C&coct2013

INSIDE

October 2013 DAIRY 14-19 MAIZE 20-28 KIWIFRUIT 38-41 RURAL DRIVER 42-43 CONTRACTORS 46-47 EARTHWORKS 48-49 POOLS & SURROUNDS 52-53 WEEKEND ESCAPE 54-55 COUNTRY LIVING 56-60

Issue No. 158

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

It’s rural show season Environmental Champions PAGE 6

Ph 07 578 0030

Avocado Conference PAGE 31

Be in to Win PAGE 46

Rural Driver PAGE 42

Marcus Bennett of Ngatea and his lamb Willy will be taking part in the Hauraki Plains Rural Show in November along with other lambs, calves, goats and children from surrounding schools – see story page 10. Photo by Elaine Fisher.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

No sulphates in guinea pig meat I’m not one to over-react, but I’m wondering if I should re-assess the use of our garden.

More than half of it is already in vegetables – Graham has discovered cabbages are easier to grow than a paddock full of turnips. And as for the worms – well moving them just requires a shovel, not the cursing and frustrations of herding deer.

However, I’m thinking it’s time to introduce a house cow (no maybe a milking goat), a few chickens and perhaps even rabbits and guinea pigs for the pot.

Not sure if the quarter acre can take all that livestock but food from the supermarket shelves seems suddenly dodgy.

First the Fonterra false-alarm-botulism-in-milkpowder scare and then news the Ministry for Primary Industries has found sulphites in fresh meat – all good reason to panic?

Probably not – but many will be over-reacting because nothing turns consumers off quicker than the possibility that food may make them ill.

Some will happily continue to buy those known killers cigarettes but won’t tolerate any threats from food, which is why Fonterra and MPI were in a hard place when it came to deciding to go public over concerns about potential food safety issues.

The debate will rumble

on as to whether or not Fonterra was right to recall its suspect milk product and tell the world of the now known to be false botulism test; and there’s been definite criticism of how MPI released its sulphate in meat findings.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand CEO Rod Slater says consumers do not need to be concerned about the beef and lamb products they buy, but that MPI should have named the retailers involved so all the others weren’t tarnished too.

“Every industry does have a few outliers and these are the ones who MPI are finding out. This is their job and it is important these operations are identified to eliminate the issue. But, Kiwis can rest assured if they are buying from reputable stores, they will be buying top quality product.”

So no need then to pull out the roses, build a hen house and graze a goat on the roadside – not sure that would have gone down well with the neighbours.

Good wholesome food in the form of the avocado is the subject of several stories this month – see the feature beginning on page 31.

A new breed of cattle with the intriguing name Speckle Park is gaining interest and we talk to Katikati breeders Tony and Lynn Martens – story page 4.

Diversification of the farming enterprise is one way to spread risk, as Alan Henderson of Te Awamutu clearly illustrates in his farming model - see story page 28.

By Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY

Outlook for economy is almost second to none

“New Zealand has tremendous opportunities, focused on China, but don’t forget the other Asian economies – and most of all be thankful to live in New Zealand because the outlook is almost second to none.

“We are looking at 2.5 per cent growth per annum for the next three to five years. That may not sound same month last year there were 17,000 tourists from fantastic but we should be very happy with that.”

Stephen says the growth will be driven by investChina and that number is only going to get bigger ment in construction in Christchurch and Auckland and bigger.” as well as investment in manufacturing.

The Chinese economy will inevitably slow as it The outlook for rural New Zealand is good and the becomes more developed but that’s not really a dairy payout problem for New should add Zealand, says 2.1 per cent Stephen.

GDP in “China is so cash during much bigger the next 12 than it used to months, be – if it grew by while the just one per cent demand would Christchstill grow at a 35 urch rebuild per cent equivawill contriblent in sheer ute 1.5 per volume. cent.

For New ZeaStephen land, it doesn’t says China matter if China is the most never grows dominant again. feature We simply can’t for New New Zealand’s gross domestic product growth is reason for supply them with Zealand’s confi dence in the country’s economic future.

(Source BNZ) the goods they economy need. We think and Kiwis shouldn’t be worried about that. of us being the food basket for China.

“Don’t be afraid of this development. It just the If New Zealand put all its food together it could feed 20 million people, which is some small suburb way it is. If you’ve got umpteen billion people, [as in China], provided you don’t bugger it up, it is inevita- of some obscure city in China.” ble you will be source of global activity.”

Surplus In 1991 less than one per cent of New Zealand exports went to China.

Stephen says the impression that “everything you By 2012 it was 15 per cent. buy in shops is from China” is a myth. “New Zealand “New Zealand’s exposure to China doesn’t reflect has a trade surplus with China. We are exporting that everyone has benefited, as 75 per cent growth more to China than we are importing from China.” has been in the dairy sector and 20 per cent in wood.

The biggest threat to the New Zealand economy of The rest of economy hasn’t capitalised on the potenthings going wrong in China is the impact that will tial to move into that market.” have on Australia, especially the mining industry.

Stephen predicts an end to quantitative easing Tourism (money printing) in the USA will see that dollar It hasn’t just been exports that have grown. strengthen, which is good news for New Zealand “In June 1990 there were 72 tourists from China in exporters. “We do believe the New Zealand dollar New Zealand. You could have named them. In the will drift lower, the only exception will be the New

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Zealand dollar against the Australian dollar.

“Interest rates will go up and that’s good as the country is growing. The only way they will go down is if we go into recession.”

His advice to anyone with debt or mortgages is to take moves to protect themselves and manage their debt in the face of expected rises. # Stephen Toplis was one of the keynote speakers at Nutritional Values, the 5th New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference in Tauranga in September.

Asia will continue to play a key role in New Zealand’s economic future, says Stephen Toplis, head of research, markets for the Bank of New Zealand.

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The economic outlook for New Zealand is bright, and China and Asia in particular will continue to play a vital part in this country’s future, says Bank of New Zealand’s head of research, markets Stephen Toplis.

Page 4

COAST & COUNTRY

New cattle may be spot on for beef breeders A new breed of cattle, with unique black and white markings, is set to become an increasingly familiar sight on New Zealand farms.

Called Speckle Park, and originating from Canada, the animals not only look attractive, they have attributes which are finding favour with dry stock and dairy farmers.

Charlie Matthews, of Speckle Park New Zealand, says the cattle’s quiet nature, rapid growth and top quality, marbled meat are making them serious competition for traditional Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn breeds.

“An increasing number of dairy farmers are using Speckle Park for their hybrid vigour and keeping them to grow on as beef cattle,” says Charlie.

Bull sale

It was the two Wairarapa farming families, the McKenzies of Maungahina Station and the Matthews of Wairongomai Station, who formed a partnership

in 2008 to bring 70 Speckle Park embryos to New Zealand with the intention of assessing how the breed would perform here. Today that partnership is known as Speckle Park New Zealand and owns New Zealand’s largest herd of pure-bred Speckle Park cattle. Next May it will hold a bull sale at Maungahina.

The formation of the partnership among two long-established cattle breeding families followed a visit to Canada in 2007 by Mark McKenzie, who was impressed with the breed and believed it had the attributes to cope with an ever-changing environment thanks to the ability to perform well in conditions from freezing winters to extreme summer heat.

Charlie says last summer’s drought certainly proved the point. “Our Speckle Park didn’t receive any special attention over our other breeds during the drought and came through it very well.”

Temperament

The Speckle Park attributes include moderate birth weight, quiet and docile temperament, impressive growth rate, high maternal instinct, easily identifiable speckle colouring,

“Speckle Park animals produce outstanding carcass quality and we believe they will play a major part in the future of the New Zealand’s beef industry.”

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 5

Speckled cattle suit boutique farmers

Tony Martens enjoys the quiet nature of Speckle Park cattle.

suitability for both dairy and beef industries; and high carcass quality with consistent and highly marbled meat.

“Abattoirs already have the technology to differentiate on quality; and the time is coming when farmers will receive a premium for premium meat instead of a flat rate for carcass weight. Speckle Park animals produce outstanding carcass quality and we believe they will play a major part in the future of the New Zealand’s beef industry,” says Charlie.

Among the early adopters of the breed are Tony and Lynn Martens of Katikati, who bought two pure bred heifers, (called Snow and Speckles) in 2010 and today have 14 pure bred and several cross bred animals.

The couple are kiwifruit orchardists who also own some grazing land; and it was the impacts on the industry of the vine disease Psa-V which promoted them to consider breeding Speckle Park.

“When we looked at doing something different from kiwifruit we decided, why go for a cattle breed which is already well established? Why not try something new?” says Tony.

Joshua

Among their pure bred animals is a young bull called Joshua, which is showing promise of becoming an excellent stud animal. Getting to this stage hasn’t been easy, with some early disappointments with embryo transplants, but the Martens say their knowledge is increasing all the time and the potential the breed offers makes persevering worthwhile.

Their aim is to grow their Harbourside Speckle Park Stud herd, providing quality pure bred animals for a breed they believe has great potential in New Zealand.

“We see ourselves as being a boutique breeder and don’t want to get too big. But we are certainly enjoying the animals and

For Lyn Martens being able to easily identify individual Speckle Park cattle in the paddock helps with management and animal welfare. learning what’s involved in the breeding process,” says Lynn.

Most of all the couple enjoy their interaction with the animals which are quiet and relatively easy to handle with engaging personalities, which, along with their distinctive markings, make each individual easy to identify in

By Elaine Fisher the paddock.

Breed owes beginning to Mary Lindsay Speckle Park, a breed of cattle new to New Zealand, owes its beginning to Mary Lindsay – the daughter of a Northern Saskatchewan beef farmer.

Copyright © 2013 Husqvarna AB (publ). All rights reserved.

It was Mary, who, 75 years ago, noticed an unusually marked calf in her father’s herd and asked to buy it. That heifer, believed to descend from two breeds – the Teeswater Shorthorn and the English White Park – which date back to the 16th Century, went on to become the ‘Eve’ – the mother of a whole new breed of beef cattle which has now become established in New Zealand.

In 2007, the Australian Speckle Park Association was formed to handle pure-breed registrations in Australia and New Zealand. And the following year the first embryos were imported into New Zealand.

Speckle Park cattle are predominantly black with a white top line and underline, with speckled hips,

if any, grain inputs. The animals retain their carcass advantages when crossed over other breeds, either beef or dairy.

Speckle Park rarely experience difficulty calving. Calves average 75 to 80 pounds at birth and are extremely vigorous. Most newborns are up and sucking within minutes and most cows calve without assistance.

Speckle Park cows are very protective against predators when it comes to caring for their calves but easy on their human managers. The cows have well-attached and tight udders which supply ample, very thick milk.

Speckle Park generally has a calm disposition and view strangers in the pasture with interest but do not flee. Aggressive bulls are extremely rare. Speckle Park breeders specifically and consistently select against poor temperaments. Accidents while working with cattle are almost unheard of among Speckle Park breeders.

To find out more about the breed go to: www.specklepark.co.nz

and sometimes shoulders; and with a black or black roan face.

The second colour pattern is the leopard pattern. It is similar to the speckled pattern but there are definite black spots on the animal instead of just speckles. The white animals, with some black hair on the body, are considered ‘leopards’.

Another colour pattern is the ‘white’ pattern.

The white animals have white hair on the body and face but have black points on eyes, ears, nose and hooves. There are a small percentage of blacks; and solid black heifers can be registered and used in the purebred herd, but the bulls cannot.

Speckle Park has the ability to produce AAA carcasses without an excess of outer fat cover; and animals consistently produce marbled meat with a minimum of fat cover.

This high quality of the meat is finding favour with chefs in top restaurants too.

When it comes to farming, Speckle Park can be finished naturally off on grass with minimal,

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 6

Mentors may influence farming practices Leading by example may be an effective way of improving farming environmental practices believes Beef + Lamb New Zealand Mid-Northern North Island extension manager Erica van Reenen.

That’s why she’s suggested a mentoring scheme through which farmers becoming “environmental champions” would help others understand the environmental, management and financial benefits of implementing change.

“There are many good farmers out there doing good things. They could facilitate further environmental

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Rick Burke of Katikati and Beef + Lamb’s Erica van Reenen both believe a mentoring scheme may help more farmers adopt environmental practices on farm. enhancement by helping their neighbours do the same, and speak up when fellow farmers are not doing the right thing.”

Erica’s mentoring proposal is one of several in her comprehensive and well-researched report ‘Increasing uptake of environmental practices on sheep and beef farms’, which she undertook as part of a Kellogg Rural Leaders course in 2012.

Erica interviewed 13 sheep and beef farmers in the Waikato, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty and Taupo regions who are active in implementing environmental management on their farms, to discover what motivated them; and importantly, the challenges they faced in doing so.

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Not unsurprisingly the costs of fencing riparian areas and planting trees and shrubs is a limiting factor, but all the farmers Erica interviewed are still motivated to do so – many because they believe it is important to leave the land in a better state for the next generation.

Rick Burke of Katikati has found there are economic as well as amenity benefits to be gained from

fencing out and planting parts of the farm.

“We are now getting better production, increased fertility, better rotational grazing systems and not wasting fertiliser. And [we] don’t underestimate the value it adds to a farm in terms of the vista and capital value,” says Rick.

“Every farmer you talk to has problem areas which don’t grow grass well, where weeds are an issue or stock get stuck or are hard to move from. Once we fenced off and planted those areas on our farm, the problems pretty much went away.”

Bird life

Rick says protecting and planting streams has reduced flooding and erosion but he acknowledges it takes time to establish; and weed control, in particular, is an issue in the early stages. “Another benefit is the increase in bird life. We now have tui around the house and a flock of kaka too.” Rick’s now keen to become a mentor, believing one-on-one information sharing can be highly effective.

Erica also wants to see a website set up which would draw together the vast amount of information available for farmers into one place.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Project provides real life insights Her idea is the website would summarise the pertinent information and provide links to more for those who want it.

The farmers she interviewed say the industry needs strong leadership from politicians (and not just those in government), and industry leaders who would have the courage to tell farmers what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.

Farmers who have achieved the most on their properties are those who have good relationships with regional council staff. But there remains, among many farmers, a distrust of councils and this needs to change.

But Erica says it goes both ways, regional council staff need to put themselves in farmers’ shoes also.

Farmers say they felt pressure from the urban public and the media over their farming practices and the Erica van Reenen of Beef + Lamb with dairy grazers at Pukekauri Farms near Katikati.

“dirty dairying” label had also hurt dry stock farmers.

However, many farmers also acknowledge the negative publicity is a driver for change.

Greenies

Erica also interviewed well-known and outspoken “greenies” who showed a certain sympathy and understanding for the farmers’ plight, acknowledging that unless farms were profitable, it was hard to spend money on the environment.

However, they also say many farming practices are outdated and continuing to farm on marginal land, high stocking rates, polluting waterways and causing erosion, is not acceptable.

“Our long-term viability depends on looking after the resources our farms are built upon – we know that, but sometimes it seems ‘too hard’. It’s not,” says Erica.

“The project provides real life insights into how farmers are successfully incorporating sound environmental practices on farm – and doing so profitably and with great personal satisfaction.

“As an industry we have an opportunity to take a proactive approach to dealing with this challenge. A proactive approach could involve all major stakeholders – including farmers, local and central governments, bankers, vets, sales representatives, environmental groups, recreational water users – getting together to find solutions for individual farming businesses.

“Increasing environmental practices on sheep and beef farms will ultimately come down to sheep and beef farmers understating what is needed, realising the benefits to their businesses, finding the right way to implement change on their farms and helping others achieve the same thing. In other words the solution is all about people.”

To obtain a copy of the report contact Erica van Reenen phone 07 839 0286 or 027 556 8836 or email: Erica.vanReenen@beeflambnz.com

By Elaine Fisher

Page 7

Page 8

COAST & COUNTRY

Handcrafts and coconut crabs at Niue show day Rain is falling but all the colours of a tropical sunny day are inside the big marque on the Tamakautoga Village green.

The produce of gardens displayed for judging at the Tamakautoga Village show day.

Lines of beautiful hand-stitched bed linen sway in the gentle breeze under the awning where the crafts of Niuean women are being judged as part of the village show day.

Each piece is a testament to the needle skills used to stitch, frill and applique designs on covers for single and double beds and pillow cases.

Nearby, there’s tables display samples of weaving, jewellery and floral crafts.

And a short distance across the village green, another open-sided marque shelters baskets of locally grown produce – taro, onions, kumara, yams and even

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peanuts and live uga (coconut crabs), laid out for the judges’ inspection.

The rain, (more of a gentle drizzle which brought welcome relief from the humidity of the day before), doesn’t deter locals and tourists from lining up to buy umu (hangi), cooked food and other tasty treats from palm leaf-decorated stalls on the other side of the green.

This is show day in the village, and later there will be singing and dancing – reminiscent of A&P Shows in New Zealand, except there are no animals to be judged. The village dogs and chickens aren’t on the schedule – they have roles, however, as part of the clean-up crew after everyone has left.

The island of Niue, which lies between Tonga and the Cook Islands (a three-and-a-half hour flight from Auckland), has 14 villages, as well as the main centre Handcrafts from sewing to weaving to of Alofi. And each village hosts a show day when jewellery, displayed for judging at the handcrafts and produce are judged and funds are Tamakautoga Village show day. raised for village projects.

Most villages are a collection of occupied and aban- year gardening rotation system. doned homes, lining the roadside, close to a church The tiny island’s main exports are noni products of one of the six religions on the island. made from the fruit of the Tamakautoga Village is a Morinda citrifolia tree, vanilla, few minutes’ walk from the taro and honey.

Matavia Resort where we Increaswere staying; and the show ingly, day provided a glimpse now Air of village life on the 259 New square kilometre island Zealand – which takes just onehas and-a-half hours to drive weekly around. flights, Apart from the grassed tourism areas around the neat is becomhomes in the villages, Niue ing an is covered in vegetation, important The uga (or coconut crab) earner. with the Huvalu Forest is the largest living land Niue is Conservation area, accountarthropod in the world, self-goving for something like a weighing up to 4kg. fifth of the landmass, still erned in free in ancient rain forest. Areas association adjoining the forest are also with New Zealand, has a Premier protected by the villages with a cabinet of three ministers, and and the families on whose a legislative assembly of 20 members. land it grows.

Its population in 2012 was 1400, well Outside the forest, vegetadown from the 5200 in 1996. Today, tion is burned, bulldozed to Jack Feleti, master carver of Niue, 20,000 Nepean’s live in New Zealand, still hunts uga (or coconut crab) crush the rock, and planted most in Auckland; and another 2000 and wild pigs in the rain forest. are in Australia. as part of a traditional sixBy Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY

Small lots generally unproductive Land subdivided into blocks of less than six hectares is likely to be lost to primary production which is why the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has set that as a minimum size for subdivision, says WBOPDC resource management manager Phillip Martelli.

Council’s aim is to protect versatile soils in locations, which are valuable for growing food and fibre, to help meet the needs of a rapidly increasing world population – and the new rules are now in place as part of its district plan, says Phillip.

The change brought little objection during the submission process.

“Council let everybody know what was intended and the result was we got a year’s worth of subdivision applications in just three months, as people moved to get in before the plan change. However, many of those who applied for subdivision rights have not gone ahead but instead let their application lapse.”

Phillip suspects this is due to costs of completing subdivisions and reduced demand for lifestyle blocks.

“In the mid-1990s there were around 2000 vacant rural lots in our district, and there is now over 4000, so supply obviously outstrips demand. However, some of the blocks which have been subdivided in the past are probably not highly desirable because of where they are or the shape and contour of the land.”

Council did however, listen to submitters who challenged its original intention to create a minimum lot size for versatile land of 10ha, reducing that to 6ha.

To qualify for new titles on “non-versatile” land a land owner must have a minimum of 80 ha of land so the minimum size for new lots is 40 ha.

Phillip says research council has carried out since the mid-1990s shows on average, rural land subdivided into small lots is lost to primary production, and is used instead for residential or other purposes.

Primary production

The 2005 report titled ‘Agricultural productivity changes due to rural subdivision in the Western Bay of Plenty District’, carried out by Sandy Scarrow and Ruth Underwood of Fruition Horticulture (BOP)

Limited, shows 27 per cent of land subdivided into titles smaller than 20 hectares is likely to be removed from primary production, with titles under 1.5 hectares particularly unlikely to be used for primary production.

This is at odds with the views Jim Bennett, retired economics and geography teacher from Whakatane, expressed in the August issue of Coast & Country.

He believes small rural blocks can be economically productive and even lead to innovative new industries.

Income earned off the land should also be taken into account, says Jim. He credits the willingness in the past of councils to allow 10 acre blocks to be subdivided from larger farms with the growth of kiwifruit, alpaca and deer industries, saying restricting small subdivisions is a backward step. Phillip agrees with Jim that small blocks can be productive, but the Western Bay experience is this happens only in a small number of cases.

Coast & Country columnist Brent Trial has also warned that lifestyle blocks may become a rare commodity in the Waikato and Waipa districts, thanks to new district plans. Those changes are likely to restrict opportunities for farmers, who want to retire locally with less land, or sell some land to provide capital for farm development.

However, Phillip says Western Bay council is confident its minimum 6ha lot size will enable land to be economically viable for primary production; and if people want smaller lots, plenty already exist.

Tighten up

Council attempted to slow down the creation of smaller lots in 2000 with its ‘Fields for the Future’ plan but it drew so much opposition, council pulled back. “In effect people didn’t know in advance what was proposed, but this time round council was very open about what its intentions were.

“Council needed to tighten up on subdivision and protect versatile soils, which are the best for producing food and fibre. Land which has been subdivided into smaller lots and has houses built on it is unlikely ever to go back into primary production.”

Council has zoned areas at Minden, Te Puke and Katikati for lifestyle blocks in response to public calls to make small lots of land available, close to schools, shops and amenities.

By Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 10

Life skills gained from raising animals Cover story

Successfully rearing and training pet lambs is not always straightforward and definitely requires commitment – as Marcus Bennett of Ngatea knows only too well.

The eight-year-old Ngatea Primary School pupil had an anxious time with this year’s lamb.

“Willy was unwell at first; and Mum and I had to look after him really well,” says Marcus, who is delighted when Willy recovered and began acting like a typical lamb.

“Now he comes running up to me when it’s time for a feed.”

With Willy’s health improved, Marcus can concentrate on training the lamb to lead and come when called, in preparation for the agricultural day at school on October 23.

He also hopes to enter a Group Day later in the month, attended by pupils from six local schools; and then the Hauraki Plains Rural Show on November 9.

This is the fourth year Marcus has reared a lamb and his mother Sonia Paton says he has to take full responsibly for feeding, training and caring for the lambs.

“Rearing calves, lambs or goats is all about helping children to bond with and learn to take responsibility for animals; and to understand that it can be quite time consuming and hard work, as well as fun.

“...learn to take responsibility for animals; and to understand that it can be quite time consuming and hard work, as well as fun.”

Ella Pirie is a regular competitor in the Hauraki Plains Rural Show.

There is also a beef section, judged separately, with “We are lucky in Ngatea that some local farmers are entrants competing in championship events for rearing prepared to make calves available for children who and type, but against other calves for leading. don’t live on farms. Instead they go to the farms to The show’s children’s calf club begins 10am but look after their calves.” competitors need to be at the domain by 9.30am to Throughout the country children like Marcus are confirm registration and collect their competitor numworking with their pet lambs, calves or goats, getting bers. There will be ribbons, cash prizes and trophies them ready for agricultural or calf club days at their and also spot prizes to be won; and part of the entry schools. Many will go on to compete in A&P Shows. fee is donated to the Ngatea St John’s and Ngatea At Ngatea, show time is at the Hauraki Plains Rural Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Show, which began in 2008 when a group of parents “The event is also open to children who are home and interested parties got together to restart the calf schooled, and to those who attend schools that don’t club section of the old Hauraki Plains A & P Show. have calf club – we want everyone to show off all their Sonia, who is on the hard work,” says Sonia. show’s organising comThe gates will open mittee, says what began as Alannah Peter s an d 9am for the general a show day for children, Fudge were wi nn public, with free with a few food stalls, has at last year’s Ha ers uraki entry. There will be grown into a much larger Plains show. a variety of exhibits event. from local businesses, This year the show has produce and goods added a Young Hanfrom local schools and dler dairy breed calves businesses, demonstracompetition for college tions, and plenty of fun students, Years 9- 13, for the children, with and for those up to bouncy castles and pony 20 years of age (as of rides.

November 1, 2013). nett “It is a day for friends Marcus Ben a and families to get has formed together and enjoy what strong bond y ill local and out-of-town with lamb W g stall holders have to offer after nursin h you. It is also a great chance for children to him throug d interact with animals, and see some rural an illness an activities,” says Sonia. hopes that y Local businesses are joining in the spirit bond will pa ey of the day by decorating their shop winoff when th dows; and the prize and trophy for the compete at best dressed window will be announced on up-coming show day. The Hauraki Plains Rural Show school and is on November 9 at the Hugh Hayward regional Domain, Ngatea. show says Admission is free but no dogs are permitted on the grounds. For more information, and entry details for the calf club, go to: Be Elaine Fisher www.haurakiplainsruralshow.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 11

Plenty to see and do at Cambridge A&P Show Equestrian events, alpacas, performing dogs, cattle and fencing are among attractions at the 110th Cambridge A&P Show on November 30 when, once again, admission is free.

The organising committee says the event is one of the largest one-day Photo by Lesley shows in the North Island Warwick and has a proud history of Showshots celebrating rural life and bringing town and country together.

“The young farmers will again be holding their regional fencing competition, which has been drawing good crowds since its inception four years ago, with added entertainment this year from tug of war competitions.”

Once again, Chelsea Marriner and her ‘Dogstars’ will be performing tricks at various times during the day and Santa is coming to visit too.

There will be farm animals including cows and calves, horses and ponies, from miniature to the large

Clydesdales, goats, donkeys and alpacas.

Add to this trade displays, food stands and children’s rides.

The equestrian sections will feature show hacks, show ponies, round the ring jumping, showjumping, welsh pony, sporthorses, side saddle and golden horses. In all there will be about 20 different horse sections.

The cattle section will see all the main dairy breeds, Ayrshire, Jersey, Holstein Friesian, milking Shorthorn, and Brown Swiss, competing in both breed and all breeds. The Ron Cooper Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the best in show from all the supreme champion winners in the cattle sections and will be judged at about 1.30pm. The beef breeds will be competing

(Above) Ron Chynoweth and his goat Fern Crest Joyboy winners of the Ron Copper Memorial Trophy presented by Joy Copper (right). (left) Isabella Du Plessis on her winning pony Eastdale Diva.

Tradition key to Waihi show success The Waihi Agricultural and Pastoral Association is holding its 75th show on the weekend of November 16-17 at the Waihi A&P Showgrounds, just north of the town.

It’s very much a traditional show with competitions for dairy cattle, junior showman, pedigree dairy, goats, calf club, pet lambs and kids.

Horse and pony events, include flat and around the ring jumping, as well as Arabian events.

Show sectary Marilyn Parkers says this year there are three new sections; improved hacks, miniature horses and Dexter cattle.

“It’s never too late to enter the A&P competitions, as we take entries on the day with no late entry fee.”

“Alpaca will be back again this year, as they created a lot of interest in last year’s show

when owners took them out of their enclosures and walked them among the crowd,” says Marilyn.

There will be a wide range of stalls, lots of entertainment and side shows, with a variety of food and drink on offer.

“A balloonist and magician will be walking the grounds, giving away different shaped balloons and this is always a draw card for the children.

“The lucky gate draw has as first prize, a travel voucher of $250 as well as cash prizes

for second and third for adults, and there are cash prizes for children too. You must be on the grounds at the time of the draw to win.”

Sunday is show jumping and show hunter day and is always well supported, says Marilyn. Horse competitions are non-grading for show jumping and training for show hunters, which appeals to many riders. “It’s a fun day, and an opportunity to school lessexperienced horses and in-experienced riders to have a go at something new.

The competitors are more than welcome to compete on Saturday and stay overnight, at no charge for Sunday, making it a great weekend without all the cost of travelling.”

The showgrounds are off SH2, just north of Waihi, heading towards Paeroa. Schedules are available from the secretary Marilyn Parker and you can find the schedules on the Royal Agricultural Society website (www.ras.org.nz) under Waihi A&P Show.

in an all breeds section. The popular calf club section for school children will also be held.

Back again this year is an alpaca display, where the public can interact with the alpacas.

Cambridge Show is held at the Cambridge Raceway on Taylor St, which is just off State Highway 1B and it’s not too late to register as a participant, either as a competitor or with a trade exhibit.

TE AWAMUTU

Page 12

Company and staff accredited in dairy technology After becoming one of only a dozen accredited companies under the Farm Dairy Effluent System Design Accreditation process in late 2012, Waikato company Qubik TMC continues to prove its skills and expertise in the farming industry.

The Qubik duo is two of only five in the country to have received the prestigious award.

Qubik TMC has been operating in the farming industry for more than 30 years. With four divisions:

This year two of Qubik’s employees, Jason Yeeles of Te Awamutu and Nigel Hannay of Putaruru, have been awarded New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association Dairy Diagnostic Specialists certification after completing the advance level of training in NZMTA Milking Machine Testing and NZMPTA Certificate of Mastitis and Milk Quality Advisor.

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With dairy suppliers continuing to introduce new products to the market, Qubik ensures its team has the on-going training and education required to allow them to maintain and deliver the high quality service farmers can rely on.

Qubik services the greater Waikato region with branches in Te Awamutu, Otorohanga and Putaruru. Visit: qubik.co.nz for more information.

Spring time for new machinery Not only has the grass grown all winter but at Norwood Farm Machinery Centre in Te Awamutu, deals have been done and now they are overstocked.

“We have access to 310 used tractors and 550 different units of used equipment, so now is the time to ‘spring into action’ and make us an offer,” says Cedric Borlase, sales representative for Norwood Farm Machinery Centre, Te Awamutu.

Used tractors with as low as 400 hours and ranging from 16hp to 200plus hp; and machinery such as hay and topping mowers, rakes, fertiliser spreaders, drills, discs and planters are

all available. “It may be your first tractor, a replacement for an older tractor, or just an extra tractor to give you more flexibility in your farming operation that you need,” says Cedric.

“Got too much grass and need a mower or topper? We have it. Need more grass and need a fertiliser spreader?

We have it.”

Cedric says for farmers who can’t quite justify a new tractor, a low-hour, well looked after and maintained used tractor may be the right choice. Norwood also offers help with finance. “All our sales team can tailor a finance package to match your deposit and term requirements; and we deliver machinery all over New Zealand.”

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 13

Getting collaborative in the Waikato The word is that we’d all like our rivers to run clean and fresh, like they used to before there were so many of us doing things to mess them up.

Think swimming in them and fishing – looking at clear water, rather than brown.

But we also don’t want to see chunks of our most useful industries go belly up, because there either wasn’t enough water to make them work properly, or the way they did things had to be changed so drastically they couldn’t see a way to be profitable.

So the Waikato is giving collaboration a try on behalf of the Waikato and Waipa rivers. It won’t be a fast process, and it won’t be cheap, but if the Land and Water Forum can do it successfully, it’s worth a shot.

And if it works, and our rivers are cleaner and our people are comfortable with how it was achieved, then it’s got to be better than years of court cases.

It took a while to get agreement to try, even within Waikato Regional Council.

But recently nearly 130 stakeholders, representing a very large number of vested interests, turned up at the Hamilton Racecourse for a day of discussion and decision

making on the formation of a representative group. Formation of a much smaller Collaborative Stakeholder Group signalled hope in the air, despite some fears of a major stoush occurring at the meeting.

A lot of homework had been done, and facilitator Helen Ritchie was there to make us work, not argue. So the process was divided into specific steps, and discussion groups (of four) worked on one session of eight; the results from each group made plain each step.

Comprehensive

After a comprehensive introduction, which ensured we were all on the same page in the process to achieve a Regional Plan Change, we put forward a substantial list of stakeholder interests, which we thought should be involved. Then we followed with grouping like with like, which is a good indication of just what collaboration might entail.

Then we tackled just how big this group should be – small (say 12) and chatty, or a bit bigger and more inclusive? We came up with the size 20, of which 16 would be stakeholders, and maybe four would represent other parts of the Waikato community.

Having shortened the list of stakeholders, we then tackled the tricky task of how

many seats each block of stakeholders would get of the 16.

Some would probably have expected to get a greater number, but democracy prevailed; and when the numbers were offered, averaged and presented, there was tacit agreement at least.

Next we looked at what skills would be needed by each of the future 20 members.

A visitor from Canterbury (which went through this a while ago) emphasised once set up as a group, members’ efforts should focus entirely on clean rivers, not on barracking for their specific needs.

Hot debate

A later session hotly debated was how nominations should be made. Canterbury had opted for individual nominations and interviews. Waikato eventually opted for stakeholders to choose their own representatives, which for some groupings will be an interesting process.

Initially the choice of having four members from the community, or whether the 16 should become 20 from the already nominated groups, has been left for the council and its committees to decide, along with its river iwi partners.

If this is agreed on, then a nomination process from the community or individuals will be undertaken.

Trout barrier raises hopes for increased whitebait numbers A connection between trout numbers and lack of whitebait is being confirmed by the introduction of a trout barrier at Hamurana Springs, north east of Lake Rotorua.

Installed in May 2012, the barrier captured trout which were then relocated downstream.

It also prevented trout entering part of the stream which provides an area for the whitebait species koaro to breed.

Moreover, monitoring, undertaken in August, is indicating promising results for the restoration of koaro.

Koaro is one five species of fish in a group called migratory galaxiids. Small fish caught each spring by whitebait-

ers throughout the country are actually juveniles of fish in this group.

Initial monitoring in July 2012 and February 2013 still show overall numbers were low. But monitoring in July this year is showing the numbers of koaro have significantly increased – and providing hope that the koaro population will continue to breed and grow in size.

“This is the first structure of its kind in the Bay of Plenty – and if successful may be used in other locations in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes for koaro restoration,” says Rikihana Hancock from Ngati Rangiwewehi.

The restoration plan to prevent further decline of the whitebait species is a collaborative effort between Ngati Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Bay of

Plenty Regional Council, Fish & Game, Department of Conservation, NIWA and the Hamurana Springs Incorporated Society.

Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), were once abundant in the Rotorua Te Arawa lakes but declined following the introduction of trout, and because of reduced water quality and habitat disruption.

“A population of koaro was discovered on the Waitarere tributary of Hamurana Springs in the initial study. Once this study was completed the Hamurana Koaro Restoration working party was set up to develop the restoration plan,” says Rikihana.

It may be that not every single one of the 130 stakeholders attending was totally happy with the outcome, but smiles and enthusiasm exhibited at the meeting’s end, and the secret relief of the progenitors of the collaborative idea, indicated the process had worked.

Stakeholders have until October to come up with their nominees, and the Collaborative Stakeholder Group will get to work in February next year.

The plan is they will toil for several days each month until they achieve consensus. At that point their suggestions will be put to those who are appointed (either by legislation or office) to make decisions.

A plan change will then be drafted and go through usual consultation process.

Hopefully without too many objectors, or days in court.

By Sue Edmonds

DAIRY

Page 14

Agriculture must maximise water advantage Water is New Zealand’s most important natural asset and primary sectors need to maximise it, says Ian Proudfoot, head of agribusiness and lead partner, consumer and industrial products with KPMG. “There is a real water issue in the world. In New Zealand we have 72 million cubic metres of fresh water per person, far more than anywhere apart from Brazil. In China and India it is about 1.2 million cubic metres per person.

“We need work out how we maximise that advantage in terms of agriculture.

What we are doing in effect is taking water, putting it through a ‘converter’ and exporting it in the form of proteins. How we use water effectively will be very important in future.”

Ian says the world’s growing population offers opportunities and challenges for New Zealand producers.

Between now and 2050, 68 million people a year will move from the world’s rural areas to cities.

“That’s the equivalent of three Shanghai cities each year moving to urban living, creating a huge challenge for the food system.”

The world population is predicted to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion in the next 37 years and 1.5 billion of that

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growth will be in Africa, which is already struggling to feed its people.

However, there is also a growing middle class in the Asia Pacific region – people who don’t have to buy food to survive but like to buy food to enhance their lifestyle.

“I think from New Zealand’s perspective, this creates potential customers but doesn’t give us guaranteed customers.”

Global food retailers are key players in the food sector with the biggest operating across 91 countries and accounting for about $1.3 trillion worth of sales.

Ian says competition among those retailers is intense and each is trying to work out how to engage better with their customers.

Thanks to governmental austerity measures in Europe there is a focus on price, and supermarkets look to find ways to keep their customers spending. For the Coles chain in 33 countries, 75 per cent

of the produce it sells comes from local supplies, which creates challenges for New Zealand which is so far from its markets.

“Supermarkets like corporate brands and 70 per cent of the sales in Coles are its own brand rather than other brands.”

Ian also predicts there will be significant developments in underused land around the world.

“I recently visited a client in Russia, who farms 110,000 ha of the best soils in the world.

They have milk maids milking cows by hand. The opportunities for increased productivity are immense and when they increase productivity they will have more products to sell, which changes the world markets.” Not long ago it was difficult to find investors keen to put money in the primary sector but Ian says that’s changing with a lot of new capital available for agriculture. There is growth too in non-food agricultural products, such as stock feed.

“The demand for stock feed will be driven by significant uplifts in consumption of animal proteins together with production growth.

The absolute growth of demand for poultry is estimated to be 170 per cent between 2000 and 2030.”

New Zealand’s role in the global agri-food system will depend on a number of factors.

“Scale is critical to being an effective niche operator. Avoid being all things to all people and focus on the competitive advantages.”

Ian advices that New Zealand producers identify the next big thing of things for customers and build leverage connections with in-market partners.

Telling the story of how, where and who produced foods – in other words the provenance story must be substantive, says Ian.

By Elaine Fisher # Ian Proudfoot was one of the keynote speakers at Nutritional Values, the 5th New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference in Tauranga in September.

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In the Waikato alone, each week the equivalent of two 500-cow dairy herds end up as fertiliser. In really bad springs there are more.

Add to this the regular hundreds (and at times more than 1000) boners at the weekly Morrinsville sale heading for hamburgers. These cows have a lot in common – they are all AB bred, are generally not old, and nearly all skinny.

So it’s a fair question to ask what’s wrong with our 21st Century dairy cow breeding, feeding and animal health, to prevent this massive waste of livestock and industry capital. The usual answer from industry boffins is that it’s ‘multifactorial’, which doesn’t get you very far towards an urgent solution.

The increasing number of farmers with herds that have been on the OMS Nutritional Supplement Plan during the last six years don’t need the deadcow-truck to call every spring, because cow immunity is boosted to a level where they can face the stresses of the transition period.

The success of the OMS Plan is based on getting the calves reared on the pro-

gramme from day one, to establish an active immune system as early as possible. The OMS support carries on up to the yearling stage, when immune development finishes, and needs to be boosted after this.

The other important way to encourage early immune development is to avoid using worm drenches and multi vaccines where possible, as they can act as immune-suppressants. Also, feeding penicillin milk to replacement calves should be banned.

The other critical time to use OMS to boost immunity is to give heifers a dose before calving to help reduce the increasing incidence of heifer mastitis in today’s herds. Dosing the rest of the herd before calving, and especially any cow that has had problems at calving, will also bring big health benefits.

Infertility has been getting worse in the national herd by one per cent per year during the last 10-15 years; and as a result, the sixweek in-calf rate is down as low as 50 per cent. Low body condition is recognised as an important reason for this.

Cows on the OMS are dosed three to four weeks before the start of AB, again to boost their immune systems.

Then any cows, which need further help to start cycling without hormonal assistance, can be identified for further OMS support.

(Source Wormade)

Page 15

DAIRY

Exit race teat spraying to meet regulations Since concern about milk quality has become a topical subject, every facet of milk harvesting operations is being scrutinised. Teat spraying is one such area.

Suppliers with rotary platform sheds that have teat spray systems, which spray while the cow is on the platform, must have an automated system to eliminate or minimise the risk of cows being sprayed while still being milked. This is necessary to comply with Fonterra’s risk management plan to protect the future of dairy food production in New Zealand.

“Fonterra’s position is based upon Fonterra’s interpretation of current regulatory and RMP criteria and any obligations for the harvesting of milk for all intended markets,” says Fonterra’s food safety technical advisor Paul Dixon.

Teat sprayer innovator and developer David Carey of Wetit has identified two high risk areas.

Firstly, cows that do not finish milking in the first revolution of the platform are sprayed with the teat cups on. Although the cups would have a short period for the spray to dry there is still the possibility the residue may brush onto the teats of the following cow as they are cupped.

Secondly, cows that have kicked off their cups before being milked out

the platform, whether by machine or hand, is at risk. Machines spray every cow regardless and the capacity for human error is high in a repetitive job like this. The only fool-proof solution is to spray cows after they have left the milking platform.

“For farmers who already have their sheds set up for platform teat spraying and don’t want to make a change we have developed a device that interrupts the signal to the

At Wetit teat sprayer in a race provides an excellent spray to the udder. and are retained on the platform are re-cupped after having been teat sprayed on the first revolution. Fonterra requires these sprayed cups to be washed in compliant water and sprayed teats washed and dried before being re-cupped.

Free-riding cows can be accidentally re-cupped after being sprayed by machine or hand. This will pose a greater risk if the free-riders are freshly calved colostrum cows and the milk harvester is inexperienced. Everybody knows these cows have swollen udders, which look as if they have not been milked out.

Staff at this time of the year are often exhausted from dealing with on-thefarm calving demands, which can also contribute to the problem.

Any farmer who is spraying cows on

teat sprayer, causing it not to spray if the cow is being retained on the platform for any reason. This can be retro-fitted to most existing automatic systems that have a cow retention apparatus,” says David.

This device has been developed in response to Fonterra’s concerns regarding keeping farmers compliant with Animal Products Regulations 2005, while retaining a high standard of milk quality that is acceptable the world over.

All systems need to fit within these regulations, with no compromise in reliability and performance.

“Ultimately teat spraying in the exit race using a system such as the WETiT QD0 is the answer to compliance issues, because it sprays cows that have left the milking environment and have no risk of being re-cupped,” say David.

“As leaders in dairy food production New Zealand has an obligation to its consumers both in New Zealand and in our international markets to pursue the best quality of milk products that we can. Fonterra is setting a high standard and we as a country need to support them.”

DAIRY

Page 16

Bay regional councillor steps back after 24 years Katikati dairy farmer Ian Noble has been bound by a booked-up diary and piles of reading material for the last 24 years – but is giving it up for a simpler life at his Matahui Rd home.

By Merle Foster

The 75-year-old has been a Bay of Plenty Regional councillor since the local body began in 1989 – and in its first term dual-served as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor to 1992.

Dairying his entire career, Ian is also a former Dairy Suppliers’ representative, long-time Federated Farmers advocate – clocking up five years as provincial president at the organisation’s Bay of Plenty branch

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“I guess I got interested in Federated – and spent 23 years as New Zealand Farmers not long after we bought the arbitrator for the Ministry of Ecofarm. I did a fair servitude, nomic Development on trees and and it was quite a strong powerlines legislation; and is branch at that stage in still a Rotarian.

Katikati. I was branch At age six, Ian and chairman and dairy his siblings moved to section chairman Kauri Point when for a couple of their parents Bert years and then and Eva Noble became provinmoved from cial president.”

Morrinsville During his after buying 300 five-year acres for farmtenure as ing where the president, Te Kauri Point Farming village now sits.

House in “It was right at Tauranga’s the point where Spring St the village is was built. now. I worked “Federated on that farm farmers was a when I left school very significant and saved enough organisation – we money to buy this had a lot of farmfarm.” ing cadets trained When Ian and wife under the auspices Joyce bought their Mataof the federation – in hui Road farm in 1966 Katikati dairy farmer horticulture and dairy – Ian was happy being a Ian Noble is leaving local farming.” dairy farmer – but also government politics after Ian says he “fell volunteered in Federated 24 years as a Bay of Plenty into” being a regional Farmers.

Regional councillor. councillor when retir“It was just one of the ing from Federated things you did back then.

Farmers.

It was a concerned contact group and “A group of local people said to there was always things to do and Joyce and I: ‘you should stand in the interesting people to work with.”

Regional Council because you have In the 1960s, before kiwifruit, some experience in these things’. I Katikati’s surrounding landscape was couldn’t think of a compelling reason all dairy farms. “I remember Matahui to turn them down.”

Road being full of dairy farms and The same people convinced Ian three tankers used to come to pick up to stand for Western Bay of Plenty the milk,” District Council – so he was elected says Ian. to both councils, serving one term as a Western Bay and Bay of Plenty Regional councillor.

“That was a significant learning curve. The ways of council are different from anything else you will find in the world.”

Emerging regional council

Merging 25 organisations, Ian says the regional council’s introduction brought challenging times.

“A lot of different, diverse organisations were all lumped together-– we took over the rabbit boards as back then every bit of New Zealand had to have one. A lot of elected groups were closed and responsibility was given to this council, so first-term decision making was very significant to its on-going work pattern.”

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DAIRY

‘Superphosphate’ poisoning is actually fluorosis Animals have been known to die from grazing pastures recently topdressed with superphosphate.

The cause of death is in fact fluoride (not phosphate) toxicity as commonly thought.

Fluoride is found in all naturally occurring phosphate deposits, so ends up in all P fertilisers, including superphosphate (single, triple and dicalcic), DAP, MAP and RPR, but not products like lime, urea or potash. Sheep (especially pregnant and lactating ewes) are generally more prone to poisoning than cattle. Risky situations include: • When fertiliser is applied to paddocks with stock on them.

•

When stock are moved onto paddocks too soon after topdressing.

• When animals gain direct access to fertiliser and eat it.

• When stock feed (usually dairy cows) is contaminated with phosphate fertiliser; either accidentally, or when fertiliser products are deliberately added to boost dietary phosphorous and/or nitrogen levels.

The risk of poisoning from top-dressing is greater at higher rates of application and for dusty fertiliser that will more readily adhere to foliage (if applied when foliage is damp from frost or dew). Often the first sign of trouble is finding some animals dead. Others may

be seen with vague metabolic signs suggestive of sleepy sickness (ewes), or milk fever (cows and ewes), but are unresponsive to treatment. Other symptoms can include depression, salivation, inflammation of the gut (bloating, gut pain, constipation or diarrhoea), nervous symptoms and damage to the lungs, liver and kidneys. Diagnosis can be made based on history, clinical symptoms, post-mortem results (kidney damage) and laboratory tests (blood, urine, liver, kidney and rumen contents).

To minimise the risk of fluorosis, stock should not be allowed to graze pasture top-dressed with phosphate fertiliser for at least 21 days or until at least 25 mm of rain has fallen. Note this will minimise, but not necessarily eliminate, the risk of poisoning.

Where it is not possible to avoid grazing top-dressed pasture, applying well-granulated fertiliser to dry pasture is probably

better than applying dusty product, especially to dewy or wet pasture. Avoid overgrazing this pasture to minimise direct uptake of fertiliser granules from the soil.

Council processes are long and complex

Future challenges

Ian says the council’s future challenges, from his personal view, include re-assessing of who does what where. “What’s different about a council is that the customers cannot go somewhere else – they’re captive – so proficiency isn’t there from competition.”

He accepts there are some things you need a council

or government to do – for example, river schemes. “But you’ve also got to have good governance and involvement of the people concerned – not necessarily so in all facets of activities ¬ – and I have major concern over the level of debt in some councils. But that concern definitely does not apply to BOPRC.” Ian has stayed with the job because he says, like anything, there are always things to do.

“You never reach a point where everything is completed. You’re always working on things that you’re enthusiastic about and have a goal to get some place. So, you never quite finished.”

Listening to a large number of election speeches during the years, with people saying ‘I’m going to do this and I’m going to do that’ – Ian says the reality is it not that simple. “The processes are long and complex, of hearings and public consultations and court hearings, which can be very expensive, and those decisions bind a council – and the way they deal with that situation in future years. So when someone says ‘I’m going to change that’, you say” ‘Good luck mate’.”

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DAIRY TECH DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Stepping back

Ian’s decided to step back – not seeking re-election at the upcoming local government elections – “because I just don’t want to have my life run by a diary”.

He hopes to see fresh faces and ideas on council with the Government signalling changes are ahead for councils and the RMA processes.

“My hope is this can lead to greater efficiencies and opportunities for local participation and involvement.

“I think there is opportunity for someone without my experience and with a different background to look at things. It’s also an opportune time for a new dynamic with new people and new vision – not shackled by the past.”

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Ian admits there was opposition to the new council. “Obviously, people who have worked very well suddenly found they didn’t have a job and the whole structure had gone and changed – so there was push back. But the reality was we had the statutory, the obligation and the duty to pick up their responsibilities and mould them into one council.”

During the years, Ian has chaired operations and rural services, regulation and resource monitoring, strategic policy and finance, and governance committees.

He believes he’s come to understand the Resource Management Act and the process of hearings, saying “it has been a captivating, rewarding journey for me”.

Ian thinks the RMA has some good aspects but also some that don’t add up. “Recently, Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns said he wanted the RMA changed. The point he was making was that $2.5m for consent to dredge Tauranga Harbour is senseless – and I totally agree. It’s in the national interest to make it possible for bigger ships to come and turn in our port, which is the most productive in New Zealand.

“There are a number of other cases that have cost far too much and the outcomes have become less than satisfactory.”

Ian says his favourite part of being part of local government is working with staff and councillors, sharing concerns about things. “We’ve had a number of significant floods in the Eastern Bay –which can be quite devastating – and the obligation of the council to give those people protection is a major activity.”

DAIRY

Page 18

Hemp crop on the Hauraki Plains This summer we decided to trial growing a hemp crop on some very flogged out maize ground.

This soil is marine clay and had been experiencing diminishing maize crop yields and returns during the last five years to the point where the land owner wasn’t prepared to risk (financially) another crop of green feed maize.

So after a few home brew rums we came up with a lease agreement and plan.

With a Reams soil test and a Lismore soil test results in hand we applied a 14 tonne per ha fertiliser mix of 10 tonne/ha of compost and 4 tonnes/ha of minerals, comprised of paramagnetic rock dust, soil force, gypsum, trace mineral microbial feeds and

microbial inoculations (Bio-Vam, 10/25 and Combo-12).

After obtaining a growing license for hemp we proceeded to plant and learn.

We finally harvested the crop, dried the seed and have harvested 750kg/ ha of seed.

We plan to extract the oil from this seed and then market it, as it will be the first North Island grown hemp oil for sale in New Zealand which has been extracted by its grower.

Next year we plan to harvest the fibre and hurd from the plant (hurds are the leftover fragments of the stems and stalk once all the fibres have been removed).

However, this year with the soil being in very poor condition, we have decided to put all this fibre back into the ground.

Hemp oil is one of the most

beneficial oils for human health, having an ideal omega 6 to omega 3 ratio – even superior to olive oil and avocado oil.

Only hemp seed oil contains: – Omega6, Omega3 and GLA [gamma linolenic acid- 2.5-3 per cent of volume].

– 75-80 per cent poly-un saturated fatty acids, which is the highest in the plant kingdom and unique among seed oils.

The Chinese grow more than 100 000ha of this a year; and a recent trial with military troops, going into adverse battle conditions, clearly showed the troops with hemp clothing and uniforms didn’t suffer the skin disease which the troops dressed in cotton did.

It appeared the hemp uniforms acted as a disease suppressant.

While the industry is very young in New Zealand it has huge potential in the health, building and clothing industries.

Global day trade century Global Dairy Trade, the online trading platform for international dairy commodities, has held more than 100 trades and now in its fifth year has surpassed US$10 billion in aggregate sales.

“Achieving our 100th trading event [in September] proves the success of the online model. It shows that Global Dairy Trade has matured to become an essential feature of the global dairy industry. GDT now provides price transparency and highly efficient purchasing for more than 850 registered bidders from 90 countries,” says Global Dairy Trade director Paul Grave.

“The strong support for the platform shows we are meeting a real market need to find a robust reference price that reflects true levels of supply and demand in the market.” The platform is now used by six global companies supplying product for sale, including Fonterra (New Zealand), Dairy America (USA), Amul (India), Arla (Denmark), Murray Goulburn (Australia) and Euroserum (France). A typical auction event lasting about two hours will sell enough product to completely fill a container ship – amounting to about 2500 standard 20-foot containers, valued at between US$100 and $250 million.

Global Dairy Trade operates at arm’s length from its owner Fonterra. Fortnightly auctions are conducted on behalf of GDT by Boston-based NASDAQ-listed CRA International in accordance with market rules monitored by an independent advisory board of sellers and buyers. “We are delighted that Global Dairy Trade is today centre-stage of a vibrant global dairy industry, which is experiencing annual demand growth of well over 2.5 per cent,” says Paul. “We will be seeking to continuously improve our service as technology evolves over the years ahead.”

Biosecurity partnership Being a signatory to the Government Industry Agreement is part of managing the risk of a primary industry business, says Lois Ransom, secretariat manager for the GIA.

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“Growers need to ask is bio-security important to your business? Look at what happened to the kiwifruit industry with Psa-V. Could the same thing happen to the avocado industry? It possibly could,” she told delegates at Nutritional Values, the 5th New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference in Tauranga last month.

By signing up to the agreement the avocado industry will be part of the decision making process, should there be a bio-security risk to the sector. The industry will be involved early in the response phase and benefit from more effective response and more transparent transactions.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries is there to deliver good bio-security but they could not and should not do it alone. There will be things government should do and things industry should be doing,” says Lois, who has an independent role in working with industry and government to deliver GIA outcomes. The secretariat is directed by the interim government body and is independent of any industry or government organisation. “Growers need to look at what you have got now verses what you would have under the GIA deed. At the moment MPI decides the response and strategy; and determines when to stop and start. The Government pays but the industry is consulted. The Government may or may not undertake surveillance or maintain laboratory capability. There are ad-hoc assessments of new risks. Growers may still be charged for the costs of an incursion,” says Lois.

“Under the deed, government and industry make decisions on responses. The costs are shared after 2016.

In-kind contributions and industry expertise will be taken into account. The response strategy is agreed in advance. New and emerging bio-security risks are targeted for early detection; and industry will be engaged in risk reduction strategies.” The GIA is an integrated approach to prepare for and effectively respond to biosecurity risks through partnership. “The aim is to achieve better biosecurity outcomes and the key elements are joint decision making and cost sharing.”

Page 19

DAIRY

Growing maize can help environment and income Growing maize on effluent paddocks is good for the farmer’s pocket and for the environment, says Mike Parker, Foundation for Arable Research maize project manager.

“Trials we did on eight Waikato farms showed no significant difference between the yield from paddocks, which had starter plus side dressing of fertiliser, and the effluent paddocks which had none at all,” says Mike, who is based in the Waikato.

Soil samples, taken from a depth of up to 900mm, before Mike Parker, Foundation for Arable sowing and during growth of the Research maize project manager. maize, showed there was good up-take of nitrogen by the plants three to four per cent more moisture, thanks to soil microbiology making which is significant in a drought year.” it available from mineralisation of the With the direct drill method, vegetaorganic matter. tion is first sprayed out and the soil Maize is effective at removing nitrogen left undisturbed, other than by the from the soil, reducing the risk of it seed drill. In conventional cultivation, leaching into waterways, and not having vegetation is sprayed and then the soil is to apply additional fertiliser is a cost turned over. “This method is especially saving for farmers, says Mike. useful if soil had been badly pugged by However, farmers need to confirm animals and it does help increase soil what is in their soil before making temperature which aids germination. decisions and the best N test is to take It’s horses for courses really, and growers samples from 0 to 600mm deep (when have to decide which situation works the maize has two visible leaf collars) best for them.” and enter the data into the Amaize –N Mike says a significant proportion of calculator to give a side dressing recomthe maize levy is spent on weed research; mendation. Unfortunately, soil sampling and a new FAR focus on weed conto 600mm isn’t fast work. “It can take trol in maize for growers is being put me up to an hour to do 10 samples, together by himself and Diane Mathers, but the benefits are a considerable cost FAR’s Hawkes Bay-based maize and saving while also preserving the environ- farm systems research co-ordinator. ment.”

Managing weeds is one of the biggest FAR’s role is to provide growers with challenges maize growers face. The accurate, reliable and independent unwanted plants can not only cause a research. Much of which is funded by a reduction in crop yield and quality, but levy of $7.20 per bag of seed and paid there is also a risk of spreading weeds to by all maize growers, which enables FAR uninfected farms when the crop is fed to to conduct up to 20 maize projects a livestock. year.

The research has included comparWeeds ing no-till, also called direct drill, with “Biosecurity incursions are a big issue conventional cultivation and Mike says for the industry; and at the moment there are pluses and minuses for each. we are working on three eradication/ control programmes for weeds affectNo-till ing the industry.”

“A five year trial at Tamahere [in the Another FAR-led three-year Waikato] showed no significant dif$450,000 project, principally funded ferences in yields but direct drill saves by the Sustainable Farming Fund, about $200 per ha in cultivation costs. is looking at avoiding resistance to However, soil temperature initially in glyphosate (Round up). direct drill paddocks is 1.5 to 2 degrees “Resistance to glyphosate has been Celsius cooler than in cultivated padfound in two different rye grass species docks. But direct drill paddocks retain

in vineyards in Marlborough.”

Glyphosate is a very effective, low cost chemical which is widely used particularly for conservation tillage – and Mike says should other plants develop resistance to it that would be of major concern for the industry.

It is the repeated use of the chemical, particularly along roadsides, fence lines, waste areas, and in vineyards and orchards, which can lead to development of resistance.

grass is difficult to see until it produces a seed head, and by then its seed is probably viable and dropping for next season. Part of the research is aimed at an integrated control strategy, which also includes helping farmers identify the plant early on in the season so that herbicides can be applied before seeding occurs.

To find out more about the work of the Foundation for Arable Research go to: www.far.org.nz

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Using a range of chemicals to control weeds is ideal to avoid resistance. But Mike says that is not always easy, as many overseas markets only allow certain products to be used on products exported from New Zealand.

One weed currently of particular concern is yellow bristle grass, an extremely aggressive annual seeding plant which spreads rapidly through clean pasture and cows don’t like to eat it. Yellow bristle

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MAIZE

Page 20

Cashbacks - an unexpected bonus JORDAAN

As the Pacific Seeds’ Cashback promotion enters its second month the reaction from a number of growers has been really interesting.”

A large number of our regular clients had placed advance orders without being aware of the promotion, so the $50 cash-back per bag has become a totally unexpected, but very welcome bonus for them,” says Pacific Seeds territory manager Barry Smallridge.

The advance orders are largely because of the excellent performance that Pacific Seeds Maize hybrids have achieved for growers throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions during recent seasons, says Barry. ”Pacific Seeds hybrids like DKC57-83 have been a real winner for us in the past, so our first priority was to make sure that we had sufficient quantities of that seed for the coming season,” says Te Puke contractor Daniel Dovaston.”

Finding out that we’re also going to be getting a $50 a bag cashback has been a real

surprise – but of the best possible kind.”

DKC57-83 is a high yielding, grain-only hybrid that is now highly regarded by growers because of its very low moisture content at harvest.

During Daniel’s last season growing the hybrid, it averaged 16.7 tonnes/ha at 18.3 per cent and quick dry down allowed him to target yield without any sacrifice to his harvest date.

PAC 456 also has proven credentials within the region – with a truck weigh yields of 27.4 tonnes being recorded at John Harold’s Edgecumbe property during one of the worst droughts on record.

Pak 456 is a silage only hybrid that delivers high yields with excellent stay-green and rust resistance. Large, wellfilled cobs are a feature of this hybrid, says Barry.

“The loyalty shown by our long standing clients is really gratifying but it’s really important that they remember to check out our website before the end of December to make sure that they redeem their $50 cashbacks.”

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Big fleet boosts crop service capacity Blue Grass Contracting strongly believes that by helping to grow your business it will help to grow theirs – and they also believe in responding promptly to client calls, says Brook Nettleton, of the company.

Brook knows a client who has made the effort to contact Blue Grass wants to discuss his requirements then, not an hour or a day later, which is why he endeavours to return calls within three to five minutes. Brook also endeavours to keep clients expecting services informed of progress and estimated time of arrival.

“Our process and workmanship on any operation is extremely important to Blue Grass. Accuracy of operation is how we get efficiencies. Quality of our harvesting process is how you get quality product and your efficiencies.”

Blue Grass has an impressive inventory of equipment, which includes 10 trucks and nine trailers, 10 specialist pieces of cultivation equipment and 19 harvesting machines and equipment. This fleet gives clients the surety that Blue Grass has the capacity to provide service in a sometimes tight ‘window of opportunity’.

“Crops that grow by the same conditions will naturally ripen in the same

window. Our inventory of two complete harvesting gangs helps us to provide a better service. Let’s not read into this a water-tight guarantee, but we are a company that has more capacity to look after its clients; and we also believe the quality and condition of our equipment adds significantly to our clients farming security.”

Blue Grass also has a rock crusher, compacter and grader for farm race maintenance; and is a substantial supplier of lime, chook, duck and goat manure from shed cleanings, and vermicast; and substantial grower suppliers of maize silage, grass silage, annuals and perennials.

“We have always been advocates of maize silage and grass silage contracts being between the grower and the buyer and have many growers and buyers who look to us each season to market or procure their annual requirements.

“Blue Grass never clips the ticket of the maize or grass silage sales, so the obvious condition of the contract is that Blue Grass is contracted for the harvesting and transport operation.”

Blue Grass operates from its Matamata base and covers a reasonable radius of the Waikato with a Taupo base to service Taupo and Rangitaiki clients.

“We consider servicing two areas gives extra benefits to all our clients. It gives our maize growers in the Waikato better sales security and our Taupo grass grow-

ers better sales security to the Waikato region.

“For Blue Grass it’s great to have that ability to support our buyer and grower clients’ needs from regions with different climate conditions.”

Page 21

MAIZE

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Year 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 13

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MAIZE

Invasive weed new wide spread Yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) is a native of southern China and spreads rapidly through clean dairy pasture.

It is now present throughout the North Island and in Nelson and Marlborough in the South Island, and models have shown that it has a wide potential distribution throughout much of the country.

It is particularly invasive in Waikato, where it can cover 20-40 per cent of the ground in a dairy pasture within five years of invading the pasture.

Is is recommended that damage to pastures at the time when Yellow Bristle Grass (YBG) germinates, between October and December, should be reduced as much as possible.

In addition, to minimising its spread, it is crucial that pastures and roadsides are not grazed or mown when the seed heads are present.

For pastures dominated by YBG, complete renewal is the best option.

As part of pasture renewal, it is important to go through two summers of cropping, with plants such as chicory or turnips, where grass weeds are

Page 23

Darryl Isaac Ltd

easily controlled.

This depletes the reservoir of YBG seed in the soil so it will not rapidly reinvade the new pasture.

General recommendations for grazing include avoiding overgrazing, which can open pastures to weeds, and ensuring that stock are not moved from infested to clean paddocks when YBG is seeding.

There is also some promising new research that suggests selective herbicidal control of YBG may be possible. In the past, selective weed sprays were not thought to be an effective option. (Source AgResearch).

Over-heated horsepower The Lone Ranger and Tonto walked into a saloon and sat down to drink a beer.

After a few minutes, a big tall cowboy walked in and said: “Who owns the big white horse outside?”

The Lone Ranger stood up, hitched his gun belt, and said, “I do....Why?” The cowboy looked at the Lone Ranger and said, “I just thought you’d like to know that your horse is about dead outside.”

The Lone Ranger and Tonto rushed outside and sure enough Silver was ready to die from heat exhaustion.

The Lone Ranger got the horse water and soon Silver was starting to feel a

little better. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and said, “Tonto, I want you to run around Silver and see if you can create enough of a breeze to make him start to feel better”.

Tonto said, “Sure, Kemosabe”, and took off running circles around Silver. Not able to do anything else but wait, the Lone Ranger returned to the saloon to finish his drink. A few minutes later, another cowboy struts into the bar and asks, “Who owns that big white horse outside?”

The Lone Ranger stands again, and claims, “I do, what’s wrong with him this time?”The cowboy looks him in the eye and says, “ Nothing, but you left your injun runnin”.

Native fly surprise grass grub predator The discovery of a previously unknown predator of one of New Zealand’s most costly agricultural pests has scientists puzzled. The story began last November when Foundation for Arable Research staff collecting grass grub pupae for a grass grub feeding project found them being eaten alive in the soil by unknown maggot-like larvae. FAR research manager Richard Chynoweth says at first they couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing. “Grass grub is one of New Zealand’s most costly, and therefore

most-researched pest insects, but we had no knowledge of this sort of predation occurring.

“We discovered the larvae were Ostenia robusta, a native, but not well-recorded carnivorous fly. Larvae of this fly had never been found and studied before, although adult flies were in several New Zealand museum insect collections,” “They had also never been recorded as having any sort of association with grass grub, another native species,” says Richard.

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MAIZE

Page 24

Controlling weeds with fertiliser During the years I have analysed common weeds to find out what makes them tick. A lack of resources has meant I can only build part of a picture by such analyses.

In each case I needed to analyse surrounding pasture, soil and the weed to complete the canvas. Analysis only measures nutrients – but aeration, drainage, organic matter, organic decay, cultivation, grazing patterns, stocking rates, chemical applications, and soil microorganisms, are all involved.

Weeds are performing a function. They are trying to build fertility where that particular fertility is lacking.

Once they have achieved that result, other plants take over until the natural climax of that particular landscape is reached. The further up the evolutionary scale plants are, the better the fertility they need.

There are many parts of New Zealand that were cleared of bush years ago.

Circumstance eventually forced the occupiers of the land off, and the land reverted to nursery plants like broom, gorse, wattle, manuka and whatever. Years later, the odd seedling tree popped up, and eventually the area re-established back into trees. In other words, the scrub paved the way for the forest trees.

Upon analysis of each weed or herb, variations between the weed and the pasture were found, just as you would see between one pasture and another. I found differences between the same weed taken from different locations, so single analyses had limited value.

Using the results collectively, I found that weeds tested higher in certain nutrients than surrounding pasture. This meant they were more suited to extracting the nutrients than

the pasture was. This gave them an edge. So how can we take that edge away?

In order, the collective results showed more weeds concentrated boron, manganese and zinc than any other nutrients. They were followed by calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, cobalt, iron, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, sodium, molybdenum and nitrogen. Some of these nutrients will be incidental; others crucial.

Infestation

Fiddle dock’s upright form on fertilised pasture.

The next step was to apply fertiliser and observe results. On one farm, urea applications were stopped and the below optimum calcium and magnesium levels increased.

After two years, a massive infestation of yellow bristle grass on 180ha virtually disappeared.

The only signs of it remaining were around the outsides of the boundaries, where the spreading doesn’t overlap.

Have you noticed YBG growing on the road-sides, around maker posts that are sprayed with glyphosate by local authorities?

That action creates a degraded environment only fit to grow a degraded plant. It is known that glyphosate decreases iron and manganese.

Is it coincidence that is what shows up in YGB? When I take soil samples from high urea farms, the soil is rock-hard.

That means little oxygen, low microbial populations, poor organic matter, and poor drainage characteristics – a degraded environment. High CO2 in the soil triggers certain plants to germinate.

On another property, broom was a problem.

Soil samples were taken and analysed at PAL in USA and the Kiwi Fertiliser recommendation was applied.

Besides NPK, this included calcium, magnesium, boron, copper and cobalt. Only a part of what was needed was applied. Between eight and 12 months later, most of the broom turned black and died. Just some of the soil’s deficiencies were addressed and the broom couldn’t survive.

Buttercup

A third property had creeping buttercup.

Again, it was soil tested through PAL and the Kinsey recommendation applied in spring.

The buttercup didn’t die. It just didn’t flower.

On a much drier part of the same property

Fiddle dock’s flat form on un-fertiliser pasture. receiving no fertiliser, buttercup thrived and flowered.

Some people just do not believe weeds and pasture require different fertility. They probably consider any and all fertiliser is okay, when it is not. I’ve mentioned urea, meaning the over-use of urea. Potassium chloride actually enhances some weeds’ responses while dropping the brix levels and general vitality of pasture. Acid phosphates destroy soil fungi, contributing to loss of humus and soil moisture. Some fertilisers are relatively good and some are not.

Fertiliser applications must be aimed at better quality and quantity of pastures and crops.

There can also be other benefits, including fewer weeds and better stock health. In turn this translates to less chemical intervention, less stress and a better bottom line.

Page 25

MAIZE

New maize varieties bring flexibility to harvest times

Modern maize varieties give farmers wide choices when it comes to planning next year’s stock feed – and now is the time to think about which option best suits your needs and prepare the land for planting.

Consideration should be given in achieving the best possible yield; and the harvest dates you want. That will determine whether to plant long, medium or short maturing varieties. Once the decision is made, the area to be cropped should be cut for silage or grazed after spraying.

Soil tests must be done to determine what the plants will need; and if 50 per cent muriate of potash or potash super is to be applied, leave seven days before sowing as potash

can burn seeds. However, rain will reduce that impact.

Soil temperatures are vital too. Ideally, the temperature should be 14 degree Celsius and rising.

Check during several days, as temperatures can fluctuate widely at this time of year. Plant too early and the seeds don’t germinate until temperatures are warm enough, but the weeds will get away. Wetter swamp paddocks will take longer to reach optimum temperature than higher, drier paddocks.

Some farmers plant a short maturing (125-135 day) variety at the same time as a long maturing (165-170 day) or medium maturing (145-150 day) variety to yield crops

at different times. The first harvest will not be as high yielding as the later variety, but it gives continuity of supply with the first being ready to harvest in mid-to-late February offering the chance to get feeding out started sooner and to return the earlier paddock back into pasture quicker. With turnips, planting two varieties means the whole crop doesn’t come ready at the same time.

Weed management is important for both maize; and turnips, in particular, need careful management.

Weeds are not such a problem for maize unless paddocks are known to be weedy, when pro-active management is vital to stop them getting the upper hand. Weeds in turnips must be kept under control as they can limit the crop-robbing valuable fertiliser and soil moisture meant for the crops.

Maize production boosted by use of humates Last year’s top maize grower for grain for the Waikato region used humates at the rate of 100 kilograms per hectare in his base fertiliser to boost his yield to 18.3 tonnes.

The average yield on neighbouring properties in the region was in the vicinity of 10-12 tonnes per hectare, so 1.5 times the yield average was achieved. The grower says the only thing he did different to the other farmers was to apply the humate in two applications and dicalcic phosphate in the base fertiliser. The soil type on this property, which is situated in PioPio, is Miroa ash.

Key benefits of using humate: • Improved water retention, and water-holding capacity.

• Humates can hold up to seven times its weight in water.

• Humic substances can enhance the release of fixed K from montmorillonite soils.

• Addition of humic acids can increase P uptake by 25 per cent.

• Humic substances will increase length, and number of lateral roots, seedling growth after germination, nutrient availability and nutrient uptake.

• These substances also affect a wide range of enzymatic processes.

Humates play a vital role in soil fertility and plant nutrition. Plants grown on soils which contain adequate humates are less subject to stress, are healthier, produce higher yields; and the nutritional quality of feeds are superior. Humic substances are important in soil fertility and plant nutrition because of the part they play in the life cycle on earth. All soil has a CEC rating, indicating its ability to hold fertiliser. It is the number of parking places it has. There is a direct correlation with the amount of carbon in the soil. Peat has a high CEC, sand a low one.

Average soils have a CEC of about 20-25 per cent. Humates has a CEC of more than 85 per cent, therefore will increase the CEC rating of any soil. (Source NZ Humates Ltd).

With maize, side dressings at five to seven weeks will help set the cobs up.

Maize needs nitrogen and that can come from urea or effluent from dairy sheds and stand-off pads. Using effluent is very effective and permitted rates of application to a cropping paddock are greater than for pasture. Like many farmers, we are also making plans for our maize plantings this season, and how much we grow will depend on the orders we

receive now. Last season many farmers were caught out because they didn’t order early enough; and we and other contractors elected to grow a portion of our crop for grain, not silage.

The same will happen this year if farmers don’t commit to contracts early enough. Weather-wise, we appear to be in a neutral phase, which is the same as we were this time last season – before the drought.

MAIZE

Page 26

Truckloads of maize arrive 24 hours a day Misty morning at the PGG Wrightson Grains Walton facility.

to shut down because it was affecting their domestic supply. However, that’s no longer an issue as the gas supply capacity has improved,” says Graeme.

Suitable for humans

At the height of the autumn harvest, 100 truck and trailer units a day pass through PGG Wrightson Grains Waikato maize drying and storage facilities at Te Awamutu and Walton with wet maize grain coming in and dry grain being loaded out.

“We operate 24 hours day at the peak of the season, just to keep up with harvest,” says Te Awamutu Grain site manager Kevin Flaxman.

The Te Awamutu facility has the capacity to store 10,500 tonnes of grain while the new high-tech Walton facility can store 10,500 in one silo alone, plus a further 5000 tonne in other silos, says PGG Wrightson Upper North Island manager Graeme Strong.

Timing is important

Logistics planning is crucial during the March to June harvest, says Graeme, because machines can now harvest eight instead of four rows of maize at a time, filling trucks quicker and putting pressure on the processing plants. So it’s essential PGG Wrightson

staff work closely with growers and contractors to co-ordinate a smooth harvest.

“Harvesting often goes on well into the evening if the weather is about to change.

But most contractors have the ability to store some grain on-site in bulk bins overnight, for delivery the following morning,” says Kevin.

The gas-fired plants can dry 25 tonne of maize an hour, reducing the moisture content from about 20 to 24 per cent at harvest down to 14 per cent.

“Drying grain 24 hours a day requires a lot of gas and there was a time when we used so much the gas companies would ask us

All maize grain processed at the facilities is dried to the highest standard, which it is suitable for either human consumption or animal feed. About 35 to 40 per cent of maize currently grown is used for human consumption, including production of breakfast cereals, corn chips, starches and corn oil. The balance is supplementary feed for dairy cows, pigs, poultry and deer.

Graeme Strong and Kevin Flaxman of PGG Wrightson Grains Waikato outside the company’s Te Awamutu facility.

Maize is also a favourite food for wild birds and rodents, so pest control is important around the facilities to ensure they don’t eat or contaminate the grain.

“Our aim is to produce highest possible yields for growers, along with good grain quality to meet our standard. This is done in consultation with growers and our technical representative beginning with land suitability, growing practices, variety selection, fertilisers, chemical recommendations and crop monitoring throughout the growing period and ultimately harvest,” says Graeme.

“Traceability is important for food safety reasons and a detailed grower log is developed and maintained by our technical representatives together with the grower which can also help with decision-making for the next season recommendations.”

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When the decision is made to harvest samples are taken and tested from each truck and trailer unit on arrival at the driers before it is off loaded. The vehicles are also weighed as they enter and leave the facility.

Graeme says they are now working towards introducing technology to allow growers to receive information about their grain much faster than is currently available.

Constant monitoring of stored grain is now possible, thanks to technology which enables operators to see the configuration of grain within a silo to control the temperature of the product and the ambient air temperature present within the silo. “Our Walton facility has this technology which has maintained excellent grain quality.”

Changing land use and adverse weather which impacts on maize, and competition from imported feeds, are challenges the company and its growers face.

However, PGG Wrightson Grain has strong and valuable relationships with loyal growers who they value and whose grain is contracted each year. “Some have been with us as long as 40-plus years.”

The Waikato facilities process maize from throughout the upper North Island and PGG Wrightson Grain also has plants in the Manawatu at Palmerston North, Fielding, and at Hastings in the Hawkes Bay. “PGG Wrightson Grain supports and promotes the growing of domestically produced grain. It doesn’t import grain. What we sell is 100 per cent New Zealand grown,” says Kevin.

The Te Awamutu facility had its beginnings in 1976 as a farmer’s co-operative called Grain Growers Co-Op, which later became Allied Grain.

PGG Wrightson bought the facility in 2009 and is delighted with the support shown and received from previous grower shareholders.

Page 27

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MAIZE

Page 28

Paddock designated for maize production alone Maize has grown continuously on the paddock called ‘Near Flat’ on Cranleigh farm for 51 years – and in the last decade has produced yields above the district average.

The secret, says Alan Henderson of Cranleigh near Te Awamutu, is looking after the soil by keeping animals off it.

“That paddock hasn’t been grazed for the last 15 years, and apart from maize, has only ever grown a cover crop. Its yield has been 15 to 19 tonne of grain

maize per hectare. The target is 20 tonnes of grain per hectare.

“Pugging caused by livestock damages the soil structure and I estimate it takes about five years for the soil structure in this area to recover after being grazed. The underlying message is that yield will be lower from soil which has been damaged.”

Alan’s management of the 4 ha paddock differs from that of his father Russell, who began using it for cropping in the 1960s, but also grazed it. “He still doesn’t agree with what I’m doing and reckons I

In a field of barley – Alan Henderson with a crop he hopes will become more common on Waikato farms.

The new rotary dairy at Cranleigh was completed in time for this season’s milking. should be using every blade of grass to feed the cows, not just as a cover crop.”

However, Alan says he’s more interested in the work the cover crop does in retaining and enhancing the soil structure and life, than using it to feed animals.

Data

Alan has 20 to 30 years of data about the performance of the paddock, including when maize was sown each spring. “It turns out October 12 is the most common planting date but I don’t just stick to that. Weather and

soil temperature are taken into consideration.”

Alan is a board member of the Foundation for Arable Research and has had up to 12 different research projects undertaken at Cranleigh.

One of the aspects of the farm’s management, which no doubt makes it ideal for research, is the fact that Alan has his own cultivation and sowing machinery and equipment. This means he can prepare and sow crops at the optimum time. “At times there is only 24 to 72 hours between harvest and planting the next crop to

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SUMMER CROPS

Page 29

Aim – 40 to 50 tonne drymatter Barley is not commonly grown in the Waikato but this crop at Cranleigh, near Te Awamutu, looked promising. make the best use of heat units, so the optimum yields can be obtained.”

His aim is to produce 40 to 50 tonne of dry matter per hectare across the cropping area of the farm – and timing is crucial in achieving the goal, so Alan has invested in his own gear rather than use contractors.

While Near Flat is his best performing maize paddock, Alan also grows crops on other parts of the 270 ha property near Te Awamutu. “Twenty per cent of the dairy platform is in some sort of summer crop, including chicory and turnips.” Dairy shed effluent is used on the cropping paddocks, including Near Flat.

Cropping helped Cranleigh get through last summer’s drought.

“Despite the drought, this was the first dry summer where I felt comfortable about our feed supply. In the previous two droughts we suffered quite badly and had to dry cows off early.”

Divisions

Cranleigh milks 650 cows, raises 600 to 700 calves and sells off about one-third of the maize grain and the same amount of maize silage, which it grows. It also brings in 35 per cent of supplementary feed, including some palm kernel; and the property also runs 50 to 80 sheep.

“Each division of the farm is treated as a separate business model; and although there is some sharing of plant, equipment and staff, each has to pay its way individually. Keeping each sector as a separate entity enables Alan to gauge its performance, and profits or losses are not masked by other sectors.

The Henderson family doesn’t shy away from change in order to keep Cranleigh financially viable. In the past it has been a sheep farm, a dry stock farm, a cropping farm, and even for a time, it ran deer. Today, it is a mixed dairy and cropping farm with an established nashi, apple and kiwifruit orchard in one corner, leased to an orchardist.

Twenty-five years ago maize at Cranleigh was harvested using the cribbing method of putting cobs in baskets to dry. “We were the first growers in

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the Waikato to do cribbing and the corn was used for corn flakes and corn chips. But humidity and disease in the Waikato made it tough going to achieve the quality required.” Now Alan employs contractors to harvest both the grain and silage crops.

As well as FAR researchers, those from seed companies also use Cranleigh for trials and Alan is happy to oblige.

“On one hand you could say some of the trials which don’t turn out so well cost me in terms of lost production.

But on the other hand I see it as one way of giving back to the industry, and I also benefit from being involved with scientists.”

Innovator

Alan is an innovator with a voracious hunger for knowledge. Working with scientists on his farm and through FAR is like having a university education without leaving home, he says.

Alan often uses what he learns to take research even further.

“I get to see the likely results before the research is complete and that gives me the confidence to try something different myself to see what happens.”

In that act, Alan says he is not alone.

“Farmers are the best researchers and they are excellent observers, who often have a lot more instinctive understanding of what is happening on their properties and with their animals than they consciously realise.

“Farmers are there to look after the environment and soil structure and they don’t set out to degrade the environment.”

Alan and wife Joy have three children aged between 16 and 20. Each has worked on the farm, including raising 200 calves during their last year at primary school, giving them a taste of the realities of farming, (including early mornings) and the financial rewards possible.

“We’ve set in place a family business so that they can be as involved as they want to be, either hands-on or in an administrative role,” says Alan.

It’s not surprising that someone so focused on farm performance, and

research and development, should also be astute about the future of the property in which he has invested – and he continues to invest, so much time, energy and thought.

By Elaine Fisher

Alan Henderson is more interested in what the grass cover crop does for the soil in ‘Near Flat’ than using it for grazing. There were worms under this clump he pulled out.

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AVOCADOS

Page 31

Avocado conference boost to industry optimism The New Zealand avocado industry’s biggest conference, Nutritional Values, is being hailed a success by growers, post-harvest operators and exporters for the high calibre of its speakers and the networking which took place.

The 5th New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference , held in Tauranga in September was attended by

more than 400 delegates and featured stands by 40 exhibitors promoting a wide range of products and services relevant to the industry.

NZ Avocado Growers’ Association Inc communications manager Midge Munroe, and the Avocado Industry Council Ltd, say feedback from delegates has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People enjoyed the chance to hear more of the bigger picture, where their industry fits in the New Zealand agri-business scene, where it is going; and especially the latest research on the nutritional values of avocados.”

Through listening to and talking with the

Industry-wide effort needed to maximise research Investment in avocado research has doubled – and sharing of knowledge and the involvement of all within the industry will be vital to achieving its optimum benefit, says Dr Alvaro Vidiella, innovation manager with NZ Avocado.

The industry has received Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment funding of $4.5 million during five years and that coupled with investment from Plant & Food and NZ Avocado will see $8 million going into research in the next seven years, with a higher proportion of the funding going to productivity research.

“NZ Avocado alone has 17 projects looking at seven areas of research and with all this activity we have to carry out, as an organisation, we cannot do it alone.

But as an industry working together with a plan we can reach our goal,” says Alvaro.

The research programmes will look at mitigation of alternate bearing, reproductive biology, new cultivars, tree decline, irrigation, frost and chilling and nutrition.

Improving the performance and consistency of lower producing orchards, and lifting productivity across the entire industry, is also a major focus.

“Our industry average yield is not very good and it varies very much. In the top 200 hectares for the last four years the average yield is higher but still not very high. However, we do have some orchards with high yields and low variability.”

Those high producing orchards will form part of the research studies; and Alvaro says initial research shows pinning down exactly what is happening on orchard

and what makes a difference to performance is not easy as an avocado orchard is a complex system where circumstances change constantly.

High producing orchards are found alongside those which don’t perform as well; and while some may have a unique microclimate or soils, management practices may also make a difference. However, even on high producing orchards, some blocks may not perform as well. Alvaro says Te Puke orchardist Robert Jefferies has carefully recorded the performance of all his trees for the last three years and identified some production limiting factors, including a cold spring with southwest winds which reduced fruit set and the impacts of a frost.

“This year, following a good spring, he is looking at 14 tonnes per hectare.”

By recording and understanding what was happening in his orchard Robert was able to change management practices and thinks his success this year is not only due better environment conditions but also better practices.

Alvaro says there is no silver bullet to solve the industry’s problems of irregular bearing but there is hope.

“We have to have an integrated approach and look at the different sources of variability in different orchards to see how they affect productivity and find which sources are the most limiting factors. If we understand when they become limiting we can develop best practice.”

Scientific research will be part of that development but so will on-orchard research; and crucial to it all will be continued communication between and involvement of growers, consultants and all stakeholders, says Alvaro.

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50 speakers at the two-day conference growers gained information far more diverse than that presented at field days.

“Growers also enjoyed the networking, which went on during every break and on the field trips on the third day. They had the chance to talk to the speakers, each expert in their own fields, to growers from Australia, other

New Zealand growers, and to people from the industry, which was very valuable.”

Midge says the conference’s underlying message is that there are still challenges for the industry but by everyone in the value chain working together the industry will create the bright future it has set as its fiveyear goal.

By Elaine Fisher

AVOCADOS

Page 32

Grower optimism high now and into future Grower enthusiasm for the avocado industry was clearly evident at the New ZealandAustralia avocado conference, with AVOCO, the principal sponsor, reporting optimism for this season and beyond.

AVOCO director John Carroll says he is pleased so many growers took advantage of the knowledge on offer at the conference. “The conference was better attended than we had suspected it would be, and there was so much positive feeling. Credit must go to conference organisers for a well-designed programme.

“The mood of the conference was very positive, and growers all said they were buoyant about the industry and its prospects going forward. It felt like a shot in the arm.”

AVOCO is forecasting a strong market this season, with likely better returns than last year. “We won’t be able to meet all of the demand in Australia, which augurs well for grower value despite the softer exchange rate.

Markets beyond Australia will be supported, but in a maintenance role,” says John.

Timing of the conference was perfect for AVOCO in that it enabled the company to confirm its message personally with so many of its growers – just as the 2013/14 export season

The AVOCO stand at the September avocado conference was a hit with delegates. Photo Mark McKeown/Musae Studios. began. AVOCO was formed earindustry,” says John. lier this year to handle the exports “We heard consistently positive of avocados from the Southern comments from growers regarding Produce Ltd-affiliated Team our sponsorship of the conference Avocado group, and the network and for our presence at the event. of growers aligned to Primor “This enthusiasm spilled Produce Ltd. over into comments about the It is now the largest grower professional look and feel of our grouping in New Zealand, with exhibition stand at the confera predicted 75 per cent of the ence, and how this reinforced that national harvest under its control. AVOCO is an exciting prospect “It was great to be able to confor the industry and for growers.” firm the strength of our message, John says such immediate our commitment and belief in the acceptance by growers was pos-

sible only because of the hard work by Southern Produce and Primor Produce during the last nine months.

“AVOCO has taken a lot of preparation to design and build.

This is a rock solid company built on experienced people, who have long-term, key customer relationships. Even growers not on-board AVOCO told us they liked the professionalism and strength we exhibited at the conference.”

Far from being just a shop window for AVOCO, the conference confirmed the value of the planning and discussions AVOCO conducted with growers across the country, John says.

“From early in 2013, we were careful to explain everything to our Team and Primor grower bases through a host of meetings, and stress that AVOCO is a long term project and commitment.

Existing growers have been extremely supportive without exception, but I must add we are seeing the signing up of new growers to AVOCO at a faster rate than anticipated.”

By Elaine Fisher

Promising start to avocado season Early season opening prices are better than expected – and there is cautious optimism avocado returns will be up on last season says Just Avocados marketing director Steve Trickett.

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“The Australian market looks promising as there is a smaller local crop, and at 2.6million trays the New Zealand crop is a nice comfortable volume to market – certainly better than the 1.15 million of last season,” says Steve.

Despite last season’s crop failure, and the fact some growers had little or no fruit to sell, the overall pool results were good. But Steve says it’s looking likely that result will be further improved upon this season.

The fact that 90-plus per cent of the crop is now in the hands of three main exporters, including Just Avocados, will also make a difference to how the crop is marketed, says Steve.

“The New Zealand avocado industry is both consolidating and maturing; and the disciplined approach we are now seeing in exporter collaboration and marketing will deliver real benefit to growers.

Just Avocados is proud to be at the forefront of that.”

Steve says the Just Avocado’s booth at the Nutritional Values fifth New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference in Tauranga last month attracted a good deal of attention.

“We received a lot of positive reports about our booth and the conference provided an opportunity

Just Avocado’s stand at the conference was a chance to show the depth and breadth of its experience in the industry. to demonstrate our depth and breadth of experience in the industry, that we know growers and their needs, know the markets and know avocados.

“It was also a chance for us to showcase our innovations including GPS tracking for orchards, as well as how we market and handle export fruit.”

Steve says there are still challenges ahead for the industry, solving the issues of irregular bearing being the major one, but $4million to fund research is a confidence boost for the industry that answers will be found.

If this year’s harvest yields the expected improved returns it will not only be great for grower incomes, but will also enable them to maintain and /or increase orchard inputs to assist with the production of the next avocado crop.

AVOCADOS

Page 33

‘Travesty’ avocado yields aren’t increasing Productivity on avocado orchards has not lifted in the last 40 to 50 years while apple and kiwifruit industries have significantly increased crop yields, according to Plant & Food Research Ltd senior scientist Grant Thorp.

It’s a real travesty for the avocado industry that yield hasn’t risen –and if growers continue to do what they have always done they will get the same results, says Grant.

However, avocados are not alone in falling to increase yields. Macadamia and mango growers suffer the same problem and research from the mango industry may offer findings which could be applicable to avocados.

Grant says high crop loads on mango trees can regulate the metabolism of gibberellin (a natural plant growth regulator) and inhibit return bloom.

“In avocado, as in mango, we need to understand when this inhibition occurs so we can optimise the timing and intensity of flower and/or fruit thinning to ensure consistent yield.”

Preliminary trial work on avocados in New Zealand appears to show removing fruit from the trees in February may

have a dramatic impact on flowering, Grant says.

“Two groups of trees were selected with moderate crop loads set from flowering in 2012 [all previous season’s fruit had been harvested].

“All of the current season’s fruit were removed from one group of trees in February 2013, and the remaining trees were left as controls.

“In spring 2013, the treatment trees [with fruit removed] have early and profuse flowering while the control trees with fruit retained, have delayed and sparse flowering.

Grant says repeating these treatments over time his fellow researchers will determine when fruit inhibit flower development, “so we can use crop management techniques to achieve more consistent yields”.

“If we really want to start increasing bottom line tonnes per hectare for avocado we have got do something different. The new paradigm for avocado orchards is going from big trees to small trees.”

The apple industry took 50 years to go from a few big trees to a hectare to where it is now –and one of the factors has been the use of dwarfing root stocks. “What we are trying to do is transfer the same principles to avocado trees. Progress has been made in New

Play to strengths New Zealand must play to its strengths with its cutting edge technologies, knowhow and strong environmental credentials to meet a world-wide demand for safe, high quality foods, says Simon Bridges, Minister of Energy and Resources, and of Labour.

Avocado is New Zealand’s third largest fruit export and the industry has come a long way since the first commercial plantings in the 1930s.

Its future will be enhanced by the recent government injection of $4million to Plant & Food and the avocado industry to lift productivity. Simon says the opportunities for the industry and the whole primary sector are significant thanks to the free trade agreement with China and others in the pipeline.

“Trade with China was worth $2 billion in 2007 but last year was worth $6.9 billion and continues to grow. In April this year China overtook Australia as our largest export market.”

Zealand, California and Chile to develop small tree, high density orchards based on the slender pyramid training system.”

In Chile, production from orchards with 1111 trees per hectare was by year four 20.6 tonnes per hectare.

“In New Zealand, in years four and five, we are not getting there. The trees are great but we are not getting the flowers in young trees. This raises another question: How can we get more precocious flower-

ing? We must be doing something wrong unless it is too marginal a growing environment to get consistent flowering.”

Dwarfing root stock and new cultivars may hold the answers; while other factors contributing to production levels include marginal growing conditions.

“You can’t always have perfect growing conditions, and [you] need to know your regions and the impacts of climate and soil are crucial,” says Grant.

AVOCADOS

Page 34

Avocado trees benefit from gypsum applications Gypsum helps promote the health and growth of avocado trees and kiwifruit vines and enhances fruit quality, says Lindsay Heard of Brenmark Horticultural Consultants.

“I have been formulating fertiliser programmes for avocados for more than 20 years and for kiwifruit over the last 30 years and have observed increased growth rates following good maintenance gypsum applications in young avocado blocks, both in Australia and New Zealand.”

Five to seven-year-old avocados to which gypsum has been applied have large, dark green leaves and healthy white surface feeder roots, says Lindsay.

Leighton Whitfield of Winstone Gypsum says using Winstone Gypsum “little and

often” year round and up to three times during growing season in avocados is beneficial. “It is certainly very good for in-row trafficking and reducing soil compaction as well as helping root health. Growers, who use the product, notice more white feeder roots.”

Lindsay says in recent years the weather conditions have been more extreme and soils have been very wet in winter-early spring then the soils dry out quickly in late spring-summer months. “The high rainfall periods at different times of the year have increased phytophthora root disease levels in avocados and kiwifruit.

“I have incorporated annual gypsum applications in the fertiliser programmes to increase soil porosity, soil aeration and drainage properties. Healthy roots are important too for good leaf size in early spring and to size new fruit from late spring to early summer.”

During the last four years gypsum has been band-spread down the rows in avocados and kiwifruit blocks, resulting in good levels of healthy white surface root growth every year in late autumn.

Gypsum (Calcium Sulphate) is pH neutral and does not alter the soil pH and is ideal to apply as a soil conditioner in blocks with high soil pH levels.

“Calcium has a role for fruit storage qualities and it is important that growers deliver high quality fruit to the market.

Gypsum is ideal to supply calcium inputs and enhance fruit storage qualities. Kiwifruit growers are paid storage incentives for good storing fruit.

I have observed the benefits of annual gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types and I will continue to recommend gypsum in fertiliser programmes for avocados and kiwifruit,” says Lindsay.

Innovation increases safety and efficiency of platforms The new Hydralada SB Self Levelling and adjustable track machines attracted a good deal of interest when they were displayed outside the ASB Area for the fifth New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference in Tauranga in September.

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improve soil structure, drainage & reduce compaction of in row traffic “I have observed the benefits of annual Gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types and I will continue to recommend Gypsum in fertiliser programmes for Avocados” Lindsay Heard, Brenmark Horticultural Consultants Gypsum improves Soil Structure by adding calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease which are often present in anaerobic soil conditions.

Gypsum Helps Reclaim Sodic Soils by decreasing exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) for soil improvement and better crop growth. The calcium replaces the sodium in clay-binding sites which can then be leached from the soil as sodium sulphate. Without Gypsum, the soil would not be leachable.

Gypsum Decreases Swelling Clays and the cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. Less swelling means less clogging of the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & Aids Seed Emergence resulting from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. Gypsum and lime can prevent crusting that forms in acid soils.

Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water from rivers that no longer contain leachable salts which can inhibit penetration into soil or causes soil particles to degrade. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs including fertilizers.

Gypsum Prevents Waterlogging of Soil where a combination of high sodium, swelling clay and excess water result in drainage issues.

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Hydralada Company sales director Jason Smith says many avocado orchardists with trees growing on steep slopes are very interested in the safety features of the new SB model.

“This new model machine includes a unique auto dynamic self-levelling system, which continuously monitors the slopes and enables the platform to operate on hills of up to 20 degrees while maintaining the chassis of the machine within 3 to 4 degrees in both X and Y axis,” says Jason.

“This state-of-the-art safety system ensures all four wheels remain firmly on the ground when working at heights of up to 10metres. Combined with the new Hydralada articulating boom, swivel base, and powerful four wheel drive, the SB Series has the capability to lift the operator safely to places otherwise not possible while maintaining maximum productivity.”

The conference, attended by more than 400 delegates, including growers from both Australia and New Zealand was the ideal venue for Hydralada Company, a specialist manufacturer and supplier of self-propelled elevating work platforms, to promote its machines.

Jason says the new Hydralada Adjustable-Track model is another innovative addition to the range.

This is optional on all Maxi Models (up to 8m platform lift height), and gives the ability to adjust the machine’s overall wheel track to a maximum of 3m.

“This increases the overall footprint on the ground, and dramatically improves both traction and stability. The width can retract into 2.5m to operate in confined areas and for ease of transportation.”

While Hydralada Company puts a very strong

emphasis on safety, it also knows that the machines must be productive. “At the end of the day, it is all about the overall output of the operator, and how much work can be achieved in a given length of time.

Hydralada Machines must not only be stable and safe to operate, but they also need to manoeuvre amongst the trees without causing damage to branches or fruit, while still delivering maximum work output,” says Jason.

With more than 38 years of experience in the manufacturing and supplying of self-propelled elevating work platforms, Hydralada Company has maintained a policy of on-going development, enabling it to introduce new models for many and varied end user applications. “While the fruit industry remains the largest market, the wide range of models now available from Hydralada is seeing these machines being used in other areas, where high elevation is required on uneven terrain. Arboriculture, building and construction, forestry, along with many other applications, ensures a strong demand for Hydralada Elevating Work Platforms.”

The new Hydralada SB Self Levelling machine can operate on hills of up to 20 degrees.

AVOCADOS

Pruning pole keeps couple grounded Katikati orchardists Judy and Kevin McNamara have found yet another useful tool for managing their small avocado orchard – and after successfully “test driving” it they’re ready to share it with other growers and gardeners.

“It’s a pruning pole saw, which can be extended up to four metres, and it’s very effective for pruning our avocado trees without needing to use ladders; and is ideal for managing other trees as well,” says Judy.

The pole saw is also an addition to the range of picking poles the couple already sell through their

Page 35

Avocados good for pregnant mums Avocado is one of the few primary foods able to make claims for levels of folate which may be beneficial during pregnancy, says Lisa Yates consultant dietician for the Australian Avocado Industry.

company, Site Solutions.

“We want to keep our avocado trees to a height which we can easily manage without bringing in hydraladas or contractors. The pruning pole saw enables me to cut off new growth from the ground.”

Judy and Kevin have 50 avocado trees, managed organically, on their orchard just south of Katikati and harvest fruit for themselves, friends and the local market. It has been their personal quest to find ways of safely and efficiently managing their orchard, which led first to the picking poles and now the pruning tool.

The telescopic picking pole, which extends out to three metres, has a cutting head which is operated from the handle and can cut and drop the fruit, or hold it to be lowered into

a picking bin. It can be operated from ground level without the use of ladders.

Judy says the ability to change the angle of the head appealed to her because avocados don’t always hang straight from the tree.

“We also like to thin fruit, which is touching each other to avoid rub marks, and this also reduces places for thrip to hide and that cause insect damage, as well as it decreasing fruit-loading in years of heavy cropping.”

The couple also sell a new 650 mm picker with the same rotating head which is not telescopic. This tool can be used from the ground or even more ideally from a ladder or hydralada, to extend the reach of the person picking fruit.

The claim that can be made for the fruit is wordy, but worthy, she says.

“Women of child-bearing age need to consume at least 400 micrograms of folate per day at least the month before and three months after conception. A diet rich in folate including avocado may reduce the risk of foetal neural tube defects. Half an avocado contains 59 micrograms of folate, 15 per cent of the required amount,” says the claim approved by Food Safety Australia and New Zealand Food standards code.

However, research among Australian doctors found that 64 per cent didn’t think avocado is an important source of folate and 29 per cent didn’t know the fruit contained folate.

Questions asked at a dietician’s conference in May 2013 showed they know green leafy vegetables are a source of folate, but few knew avocados are as well.

“In fact, avocado is the other green vegetable that contains folate, but tastes better. Avocado is important for mums and bubs; and avocado is a great first

Research funding, record local sales for avocado industry Collaboration across all sectors, and research and development are vital if the avocado industry is to become profitable and sustainable, says Jen Scoular, CEO of New Zealand Avocado.

“Developing and maintaining our markets to ensure returning value to New Zealand growers requires strong food safety and quality assurance; and for growers to grow avocados consumers want to eat. We all need to know and understand well what consumers want and provide that.”

If avocado growers are making money, everyone in the value chain will make money, says Jen, who believes that requires the collaboration of the industry’s 1600 grower across four growing regions, 16 registered packers and 11 registered exporters.

The industry is making progress on its fiveyear plan to achieve consistent supply of fruit and progress is enhanced by the successful bid, together with Plant & Food Research, for$4.5 million in funding from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment, for research which began on October 1.

The on-going Primary Growth Primary Growth Partnership bid involved collaboration of eight partners, including exporters, packers, industry stakeholders and growers, assisting with the submission.

Jen says the industry is starting to identify growers with high yielding, low irregular bearing orchards and finding out how they are achieving those outcomes – to help take the entire industry to higher yields and higher consistency.

“We now have research based on actual performance of the orchard, which lets us see what they are doing to let us develop tools other growers can share for their on-orchard practice.”

Developing markets is another goal of the plan; and the industry has achieved a remarkable result of a 32 per cent increase in value in the New Zealand market in the 2012-2013 season, earning a record $28.7 million.

Jen says the industry can also find opportunities in the global market where populations are getting older, food safety is a majority priority, and there is a continued increase in consumption of avocado. “There is an increasing demand from wealthy Asians for healthy food from a safe origin.”

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food for babies since low fat diets are not suitable for under-twos.”

However, Lisa says in January 2013 FSANZ gazetted a new standard for high level health claims for neural tube defects, changing the word folate to folic acid.

“Avocados will no longer be able to make the claim after January 2016, so we need to raise the awareness of folate in avocado now. After January 2016 we can use the general level health claim around the importance of folate during pregnancy.”

To help raise awareness of the health benefits of avocado, Australian Avocados has organised a number of events and trade exhibits aimed at fitness professionals, doctors and dieticians, who have the ability to influence the diets of their clients. A survey before and after the events shows those professionals had a better understanding of the benefits of avocados, including that they can be part of a weight loss diet.

The “Daily Spread” blog on the Australian Avocado website covers a range of weekly topics, and more scientific-based blogs for health professionals are also posted. A review of toddler snacks available in supermarkets with nutritional analysis, and showing why avocado is the better snack, received wide attention from a group Lisa calls “mummy” bloggers; women who have regular blogs online which attract a strong following.

Page 36

HORTICULTURE

What are our real biosecurity risks?

I think the three most serious biosecurity risks today are (in order of priority): seaports, fruit fly from Australia, and international airports.

There is a lot of fuzzy thinking about biosecurity risks. Often what is stated to be a risk is one driven by the media or the politicians. What we need to carefully assess and deal with is the real biosecurity risks.

Airports are a good example of fuzzy thinking. This is because we all travel through international airports and discuss how poor the biosecurity measures are at these airports. The media and the politicians also focus on international airports.

About five million passengers arrive each year at our international airports.

It is pleasing to note the Ministry for Primary Industries is managing biosecurity risks through airports by improving the controls. The ministry conducts annual surveys to assess how effective they are. This involves re-checking passengers once they have already been through the biosecurity controls at the airport. This year’s survey, conducted in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, involved checking some 6800 passengers to see if they were carrying goods that pose a biosecurity risk after passing through airport checks. The survey showed 98.8 per cent of passengers who had been through checks were not carrying medium or high-risk goods, including materials that may host fruit fly or serious animal diseases.

The overall compliance result for all risk goods was 96.9 per cent. MPI’s target is

98.5 per cent. Last year’s result was 95.3 per cent. The ministry has advised the shortfall was mostly due to low-risk items like used equipment, such as footwear contaminated with blades of grass getting past border checks.

This is nothing serious in terms of real biosecurity risks.

Other international airport initiatives include: • The recruitment of 32 new quarantine inspectors in August.

• The introduction of 11 new x-rays machines from October with 3D technology.

• Six new dog teams in place by the end of the year.

• Passenger-profiling so travellers who present the most risk, get the most comprehensive biosecurity checks.

My view is the ministry is doing what is required at international airports. Airports will always be a major risk; and constant vigilance and improved biosecurity are always required.

But when it comes to seaports, it is a different story. The seaport figures are: • 660,000 containers are imported each year with the rate of biosecurity inspection of containers as low as 1 per cent. The ministry has an initiative to increase the level of inspection and this is fully supported by industry. It is assessed that 90 per cent of the containers do not present a risk.

• Most of the containers are transported away from the seaport and inspected at one of 5500 biosecurity licensed transition facilities. But inspection is not by ministry staff, but by the employees of the importer.

• During the cruise season 250,000 passengers will pass through the Port of Tauranga arriving on more than 90 cruise ships. By way of contrast, Rotorua International airport only has a maximum 360 passengers a week. Admittedly, for all but a small number of these ships Tauranga will not be their first port of call.

The problem is there is no annual survey done about how effective the biosecurity measures are at the sea-

ports. The ministry is working to develop a way to measure this. My view it is very timely for the biosecurity measures at the seaports to be dramatically increased. Inspecting only 1 per cent of containers is not a sufficient measure protecting our primary industries.

Now add to this the increasing fruit fly risk from Australia. A fruit fly incursion would stop many horticultural exports; and for kiwifruit it is estimated this would cost the Bay of Plenty (based on 2008 figures) the loss of more than 3400 jobs and $820 million in lost earnings.

So what’s happening in Australia: • The Riverina and Shepparton Irrigation Areas, where a lot of New Zealand fruit and vegetable imports come from, will no longer be managed according to the Fruit Fly Control Code of Practice. In other words there will be no fruit fly controls in place and eradication actions taken.

• The removal of the movement restrictions on Queensland fruit fly host material across states, with the exception of the Greater Sunraysia pest-free area.

These changes came into effect on July 1, 2013.

The result is the chance of a fruit fly incursion in New Zealand has just dramatically increased and, when this is added to the level of biosecurity at our seaports, this is a real and present danger.

Kiwifruit Vine Health has asked for an urgent review by the ministry of the Australian fruit fly risk. This is critical. As an industry, we will continue to push for better biosecurity where there are real risks that require action. I ask that you write to your Member of Parliament asking for action.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily the views of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc or Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH).

The author is a Director of KVH. KVH was set up by the kiwifruit industry to manage the industry’s response to Psa and other biosecurity threats and incursions. Its members are kiwifruit growers through NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc, the post-harvest operators, Zespri and Turners and Growers.

windbreaks, shade cloths and ground covers.

Page 37

HORTICULTURE

More clover, A free fruit highway for all in Katikati less bloat PROVEN QUALITY PERFORMANCE VALUE

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We grew up believing that clover caused bloat – and there was no substitute for horsepower when it came to Bathurst with the way to increased horsepower being a bigger engine and more fuel down its throat.

I remember an experienced farmer telling me that adding potash to super was like increasing the octane-rating of petrol; and more potash did indeed appear to grow more clover but the incidence and severity of bloat also increased.

So with good reason ¬¬we believed that clover caused bloat. But just as smaller engine cars have been faster around Mt Panorama than the V8s there’s an increasing awareness that outstanding clover growth from early spring to late autumn is available without bloat being a problem. and Bloat is a result of the gut not working properly, resulting in a build-up of gas that reduces intake of me. feed and production. In severe cases animals die with E death often occurring quickly and unpredictably. ore and In 1981 Dr Max Turner of Massey University linked bloat with a sodium potassium imbalance, with a possible link between the incidence of bloat and the anty increase in application of potassium fertiliser. Our rs experience during 30 years is that when animals are showing signs of bloat, having salt available to them appears to lessen the severity.

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Red clover and lucerne are both classed as a Natrophobes (Dominion Salt Bulletin 3) plants that naturally have low concentrations of sodium in their leaf tissue. White clover is classed as a Natrophile, a plant that contains relatively high levels of sodium in its tissue and listed above ryegrasses, so there’s likely to be another factor.

Farmer experience is animals with a full gut entering a fresh break of feed containing a high percentage of D WATER STORAGE clover are much less likely to suffer from bloat than those that have not grazed for a couple of hours prior.

PDM pond In 2006 independent measures from intensive dairy properties, growing significantly more total pasture l irrigation, effluent annually than district average, showed pastures on these farms to contain on average double the amount of clover during the four months from September ne Warranty to December.

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Physical efforts to create the edible a group of Katikati families fruit walkway began in October who have been mucking in 2012 with 45 people planting 24 at a public reserve for feijoa and plum trees.

Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages nearly a year.

“The name KatiKaiWay – a play on words with highway and food – And supporters and volunteers Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during came from a group of parents and of KatiKaiWay, who donned their drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows interested parties,” says Jizzy. gumboots and armed themselves Last month, the community Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators with spades, wheelbarrows and project again called on families to gloves to plant trees in Gilfillan Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential muck in and plant more varieties Reserve last month, will eventually 20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business of trees, including persimmon, fig, receive free fruit in return.

Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate almonds, feijoas, citrus and nashi The August 17 planting day was pears. the project’s second large volunteerthe first 20 families who driven gathering to get the food Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz. orPlus, call Vaughan along received a free feijoa highway growing,INDUSTRIES says Jizzy Green, on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest came installation contractor.

EPDM liner tree for their efforts, “because we Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors who came up with the idea. feel it is quite important to feed the “We had volunteers beyond expecfamilies and to get food into their tation. After the downpour the backyards,” says Jizzy Green, who night before, we did not expect the works at Fairview Rd’s Katikati day would go ahead, so the mornKindergarten, near the reserve. ing’s sunshine was most welcome Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantagesThe group caring for KatiKai– we had Way is now made up of a host of about 36 adults and 15 children Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically duringvolunteers – who sought grants to all come to lend a hand.” drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows cover the cost of initial earthworks, Volunteers working the first bed and loading mulch Jizzy says the day saw only one compost, trees and stakes. for planting Ease treesofatdaily themanagement KatiKaiWay Gilfillaneffluent irrigators from in troublesome little hitch, the dingo could not Recently, a local landscape Reserve on August 17. remove all the turf, “so most of the Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potentialdesigner created a design for beds beds had to be hand dug, adding and tree positions, while mulch and 20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business more work to an already busy plantmany of the new trees were donated Insist on your FirestoneKatikati’s issued Warranty OllieCertificate Smith ing and mulching schedule”. for the August planting day. with a hand-full of “But many hands make light Jizzy says in a few years’ time, work, and we managed to finish Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, emailworms. : sales@cosio.co.nz. orthe callfruit Vaughan trees will provide produce most of the workINDUSTRIES by 1.30pm.” on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor. for Katikati primary and EPDM college liner Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors And those many hands – along breakfast clubs, give practical tree with the rest of the community – care experience to horticulture will be able to pick free fruit from students and offer free produce to trees in the public reserve in two to local families, “because even though three years’ time. we are fruit-growing area, fruit is The vision to ensure a free fruit still quite expensive”. supply for local families and “a The group also hopes to install place of plenty and beauty in the educational signs on KatiKaiWay. Bay” was born a few years’ back “And in two to three years’ time, when Jizzy and husband Mike had families will be able to go to the a brainwave while walking through reserve and pick their own seasonal the barren reserve. fruit,” says Jizzy.

With the kindergarten being an To learn more about KatiKaiWay, EnviroSchool, Jizzy says the organi- Evelyn and Lucas Byles call 07 549 0084 or visit their catch some worms at sation spearheaded the idea, getting Facebook page.

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At optimum grazing time, clovers on these properties are largely solid stemmed. This suggests the amount of potassium able to rapidly enter the plant forgetisrecovering upwith to 5less years reduced; andfor along bloat fully-fed animals these pastures are capable of producing close EVAgrazing for longer life to their live weight in milk solids annually.

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Page 38

KIWIFRUIT

Prediction of favourable returns Kiwifruit nominations open Nominations are open for the 2013 Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal, which honours the dedication, knowledge, excellence and passion of leaders in the kiwifruit industry.

Mount Pack and Cool Ltd growers are set to experience very favourable returns in 2013 as a result of a combination of high yields, good fruit quality, low fruit loss and MPAC’s very competitive service charges, says general manager Murray Gough.

“As a consequence MPAC growers’ incomes will much better than those of the majority of other growers across the industry.”

“The 2013 season was challenging for the post-harvest sector with smaller fruit and lower crop volumes due to growing conditions, the loss of the Hort16a variety to Psa-V and vines being grafted over The MPAC packhouse at Mount Maunganui in action. to one of the new varieties. This situation “In addition to its core business of packing and generated a surplus capacity, resulting in a very comcoolstorage, MPAC can facilitate the leasing and manpetitive post-harvest environment,” says Murray. agement of orchards, through its partner companies.

Despite this, MPAC packed three million trays of “After some turbulent years for the industry, MPAC green (Hayward) kiwifruit, 130,000 trays of Hort16A is optimistic about the future and is looking forward to Gold, and 130,000 trays of the new G3, G9 and G14 a new growth phase in its business. MPAC welcomes varieties. new clients to join in its on-going success.”

In addition to the high per tray orchard gate return MPAC is a kiwifruit packhouse and coolstore facility, for green, MPAC growers produced more trays per centrally located in Mount Maunganui close to the hectare, returning an average income of $56,400 per Port of Tauranga. hectare, an impressive $17,500 better than industry It services 100 growers and their 130 orchards average, Murray says. throughout the Western Bay of Plenty.

“With the new Gold [G3] variety reaching maturity, The Company employs 40 permanent staff yearand new clients coming on board, MPAC expects to round, and 200 seasonal workers during the main significantly increase the number of gold trays packed packing season. in the coming season.

The judging panel is calling for nominations from industry bodies, including Kiwifruit New Zealand, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc, research partners, suppliers and pack houses. The award is named after the Hayward cultivar, which remains the cornerstone of the New Zealand and international kiwifruit industry and refers to horticulturalist Hayward Wright, whose innovation and contribution set up the industry as we know it today. The winner will be announced and presented with the award at the Hayward Medal dinner on November 21.

A judging panel has been set up as a subcommittee of the Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council with representation from IAC, growers, and the post-harvest sector, as well as an independent member.

The judging panel will oversee the development, selection and presentation of the award, which will The first recipient of the be facilitated by Zespri. The award is funded by Fresh Carriers Hayward Fresh Carriers in 2013. Nominees must have made Medal was kiwifruit an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand plant breeder kiwifruit industry through: innovation that has Russell Lowe. contributed to the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s world-class performance; industry contribution involving voluntarism and selflessness that helps lift performance and/or unrivalled leadership or governance of the industry. Nominations can be made through the Zespri website: www.zespri.com

Kiwifruit and honey - sweet duo David and Julie Hayes brought their first orchard in 1990.

Today, they own 12.5 hectares and manage another 60 ha of orchards in the Katikati region – and they’re beekeepers too.

Originally green growers they converted a portion of their home orchard to Hort 16A; and in recent times David has converted several blocks to the new gold varieties – G3 (Sungold) and G9 (Charm) to improve productivity.

All Hayes’ orchards consistently have high production and early crops that meet the Kiwistart criteria of high brix and high dry matter. David makes the management decisions on the orchards but contract Khalon Contracting to carry out the canopy work.

David and Julie have packed their crops with Hume Pack-N-Cool Ltd for the last 11 years, saying the benefit of the company is its “open door policy” where direct contact with the grower services and management team is comfortable and easy. Hume Pack N Cool Ltd is honest and has very competitive packing prices, along with maximising the orchard gate return with their up-to-

want to take the

Maria Rogan, Hume Pack-N-Cool with David Hayes. date innovative packing technology, says David and Julie.

Ten years ago, to compliment the kiwifruit, David and Julie started their apiary business Buzz Apiaries Ltd. This services their clients’ pollination requirements, provides profitable honey production; and has led to their shareholding in HoneyLab Ltd. Honeylab formed by Lawrence Greig, Shaun Holt, Alan Barrett and David.

Specialises in medical kanuka honey products. Current brand Honevo brings to the market formulations for the treatment of acne, nappy rash and rosacea.

Brand Rubeeven specialises in the treatment of arthritis; and Kanu – an anti-aging bee venom serum.

Page 39

KIWIFRUIT

Vital to get it right for new varieties

By Tracey Chinnery – Aongatete grower services team leader

A large percentage of kiwifruit growers are now involved in new varieties and many will be facing their first crops. It is important that we send the right message with a consistent taste experience to the markets to make these varieties a winner.

Zespri has given a clear indication the G3 taste needs to be well managed to a high level; and will be reviewing the maturity taste standards again for this variety.

Things to consider up until flowering: Flower numbers – the sooner you can get your numbers to the level you wish to carry the better.

This will concentrate the size and taste accumulation into these numbers only. There is no point in aiming for record crop numbers. This can cause lower dry matter and consequently result in a large portion of your fruit payment being eroded by a low Taste Zespri Grade, or all or part of your crop being rejected for not reaching the minimum taste standard.

Pollination – The new G9 variety definitely has problems in this area with issues concerning male

pollinisers. Also, G3 flowers a little later than G9 and appears to line up exceptionally well with M33 and M91. With good male numbers and quality hives, pollination by bees is relatively straight forward.

Unfortunately, flowers of these varieties are only attractive to bees for a couple of days. So if the weather turns bad for a prolonged period then artificial pollination will be needed.

Prolonged Flowering – This can cause a huge variation at harvest; ways to manage this are thinning off late flowers to reduce your pollination window, or segregating fruit at harvest. At Aongatete we utilise near Infra-Red technology and can segregate greener fruit at packing for separate management in coolstore.

The team at Aongatete Coolstores Ltd has been involved in growing new varieties for a number of years and we offer a selection of services to our growers to guide them.

We can assist with all stages of development and have orchards available for grower visits at various stages of development from new grafts to established canopy and are always keen help find answers on specific aspects of growing.

Chris part of winning team He may be young and fresh faced, but Chris Anstis is a rising star among the Opotiki Packing and Coolstorage Ltd team.

industry average per hectare returns of $63,500.

OPAC managing director Craig Thompson says many of the company’s growers are feeling cautiously optimistic, particularly in light of the G9 results.

“It really is good news that even in the Chris won the Bay of Plenty Young presence of Psa-V, we’ve been able to Grower of the Year competition and grow and pack outstanding kiwifruit placed second – by just a few points and deliver excellent returns to grow– behind the winner in the National ers.”

Young Grower of the Year competiCraig says G9 was a real surprise tion. Chris also won the ‘business’ and package in the 2013 harvest. Last year, ‘innovation’ sections of the national OPAC packed 100,000 trays of G9 competition. with just 4 per cent fruit loss in cool “Though I’m a little disappointed storage, while some pack houses experithat I didn’t win the national title, I enced fruit losses as high as 80 per cent. was pretty happy to place a very close “Harvest timing and careful monitorsecond. It’s been good fun, but I know ing of the packing and cooling process I still have heaps to learn; and OPAC’s are absolutely critical to achieving staff and growers are great people to Chris Anstis. great G9 results. This year, all of our learn from,” says Chris.

G9 growers managed to keep Psa at bay. We expect And it’s not just Chris who is achieving outstandthe cultivar to achieve the best OGRs of all new ing results for OPAC – the company’s G9 growers in commercial kiwifruit varieties, with per tray returns Opotiki and Gisborne achieved average orchard gate averaging more than $13 – nearly $3 per tray ahead returns (OGR) of more than $108,000 per hectare, of the industry average.” delivering growers a healthy $45,000 more than the

New Varieties

Getting it Right

Got questions about New Varieties?

We offer: New variety consultancy Growing & conversion advice Orchard visits to see all stages of development Friendly, personalised service

For the best advice at the right time phone us on (07) 552 0916

Small enough for the personal touch, big enough to lead Successfully growing, harvesting, packing and storing high quality kiwifruit – whether green or gold – is challenging and technically demanding work.

Our team of growers and staff takes pride in getting it ‘right first time’.

We are known for our ‘can do’ attitude and outstanding results - from orchard to market. That’s why OPAC is the first choice for Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Te Puke and Hawkes Bay kiwifruit growers.

Phone (07) 315 8700 www.opac.co.nz

We focus on results - every fruit counts and every grower counts

KIWIFRUIT

Page 40

Kiwifruit company celebrates 30 years of growth Leading kiwifruit post harvest supplier EastPack has celebrated 30 seasons of packing kiwifruit.

EastPack, which began in Edgecumbe and was originally called Rangitaiki Fruitpackers Co-operative, is now New Zealand’s largest post harvest kiwifruit operator following its merger earlier this year with Satara.

Chief executive Tony Hawken has led the company through 30 years of continuous growth.

“From day one, we have always had, and continue to have, a reputation for looking after our growers – no matter how challenging the circumstances,” says Tony.

“As a grower-owned company, EastPack growers share in the company’s financial success. We consistently deliver industry-leading Orchard Gate Returns through our operational efficiencies, inventory management and our grower-owned structure.”

This season EastPack was the only

packhouse to achieve more than $5 per tray OGR – the highest return since 2003.

In May, it announced a $7.5 million before tax profit (after paying 20 cents per tray rebate in June 2012), for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

“We packed 21.7 million trays this season during what was a very concentrated packing period. Our combined capacity across our six sites enabled us to process approximately 20 per cent of our total crop in one week – that’s 4.8 million trays,” says Tony.

“That is testament to our loyal growers, our growing excellence LEAN manufacturing principles, and our on-going investment in technology and our staff.”

EastPack has saved 28 per cent in costs in four years through its growing excellence process and plant improvements. “Those efficiencies have enabled us to give back to our growers and to invest in research and development to help combat Psa-V.” Time has certainly brought huge gains in productivity, Tony says.

“Back in 1983, it took us six weeks to pack 65,000 trays of kiwifruit. Today, thanks to EastPack’s state of the art semi-automated fruit graders and sizers and robotic packing arms, it takes just two hours to pack that volume.”

EastPack has packhouse and coolstore operations in Edgecumbe, Opotiki, Te Puke, Katikati and Whangarei, employing more than 2000 people during the peak season.

EastPack CEO Tony Hawken has led the company through 30 years of continuous growth.

GROWER OWNED Your company, your profit Freephone: 0800 TOP OGR 8 6 7

6 4 7

www.eastpack.co.nz wav20858CC

To join us

Page 41

KIWIFRUIT

Spraying, transport services offered by contractor

Chris Jennings uses his Fuso truck to transport a wide range of equipment and baleage, as well as his Atom sprayer.

Chris Jennings has the skills and vehicles to provide services to the horticultural, agricultural and earthmoving industries through his company CN Jennings Contracting Ltd. Chris owns and operates an Atom self-propelled orchard sprayer and to transport that he has an eightwheel 1990 FS 416 Fuso truck, which is also ideal for transporting other machinery or even baleage.

“The truck is able to handle loads of up to 10 tonne, so I can transport earthmoving equipment, tractors, machinery and baleage; and I’m happy to travel throughout the Bay of Plenty from Otamarakau to Rotorua, to South Auckland and into the Waikato.”

Chris is an experienced kiwifruit spray contractor too; and at this time of year he’s applying high rates of copper to reduce bud rot and flower abortion, which hit many growers hard last season. “After that it’s a case of little and often for copper applications to help

control Psa-V, but it’s also important to feed the vines so I apply either Acadian seaweed, Alga 60 or AgriZest sprays.” Orchardists also need to be proactive with insecticide and fungicide sprays now; and Chris is able to both advise on what’s most effective and when, as well as applying the sprays with his efficient Atom sprayer.

“Growers also need to look after the health of their soils and if worm numbers are down, I can apply liquid vermicast drench to replenish the soil.”

About 70 per cent of his work comes through Aongatete Coolstores and Chris says he is grateful for the company’s faith in him and its support. He also acted as second in charge of truck co-ordination during this year’s kiwifruit harvest for Aongatete, and used his own truck to transport bins of fruit, tractors and forklifts to and from orchards.

Chris is keen to work with other orchardists and says while he has just one sprayer, he knows its capabilities and the amount of work he can handle to give clients the service they need.

Apata-Aerocool merger a logical step Te Puke-based Aerocool and Katikati’s Apata are to merge in November, creating a new kiwifruit post-harvest company with an 11 million tray capacity.

Apata managing director Stuart Weston says the merger is a logical step to create a “bigger, stronger, more flexible organisation”. To be initially called Apata Group Limited, the new entity will service 250 growers in the Bay of Plenty, Northland, Auckland, Wanganui and Hawkes Bay – and manage up to 170 ha of kiwifruit orchards. Joining forces will enable the new entity to meet the predicted significant growth in the kiwifruit crop when new varieties, gold G3 in particular, increase in volume.

“There have been a few tough years because of the impacts of Psa-V on crop volumes, but there is now cautious optimism in the kiwifruit industry and we are firmly focused on the next five years. We expected to pack eight million trays next season and 10 million the year after,” says Stuart, who is to head the new company. Apata Group Limited will also be the largest avocado processing company in the Bay of Plenty and is aligned with newly formed AVOCO, itself a merger between two former export rivals. “Talk and rumours of mergers creates concern, especially for staff, but we have been able to assure all

staff at Apata and Aerocool that there will be no job losses as a result of the merger.”

Directors, shareholders, growers and staff of both companies have been informed of the plans, and a special shareholders’ meeting will be held towards the end of next month with the “go live” date for the new company set for November 1. “We have been working towards this since April and know each other well thanks to working together, when Aerocool came under the Apata supply agreement with Zespri for 2013.”

There are many synergies between the companies and Stuart says the plan has generally been well received. Both companies are of similar size, have similar assets and have invested in state of the art post-harvest and coolstorage facilities. “The two companies have very similar cultures. Both have played a fairly low key role in industry politics and prefer to make changes by winning friends and influencing people rather than throwing rocks,” says Stuart. “Foremost, for both companies, are grower relationships and the new company will continue to be grower-centric. It will be part of our ethos to continue to focus on and work closely with our growers. “We value integrity and honesty and tell it like it is, whether it’s good or bad. “We see ourselves as the fruit people. Operational competency is very important to

running the business and we have hands-on people who understand fruit.”

The Apata-Aerocool merger follows that of East Pack and Satara in May this year.

By Elaine Fisher

My Name is Neil Woodward.

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

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

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

As G3 champions, DMS continues to closely monitor the industry pathway to recovery from Psa. Our early confidence in G3 was reflected throughout the industry with significant interest in the last round of licence allocation. The outlook for G3 remains extremely positive.

DMS have again grafted significant additional hectares of G3 this winter for our growers and the storage results for our 2013 inventory for G3 was again outstanding - we shipped 99.9% of all fruit submitted by our Growers. Put another way our fruitloss of only 11 trays was a small fraction of industry average - and that is true for all varieties stored by DMS. We are proud to be leaders in G3 – “DMS – The G3 Champions”, both on orchard and in postharvest.

But don’t just take my word for it, come and see one of our G3 orchards.

We invite you to our DMS Field Day. Tuesday, 22 October at 9.00am Golf Course Orchard, 56 Maketu Rd, Paengaroa I look forward to meeting you.

Paul Jones Joint Managing Director DMS and G3 grower

Lets talk...

Visit www.dms4kiwi.co.nz or call us on 07 578 9107

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

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

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

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

216 Pongakawa Bush Road Te Puke

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

Page 42

RURAL DRIVER

Outlander outclasses Whether it’s improving your pasture’s dry matter content, dealing with crop nutrient deficiencies or managing your stock drench programme – Kiwi farmers are all about making the best rational decisions.

But when it comes to farm vehicles – including motorcycles and quads – brand loyalty still has a huge influence on even the most old school grazers.

From Hondas to Suzukis, Yamahas to Kawasakis and KTMs, in the same

way you don’t criticise a farmer’s dog, you don’t mess with his chosen bike.

But after years of sticking with the big brands a growing number of rural landowners are looking over the fence to Can-Am – the Canadian-based allterrain vehicle specialists.

Eastern Bay of Plenty dairy farmer Greg Malcolm is among those singing praises for Can-Am’s Outlander 500 DPS ATV, which he recently bought to replace a major brand quad that was barely a year old.

Greg’s interest in the Can-AM ATV came from riding on a large station with

By Hamish Carter

another farmer, who seemed to be able to go pretty much anywhere on his Outlander.

“It just went a lot more places than mine could with a lot more ease, so I thought I’d get one and try it – and I found it so much comfortable over bumpy terrain, just nice and smooth.”

He rates the Outlander’s independent rear suspension – which is generally only offered in high end models in other brands – as a huge asset, saying it enables the ATV to be rode on a slope on the side of a hill without any fear of tipping.

“It handles the hills and rough terrain a lot better; and on the plains and flat land you just don’t notice the bumps and ruts. You just run over it nice and smoothly – you’re not banging your body around so much.”

On top of improved handling the other big attraction for Greg is “bang for buck”, with him reeling off a long list of features included in the price tag. Compared with quads at a similar price Greg says the Outlander delivers more power, front and back disk brakes controlled by hydraulics not cable, a clock and control centre “that measures almost everything”, alloy mags, powerful lights, a big carrier with rubberised platform front and back; and power steering that can adjusted for a heavy or light setting as you prefer.

Smart design and engineering set the Outlander apart from its opposition, with the likes of its twokey safety system that allows users with different skill levels and requirements ride the ATV under different pre-set settings. All 500cc Can-Am models and above come standard with two keys – one is programmed as a normal (full-power) key the owner can use, while

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Can-Am Outl SPECS: an Engine: 500c der 500 DPS ATV c V-Twin fo Max power: ur-stroke, fo 34.3 Kw (46 ur-valve Transmission hp : Automatic C ) Fuel capacity V : 20.5 litres T Max ground cl Max towing earance: 297mm ca Max carrier pacity: 590kg capacity: Fr ont 45kg, re ar 90kg.

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the reduced-power key could be given to a learner or worker.

BRP New Zealand manager Richard Shaw, from Can-Am’s parent company, describes the two-key system as an important safety feature that sets the Can-Am apart in its commitment to look after customers.

Other standout attributes are the Outlander’s 26” mag wheels and its grunty four-valve-per-cylinder Rotax 500cc V-twin powerplant that makes it one of the fastest ATVs on the market. The CVT (continuously variable transmission) system makes changing between gears and 2WD/AWD functions exceptionally smooth. The slightly wider clip-on mudguards are also a great asset for farmers, helping shield you from flying mud and dung as you pick up speed.

Can-Am’s generous suite of high-end features is helping the brand grab the attention of farmers and encourage them to cast aside their long-held brand loyalties when it’s time for a replacement ATV. Indeed, farmers are already voting with their cheque books, as Can-Am has stormed into third position in the fourwheel farm vehicle market in New Zealand, according to Motor Industry Association figures.

Since getting his Outlander three months ago Nukuhou North farmer Greg has been recommending his mates to try the little-known brand, assuring them they won’t be disappointed. Already he has a few friends looking at making the change.

Coming with an unlimited kilometre, three-year factory-backed warranty, the high-spec Outlander is a must try for anyone looking at their next 500cc farm ATV.

RURAL DRIVER

Page 43

Trial by tyre over rivers, cars, quarry All motorcyclists like to think they have well-developed skills – but the verts as well as 10 other sections over natural terrain.

On Monday the event continues at Meredith’s farm, best way to prove and improve your talent is by testing your mettle. No 4 Road Te Puke, with slippery tree roots, bush secBy Hamish Carter

Tauranga trial rider Gabby Gundry will be putting her talent to the test at the national Moto Trials Championship at Labour Weekend.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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tions and a rocky quarry being the order of the day.

For more information contact event co-ordinator Francis Sydenham by email: francis@sydmo.co.nz

It’s what Tauranga rider Kevin Gundry has been doing for about 30 years since he began competing in motorcycle trial events in his teens.

The competition which, unlike other riding contests, does not involve speed but focuses on skilfully negotiating an obstacle course with challenges that vary depending on the rider’s standard.

Competitors have a set route to progress through, on a special bike without a seat, with the aim to manoeuvre the section by successfully negotiating hazards such as rock steps, waterfalls, through creeks or on logs, without putting your feet on the ground. Every time the rider stops, puts their feet down, or falls off, they are penalised with the ultimate winner being the one with the least penalties.

Kevin’s whole family is involved in trial competitions including 19-year-old daughter Gabby, who has just returned from the Trial of Nations in France where, together with teammate Stefanie Downes, were part the first Kiwi women’s team ever to compete on the world stage – and finished in the top 10.

At Labour Weekend the Gundrys will be among riders around the country competing at the MTF First Avenue 2013 New Zealand Moto Trials Championship with events in Te Puke and Oropi.

“We are hoping the exposure will encourage others to come out and try it themselves,” says Kevin.

The championship will also be an Oceania challenge, with three riders expected from Australia. Competition starts at 10am daily.

Saturday’s event will be at Muir’s farm, No 4 Road Te Puke, with hazards featuring rocky rivers, and natural bush obstacles.

Sunday’s event at Grayling’s farm, Hereford Rd, Oropi, will feature two manmade hazards including old cars, large tyres and concrete cul-

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Page 44

COAST & COUNTRY

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 45

Film showcases green enterprises Two Bay of Plenty families who are living proof of people living eco-conscious lifestyles are subjects in a New Zealand-made film which premiered in Tauranga.

A well fenced farm helps manage both stock and the environment.

Protecting livelihoods for the long term Landowners can secure the productivity of their land and make a difference to the community they live in by taking action now to protect waterways and retire marginal land.

The amount of sedimentation that washes from erosion and earthworks into our rivers, lakes and harbours can be reduced by taking action on individual properties.

Without landowner effort to reduce sedimentation, our on-going ability to enjoy outdoor activities, gather kaimoana (seafood), and provide for wildlife in these special places is under threat, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council natural resources operations group manager Warwick Murray.

Council wants landowners to be able to get the most out of their land now and in the future.

“Some great progress has been made, but we need more landowners to step up and secure the long term potential of their land, livelihoods and communities.

Even small changes to land-use practice can make a big difference to sedimentation rates and council can help with practical advice and funding assistance.”

Hill country and gullies are particularly vulnerable to agricultural runoff and erosion, says Warwick.

“Soils become highly mobile when exposed to wind and rain, leading to a lot of sediment running off slopes under various land uses.”

Working to better manage these areas will benefit landowners through reduced fertiliser and property maintenance costs, improved pasture management and topsoil retention.

To find out more about the difference you could make, contact a Land Management Officer on 0800 884 880 or visit: www.boprc.govt.nz.

Landowners in the Tauranga Harbour catchments can now see where change is most needed in their area by viewing sub-catchment action plans at: www.boprc.govt.nz (search ‘catchment action’).

The independent film, rapidly gaining Kiwi cult status as it sweeps the nation, is called ‘Our Green Roadie’.

The documentary made by Nelson mum Emma Heke and her seven-year-old son Connor, features two Tauranga families – which were among 70 involved from throughout the country (with 50 making it to the film’s final cut), who lead eco-conscious and economically viable businesses and lifestyles.

Emma hopes to showcase the diversity of ‘green enterprises’ which the families are engaged in.

“We aim to dispel myths about green living and business, revive our entrepreneurial Kiwi ‘can do’ attitudes and create a heartening documentary that encourages us all to live our dreams for a better future.”

Papamoa family, the Powells, captured Emma’s attention with their habit of leasing lifestyle blocks long-term and living mainly off the food they grow on them.

Jane Powell says renting, rather than purchasing the land, allows the family to kick

Emma Heke and her sevenyear-old son Connor.

start their lifestyle each time they move.

“For us, to go out and buy a property and do what we’re doing here – it’s a huge cost.

Here we were able to expand on what was here already and do it right there and then,” says Jane.

Living in Papamoa for more than four years, the Powells have their own cows, making butter and cheese from their milk.

They also have chickens and their own vegetable gardens. “We’re relatively self-sufficient in food.”

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DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

And Jane says the sustainable lifestyle isn’t time consuming or difficult – rather it’s just about adapting to a routine.

“It’s just our way of life.”

“Some people get up and do yoga every morning. [My husband] Kevin gets up and hand milks the cows.”

Jane is thrilled with Emma’s film and says it beautifully shows off the benefits of ‘green’ living.

“It’s really great. There is some amazing footage in there.”

By Corrie Taylor

Page 46

CONTRACTORS

Safe bridges are a vital farm asset

Soils

Zest

09 to

nz

ment

Bridges are a vital access link on many farms but unless properly built and maintained they can be at the least, unreliable, and at the worst, deadly, says Nigel Miller of Select Bridges.

Old farm bridge constructed from an ex-railway carriage, rusted and not strong enough to carry its intended loadings.

“I have seen bridges which have collapsed under the weight of trucks because they either weren’t properly constructed in the first place, or the maintenance hadn’t been kept up.”

Several of the bridges he’s seen have been built from old railway carriages, which are now rusting away. Others, although well-built and designed, have been affected by eroding stream banks or floods.

It was a project to construct a bridge on the family farm which made Nigel and his father-in-law John Shallue aware of the need for a company specialising in building and maintaining farm bridges.

“We realised there were few

Select Bridges constructed this new bridge, with a design life of 100 years, from pre-stressed concrete.

companies offering a full design, consent and construction service, plus inspection and maintenance of existing bridges, so with John’s 35 years’ experience in civil contracting, we decided to form our own company, ” says Nigel.

Since then Select Bridges has built, repaired and replaced bridges throughout the North Island.

The bridges, ranging from 4 to 40 metres long, are built on-site to a class 1 standard, which is for bridges to be able to carry a 44 tonne truck and trailer unit.

Constructed from steel or concrete beams, they take on average, between one and three weeks to complete, with a heavy lift crane

brought in to put beams in place.

“Increasingly farmers are also putting in bridges to keep stock out of waterways and our bridges have curbing to direct effluent away from streams.”

Nigel says bridges are a valuable and essential link on farms and should be insured. “We can carry out assessments for insurance purposes; and in many cases, insurance companies will provide full replacement cover for bridges.”

Having bridges which meet the required standards is also vital for the farming business, as companies such as Fonterra may refuse to send its tankers to farms with bridges deemed unsafe.

When the dust settled – he couldn’t move “I was on my back, my neck and head jammed in the top of the door frame … with my knees and legs dangling back towards my face. It was like the whole weight of the chopper was resting on my head, bending my neck forward so my chin was resting on my chest.

“What scared me most, as I surveyed the wreck from my precarious position, was the lack of pain.”

That’s how Rob Cook describes the seconds after a helicopter crash which left him paralysed in a book he has written with Carl Curtain titled ‘When the Dust Settles’.

Rob was flying with experienced pilot Zebb Lesley, mustering cattle on the remote Australian cattle station Supplejack Downs, when the accident happened. Stepping into the chopper for that flight was,

Rob writes, the last step he was to ever take.

His book doesn’t begin with the crash, but with his own love of flying and an earlier accident in a one-man gyrocopter which he walked away from unscathed – apart from the financial loss of the wrecked machine. He writes of family and farming at Supplejack, of riding horses and becoming a professional bull-rider; then the crash and his recovery and becoming the first person in a powered wheelchair to be awarded the Nuffield Australia scholarship.

Rob decided to focus his research on technology and what could be adopted to enable injured farmers like himself to remain productive in the beef industry.

It’s an inspiring story of despair and delight, but most of all of endurance, resilience and the support of family and friends.

Thanks to publishers ABC Books, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘When the Dust Settles’,

by Rob Cook with Carl Curtain, to give away. To be in to win email ‘Book Prize’ along with your name, address and phone number to: elaine@ thesun.co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Book Prize, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than October 17. The winner will be announced in the November Coast & Country.

CONTRACTORS

Page 47

Serious machinery for serious work All Terrain Chipping has been operating out of Katikati for the last 12 years.

But despite being located in the Bay of Plenty, as the business and demand has grown, it has carried out work as far north as Kaitaia to Wellington in the south and most areas in between.

Specialising in all aspects of whole tree removal from felling, logging and chipping through to mulching and stump grinding, the work carried out during the years ranges from large scale civil projects clearing kilometres of trees for new roading to creating blank canvases for new golf courses and power stations.

Having the largest transportable chippers in the country gives All Terrain

removing unwanted trees and Chipping unmatched chipping, creating a product versatility and an edge ideal for standoff pads and over their competianimal bedding; and in most tors, so it comes as no instances that produced surprise their slogan is

by All Terrain chipping is “serious machinery for cheaper than buying in chip serious work”. and having it delivered to However, this does not site. limit them to only large The friendly team at All Terscale projects. Much of rain Chipping are experienced their work is carried out in orchards, removAll Terrain Chipping specialises in in all aspects of tree work, and are more than happy to come ing shelter belts and all aspects of tree removal. to your property, discussing un-productive kiwifruit options and creating solutions – no matter the scale of blocks, with the ability of processing your project. vines, posts and wire, separating the wire from ground material.

Farmers account for a large portion of the work, which includes felling and

Training essential Agri sectors beneficiaries of grants part of industry Grants totalling $133 million for 21 new research projects to support innovation and environmental management in the dairy, meat, horticulture, cropping and wider agri-food sectors has been announced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The funding goes to the five partners in the Lincoln Hub – AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research.

In the largest programme to receive funding, DairyNZ will lead a nationwide $24 million project – $21 million from the Government with additional funds from the industry – to reduce nitrate leaching losses from dairy, arable, beef, sheep and mixed farm business. The six-year project will combine research across the five organisations in the hub, in partnership with the Foundation for Arable Research, to develop pasture and cropping sequences that are more efficient at reducing nitrogen in urine and capturing nitrogen in the field.

“We’re going to combine the expertise and resources of three Crown Research Institutes, one university, and industry bodies to solve the twin

challenges of increasing New Zealand’s agricultural exports while reducing the environmental footprint of farming,” says DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle. “We estimate that successful implementation of the findings of this research will help bring about longterm economic benefits worth around $2 billion per annum to the country.”

Other research funding will improve the economic and environmental efficiency of New Zealand farming through the improvement of new irrigation and pollination technologies across the sector; as well as the development of next generation bio-pesticides for the control of pests and diseases reducing productivity of pastoral, horticultural and arable crops. Export returns will also be increased through the development of new cultivars and production technologies for the horticulture sector; and in the dairy sector new research will boost production and exports of goat and sheep dairy products.

The Lincoln Hub brings together five partners – AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research – to create a world-class agricultural research and education facility. The hub will support the doubling of exports from New Zealand’s primary sector to $60 billion by 2025.

Rural Contractors New Zealand supports and promotes training and education in the industry with a focus on training administered by industry training organisation InfraTrain New Zealand.

National certificates are registered with the NZ Qualifications Authority and people under the age of 22 can take up training through the modern apprentice scheme, which provides extra support for both employers and employees.

National Certificate in Infrastructure Works - Level 2 with an optional strand in Rural Contracting is an introductory qualification aimed at young people or those who have just entered the industry. It provides training in essential safety, and a range of introductory skills.

National Certificate in Agrichemical Application - Level 3 or 4 is an essential qualification for those involved in chemical application. It is the pre-requisite for the Registered Chemical Applicators Certificate, which is mandatory for many tender applications.

National Certificate in Agricultural Contracting - Level 3 covers areas such as land development, drainage, cultivation and crop establishment, harvesting, roadside vegetation control, tree and hedge trimming, and tracks/lanes and building site construction.

National Certificate in Infrastructure Works Supervision - Level 5 with an optional strand in Rural Contracting Management is a higher level certificate designed for people who manage a contracting business. It has plenty of scope to teach a wide range of skills in management; and includes scheduling project resources, monitoring quality assurance, and health and safety.

National Certificate in Fencing (through AgITO) - Level 2 or 3 comprises Level 2 Introductory and a Level 3 Certificate in Fencing, both electric and non-electric.

Much of the training is done on the job, so that you earn as you learn. Further information can be found on the InfraTrain web site: www.infratrain.co.nz

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Page 48

EARTHWORKS

Kaituna diversion to benefit environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council has chosen its preferred option for its plan to re-divert the Kaituna River and create new wetlands in the area.

cerned about erosion of Papahikahawai Island and Maketu Spit. Issues included navigation and erosion, landscape and access, cultural and social issues, ecology and natural hazards.”

Modifications from the proposal include moving the proposed intake for the re-diverted flow further

The regional council has chosen the second of two options, which maximises the flow into the Ongatoro/Maketu The plan of estuary while keeping Te Tumu Cut the proposed open for flood protection. The option diversion of the 2 concept design has been modified to Kaituna River. take into account feedback from the community.

Regional council’s project manager Pim de Monchy says the preferred option would likely lead to significant ecological improvements and reduced sedimentation in the estuary.

“The preferred option would increase the mauri [life force] of the area by allowing up to four times more water from the Kaituna to flow into the estuary. Some private land will need to be used to complete the project.”

“The Maketu community has been upstream to maximise the amount of fresh water and concerned about degradation of their estuary, largely minimise salt water on the incoming tide entering the due to opening of Te Tumu Cut in 1956. This made estuary through Te Tumu Cut. The preferred option the estuary more saline, leading to the loss of 95 per will be modelled and assessed to determine environcent of estuarine wetland area and reducing the estumental effects in detail, as well as the cost and risk. ary’s ability to flush out sand and mud,” says Pim. The regional council expects to lodge resource The project aims to re-divert more of the Kaituna consent applications, and a notice of requirement, in River’s flow through Ongatoro/Maketu Estuary while keeping Te Tumu Cut open, and to re-create at least 20 mid-2014 to designate land required for the project, with construction planned to start by the end of 2015 hectares of wetland habitat. once all consents and requirements are met.

The project team had consulted with landowners, The project team will be talking with the community tangata whenua and the community during the last about the next steps in the project, negotiating with few months on the two options, holding public meetlandowners, assessing technical requirements, planings, drop-in sessions and meetings with individuals. ning, construction, operation and maintenance costs, Of the responses received, almost three-quarters supand assessing environmental effects and alternatives. ported the project, six per cent were opposed and the For further information, visit: www.boprc.govt. rest were neutral, says Pim. nz/kaitunamaketu or call Project Manager Pim de “More than half did not choose between options 1 Monchy on 0800 884 881 extn 8518. and 2, but those who preferred option 2 were con-

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EARTHWORKS

Page 49

Attention to detail for erosion control It is vital that erosion and sediment control is effectively integrated into the planning and implementation of management of an earthworks project.

A Bay of Plenty Regional Council fact sheet on overall site management says erosion control can be broken into two main elements: runoff control and surface stabilisation.

Erosion control relies on avoiding erosion as early as possible, before soil particles become dislodged and mobilised. Erosion control techniques that are implemented effectively can result in very high levels of control.

Most of the erosion control techniques

important and effective methods of control on earthwork sites is to ensure there is control of stormwater runoff, both on-site as well from above the site.

There are some key principles relating to control of stormwater runoff for earthworks sites. Clean stormwater should be separated from dirty (sediment contaminated) stormwater at all times.

All sediment contaminated stormwater should flow through some form of sediment treatment system prior to discharge off-site or into a reticulated stormwater system.

To ensure on-site velocities are kept low, run-off channels controlling stormwater flow off disturbed areas

KEVIN WADE

FARM DRAINAGE & EARTHWORKS This new culvert is to help with the serious problems on this property with stormwater control and the existing drainage systems. are relatively low-tech and simple to implement. However, they often require a high degree of attention to detail to be effective. Erosion control measures target splash erosion, sheetflow erosion, and rill erosion.

The council says one of the most

should be constructed on grades that are as flat as possible.

Where channel slopes exceed two per cent grade, channels should be stabilised to control erosive velocities (for example, line with geosynthetic fabric, use check dams etc).

Minimise adverse effects of track construction

It is important to design the farm track to do the job required – and it is also important to minimise offfarm adverse effects.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council advises farmers to route tracks so that construction will involve moving as little soil as possible. This will reduce erosion risks and construction costs.

• Avoid unstable slopes and wet areas.

• Use the natural contours of the land, but avoid natural water ways.

• Select the correct machinery for construction to reduce impact and cost.

• Use an excavator rather than a bulldozer on steeper terrain.

• Plan track water control from the top of the track and work down to select sites for cut-offs and culverts.

• Stream approaches should be as flat as possible.

• Minimum culvert size should be 300 mm, with headwall protection at both inlet and outlet.

• Seek technical advice on correct size of culvert pipes.

• Time construction to avoid the wet periods, which hamper construction and compaction of fill. Carry out earthworks in mid-to-late summer and complete in time for autumn over-sowing of bare areas.

• Avoid waahi tapu and archaeological sites.

A resource consent will be required if the proposed track: crosses a slope of 25° or more; crosses an Erosion Hazard Zone; disturbs a wetland; involves a cut of 2000 m3 or more. Seek advice from an Environment Bay of Plenty land management officer.

(Source Bay of Plenty Regional Council www.boprc.govt.nz/ )

Phone 0274 968337 or 07 884 6784

Page 50

FORESTRY

Removing pests so native birds, insects can survive More than 600 pests have been eradicated from dense native bush near Rotorua in the first stage of an on-going operation to give native birds, insects and reptiles a chance to flourish.

forest to a pre-human state. We’re working closely with Project organiser James Fitzgerald, of Rotorua Canopy DOC and have a five-year plan for maximising our Tours, says during Conservation Week 270 possums, combined efforts within the wider area of this native 351 rats and mice and six stoats were taken from 10 reserve,” says James. kilometres of trap lines set with 525 traps. In the The Department of Conservation (DOC), which first 36 hours alone, the network of pest-specific, manages the 500 hectare reserve, has been providhumane traps caught half a tonne (376) pests. ing technical support to the project and is working “We had hoped to trap three tonnes of pests with Rotorua Canopy Tours, assisting with its during that week but didn’t because we pretty results monitoring programme. much obliterated the population in the first few Rob Griffiths, DOC’s Community Relations days,” says James.

Ranger for the Rotorua Lakes Area, reiterates the The success of the project will also be amplified major problem contributing to declining bird further by the time of year – removing such high populations in forests like this one is eggs and volumes of pests just prior to breeding season immature chicks are easy prey for predators such as (October-December) will give the new chicks a far stoats, rats and possums. So if eggs and immature better chance at growing to maturity – ultimately chicks aren’t provided a safe environment to mature, re-populating the dwindling numbers of native the flow-on effects are devastating. birds.

“We applaud this programme. This is a great example Conservation Week is over but the project will conof a business working in partnership with DOC tinue with traps checked every 10 days. James says to achieve significant conservation gains in an area the project has been successful in trapping pests that contribute to the devastating incidence of native bird Shane O’Driscoll and Bradley that all New Zealanders and international visitors deaths, which Landcare Research estimates at 26 Gibbons from Rotorua Canopy can be proud of and enjoy.

“The scope of the company’s vision to control million every year throughout New Zealand.

Tours with some of the pests pests throughout the 500 ha reserve is fantastic and The project’s high success rate has been a culmitrapped during an on-going we’re delighted to be working with James and his nation of best practise methodology as well as the control programme. team on this significant conservation initiative,” labour-intensive pre-feeding effort James’ teams says Rob. To allow New Zealanders to directly get involved, James undertook in the weeks leading up to Conservation Week. “We has set up a website where people and businesses can sponsor one of pre-fed all the traps with a mixture of cinnamon, aniseed and peanut 525 traps that have been laid across the 10 km trapping network and butter as a way to draw as many pests into the traps as possible. With follow its individual success online. The money raised will help pay the pests becoming increasingly familiar with the traps, we’ve been for on-going eradication of predator species within the reserve during able to make a much bigger impact.”

“This is part of a long-term vision we hold, to restore this amazing the next five years.

Wherever you go, there you are – proverb Life is a journey – and it is happening now. Life is not an event. Many farmers (but not only farmers) long for a time when there is enough money, enough time, enough stock feed – enough love.

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small tractors & mowers

Well there is, right now, enough. Yesterday has gone and tomorrow is yet to arrive. Do we humans all live in the past, not in the future, and not in the now? Life is not about reaching a station, it is about the journey.

There is a wonderful Zen proverb: “Where ever you go, there you are”.

Trusting life – this is it. Many people do not trust. They won’t trust their luck, their partner, their bosses, the weather, the cows, the grass etc. Farmers may need to change their views on trusting life and the universe.

It will just take the strain out of everything.

I am personally very trusting of everything and everyone, by and large I get along brilliantly and the odd thing will cross me but

I deal with it when it happens. I do not fear in anticipation, nor do I ever try to get even on past wrongs. There is no point in trying to get even, you need to get over it and move on. I see farmers who have been wronged and they spend the next five years fighting it through courts, looking backwards over their shoulders, only to waste a big portion of their lives.

Good luck – bad luck – there are no such thing. Events, some good and some bad, happen. Farmers need to learn from these events. See the bad ones as an opportunity and see the good ones as learning.

My accountant says that if you lose one of your key staff members instead of seeing it as terrible and horrible you should see it as an opportunity. This could be an opportunity to find someone different, may be even better, more interesting, or someone who you can learn from and they in turn learn from you.

Every period in life has something new to teach us. “The harvest of youth is achievement; the harvest of middle age

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is perspective; the gravest of old age is wisdom,”- John Chittister.

Being truly grateful for life, is as good as it is important. Being thankful that you have a good family, a nice farm or property is important.

We need to be grateful that our health is as good as it is. Say thanks to the people who are kind and helpful. Show some gratitude, rather than being grumpy all the time. Let people into the traffic, but don’t expect them to be grateful.

Here’s a little story of mine. If you pick up a bird off the side of the road and nurse it back to life, would you expect gratitude from the bird when you let it go? No. So don’t expect gratitude from people when you show them kindness either. I have found that being grateful to people and sending them letters and notes and small gifts always gives a very good response.

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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.

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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 51

International celebration for company’s centenary More than 500 primary producers and farm machinery dealers from throughout New Zealand and Australia gathered in Christchurch to celebrate the centenary of CLAAS, the world’s largest family-owned agricultural engineering equipment manufacturer.

The company has successfully lodged more than 3000 patents for innovation in agricultural engineering and technology during the last 100 years.

Under the stewardship of Helmut Claas, whose reputation as an engineer has been recognised worldwide, CLAAS has grown to become a global leader in grain and forage harvesting technology.

Recently, the iconic German brand successfully entered tractor and telehandler markets.

Co-hosted by Landpower, which represents CLAAS in both countries, and its 100 years of CLAAS Landpower CEO Richard Wilson, Landpower chairman Herby local dealership, CLAAS Harvest Centre Whyte, Landpower director Trevor Burt, CLAAS regional export manager Elke Canterbury, the event was held at the Hoyermann, and Landpower director Merv George.

Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Timed to coincide with the end of the the Tasman. “We want to be seen as farm machinery continues to make, to the global agrinorthern hemisphere harvest in Septem- cultural industry and to our individual professionals, not dealers,” Herby says. ber, the evening had a German bier hall “To do this, we have to deliver quality products, businesses.” theme, complete with ‘Oompah’ band expert knowledge, innovation and service that is Herby and Pam Whyte established and CLAAS Centenary beer imported second-to-none – courteously, enthusiastically and with Landpower (then known as Farmrite) from Germany for the event. urgency.” in 1975, initially to source machinery A highlight of the evening was an This promise is delivered via a network of 26 dedifor their own farming operations in extended satellite telecast linking the cated CLAAS harvest centres located through Australia Southland. The company has repreChristchurch event with the CLAAS and New Zealand. sented CLAAS in New Zealand since factory in Harsewinkel, Germany, and CLAAS Family Day was the culmination of a 1987 and in Australia since 1997. Along 17 other locations throughout the year-round calendar of events marking the 100th annithe way, Herby Whyte developed a world, including China, India, Ukraine, versary of the founding of CLAAS. close friendship USA, UK, Poland August Claas established his engineering works in with Helmut and Turkey. and Erika Claas, 1913 to manufacture straw balers.

The telecast, His development of the simple knotter in 1921 and now with which was hosted provided the cornerstone of the company’s growth and their daughter, by a number of success. He then turned his attention to harvesting Cathrina Claasmembers of the machinery, commencing what was to be the start of a Muhlhauser.

CLAAS family and long list of combine innovations and developments.

“This relationboard, including ship has been Cathrina Claaspivotal to the Muhlhauser, Patrick success of my Claas and Janbusiness,” Herby Hendrich Mohr, says. was watched by “When I more than 12,000 started out, I CLAAS employees was looking to at Harsewinkel and other representatives A centenary of relationships - Landpower choose partners CEO Richard Wilson welcomes guests that shared the and their families same sense of to the CLAAS celebrations. throughout the innovation, world.

Owing to international timelines, New quality, passion and commitment to improving a customer’s productivity and Zealand had the honour of opening efficiency. the programme, which included several “In CLAAS I found a partner who has short videos illustrating the diversity of the New Zealand and Australian agricul- proven these characteristics again and again over the years and another familytural industries. owned business that I have profound “Landpower and the CLAAS Harvest respect and admiration for.

Centre distribution network enjoy a “I congratulate them on their 100th strong and enduring partnership with CLAAS,” says Landpower CEO Richard anniversary and look forward to the next 100 years of innovation, creativity Wilson. and dedication to our customers.”

“We are extremely proud to represent Today, Landpower represents some the brand in this part of the world.

“We are here to celebrate and acknowl- of the world’s leading brands of farm machinery, including CLAAS, AMAedge the important contribution that from ZONE and GRIMME on both sides of the CLAAS family has made, and

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Page 52

POOLS & SURROUNDS

pools Kitset pools easy option Thermal hot attraction Pool Land, based in Christchurch, has been marketing pools and pool products nationwide for more than 18 years.

They sell a wide range of pools and pool accessories including covers, rollers, heat pumps, and auto cleaners; along with replacement pool liners, suitable for Para, Stern’s, and other kitset swimming pools.

Pool Land supply Stern’s Swimming Pools, including a new range of Bahamas and lap pools, both of which are suitable for salt water.

These are high quality pools which are easily assembled by the home handyman and are built to last. All Sterns pools are suitable for both above and in-ground installation; and most pools have a brace-less construction, which if installed above ground usually does not require fencing. Pool packages come complete with a high quality

pump, sand filter, vacuum cleaning equipment, skimmer box and eyeball return jet fitting.

Pool Land is a direct marketer ensuring very competitive pricing of all products to their customers and offering a wide variety of pool accessories, which can be viewed on the website: www.pool-land.co.nz

Thermally heated pools are one of the Waikato region’s most popular tourist attractions, says the Waikato Regional Council.

Every year approximately 2.6 million people visit geothermal attractions in the region, and most do so to bathe in thermally heated pools. Other attractions of geothermal areas include nature tourism and technology-related sites, such as the Prawn Park at Wairakei. The majority (60 per cent or 1.6 million) of visitors are from New Zealand with 40 per cent (1 million) from overseas. Tourism in geothermal areas contributed approximately $206 million to the regional economy in 2009. The Waikato region lays claim to about 70 per cent of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, but council says visitors can threaten the natural character of geothermal areas.

Consequently, a balance must be maintained so people can visit or use these areas without degrading or destroying them. Damage to geothermal areas can occur through: people not keeping to designated pathways; walking routes eroding due to foot traffic (although wooden boardwalks help prevent this); gravel from the paths contaminating pools and terraces; modifying pools for human use, changing their natural appearance; vandalism; littering and farming activities (for instance, through stock damage, runoff and siltation). Other pressures on geothermal areas include activities such as energy use and nearby land use.

POOLS & SURROUNDS

Solar cleaner for pools

Melissa Growden with her daughters Graceyn (left) and Katie swim in the clear waters of their pool thanks to this Floatron solar powered pool purifier.

Springtime and swimming pools can conjure up images of ‘the big pool clean-up’ for some people, but it really doesn’t have to be that hard.

Swimming pool maintenance can be cut to a minimum if you have a Floatron.

It’s simple, effective, economical – and best of all its natural with the Floatron being a solar powered pool purifier which means you can reduce chemicals by up to 90 per cent.

Craig and Melissa Growden, of Floatron NZ, have used their own Floatron (and sold Floatrons) for more than 16 years, and the feedback they get is wonderful. “This is definitely a ‘word of mouth’ product, because once someone has a Floatron they tell all their friends how well it works. People are often amazed they haven’t come across Floatron before, because it is such an easy system to use,” says Melissa.

“There is no installation required, and no need to change your existing filter system, or do anything

The Floatron pool purifier is solar powered.

different, apart from reducing chemicals and doing less work.” Developed by NASA to purify drinking water on space missions, the same technology is now used in swimming pools. So if the water is pure enough to drink, then it’s got to be pure enough to swim in. With Floatron there is no taste, smell, or chemical effects. “You save so much time on pool maintenance, because you don’t have to add excessive chemicals, or frequently test the water,” says Melissa.

“And, you save money too, because your chemical bill can be cut by an amazing 90 per cent.

“With today’s busy lifestyle, who wants to spend their leisure time cleaning the pool? The numerous testimonials from extremely satisfied customers reinforce its ever-growing popularity. Floatron is so good, that we guarantee it will work, or we’ll give your money back.”

Floatron NZ also supplies Baracuda Automatic Pool cleaners to make pool care even easier and is another way to reduce the workload.

Floatron solar powered purifiers are available exclusively from Floatron NZ Ltd, and are available at Gateway Caravans in Whakatane.

Pool chemistry all in a day’s work If the water chemistry in spas and pools isn’t right people can get rashes, sore eyes or allergies – and pool equipment and motors don’t like it either, says Matt Digby of Tauranga based MD Pools & Spa Services.

“If the pH is wrong filters, rubbers and motors wear out quicker,” says Matt, for whom pool maintenance and repairs are all in a day’s work. He’s been looking after pools for 18 years, including the last nine working for his own company. Testing the water and adding chemicals to keep it, and those who use it, healthy is part of the valet service Matt offers to his clients throughout the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel. Matt recommends spas and pools receive 30 minutes of attention once a week, including water testing, cleaning the filters, and removing any debris like leaves, worms and even the occasional hedgehog from uncovered pools. He visits the pools of many of his clients on a regular basis to take care of those details. “The business has been built on word of mouth and trust. We service pools at many high-end properties with rigorous security systems in place.

Our clients are often out of town and need to know they can put their trust in us,” says Matt.

“It’s surprising the number of people who have spas and backyard pools. In fact, there a lot of new ones going in too. People aren’t going out so much and many are making the most of their spa pools to entertain with family and friends, watching the rugby on big screen TVs with a brazier going to keep warm.

Others use them to help ease arthritis or sporting injuries.” As well as maintaining pools, Matt can help with repairs and has a supply of hard-to-comeby parts for older spa pools and can overcome most problems pool owners have – in keeping with his motto “I can fix that”.

Page 53

Page 54

WEEKEND ESCAPE

Retreat perfect place to realise dreams Many people dream of escaping the stresses of everyday life for a weekend or longer – and Ridge Country Retreat in the Papamoa Ranges is the perfect location to realise that dream.

Tucked away in 35 acres of lush native bush, the beautiful, environmentally friendly lodge is the ultimate in privacy and tranquillity – and so the paramount place to unwind and relax.

David Hindmarsh, of Ridge Country Retreat, says a range of retreat options are available, including yoga or health and weight loss retreats; and a gentle yet effective detox retreat, which includes raw food preparation and juicing workshops.

Each retreat is led by an experienced practitioner and generally range in size from groups of four to 15.

Beauty therapy and spa treatments are also available by arrangement. The retreat has spectacular views and there are tranquil bush walks to enjoy too.

Thanks to its wonderful setting, beautiful facilities and excellent cuisine, Ridge Country Retreat is a popular venue for weddings and conferences.

It’s also the location for romantic weekends away.

The 10 suites include six villas each with its own private geothermal outdoor slipper bath, fed with hot mineral water straight from the geothermal bore – perfect for a hot soak under the stars while enjoying the view of Tauranga City by night. There’s also a geothermal pool with panoramic views across rolling green hills and valleys, a spa pool and a massage and therapy suite.

“Close proximity to Papamoa avails the guests of Ridge Country Retreat a wide variety of restaurant dining. Meals may be delivered to your room from our partner restaurants, or for groups of six or more, a dedicated executive chef can provide a gourmet dining experience.” says David.

To find out more go to: www.rcr.co.nz

Each retreat is led by an experienced practitioner and generally range in size from groups of four to 15.

Ridge Country Retreat include yoga retreats.

Centrifuge stumps readers This month’s mystery item would be most commonly found in a workshop and as a hint has the brand name Stanley stamped on it. If you know what it is and perhaps have a story to share about memories of using something similar, or seeing one used, we’d love to hear about it – and you could be in to win a Katikati Heritage Museum visit for two.

Email your entry to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with the subject ‘Mystery Item’ or post to Mystery Item, PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than October 17. The winner will be announced in the December Coast & Country.

For once we had readers stumped with the September Coast & Country mystery item from the Katikati Heritage Museum. No one correctly identified it as an early herd testing centrifuge, which contained test tubes filled with milk and was used to determine the fat content of the milk, so the payout to farmers could be calculated. The centrifuge works on the sedimentation principle, where the centripetal acceleration causes denser substances to separate out along the bottom of the tubes and lighter objects to move to the top of the tubes.

WEEKEND ESCAPE

Page 55

Marine’s the theme - from watercraft to refreshments The Tauranga Boat Expo and On The Water Festival returns to Downtown Tauranga for a weekend of watercraft excitement on November 8-10.

The fabulous waterfront location of the Strand carpark is the perfect site for a marine-based event and the Tauranga Marine Industry Association has made the most of this space.

“This year’s event is more varied, showcasing a broad range of exhibitors from all around the upper North Island,” says event manager Dahna JeffaresBozinovitch.

“The harbour cruise and expo package will create a fantastic family day out.”

All three pontoons provide visitors the chance to explore a range of vessels, from jet skis and trailer boats to large luxury launches. The Wish for Fish charity has a children’s activities area and barbeque fundraiser running alongside the Hydrohub trailer, which provides an alternative to sugary drinks by way of filtered water bottle refills. The selection of food stalls and coffee vendors provide ample sustenance for the public, who can watch a diverse range of on-water demonstrations – and everyday there’s interactive activities.

“The festival has a variety of marine-themed food stalls; and the council’s proactive approach to recycling, supported by the Envirowaste corporation, has helped this event to become bigger, better and greener than before,” says Dahna.

The large marquee houses marine experts and a “recovery lounge” for a break from the hot November sun; and just outside, the Boobops will raffle off a pink kayak to fund their trip to defend the national Dragon Boat Racing title. A variety of large boats, trailer boats, kayaks, canoes, surfboards, paddleboards and accessories can be found throughout the expo, as well as masters of marine technologies ranging from electronics to fuel additives.

“Bring along the family and witness the remarkable on-water and on-land amphibious vehicle showcased by the Sealegs crew, and the local surf life saving clubs will be on-hand to talk about staying safe on our beautiful beaches – you may even catch a live water rescue while you are there.”

Tauranga Coastguard and the TECT Rescue helicopter will be there to show you the intricate process of rescuing from sea, give expert advice on marine safety and provide free lifejacket checks.

Entry is just $5 per adult and free for school-age children. More information is available on: www.boatexpo.co.nz or management enquiries can be made to Dahna on 022 398 7621 or email: info@boatexpo.co.nz.

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 56

Restraint of trade clauses in employment agreements A restraint of trade clause in an employment agreement may be used to prevent an employee competing with an employer; and be used to restrict an employee from soliciting an employer’s clients, suppliers and employees.

Without a clause expressly setting out the terms of restraint, an employee is generally free to work for a competitor, or to approach an employer’s clients without

Employment Law Services

restriction after the employment relationship has come to an end.

Generally, the courts are reluctant to enforce a restraint of trade clause against an employee, unless there is a genuine business interest to be protected, and the terms of the restraint are reasonable.

Regardless of the written terms of a restraint clause in an employment agreement, the courts are able to look into the arrangement and determine whether the arrangement is reasonable in all the circumstances.

The courts are able to alter the terms of the clause where they are found to be unreasonable. For this reason, when considering a restraint of trade for one of their employees, an employer is wise to ensure that: • The restraint is reasonable in terms of the geographic area and length of time.

That is, the restraint should be no wider than necessary to protect the employer’s business interest.

• The business interest the employer is trying to protect is clearly identified.

• The effect on the employee has been considered. It is important an employer does not solely try to restrain their employee from using their own skills, as opposed to the confidential information attaching to their business.

Restraint of trade clauses, and other similar clauses (such as non-solicitation and non-competition clauses), can be tricky – and professional advice on this issue is a good investment if an employer has concerns about protecting their business secrets, suppliers, clients and employees.

If you have any employment or HR queries that you would like assistance with, please email Wendy directly at: wendy@accordservices.co.nz This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice.

Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.

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Funding call for rural mental health When there are more suicides in New Zealand than road deaths, drownings and workplace accidents combined, there is a serious need to change tack, says Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson Jeanette Maxwell.

“Last year, 541 New Zealanders took their own lives and we know the cost of suicide painfully well in rural New Zealand.”

That high figure revealed in the latest annual suicide statistics, released by the Chief Coroner, is why Federated Farmers is joining the Rural General Practice Network in calling for specific funding for rural mental health. Chief Coroner judge Neil McLean says farming is tough. “You’re at the whims of nature and markets and you have no control over this – and it’s hard and demanding work in isolation.”

But Jeanette says despite this, the Budget 2013 did not include any provision to address what is believed to be an increasing rate of suicide in rural New Zealand.

“Federated Farmers agrees with the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network that rural mental health needs specific funding and it needs it urgently.

“It feels like mental health is where road safety was in the 1970s, before we got serious about doing something about it.

“The question we must ask is how much is spent upon campaigns to prevent road deaths, drownings and occupational deaths? We all agree these things are important yet far more rural New Zealanders will die as a result of deficiencies in rural mental health provision, than through a quad bike, for example.

“I know quad bikes accidents are visual and reportable, whereas rural mental health remains stigmatised – and in the case of suicide, [it’s] almost impossible to report.

Jeanette says given these numbers, some of the worst in the developed world, this prohibition needs a rethink – “not talking is just not working”. “Certainly, Federated Farmers will be showing interest when the Law Commission reports back on the subject.”

Page 57

COUNTRY LIVING

Orphaned birds, kittens need help Spring has arrived and with it our usual onslaught of orphaned and injured wildlife, mainly baby birds.

Especially after windy weather, we are inundated with baby birds brought in by well-meaning and concerned people – but often they’re better off without our intervention.

Many of these are fledgling birds (usually thrushes and blackbirds) that have just left the nest. They can often fly or at least hop around quite efficiently as they’re learning to fly and have their parents in close proximity watching over them.

It is best to observe them from a

distance to assess if they have any major injuries, such as a drooping wing or bleeding area. This being the case, intervention is appropriate and they can be gently caught and brought in for care.

For uninjured fledglings, they are best left to be raised by their parents. Where possible, return these birds to the nearest tree or hedge (difficult for cats to penetrate), or place them in a box at a height. For example, an ice-cream box can have drainage holes punctured in the bottom, be lined with wood shavings or leaves, and be hung from a branch or even a clothes line.

It is a fallacy that handling a baby bird will deter their parents from caring for them, but try to keep handling to a minimum.

Watch to see their parents return, (they usually do once they hear their offspring calling). If parents don’t return, or there is a high risk of cats in the surrounds that might prey on them, then re-consider intervention.

Non-native species such as

thrushes and ducklings may be hand-reared. They require feeding every two to three hours (but thankfully not through the night), for three to five weeks. If you are keen to help us foster these baby birds, please contact Sue Mackey by email: info@arrc.org.nz or call 07 579 9115.

Cat breeding season is well and truly underway and our first stray kitten was found in a flax bush by a kindly man driving his bobcat. At seven days of age it was healthy and strong but needed bottle feeding until it was old enough to feed itself.

ARRC’s team of volunteers are well equipped to help these kittens but with the high volume of kittens that are likely to be taken in during the next few months they are looking for people to help. If you have had experience rearing kittens and would like to volunteer, or if you are interested in providing a loving home for a friendly feline, please ring ARRC 07 579 9115 or visit: www.arrc.org.nz or Facebook.

The French secret in a capsule Well formulated supplements can introduce nutrients and compounds that can have profound health benefits.

Most people will have heard of the ‘French Paradox’ – this is the apparent contradiction that the French have a diet high in saturated fats, yet have very low rates of coronary heart disease.

The French diet also has one of the highest intakes of certain antioxidants found in red wine that help prevent cholesterol from becoming dangerous. Red wine is loaded with antioxidants, but the two with the greatest heart protective qualities are proanthocyanidins (OPC) and resveratrol. These potent antioxidants protect cholesterol from oxidation and can help reduce inflammation in the coronary artery walls. Additionally, they help to prevent blood from becoming too sticky, allowing good blood flow.

A study titled ‘Cardioprotective Effects of Dietary Polyphenols’ (Zern et al, 2005), observed the benefits these compounds have on cholesterol metabolism; and very importantly in reducing the inflammatory process that is a major contributor to blocked arteries. Both OPC and resveratrol can also reduce levels of inflammatory compounds called cytokines, which is why I always include therapeutic levels through supplements in people with cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Also, they are helpful for any form of inflammation as they deal with the source of the problem.

I first started adding these compounds from supplements 17 years ago and have observed their benefits in thousands of people. Like all antioxidants the real

benefits are when different antioxidants are combined at the right doses. The ideal solution is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dense diet combined with appropriate antioxidants, minerals and vitamins from well formulated supplements.

Though, it is very important to have a programme created for your circumstances, so feel free to contact me if you need some ideas.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health Ltd.. Join his weekly newsletter at www. johnarts.co.nz. For product information visit www.abundant.co.nz

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COUNTRY LIVING

Peak time to learn to garden is now We’re gearing up for another great permablitz season with several permablitz events planned for spring.

Volunteers support each other at permablitz events to learn how to become more self-sufficient.

Many come to permablitzes because they believe ‘peak oil' will mean a future of rising food prices and that we are beginning to feel the effects of this already.

Global discoveries

Peak oil is a term that describes the total average global oil discoveries over time. Global supplies peaked in the 1990s, and we are now entering a

sustained period of ‘energy descent’.

Easily accessible oil supplies are dwindling and the harder it is to get stuff, the more costly it is to obtain. This means everyone on the planet needs to learn to how to become more efficient at living. For many, this will mean growing their own food because almost everything grown by the global industrial agriculture system is reliant on oil and the by-products of it.

Cultivating, planting and harvesting machinery are all reliant on oil.

Insecticide and herbicide sprays are made from oil.

Fertilisers are made from oil. If global oil prices rise, our food prices will follow; and this may make you feel vulnerable if you’re already finding it hard to make ends meet.

If you think you might one day start growing you own food, consider it might take several years to learn how. Some gardeners say it takes a lifetime. You might like to begin learning this skill before you really need it. Attending permablitz events is a great way to learn and you’ll meet many others who are on the same journey.

Be independent

Permablitz is a grassroots community movement.

People are re-learning how to grow food traditionally and organically, without being dependant on non-renewable resources. It’s an important role.

Through permablitz events and learning about permaculture (permanent agriculture), you can learn how to grow food independent from the rising cost of oil. Information on permablitz and upcoming events can be found at www.permablitzbopnz.net

Time to give gardening a grow For budding new veggie gardeners it can be daunting when starting out considering what to plant and when and where to plant it can be overwhelming.

Kings Seeds of Katikati has taken the guess work out of what to grow with their ‘Veggies for beginners’ seed selection – the perfect choice for those who want to give gardening a go but don’t know where to start. The selection contains a range of easy to grow vegetable varieties, including bean top crop, mesclun lettuce mix, pea sugar snap tall, tomato baxter’s early bush cherry and the impressive zucchini black beauty.

Kings Seeds director Barbara Martin, Director says the business created the packs to make it easier for people to try their hand at gardening. “When starting your first veggie garden it’s always best to keep it simple and the varieties we chose are easy to grow,” says Barbara.

“This gives new gardener’s confidence when they see their garden thriving.”

Below are some top tips from Kings Seeds for novice gardeners: 1. Get the basics right: Choose a good location for your garden – it will need upwards of six hours of sun each day, depending on the seed varieties you have sown. Be sure it’s a sunny, sheltered spot with free draining soil. Prepare your soil by digging in lots of organic matter like well-rotted compost before planting.

2. Keep it small to start with: Create a vegetable patch that suits your family and you know you can regularly maintain and manage. Start small so you don’t feel overwhelmed, you can always extend later.

3. Keep it simple: Plant easy to grow varieties that will give you great results and build your confidence up.

4. Sow your own seeds: Seeds can be sown successfully indoors in containers during early spring, ready to transplant the new seedlings out later. From late spring/early summer you can sow some seeds directly into the garden when all danger of frost has passed and the soil can be easily worked. Never sow seeds too deeply – a general rule is to leave very fine seed uncovered, pressing firmly into the surface only; fine seed should be just covered and larger seed should be sown no deeper than twice its diameter.

Kings Seeds has the largest range of seed in New Zealand, all available online. Their seeds are also stocked in selected retailers nationwide. They offer an expansive catalogue with many organically certified varieties. Kings Seeds started in 1978 and is owned by Gerard and Barbara Martin. For more information on the products available, as well as special offers, recipes, or sowing and growing tips and techniques, visit: www.kingsseeds.co.nz

Thanks to Kings Seeds, Coast & Country has a ‘Veggies for beginners’ seed selection to give away. To be in to win email the subject line ‘Kings Seeds prize’ along with your name, address and phone number to: elaine@thesun. co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Kings Seeds prize, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than October 17.

The winner will be announced in the November Coast & Country.

Food in the nude is best

NZ Avocado ambassador Nadia Lim was a keynote speaker at the avocado conference in Tauranga.

COUNTRY LIVING

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When 12-year-old Nadia Lim told her parents she wanted to write a cook book and have a cooking show called ‘Food in the nude’ they didn’t encourage that title, but they did foster her dreams of becoming a chef.

“What I meant was the food would be in the nude – good tasting food stripped down to basics doesn’t have to be packaged in fancy packages,” says Nadia, winner of the 2011 Master Chef Competition and NZ Avocado ambassador. ‘”Fifteen years on I still think ‘food in the nude’ best describes the kind of food I like to eat. I tell people to eat as little processed food as possible.

Eat food from the ground, the sea and sky, not the factory.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be Avocado New Zealand ambassador because avocados are utterly delicious, a super food which is so good for you; that you should be eating an avocado a day.”

While people know to use avocado in guacamole and spread it on toast for breakfast, there are many other ways to incorporate the fruit in other dishes, including as a smoothie with other fruits and milk, or in sweet dishes such as ice cream.

“Avocadoes are the near-perfect food containing nearly all the important food groups including macro and micro nutrients, vitamins and folate. An avocado a day will keep the doctor away.”

Nadia says she follows her grandmother’s advice to “eat your colours” and having at least three different coloured foods on a plate is a key to a healthy diet. #Nadia Lim was one of the keynote speakers at Nutritional Values, the fifth quadrennial New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference, held in Tauranga in September.

By Elaine Fisher

Look younger and more energetic Blepharoplasty is the ultimate procedure to help restore a more energetic and youthful appearance, according to Skin Centre specialist Dr Paul Salmon.

“Sometimes, even after a good night’s sleep it can be hard to feel vibrant when you see your eyes looking tired,” says Paul.

“The loose skin over your eyes and the about fat bags under them make you look more tired and older than you feel inside.”

Eyelid Lift or Blepharoplasty cannot only correct sagging eyelids, remove fatty pouches beneath the eyes and remove excess skin from the upper eyelids but it can also correct eyelid problems that may be interfering with your vision.

Excess skin around your eyes can be removed making you look alive and refreshed.

“The results are stunning and the recovery period short.”

The eyelid lift procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes between one and two hours.

Fine incisions are made in the eyelid creases to remove excess skin and treat bulges.

skin

After surgery the area around the eye may be swollen for about four days and there may be some bruising, especially after lower lid blepharoplasty. Makeup can normally be worn five days after surgery.

The resulting hairline scars which follow the natural contour of the eyelids tend to fade in about two months.

“The procedure leaves you with a softer, more youthful appearance.”

Dr Paul Salmon, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the procedure, has performed more than 1000 eyelids lifts.

In some cases your health insurance may cover this procedure. Call the Skin Centre for further information.

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

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COUNTRY LIVING

Eastern South Island beckons travellers An extensive guided tour of the South Island is proving so popular Robbie and Connie Crickett of 4x4 tour operation NZ Adventures has scheduled a second one for 2014.

“While the intention with the Eastern Explorer is to run the trip once annually, demand for the available places has meant a second running later in the 2014 season just after Easter has been added and there are still places available on that tour,” says Connie.

“There has also been strong and early interest in our range of tour products. Our very popular High Country Heritage tour from Blenheim down the island to Cardrona, near Queenstown, remains our major trip but interest in our other tours is encouraging.”

Highlights of the Eastern Explorer could include: South Canterbury hill country properties; Hakataramea Valley and Hunter Hills (wallaby country); Kakanui Ranges between Kurow and Ranfurly; Hamilton Diggings and Macraes Flat gold mining country; Taieri Gorge and the Hindon District;

Waipori Gorge and the beautiful but little known Te Papanui Conservation Park.

Historic Lawrence and the hidden hamlets of Gabriels Gully where gold was first discovered in 1861, and Lake Onslow and the Taieri River headwaters, and the historic wagon roads of the Otago hinterland, are also on the list.

“Travel by 4x4 from the green of Canterbury to the gold of Otago – and see the reasons behind the provincial colours of Otago; in the blue of the sky and water and in the gold of the waving tussock lands,” says Connie.

NZ Adventures Landcruiser parked overlooking Lake Benmore, South Canterbury, on the High Country Heritage tour.

Subdivision appeal succeeds in Matamata-Piako After many hours of work and mediation facilitated by the Environment Court, local landowners have won the right to subdivision opportunities that were taken away by the Matamata-Piako District Council in the proposed review of the rural subdivision rules.

In what was probably an unnoticed move to many, council moved to virtually eliminate small farming blocks.

The cause was taken up by local sur-

veyors, who, on behalf of the general public, saw this as an obstacle to innovation and economic growth in the district.

We argued the flexibility to subdivide and the size of the ‘economic building blocks’ these new lots create needed to be reviewed.

Appealing this to the Environment Court was not an easy task but it was necessary to seek some balance, since council had announced its decision the minimum

area was to be 40 hectares. This would not have catered for varying land use, such as poultry and orchards, apparently focussing solely on large dairy operations.

The final outcome is each lot that exists at the time the new rules become operative will qualify for a subdivision of one 8 hectare block as long as a balance lot can be at least 20 hectares in size.

We see this as allowing people to generally do what they are doing at present.

It is not uncommon for someone to subdivide a property and sell parts to each neighbour, perhaps retaining their house and some land.

To do this they need some flexibility in the subdivision rules to avoid expensive ‘non-complying’ applications with no certainty of approval.

Another rule that was retained is the ability to subdivide a ‘lifestyle’ block from high quality land.

This block is limited in size to 1 hectare in an effort to protect productivity, and can only be subdivided off older titles where you are able to leave 40 hectares in the balance title.

On the lower ‘general’ quality land, larger lifestyle blocks can be created from smaller titles in a similar fashion, but are now limited to one lot.

Lifestyle subdivisions on this land can be undertaken on titles that are in existence at the time these new rules are made operative rather than only on titles that pre-date November 1996 as is the case on the ‘high quality’ land.

Gone is the ability to subdivide multiple 8 ha rural lots on any quality land, or multiple lifestyle lots on the general quality land.

If you are interested to find out how the changes may affect your plans, feel free to give me a call and discuss your particular situation.

Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Hauraki and Bay of Plenty. For further information call 07 838 1571 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

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CLASSIFIED

Cheesy potato puffs a winner for Chris

Baked, boiled, hot or cold, for breakfast, lunch and dinner – potatoes are very obviously a winner with Coast & Country readers, who entered their favourite potato recipes in our September contest.

No two recipes were the same, which speaks volumes about how versatile this vegetable is.

The winning recipe from Chris Johnsen of Te Puna, Tauranga, certainly puts a different twist

on the humble spud.

Thanks to Potatoes New Zealand and A S Wilcox & Sons, Chris has won one bag each of Wilcox Red Jackets (winter red potato ideal for baking/roasting), Vivaldi Gold (great tasting general purpose potato) and Perlas (new season salad potato), a baking dish, a Bosch oven mitt, potato scrubbing gloves, potato slicer and grater, and a copy of ‘Who’s Cooking Tonight?’ by Claire Gourley, which features a variety of potato and other vegetable recipes.

The winning recipe is:

Cheesy Potato Puffs

Ingredients: 500g potatoes (boiled and mashed until smooth) 4 spring onions, finely chopped 1/2 cup mature cheddar cheese, finely grated 3 Tbsp milk 30g butter.

Grated nutmeg to taste 2 eggs, separated

Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Grease a 12-hole non-stick muffin tin, also greasing the flat sections of the tin in between the holes.

Combine the mashed potatoes with the spring onions and cheese in a large bowl.

Warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper, stir until butter is melted.

Heat until just below boiling point, then beat into the bowl of potato mix, then beat in the egg yolks.

Whisk the egg whites to soft peak. Stir one or two spoonfuls into the potato mixture to loosen it, and then gently fold in the rest.

Spoon into the muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and well raised.

The joys of the self-employed The Department of Labour suspected a fishing boat owner wasn’t paying proper wages to his employees and sent an inspector to investigate him.

Inspector: “I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them”.

Boat Owner: “Well, there’s Clarence, my hired hand, he’s been with me for three years.

I pay him $1000 a week plus free room and board.

Then there’s the mentally challenged guy. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90 per cent of the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and board; and I

buy him a bottle of rum and a dozen lagers every Saturday night so he can cope with life. He also gets to sleep with my wife occasionally”.

Inspector: “That sounds highly irregular – that’s the guy I want to talk to – the mentally challenged one”.

Boat owner: “That’ll be me. What’d you want to know?”

trades & services

Joy Luxford of Putaruru sent in this recipe:

Mediterranean Potato Salad

Scrub new potatoes, dice and parboil. Mix together with red onion, anchovies, stoned black olives, chopped capers. Make a dressing from 2 Tbsp dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and black pepper. Stir dressing through potatoes mixture and garnish with par-boiled green beans and sliced tomatoes.

cars wanted

Pidge Innis-Brown of Paeroa had a most unusual recipe

Iced Potato Loaf Ingredients: 1 cup mash potato 1 cup sugar 2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup sultanas 1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Mix potato and sugar, add remaining ingredients and fold together until well-mixed. Form into a loaf shape on tray or in a loaf tin. It spreads so keep it compact. Bake for 45-60 minutes. When cool ice with cinnamon icing. Slice and butter and enjoy with a cuppa.

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Helen Vallender of Morrinsville enjoys this pie as a weekend treat.

Savoury Potato Pie

Ingredients: Shortcrust pastry 1 cup mashed potato 1 egg, beaten 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 rasher bacon, chopped 1 grated apple (Granny Smith) 1/2 cup grated cheese 1/2 cup cooked peas (optional) Parsley (optional)

Line pie plate with pastry. Put other ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Fill pie dish with mixture. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 180 degrees Celsius and cook a further 15 minutes. Serve hot or cold. Nice for a weekend lunch with coleslaw, tomatoes, beetroot, etc.

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COAST & COUNTRY

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To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading. November issue deadline 17 October.

Sunday 13 October Pyes Pa School PTA Art

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Tuesday 15 October International Day of Rural Women 2013 Piako Waikato East combined celebration of International Day of Rural Women with Women with Waikato East Provincial’s 80th birthday and Tirau Social Day with guest speaker from ‘Over the Moon’ cheese makers. Held at Tirau Community Church Hall. A full programme for the day is being organized by Tirau Branch and will include competitions and displays. Ph Margaret Osborne 07 884 5709 or email: jandmosborne@gmail.com

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Saturday 19 October Pyes Pa School Annual Gala Day And Calf Club show at Pyes Pa Road, Tauranga. Calf club 8am, gala starts 10am. Lots of stalls, BBQ, hangi, horse & fire engine rides, Lofty the Crane, Lions quick fire raffles, paintball, art exhibition and more. Classic Flyers doing fly by 1.30pm.

All welcome. Ph 07 543 0067

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Thursday 24 October Dairy Business of the Year Field Day – Waiuku Northland Regional Winners Andrew and Liisa will host a field day on their farm at 249 Kep Road, Waiuku SN70669 10.30am – 1pm.

The field day will focus on their environmental and labour management, and how they generate a sustainable business that performs year after year. The field day is free to attend and open to all farmers. A complimentary lunch will follow the event. Ph Alanah 0800 735 588 or email:nzdboy@gmail.com

PULLETS Brown Shaver. Point of lay, good layers. Ph 07 824 1762 SHELTER TREES Casuarinas, Cryptomeria, Macrocarpa, Well established in PB’s Strong Ready to plant. From $4.00. Ph Brian 07 552 0771 or 021 940 390. Katikati

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FARMING POSITION REQUIRED Previous experience 7 years on dry stock farm. Prior to that milking cows. Ph Wayne 07 543 3591 or 022 415 3859

trades & services

CONTROL YOUR CHOOKS. No post’s, free standing fencing easily moved. Visit the website www.lifestyleproducts.net.nz or Ph Alan 027 432 1133

Saturday 26 October Waihi Beach School Fair A great day for visitors & locals with carnival rides, food court, silent auction & the usual great bargains. Also this year – rides on Harley Davidson motorbikes. 10am start.

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Saturday 23 November

Te Aroha AP & H Show At Boyd Park, Te Aroha.

Equestrian, cattle & children’s livestock competitions, North Island Jersey championship, Armwrestling competition featuring NZ & Australasian champion Maateiwarangi Heta-morris, Waikato’s Strongest Man events, Ravensdown Truck Pull teams of four $1,000 1st prize open to all. Gates open 9am. Enquiries tearohaaph@gmail.com or Te Aroha Show on facebook.

COAST & COUNTRY

feature properties & auctions feature properties & auctions ADVANTAGE REALTY LTD MREINZ

Page 63

www.harcourts.co.nz www.harcourts.co.nz

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Tauranga Central Office – 07 578 0879 Cherrywood Office – 07 576 8770 Bethlehem Office – 07 579 2206 Mount Central Office – 07 575 6384 Papamoa Office – 07 542 9012 Te Puke Office – 07 573 4754

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 64

Kieran (pictured at 21 months), enjoys helping out on his grandparent’s kiwifruit orchard.

Sent by Nicola Groves.

5 year old Ella feeding her lamb Peaches in the sunny Bay of Plenty.

4 year old Sarah Gearon (right) and 3 year old Haileigh Gearon (left) They wanted to make daisy chains and the cows decided to investigate.

Sent by Sarah Emsor.

Jeff and Marlene! (on the right) Gingas have to stick together!

Sent by Glynis Gasnier.

Lucy Bonnar collecting the new kids to put in the goat shed.

COAST & COUNTRY PRIZE UP FOR GRABS! Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to sarah@thesun.co.nz “Country Camera” or post: Att: Sarah, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.

2.5 year old Isla Templeton Loves Timmy the lamb and wants to give it a kiss. Sent by Nana

Liam – all decked out with his father’s welding gear in the engineering workshop.

Sent in by Dave Walkley.

Amelia Lockhart introducing ‘Sugar’ the lamb to ‘Shilo’ the pony. Sent in by Jasmine Lockhart.