields. of variable amounts of phosphorus and potassium fertilisers, plus lime, they have found the situation with nitrogen requirements to be much more complex. The latest views seem to be to put on about half of what might be needed at planting, with further application dependent on a plethora of factors individual to that soil area.

The newest ‘boy’s toy’ is a ‘Greenseeker’ wand, attached to machinery, which measures by red and yellow light, the greenness of leaves against optimums for different hybrids – then producing recommended nitrogen top-up levels.

Spray booms

The problem has been that the most useful time to use this is when the plant is too tall for tractors and ordinary spray equipment to reach, so in some areas they now use spray booms with sensors carried at a height of almost two metres, to

apply a top up of nitrogen.

He advised the best way for individual farmers to increase their yields is to work hard and use common sense, including being aware of differences in crop growth and yield across fields throughout the growing season.

Measure plants per hectare, ears per plant, kernels per ear and weight per kernel. Soil drainage and water management can be critical, and tillage methods will differ for different situations.

Most of all, hybrid selection must be studied to get the right ones for the situation, the planting time and the end usage. Nielsen recommends that “New Zealand maize growers would be well-served by the adoption of a uniform set of hybrid trials wherein variety trials within one or more regions of the country would include a common set of commercially available hybrids”.

RURAL CONTRACTORS

Coast & Country

Page 47

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Trevor James showing that weeds grow faster than grass.

B.O.P, WAIKATO, HAWKES BAY, MANAWATU

The recent Maize Conference was an opportunity to have a good look at what is being done with maize in New Zealand, and its future potential yields and uses.

FAR chief executive Neil Pyke, in a speech about planning for 20 years out, said as we were already world leaders in export of carrot and clover seed, he could not see why we weren’t focusing on exporting our safe and GE-free maize seed.

Important grains

An interesting speaker from Australia’s Go Grains and Nutrition movement, Robyn Murray, woke participants up to the realisation that a major factor of current diets, and the widespread obesity epidemic, is that people aren’t eating enough grains these days, especially whole grains.

The currently promoted food pyramid doesn’t specify that we should eat six serves of bread and cereals each day, and only about 20 per cent of the Australasian population does so – and even this is declining despite the fact that

it is now known that wholegrains and legumes reduce the risk of chronic disease by 20-30 per cent.

Hawkes Bay farmer Hew Dalrymple bemoaned the fact that so much of our flour is imported, when high quality local product could be used, delivered immediately with less freight costs.

He praised the recent Arable Industry Marketing Initiative and said we should be marketing cooperatively, and with more focus on providing the dairy industry with supplement, apart from maize silage.

He pointed out that ‘same old, same old’ use of weedicides didn’t work, as nature’s bugs were rapidly adapting to create resistance, in both weeds and the soil.

New Zealand now had at least 10 resistant weeds, and Australia was up to 57. Pre-emergent sprays such as atrazine had now been found to last only about five days in soil, compared with early expectations of 30-plus days.

Depending on resistance in the soil, these could now be a waste of money and post-emergent sprays were probably more effective.

Feed efficiency

Weeds grow faster

Dave Clark of DairyNZ talked about improving the efficiency of farm systems to be able to increase on-farm feed production to 1750kg/DM/ha from the current levels of about 1000kg, partly by growing crops of maize and oats.

The recent emphasis on using imported PKE now saw about seven per cent of the total diet of dairy cows consisting of this, when it was possible for us to grow other crops to match this amount.

Trevor James of AgResearch gave two presentations on weeds, including a field presentation at the Tamahere Research Station.

The weeds that did grow, could grow faster than ‘good’ grasses and maize plants. Annuals such as summer grass and yellow bristle grass could both race away once germinated, and the recently discovered velvet leaf could outgrow them all. If undiscovered, it can grow as tall as a person and seed profusely in short order. Recommendations for post-emergent spraying had now been changed to be done when only 20 per cent of weed cover was present, or it would be too late for good control. Sprays should be rotated from type to type each time to slow resistance.

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FAR adviser Diana Mathers stressed the need for farmers to actively and extensively soil test and acquire nutrient budgets and then management plans as a basis for farm planning. Otherwise it was likely they would be regulated on environmental issues in the future.

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Page 48

RURAL BUILDINGS

Coast & Country

Building every construction on-farm Steelcon Construction Limited is a progressive company which has been operating from its base in Matamata since 1996.

Steelcon specialises in a range of top-quality structures, including stock underpasses, feed pads, palm kernel and manure bunkers, maize and silage feed bunkers, stock and vehicle bridges, effluent tanks and commercial buildings.

Steelcon endeavour to remove the worry and hassle factor for clients.

Their innovative team are dedicated to offering and achieving uutstanding customer service, complete customer satisfaction, specialised design and manufacture of pre-cast concrete panels and total project management and implementation.

They take care of arranging building consents, geotechnical site investigations, location of and liaison with existing service providers (for example, power, phone, gas lines), engineer reports and certifications, drawings and plans and local council requirements.

Effluent tanks

Steelcon builds effluent tanks to make your effluent work for you and not against you.

Their tanks range in size from 64,000l upwards to meet individual requirements, and include modular design; high strength concrete; panel walls at 2.4m high; circular or octagonal in shape for ease of stirring and no build-up of solids

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in corners; galvanised child-proof fences at 1200mm high and 100mm spaces between vertical bars; leakage between panels is completely eliminated using proven sealing systems.

Their ponds eliminate earth ponds and therefore land requirement for storage of effluent.

Your first cost is your last says Steelcon. There are no perishing liners that need replacing and the tanks are an environmentally friendly system, designed to meet environmental bodies compliance requirements.

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Underpasses

Steelcon underpasses are installed complete with standard wing walls, head walls and protective rails.

Other options are available â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just talk to their sales team. With an underpass, stock movement is convenient, quick and safe and means stock can be moved at any time to suit your needs. There is less stress to stock being moved and reduced labour costs com-

pared with road crossing. There is no effluent to clean up on roads and the bonus is they can be used for both stock and vehicle access.

Steelcon underpasses are durable with modular design; designed to comply with all relevant standards; transit NZ HN:HO-72; loading capability from 0-1600mm; various sizes and heights to suit your needs (3-5m wide, 2.1m-3m high); includes standard wing wall at each end plus head wall; complete installation service including traffic management and resurfacing of road.

The sizing of an underpass requires several factors to be determined, ie. herd size, location, access required â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vehicle as well as stock or just stock access.

Steelcon underpasses are manufactured to comply with all relevant legislation, and their design has been fully approved and tested. Due to their modular construction, they are able to accommodate most requirements.

Because the floor and roof to wall intersections are cast in situ, the whole underpass effectively becomes one solid structure.

COAST & COUNTRY

Coast & Country

Saturday 3 March

Wednesday 14 March

Sports Grounds at Hauturu (on the Kawhia Harbour) on Hauturu Rd. A country family day out with horse events (starting at 9.30am), chopping events (starting 10am), athletic events & novelty events (lunchtime onwards). Food available, plus a Hangi at lunchtime and a BBQ tea.

Ph Murray Brandon 07 871 0730

The Vet Club are working one on one with the host farmer using InCalf principles to improve the reproductive performance of the herd. Come along and find out what has been done so far and what we hope to achieve. 11:00am - 1:30pm, 141 Allen Road, Reporoa. Contact Sharon Morrell 0274 922 907 or email sharon.morrell@dairynz.co.nz

71st Awaroa Sports Day

Fertility Focus Farm Field Day

Wednesday 7 March

Tuesday 13 March

Waimana Whole Farm Assessment Group The Waimana Whole Farm Assessment group discusses and investigates the farm system on the host farm. Discussion on current issues and upcoming seasonal topics. An open forum that utilises the experiences of all members within the group. Lunch kindly supplied by Farmlands Whakatane. 10:45am - 1:00pm, Raroa Rd, Waimana. Contac Cameron Bierre 027 288 8238 or email cameron.bierre@dairynz.co.nz

house for sale

A PERFECT 3 bedroom home, warm and dry for winter with fireplace and full insulation.

Absolutely gorgeous outlook and cool breezes for Summer!

Fantastic family home or for first home buyers - ideal location in Brookfield. Fully fenced on a 716m2 section situated within easy walking distance to Brookfield shops, Schools, PreSchools & parks. Separate single garage with power. Located in a quiet cul-de sac in a great neighbourhood, this home is a must see to see the potential.

View some photos on TradeMe #405 700 583 or phone Daphne 027 552 6283 today! Price Slashed to Sell was $330 now only $295,000 FANTASTIC LIFESTYLE BLOCK AT PIKOWAI Within easy commuting to Tauranga, Te Puke and Whakatane this 4 bedroom brick home is in paradise! Beautiful sea and rural views 6 acres grazing land, horse pens, heaps of shedding, butchery and chiller for own use single garage with sleepout/ office big games room or can be converted to extra double garage, chook house, drenching race for the cattle. 11.5 x 4.5 metre in ground swimming pool which is fully decked and fenced. This is a beautiful home and comes with a share in the community woolshed, tennis courts and cattle yards.

Own water scheme. Fantastic community to belong to - be in quick! Price of house has been slashed! to $520,000 - urgent sale.

Ph 027 281 7427 today.

house sitters

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TAG Contest

In conjunction with the National Bank Young Farmers Regional Finals – Mystery Creek. For those of you that don’t know what TeenAg is, it is an agricultural skills based competition held at the 7 regional finals around New Zealand for teams of 2 people aged 14 - 18, with the chance to compete at the 2012 Grand Final TeenAg Competition in Dunedin. The competition is in two parts, the Prelims and the Race Off. The Prelims consist of 7 modules, a combination of agricultural and educational challenges, racing against the clock and trying to get as much right as possible so as to score the most points.

The top 7 scoring teams from the Prelims go through to the Race Off, which is a race against the other teams to complete a course of quick challenges.

The top 3 teams from the race off go through to the Grand Final. Register your team: (03) 303 3058, or teenag@youngfarmers.co.nz.

house sitters

after your property, life style block, farm, stock (cattle, sheep, horses, chooks, alpacas, pigs, etc) and all types of pets. We have been housesitting for 2yrs and have ref and police clearance. Contact on flyandsissy@hotmail.com or Ph 021 047 5807

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GORSE SPRAYING do you have a gorse problem? Ph today for a FREE quote for all gorse control.

Scott 0274 624 769 TREE FELLING, PRUNING & Removal/chipping. No job to big or small. Phone Scott 0274 624 769

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At Host: Ged Ferrell, 417 South Rd, Mamaku SN 78510 10.30am – 1.30pm.

Come along and attend this industry Standard Body Condition Score Training, hands-on workshop and take up the BSC challenge! Join us to find out more.

Wilma 021 246 2147 or email wilma.foster@dairynz.co.nz

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To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

Saturday 17 March

Mamaku – BCS Workshop

PULLETS Brown Shaver. Point of lay, good layers. Ph 07 824 1762

Page 49

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Page 50

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Coast & Country

NAIT animal tracing going live Your NAIT obligations will be to:

• Tag your cattle and deer with NAIT-approved radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tags – you can do this now.

• Get your NAIT number by registering yourself and your farm or property with NAIT – you can do this now online, by phoning 0800 624 843 or by using a NAIT-accredited information provider (once they are approved). Ask your local livestock company, meat processor or rural services provider if they can help.

A bill to deliver electronic national identification and tracing of livestock has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says the National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill is a significant step in protecting farmers in the international marketplace and strengthening New Zealand’s biosecurity system.

“NAIT is a partnership between industry and the Crown which started in 2004 in recognition of the growing need for better animal identification and tracing systems.”

The NAIT Bill sets out the legal framework for the collection of information on livestock, their location and movement history throughout their lifetime. It also outlines the governance arrangement and powers for the NAIT organisation.

“NAIT needs to be mandatory to be effective,” says David.

“It will begin with cattle on July 1 this year and deer by March 1, 2013.

“With most other agriculturalproducing nations already having computerised tracing of individual animals, New Zealand simply cannot afford to lag behind.”

David says NAIT is effectively an insurance policy to support New Zealand’s high livestock health status and biosecurity infrastructure, but can be used to further improve productivity and on-farm management.

DairyNZ has welcomed the

Register your cattle and deer with NAIT – you can do this from mid-2012.

• Record all movements of cattle or deer, off or onto your farm or property, with NAIT – you can do this from July 2012.

• Record all deaths, losses or exports of live cattle or deer with NAIT – you can start doing this from July 2012.

• You can already tag your cattle and deer with NAIT-approved RFID ear tags!

decision to adopt NAIT, saying it is a milestone, bringing animal traceability for the dairy industry to reality.

The NAIT Bill paves the way for the scheme to “go live” on July 1 this year as planned, with the requirement for all beef and dairy cattle to be tagged before they can be moved or sent to slaughter.

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says the passing of the NAIT legislation is welcomed. At the same time, the industry will be watching carefully to ensure the final scheme works effectively and efficiently and is not overly costly.

“There is no question that as a

country and an industry we need NAIT,” says Tim. “Being able to trace animals is at the heart of providing advanced biosecurity protection for our industry. Having this system in place builds on our reputation as highly credible food producers.”

Farmers have been preparing for the introduction of the scheme.

Many in the farming system have already voluntarily tagged their animals for some time, recognising the opportunities that a comprehensive identification and traceability system can deliver in terms of meeting consumer expectations and growing confidence.

Orchard tractOrs

sMaLL tractOrs & MOWErs

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Coast & Country

COAST & COUNTRY

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Festival introduces culture to Tauranga The 13th annual Tauranga Regional Ethnic Festival promises something for everyone this year.

The 13th annual Tauranga Regional Ethnic Festival promises something for everyone this year.

The multicultural event is a chance to learn about different world cultures and their customs.

Chair of the festival committee Ewa Fenn says they already have a wide range of cultural groups from Nepalese, Indian through to Dutch, French and Brazilian registered for the festival. A kapa haka group from Huria Marae will open the programme and we will also have some items to mark St. Patrice Day, which is celebrated on the same day as our Festival.

“The cultural performances will be run non-stop until 4pm or so,” says Ewa. There will be a multinational costume parade with national flags with a Scottish piper to add to the day’s entertainment.

There will also be stilt walkers, fire blowers and magicians to entertain the children.

“We are inviting general public to come in their traditional costumes and join the parade,” says Ewa. “We have many flags in our centre people can borrow for the parade, but if anyone has their own, to please bring it with you.”

There will also be a range of food stalls with authentic dishes from the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Chile, the Netherlands, Nepal, as well as some Kiwi and Maori food, plus coffee carts and ice creams says Ewa.

The Tauranga Regional Ethnic Festival celebrates a wide range of cultural groups and their customs.

“There will be about 25 stalls with fresh authentic food cooked by ethnic groups to their traditional recipes.

“For all the groups, it is a big fundraising event to support their own group activities.”

The festival is scheduled to get under way at 10am at the Historic Village in 17th Avenue, Tauranga on Saturday, March 17.

Ewa says Tauranga City Council Mayor Stuart Crosby is officially opening the day, with other invited guests including West-

ern Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson, regional council chairman John Cronin, Human Rights commission Joris be Bres – represented by Sam Sefuiva, police commander Kevin Taylor and representatives of ANZ banking group.

“It will be something to do, see and experience for everybody all the time,” says Ewa. “The idea is that people bring their chairs or blankets and come for the day.”

By Letitia Atkinson

Regular & Reliable

COAST & COUNTRY

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WIN

Maddy and a heading dog pup from a litter we had at the time. They were having a break from playing fetch. Photo by Bailey Sneddon, 13, from Tokoroa. Cheers Kim Sneddon (proud mum).

Coast & Country Samantha and her pet cow.

Janet Mcgregor of Springdale Waitoa.

Prize Pack up for Grabs!

Sarah, aged 12, with her pet lamb Taupo and Hannah, aged 9, with her pet lamb Charlie. The girls just adore the lambs and I know the feeling is mutual. Jackie Melvin of Taupo.

Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to contest@thesun.co.nz â&#x20AC;&#x153;Country Cameraâ&#x20AC;? or posted to Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga. Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.

Emily Mogg aged two and a half years, from Rerewhakaaitu, at her first ever show with Misty. She had a fantastic day, getting five 4ths and a first!

Hi, this is my neice Jemma Hayes with my two-week-old foal Deiago, having cuddles.

Charlotte Mogg of Rotorua.

Jo Aim of Opotiki.