Coast and Country March

March 2014 Issue No.163

Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle

Hydrangea hype Patrick and Deb Thorp proudly grow hydrangea, often known as ‘grandma’s flowers’, in a range of vibrant and subtle colours for export to the world. See their story on pages 4-5 Photo by Elaine Fisher.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

Mellow thoughts of autumn

Autumn is one of my favourite times of the year.

The evenings are cooler, but the days still warm.

The garden is bursting with fruit and vegetables. Trees put on a vibrant, short-lived colour show. There’s something mellow about this transition from summer to winter.

However, for farmers, contractors and orchardists, there’s not a lot of time to contemplate the beauty of the season. There’s maize to harvest, silage to make, paddocks to re-sow for pasture, feed budgets to prepare – and for kiwifruit growers, fruit to pick.

Harvesting and storing autumn’s bounty goes back to the very beginnings of human existence; early cultures were so skilful at preserving foods and seeds, some have survived intact for thousands of years.

Ancient honey found in an Egyptian tomb in the 1800s was still edible, and famous egyptologist Howard Carter is said to have planted grain seeds found in a pyramid in the early 1900s; and 20 per cent of them germinated.

In 2005 preserved, long, thin

yellow noodles were found inside an overturned sealed bowl at the Lajia archaeological site in northwestern China.

Of course it’s not just humans who store food for winter. In 2003 archaeologists found a hoard of nuts in Germany, believed to have been stored 17 million years ago by a large hamster.

The fact the Chinese and Egyptian foods survived so long is probably because particular attention was paid to preparation, by excluding air.

According to Bill Webb (see page 26), making a successful modern day maize silage stack relies on the same principles; although, of course, it’s designed to last just a few months - not several millennium.

The kiwifruit industry is gearing up for harvest (see pages 40-41), and with a reduced crop, thanks to the effects of the disease Psa-V, competition among post-harvest operators is strong.

However, with new varieties rapidly maturing, predictions are crop volumes will quickly reach and then

exceed pre-Psa figures. Amid the preparations for winter, some of the country’s top young (and not so young) farmers have taken time out to enter the 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (see page 13), which showcase the very best in the industry.

Autumn – truly a time to harvest food and expertise.

The winner of February Coast & Country’s book prize, ‘Wapiti Hunting in New Zealand’ by Simon Gibson, published by Halcyon Press, is Maryann O’Rourke of Matamata.

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COAST & COUNTRY

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Growing the message of embracing change involved in taking NZ agricultural systems to a higher and better place.”

Marlborough sheep farmer Doug Avery, in a paddock of lucerne.

Doug Avery, the Marlborough farmer brought almost to ruin by drought, no longer worries about the weather.

“I spend my time thinking about things I can influence in my business,” says Doug, who people call ‘The Drought Man’ and ‘The Lucerne Man’ for the dramatic change he made from grass to lucerne pastures in an effort to save his family farm.

It wasn’t easy, but the turnaround in the farm and Doug’s own thinking has been so impressive, he’s been sharing his story with farmers nationwide the country through his ‘Beyond Reasonable Drought’ workshops.

“If you run a corner dairy, a swish car yard, farm or a hotel in Queenstown, the principles of business are the same,” Doug told Coast & Country.

“What happens with farmers is they work in isolation, and they get occupied in stuff that isn’t going to help them in their future.”

Dramatic

“I call that their areas of concern. When I stopped wasting my time on my areas of concerns, and started looking at the dot inside the big circle of concern, called your circle of influence, my life started to change dramatically.

“A lot of my talk is around these sorts of strategies – and that applies to dairy, beef, sheep, deer, goat – any farmers – and the service industries that support them.

Doug says people leave his seminars they don’t leave talking about lucerne; they’re talking about thinking about themselves.

“My message is about change; and a lot of people just don’t understand what the steps are.

“I didn’t either at first; I went through them, and change is hard,” says Doug, who is 2010’s South Island Farmer of The Year and 2013 Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year.

In 1998, a depressed and disillusioned Doug had just about given up on his 1500ha farm.

Years of prolonged droughts had Doug and his wife working endlessly, unable to pay the bills and feed

Legumes

Doug says he had no choice, “being at the end of the barrel”, but to adopt change. “I believe the changes we went through are relevant to a huge number of farmers – I enjoyed putting them out there in workshops – and obviously, people are interested in that process.”

Doug says his fascination is legumes – not just lucerne.

“I’m pushing legumes because they fix nitrogen naturally. Legumes effectively double the value of water, in terms of its ability to produce basic elements, like soil fertility and water into dollars.

“Lucerne, if you can grow it, is the most effective one.”

Doug says growing the plant, you do run into problems because they’re different. “For a lot of people, because they require a different approach, they back off and go back to grass.

“In NZ’s case we still need nitrogen, so we put it on artificially; and my drive – with my farm performing in the top five per cent in one of most difficult and dry areas of the country – is I’ve found a way to do this stuff and as a natural part of the farm.”

To learn more about Doug, visit www.beyondreasonabledrought.co.nz

By Corrie Taylor and Merle Foster

their family off Bonaveree – the farm in their family’s ownership since 1919.

“It had got to the point when I realised this has gotten beyond a joke. We had the driest decade since records began; and it was a desperate battle for survival.”

In desperation, Doug attended a field day where professor Derrick Moot spoke about lucerne.

“That hour changed my life,” says Doug. “He promoted the concept of using lucerne as a primary grazing plant, when we had a ryegrass and cloverbased system.”

Knowing change was the only option, Doug took a risk and during the next four years implemented Derrick’s theory on his farm.

“Things got worse before they got better; I was doing it in isolation and had no support. The only reason I kept going is I knew the road I’d been travelling was no longer a viable option.”

Doug and his family changed their entire farm process – an effort not received well by the farming community.

Lunacy

“They called me the ‘Lucerne Lunatic’, they said: ‘The man’s gone crazy’. But few people would call it lunacy now.”

From 2008-2010, Bonaveree’s performance doubled. And it has doubled again since then.

For every drop of water his farm receives, Doug gets twice the energy from the water that a typical grass-land farmer would. Doug’s lambs fatten at 400 grams per day – significantly more than the national average of 178g. In 2002 Bonaveree had 3700 sheep and produced 25 tonnes of meat – in 2012 with 500 more sheep the farm, it produced 85 tonnes of meat.

“I have huge gratitude to the system and processes that saved my life. There was a lot of emotion and heartbreak tied up in those terrible years; and I’m so scared of ever returning to that place again.”

At age 59, last month Doug undertook a mission to spread his message of success.

“I want to live in a country with higher wealth and wellbeing for its habitants. I want to be personally

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Page 4

COAST & COUNTRY

‘Grandma’s flowers’ enjoy revival Darryl Isaac Ltd

They figured the weather, pests and diseases and fickle markets would be challenging, but Deb and Patrick Thorp didn’t factor in pukeko as a risk when they ventured into the cut flower business.

“It was so disheartening. I’d spend all day carefully putting in young plants, only to have pukeko rip them out, time and again,” says Deb. It wasn’t until they discovered a fish-based smelly spray, which the plants liked but the birds didn’t, that the pukeko problem was resolved.

That was six years ago and today it would take a bird the size of a moa to uproot the 5000 hydrangea bushes the couple has planted.

However, there’s always a small plot of young, new varieties which need pukeko protection.

Patrick and Deb were living on Waiheke Island when they decided to make the move to the Bay of Plenty and begin their own horticultural business near Katikati.

Patrick, who has a diploma in horticulture, was Deb’s boss when they both worked in the Auckland Domain, where Deb had completed an apprenticeship in horticulture.

“We knew we wanted our own business working outside, not in glass houses; and because of the cost of land at Waiheke, that wasn’t going to be possible there,” says Patrick, who still consults for the Auckland Council’s parks department.

Avocado

After much research, and talking to other flower growers, the couple decided to plant hydrangea under shelter on two hectares of land at Katikati. The balance of the 4.5ha block includes 150 mature avocado trees, left from those removed to make way for the flowers. Like many avocado orchards, it has been inconsistent in cropping.

Flowers provide a more reliable income.

“People often say we are growing ‘grandma’s flowers’ because they’re considered old-fashioned, but we don’t mind. We love them and hydrangea are enjoying a return to popularity,” says Deb. The Thorps export 99 per cent of their flowers under the business name Growing Edge. About 50 per cent goes to the Middle East, 25 per cent heads to America and 25 per cent goes to Japan. New markets are opening up in India and China, which

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offer promise. “There is not a very big market for the flowers in New Zealand, as everyone seems to have them in their gardens,” says Patrick.

However, Katikati’s Flowers on Main often uses the white blooms for wedding arrangements and bouquets. Deb says it took about two years until the first commercial flowers could be cut for market.

“One of our biggest learning curves was how to pack them. We were asked to put up to 50 stems in a box and just couldn’t figure out how that would work. In fact, hydrangea are remarkably tolerant of being gently compressed.”

Hydrated

“Once taken out of the box, so long as they are well-hydrated, they will spring back to shape,” says Patrick. The name hydrangea comes from the Greek word ‘hydor’, meaning water, and ‘angos’, meaning jar or vessel; and perhaps refers to the flower’s need for water and its ability to come back from wilting when given a drink.

Water is essential to grow top quality flowers, so the Thorp’s plants are irrigated. While they need sunlight, too much burns or bleaches them, so the shade structures protect from both wind and sun.

The plants receive regular fertiliser and spraying is carried out by a contractor to control insect, pests and disease.

“Initially, we grew a lot of plants from cuttings; and while the flowers were good, exporters told us we would be better off with named varieties because then customers would know exactly what to expect when they placed an order,” says Patrick.

Today, they grow all colours from the well-known blues to pink, deep red and white.

One of the appeals of hydrangea is the longevity of the blooms, which can be left for up to two weeks before picking.

“We pick as many as we can for fresh blooms, because you never know what’s going to happen later in the season.

But then there is a market for the ‘antiques’ which come later,” says Patrick.

Antique

‘Antique’ blooms are those which begin to gently fade or even change colour late in summer, creating an even more ‘old-fashioned’ look for the classic blooms.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 5

Autumn ‘antiques’ find favour in markets There’s a strong export market for these flowers too, but preparing them needs extra attention as any damaged or brown petals must be removed.

Deb’s parents Brian and Noeline Crook often lend a hand with quality control and packing, as does Patrick’s dad,Tom, on occasions.

More regular hands in the pack shed are the couple’s children Nathaniel (26), Zac (23), Lewis (17) and Gemma (14).

“It’s a real family business and the older two have often earned their university holiday funds working with the flowers,” says Patrick.

As much as they enjoy the flowers and the outdoor nature of the work, Deb says growing hydrangea means no summer holidays.

“Our busiest time is through summer, when everyone else is on holiday. It’s lucky Patrick loves fly fishing, but I may need to learn how to ski to get the most out of a winter holiday.”

Flowers are picked in the early morning and at night, as it gets too hot past 10am to before 5pm. This season the couple has invested in a small chiller; and each night a courier truck arrives

to collect the blooms to take to the exporters in Auckland, ready for air-freighting off to market.

Insects

Flowers for the USA must be stripped bare of leaves; and for all markets blooms are inspected carefully for any insect pests.

However, as some are too small to be seen by the naked eye, they are again checked by entomologists A cool room has been built to house flowers.

before shipment. Growing Edge has not had too many problems with insects on flowers. But several years back, when a moth was found in one consignment, 15 boxes of blooms were destroyed.

Pruning is a crucial part of managing the plants. “Sometimes we’re asked why we don’t cut them with a hedge cutter because the plants seem so hardy, but if we did we couldn’t get the number of flowers or length of stem we need,” says Deb. So each of the 5000 plants must be individually and carefully pruned in winter.

Growing hydrangea flowers has by no means been a ‘get rich quick’ scheme for the Thorps. The start-up costs, including the extensive shade structures and irrigation, are significant; it is at least three years before the plants begin

to produce a commercial size crop; the work is labour-intensive; and markets and currency rates can fluctuate.

“We started just before the global financial crisis which didn’t help, but it

did mean exporters began looking for other markets and those in China and India are looking promising, which is a good thing for the future,” says Patrick.

By Elaine Fisher

3

2

Symbol of sincerity Hydrangea are native to China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayas, Indonesia and the Americas.

Most plants grow between one and three metres high, but some are small trees. Those called lianas and are more like vines, climbing trees up to 30 metres tall. Different varieties produce different-shaped blooms.

Best known are the ‘mophead’ globe-shaped flowers, but there’s also cone-shaped flowers known as ‘panicles’ and the ‘lacecap’, which has a flattened centre of tiny flowers surrounded by a fringe of typical flowers.

Traditionally, the hydrangea is the fourth wedding anniversary flower and is said to represent anythingEX GST that’s “sincerely heart-felt”.

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COAST & COUNTRY

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Mystery of the mystery item The Katikati Heritage Museum is appealing No one has yet figured out what the small (about 12cm long), thin brass cylinder is. to Coast & Country readers to help identify It has a screw top, which opens to reveal a an item which is a mystery even to its well- wad of rolled-up fabric inside.

On the side of the cylinder is a mounted informed staff and volunteers.

hollow tube, which can be moved up and down with a hook at the top and what looks like a fitting for a small hose at the other end.

If you know what it is, and have a story to tell about its use, we’d love to hear from you – and you could win a visit for two to the Katikati Heritage Museum. Send your entry to: elaine@thesun.co.nz or post to: Mystery Item, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga

Soils

3110, to arrive no later than March 17.

The winner will be announced in Coast & Country’s April issue. The museum, just south of Katikati, is open seven days a week 9.30am-4pm. To find out more, visit: www. katikatiheritagemuseum.co.nz or phone 07 549 0651. Last month’s mystery item has been correctly identified by Trevor Mitchell of Tokoroa, as a hand-operated domestic ice cream maker.

Trevor believes a mixture of crushed ice and brine was put in the outer bucket while the beater was used to churn the ice cream mix in the inner bucket.

Isobel Nicol of Opotiki was close with her suggestion that the device was a butter churn.

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Having spent the last 50-odd years tearing around creating havoc with ideas, being inventive and lateral as I am, it is now time to reflect on what was/is really important and what was/is not. I guess the single most important discovery is that we need to keep things simple.

Our lives are far too complicated. Particularly as we age, we want things to be clear cut and trouble-free.

A great friend of mine advises me the most important thing in life is to spend less than you earn. An old saying, basic but true.

We rush off to the accountant every year to find that after income, less expenses and drawings and tax, we are barely making headway.

Maybe the smell of a new car’s interior or the ‘flashy’ ad for another world trip is too much for us mere mortals to resist.

Yet with some resistance, and a better financial position, we do actually feel better.

Better because we feel more secure with a sense of achievement, not to mention the

marked reduction in financial stress.

Simple also includes everything we do. Some people love to make things complicated, which then become difficult to manage both financially and time-wise.

What was simple is now convoluted and at times hard to understand.

A rural example of this might include going from simple all-grass farming to high input and output farming.

It has great output, but do the inputs of not only money and time give you a commensurate reward?

Or have you taken a simple dairy operation and made it complicated?

I am not knocking high input farming; I am just questioning whether it is economic and simple. The best operators make it fly, but the average to poor do not.

In my own orchard there are many variables and opportunities. I have made decisions that have complicated a simple system.

I admit I’m in the process of unwinding all of those decisions to go back to a simple input/output avocado orchard.

The results will not only be more profit-

able, but much less cluttered in time and that word again: simple.

Another example includes involvement with bureaucracy. They add layer upon layer until nobody knows what is really happening, and to get anything done is a mission and must be signed off by all and sundry.

When dealing with people who are working for me and with me, I encourage them to make a simple executive decision and then take action.

I am a great fan of the KISS principle – keep it simple stupid.

So, with the passage of a lot of time, which is reflected in a lot of experience, the single most important thing I have learned is to keep it simple.

In everything we do, we need to strive for straightforwardness; and the rewards of more time and resultant happiness will lead to a more enjoyable and balanced life.

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

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

Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance, and a consultant to the farming industry. Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675.

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an ineffective drench decreases lamb carcass value by 14 per cent, compared to using an effective drench.

To maximise productivity in the short-term, it is important worms are adequately controlled, but what is good for worm control often selects for drench resistance. Alternatively, what is good at slowing the development of resistance may compromise worm control. So are you managing worms or managing resistance? For long-term sustainability, the ideal position is somewhere in between.

The industry initiative called Wormwise sets out ‘agreed principles’ (facts about worms that most experts agree on), identifies high risk activities that speed up drench resistance and outlines strategies for sustainable worm control.

In short this means: avoid or minimise known highrisk activities; for example, routine drenching of adult animals, using long-acting products, drenching at less than 28-day intervals. Maintain refugia; for example, avoid drenching onto clean pasture, leave some animals in a mob un-drenched. Know your drench resistance status and only use fully-effective drenches.

Many experts state a fully-effective drench should be a combination drench. However this is an oversimplification, as single-active drenches can have their place if they’re still working 100 per cent. The drench resistance status on every property is different, and drench resistance is a farm-specific and not a flock/ herd-specific issue because the majority of the worm population is on the ground.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 7

Learning goat farming by the book

Julie Nicol enjoys milking Petal, the Anglo-Nubian goat; and turning her rich milk into cheeses. Photo by Ross Brown.

When paediatric nurse Julie Nicol thought she’d like to make cheeses, she bought some milking goats then borrowed library books to learn how to take care of them as well as the art of cheese making.

“It was a steep learning curve, as I got the goats before I had all the fences in place and I lost many trees to their browsing.”

Today Julie produces a range of soft and hard cheeses from the milk of her Anglo-Nubian goats,

which graze on her half-a-hectare of land at Kina in the Tasman District.

“The Anglo-Nubian goats are quite rare in New Zealand; and their very creamy milk with a high fat content means it is ideal for cheese making.”

Julie, who has lived in big cities for most of her life, considers herself a ‘townie’, but says she fell in love with the rural lifestyle when she visited a friend in the Tasman region.

“I thought the area was magic; and [I] had an immediate sense that this was where I wanted to live.”

The decision to buy a piece of land was quite a change of direction for Julie, who had spent two years nursing in Saudi Arabia prior to settling in Tasman.

But it’s a decision she has no regrets about making.

She is still nursing in Nelson and fits once-a-day milking of Petal around her shifts.

Petal is the only goat in milk at present; and after she’s been milked, her kid Lavender spends some time with her and the other goats Rosebud and Lilly.

From Petal’s milk Julie can make feta, haloumi, brie, blue cheese and hard cheeses which she enjoys

‘Living with risk’ community sessions The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is inviting residents to have their say about how councils should manage the potential impacts of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, tsunami or geothermal eruptions, in the region.

BOPRC regional planner Martin Butler says everyone is invited to attend the ‘Living with risk’ community sessions in Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane, Paengaroa and Opotiki during the week of March 10.

“A natural disaster could happen in the Bay at any time. Fewer than 27 per cent of us are adequately prepared for that, so it’s important to think carefully about how we can minimise the damage of such an event to our lives and livelihoods,” says Martin.

“The Natural Hazards Policy of the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement will guide district and city plan rules that influence where people live and work, and how they develop land and infrastructure.

“We’re currently reviewing that policy and we need information from the community to do so.

Information gathered from the community sessions will help us to ensure a good balance between individual and shared responsibility in the policy.

For session details and to register, contact Marie Radford at Bay of Plenty Regional Council; phone 0800 884 880 or email livingwithrisk@boprc. govt.nz Light snacks and spot prizes will be provided. Visit www.boprc.govt.nz/livingwithrisk to find out more.

More information about how you and your family can be better prepared is available at www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz

eating and sharing with friends and family.

There’s no shortage of milk as Petal can produce up to five litres of milk a day and is quiet and easy to milk.

Julie admits to spoiling her goats, which not only have shelters to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, but also receive a daily ration of hard feed made up of a mixture of lucerne hay, clover hay, goat pellets, bran, garlic, molasses, cider vinegar, seaweed meal and minerals.

“Anglo Nubian goats are not as hardy as some breeds and do need extra care.

They need to be kept warm, as they don’t have thick coats like the Swiss breeds, and are susceptible to worms.

I do drench them when I need to because they don’t cope with stress very well, such as that caused by giving

birth. “They need their feet trimmed too, but they are lovely goats to have.”

The goats share their home with two kunekune pigs, chickens, a cat, a dog and Julie’s horse, which grazes the property. Julie has a big garden and orchard to tend as well.

“It is amazing to have all of these animals in my life; it has been crazy, so much fun, and they have taught me so much about life,” says Julie, who loves the Tasman district.

“I can walk to the beach and I look at the mountains every day out of my windows.

“This is a truly beautiful place; I feel it is such a privilege to live here.”

#The Anglo-Nubian goat breed was originally developed in England by crossing traditional milking goats with those from Africa and the Middle East. They have large, long ears and what is often described as a ‘Roman nose’.

By Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY

Sweet tales from a secret valley Somewhere nestled in a Coromandel valley live the quirky characters, both animal and human, who also populate the pages of a delightfully funny and beautifully illustrated book called ‘When Chocolate Fish are Flying’.

The author of its poems, Jan Hill, says: “Some of these tellings are true; some could have happened and some we wish had happened. Just like real life, some of the strangest tales are the truest, and some of the sweetest are wishful thinking.

We can promise you the funniest are truly true [or should be] and we leave you to make your mind up which is which”.

Her poems are illustrated by Lynda Vugler, who has captured the magic and mischief of the sometimes slightlyrevenant poems – there’s more than a few references to farts and bums, and its guaranteed to make youngsters and adults alike laugh.

Intended for bedtime reading aloud, this hardback book is a delight and

sure to become a favourite for its catchy rhymes, enchanting colour drawings and more than colourful (and sometimes badly behaved) characters.

Thanks to Aries Publishing, Coast & Country three a copies of ‘When Chocolate Fish are Flying’ to give away.

To be in to win, email your name and address, with Book Prize as the subject, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Coast & Country Book Prize, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than March 17.

The winner will be announced in Coast & Country’s April issue.

Getting ready for the roar – boots and all

The first thing most experienced hunters check when preparing for the roar is their rifle - but clothing, footwear, a GPS and personal locator beacon should also be high on the list of what to take.

By Glenn Tuck

A personal locator beacon, in my opinion is a must have, if you injure yourself or become ill or have a heart attack going after your trophy stag. In fact, a PLB will save your life - and believe it or not, not only your dog but your wife or partner will be happy to see you come home.

With the GPS, the two main brands to look at are the Garmin and Magellan. Garmin has the market in New Zealand, but Magellan, the sole product that

the US armed forces are allowed to use, is worth a serious look.

Footwear is one of the most import things on a hunt, as there’s nothing worse than being in the middle of the bush with sore and wet feet from an inappropriate boot choice.

Blaze - do not forget it, comes in all sorts including caps, vest, jackets etc. Modern hunting packs should have a blaze rain cover that you can pull out and pull over top of your pack. I prefer caps, as our heads normally don’t stop moving and are easier to spot especially through movement.

Now to your rifle. Go to the range or a friend’s farm to check to see if it is still shooting the same point of aim as the last time you used it.

I like to sight my rifles in on a rising bullet. What I mean by that is if you sight your rifle in dead on at 50 or 100 yards, after that point your bullet is going downhill,

and it is a lot harder to figure out where the bullet is going when it is dropping.

So if you sight your rifle in 2.54cm (1.5 inches) to 6.35cm (2 ½ inches) high at 100 yards that means you’re dead on at 200 yards, (depending on your calibre and load choice).

The advantage of shooting on a rising bullet is that you know exactly where it is going. So basically anywhere from 0 to 300 yards, you just aim straight at your target, taking all of the guesswork out what you’re trying to do.

Things that can help with accuracy is a suppressor. I use one myself and have tried most brands out there. I prefer Hardy’s over barrel suppressors. They are light only 290gms, hang over is 80mm and can reduce recoil by up to 70 per cent. We now are able to have a seven-year-old shooting a .308 without being scared of recoil, as it is softer than a .223 being fired.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 9

Demonstrations of big machines One of the big attractions at this year’s Grasslandz show was the CLAAS Harvest Centre site, where farmers and contractors could see and drive the new 350hp Class Axion 930 tractor and the new JCB 435 Farm Master loader.

CLAAS Harvest Centre BOP managing director Vern Bates says the new CLAAS tractor range and the range of other CLAAS and JCB machinery and equipment on display at the company’s site attracted a

good deal of attention.

“There are a number of agricultural shows throughout New Zealand now, but Grasslandz is unique in that people can get in and drive these machines or at least observe them in action, rather than just a static display,” says Vern.

The CLAAS Harvest Centre team took full advantage of the ability to take customers for a drive in the machinery and to demonstrate it in action, with Glenn Davidson and Vaughn Carson there to show customers the attributes of the CLAAS and JCB machines and equipment on display, along with the Amazone range of cultivation equipment.

The demonstration team also included a CLAAS Jaguar technical

manager from the CLAAS factory in Germany, who was able to pass on technical information and tips to drivers and owners to get maximum productivity out of the big harvesters.

Also on-site was the JCB product manager from Australia, who came to promote the full JCB range of machines, including the Fastrac and the number one selling JCB Loadall range of telescopic loaders.

He held live demonstrations of the JCB 435 Farm Master, the new model from JCB, which is a loader purposebuilt for silage stacking with a new transmission for more power and improved fuel consumption.

Glenn Davidson, sales specialist with CLAAS Harvest Centre BOP on display at Grasslandz.

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Heyrex manufactures Odin’s health and behaviour will be monitoring units that fit on electronically monitored by his handler, to a collar and track the daily when he’s on a search. behaviours of a dog, so owners and Nathan says he’s delighted with handlers can keep a close eye on their the collaboration between LandSAR overall wellbeing.

Search Dogs and Heyrex.

Heyrex CEO Nathan Lawrence is “These highly talented dogs help pleased to be able to donate 30 Heyrex monitoring devices to such a deserving save many lives across New Zealand every year; and it’s our job to make cause. “The Heyrex device will offer sure we look after them. the LandSAR Search Dog handlers “The Heyrex devices have the the ability to make sure their dogs are potential to extend the working lives of in optimum condition, so they can the LandSAR Search Dogs; including perform challenging duties.” their tracking activities, fitness levels by LandSAR Search Dogs chairman helping act as a safeguard from exhausGraeme Hill says the organisation’s tion and performance-related injuries. dogs are highly trained to provide “Heyrex can operate effectively in search and rescue support for lost, missing and injured people across New conditions that vary between -10 and up to 55 degrees Celsius. They are also Zealand. “Often, they work in severe completely waterproof and durable,” and uncompromising conditions; in says Nathan. alpine, remote wilderness environ“They will help the LandSAR Search ments, and we need to make sure they Dog handlers collate data related to are fit and well to be able to perform. their dog’s behaviour, allowing them “Using Heyrex products will help to identify behavioural changes and our handlers, who are all volunteers, make sure their dog’s wellbeing is never improve or indicate underlying health problems. Each handler will be able to overlooked or compromised.” read and interpret the data and take Graeme says the donation of 30 decisive action, if an issue arises.”

Heyrex dog monitoring units, and Heyrex will also donate $20 to Landadditional Torus water bowls, which SAR Search Dogs for every monitoring allow the dogs to have a continuous unit sold through the volunteer-run supply of fresh, filtered, clean water, organisation and $10 from every “will definitely be appreciated Torus bowl sold. by them”.

Contact: Vaughn Carson 027 223 3365 Glenn Davidson 027 223 3363

Page 10

COAST & COUNTRY

Sea creatures which lived eons ago nourish today’s soils Like an archeologist on a dig, Terry Smith carefully sifts a sample of fine powder to reveal fish teeth and bones that are millions of years old.

It’s easy to find the remains in the massive pile of phosphate, explains Terry, who is the chemical and process manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients Tauranga, because it’s from the vertebrae and teeth of those ancient marine creatures that phosphate is largely formed.

This particular shipment arrived at the Ballance facility via the Port of Tauranga, shipped from Morocco where it is mined from what was an ancient sea bed, now 100km from the coast.

“Phosphorus is vital for plant growth and health, but in this form plants can’t use it,” says Terry. “The amount of phosphorus it contains is also inconsistent.”

Creating a plant-available fertiliser, which contains a consistent amount of nutrients, is what happens at the Ballance Tauranga plant.

Every day thousands of people drive by and others fly over the facility on the Mount Maunganui-side of the harbour bridge, but few have any idea what happens there.

According to Terry, the facility is part of the food industry and he makes a pretty compelling argument to support his claim. Much of what we eat, he says, relies on animals – cows, sheep, deer, even goats – converting grass into protein in the form of milk or meat. To do that they need to eat grass, which is itself well-nourished by fertilisers.

“We can’t keep taking from the soil without replacing what plants extract. Each year we export hundreds of tonnes of nutrients in milk and meat which will never be returned to our soils, so we have to replace them.”

It’s not just through exports that nutrients are lost.

“Every day New Zealanders are ‘depositing’ phosphorus in our sewerage systems or septic tanks, which don’t generally end up back in the soil.

“One litre of adult human urine contains about 1.4 grams of phosphorus salts, which amounts to about

An aerial view of the Ballance facility at Mount Maunganui.

Finding fossils - Terry Smith, chemical and process manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients Tauranga sifts fish teeth from phosphate.

Fish teeth, millions of years old, are easy to find in phosphate imported from Morocco.

0.11 grams of pure phosphorus – so that’s a lot of phosphorus that is out of reach of pasture plants.”

New Zealand soils are also deficient in a number of elements needed for healthy pasture growth.

Terry is fascinated by the history and chemistry behind fertilisers. He recounts how it was German scientist Henning Brand, who in 1669 discovered phosphorus when he boiled urine until it produced a liquid which gave off a pale green glow and he

called phosphorus – a Greek word for “light-bearing”.

“He was looking for the philosopher’s stone, to turn base metals into gold,” says Terry, who reckons the scientist in fact discovered something much more valuable. At the Ballance facility it’s another element, also with a distinctive colour, which is required to help make phosphorus into a form which plants can use. A mountain of high-visibility yellow sulphur, this time mainly a by-product of the Marsden Point oil refinery, fills a bunker.

It is destined to be heated in a furnace to produce sulphuric acid, which once combined with the phosphate forms the fertiliser known as superphosphate.

“How to make superphosphate was discovered in the 1840s and though it’s been refined, we pretty much use the same principles today,” says Terry.

Converting sulphur to sulphuric acid produces extreme heat – more than 1000 degrees Centigrade – and water is used to cool the gases produced.

As a by-product of the process, Ballance runs steam turbines which produce electricity for the plant’s own consumption and also feed power back into the grid – enough to supply 2000 homes.

The superphosphate formed from phosphate rock and sulphuric acid passes through a further stage to refine its particle size for easy application by ground or aerial spreaders.

Terry, more correctly Dr Terry Smith, who has a number of degrees including a Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry from Waikato University, says without the petroleum industry, the world’s food supplies would be under threat.

“Sulphur is mainly a by-product of the petro-chemical industry. Some comes from volcanic sources [like the long defunct mine of White Island] but that’s rare.

While it’s easy to say we could stop producing so much meat and milk, the fact is much of our farmland isn’t suitable for cropping, so we need to grow pasture to feed animals who collect nutrients for us.

“Even if we all turn vegetarian and grow and eat lots of crops, we eat because the food is nutritious; and to produce nutritious food you need nutrients, and that is what fertilisers provide.”

By Elaine Fisher

pOWer cuts

tO FarMers tHey’re MOre tHaN Just aN INcONVeNIeNce

If you are not prepared for power cuts, they can affect the bottom line – your livelihood.

Lost production, demerit points, electric fence breaches, animal welfare issues and veterinary bills – the list goes on. The modern farmer is heavily reliant on a reliable supply of electricity.

Powerco is your local distribution network provider. Many power cuts are caused by things outside Powerco’s control such as storms and vehicles hitting poles. But we also need to occasionally shut off your electricity supply for network maintenance or upgrades. These are planned power cuts. You receive advance notification about them from your energy retailer allowing you to make alternate plans. They are necessary to keep our networks up to standard to provide you with reliable supply.

We understand that all power cuts are frustrating – planned or not. We always try to schedule planned power cuts at times that suit the majority of affected customers.

That’s never easy because all customers are different. Of course, we have absolutely no control over the timing of unexpected power cuts. But the work we do on the networks during planned power cuts significantly reduces the risk of unexpected power cuts.

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Powerco Limited © 2014. All rights reserved.

HORSE OF THE YEARHE BEST DRENCH A Page 11 T DVIC E FOR

Chinese riders in equestrian event When NRM Horse of the Year Show director Kevin Hansen promises to raise the bar, he’s not joking.

The 2014 show is lining up to be a cracker, with New Zealand’s best onshore riders keen to claim crowns, the Mitavite Trans Tasman test match, the Country TV Tri Nations including Australian, New Zealand and emerging equestrian nation China, the return of Sir Mark Todd, VIP volunteer Te Radar, fashion icon Annah Stretton, the Hall of Fame Dinner, a slew of media, plenty of celebrities and more.

“It’s going to be a good one all right,” says Kevin.

“There is so much going on at this show.”

The premier JB Olympic Cup – which this year will be designed by John Vallance (Australia) – is likely to include former champs Maurice Beatson and Katie McVean, along with other top names, and probably a few new ones too.

The shifting of the John Nicholson-designed cross country to the show grounds for the eventing promises to be a real highlight. Riders are looking forward to it, while behind the scenes plenty of time and effort has gone into planning to ensure everyone is safe. The whole show will grind to a halt to watch the spectacle between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday.

The Mitavite Trans Tasman showjumping test, being held at part of the McMillan Feeds Silver Fern Stakes on Friday evening, is stacking up to be another epic battle.

Kevin is particularly excited to be playing host to a delegation of about 30 Chinese, who are here as a result of his recent trip to the Asian nation.

“China is the emerging equestrian market in the world and increasing at a rate of knots that no other country can match. It is great to have riders, officials, owners and breeders at HOY this year.”

A team of three riders will compete on borrowed horses in the Country TV Tri Nations, which will run two 1.25m rounds a day on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. It is hoped the New Zealand team will be captained by Sir Mark Todd.

“It is a while since we had a tri-nations competition

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A judge runs an eagle eye over a young competitor and her pony – one of 2700 combinations expected to compete at the NRM Horse of the Year Show.

Dreamwater Photography

here, and this new-look one should be a good battle.

It’s always great to have Mark [Todd] at the show.

“He is a real inspiration to every New Zealand rider and we are really lucky to have him here in a world champs year.”

All 18 disciplines are primed and ready for what each hopes will be the best show so far.

Tickets are available for the Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday evening, where VIP guest Lance O’Sullivan, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated jockeys, will entertain through an interview with national ‘Farming Show’ host Jamie MacKay. And of course it is the evening to celebrate those who have given so much to the world of equestrian, with induction to the Hall of Fame.

Trade is bigger and better than ever, and has become a huge draw card to the event, says Kevin.

WHAT: NRM Horse The introduction of the Year Show of the Taste the Bay WHEN: Evening Market on March 18-23 Wednesday in the Land WHERE: Hawke’s Rover Premier Arena is Bay Showgrounds an exciting addition to the show.

A SANOFI COMPANY

Merial is a Sanofi company Merial New Zealand Limited T/A Merial Ancare, Level 3, Merial Building, Osterley Way, Manukau City, 2241, New Zealand. ®EQVALAN, ®GENESIS & ®PARADE are registered trademarks and ™TRIUMPH is a trademark of Merial Limited. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No.’s A4518, A7459, A9029, A10104 & A10105. ©Copyright Merial Limited 2014. All Rights Reserved. NZ-12-EQU-001.

A SANOFI COMPANY

Merial is a Sanofi company Merial New Zealand Limited T/A Merial Ancare, Level 3, Merial Building, Osterley Way, Manukau City, 2241, New Zealand. ®EQVALAN, ®GENESIS & ®PARADE are registered trademarks and ™TRIUMPH is a trademark of Merial Limited. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No.’s A4518, A7459, A9029, A10104 & A10105. ©Copyright Merial Limited 2014. All Rights Reserved. NZ-12-EQU-001.

By Diana Dobson

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 12

Kiwifruit’s sustainability footprint Once upon a time it was enough to provide quality product to consumers.

The New Zealand kiwifruit industry has done this consistently and the result has been premium returns earned in our off-shore markets in excess of that of our competition, Chile, by as much as 30 per cent; and in some markets just more than 100 per cent above the price of Chilean kiwifruit.

Led by the global supermarkets and some large fast food operations, such as McDonald’s, this is all changing.

For example, McDonald’s has announced it will source sustainable beef within two years.

Although, this is a US initiative, McDonald’s is to make it a global strategy.

Unbelievably, McDonald’s purchase about two per cent of the world’s beef production to feed its 34,000 outlets in 118 countries.

McDonald’s is working with beef producers; and looking to promote sustainability for its global beef supply chain that is environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable.

One measure of sustainability being used is the carbon emissions lifecycle. Zespri, working with the Ministry for Primary Industries,

using global best practice (PAS 20/50 methodology) have created a comprehensive carbon footprint across the lifecycle of New Zealand kiwifruit.

This study identifies the pattern of emissions across the lifecycle – from the orchard to consumption in market, as a basis for prioritising reduction initiatives.

It can be seen, from the table on emissions, one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions is shipping.

But importantly, orchard, packhouse and cool store operations account for roughly half of that.

Another measure is water use and disposal. This is particularly a problem for our dairy industry.

Contrasting water use in horticulture is instructive and offers a sustainable alternative.

Research funded by Zespri and MAF (as MPI was then), found the following facts on water management: •100 per cent of kiwifruit water use in New Zealand is from naturally-replenished sources: rainfall and underground aquifers.

• Blue water used for irrigation and frost protection accounts for only five per cent of kiwifruit’s water footprint.

• Grey water has been minimised by reducing orchard crop protection and fertiliser inputs.

But horticulture is not immune from the drive for sustainability.

A growing number of global supermarket chains are not only requiring their animal products to be sustainable, but also their plant products too.

For horticulture, this translates into on-orchard water and greenhouse gas emissions management.

And, as can be seen from the data quoted in this article, this is modest and sustainable.

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My conclusion is diversification into horticulture is not only necessary for New Zealand economic survival, but its environmental survival; and for our exports to meet sustainability requirements.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author.

NZ DAIRY AWARDS

Page 13

Te Puke’s strong showing in dairy awards Entrants in the Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year awards.

Sefton and Katherine Hemmingway.

Brett and Natasha Grindrod

Jeff and Ryn Going.

James and Rachel Otto.

Te Puke may be a prime horticultural region but it’s also strong in dairying, which can be seen from seven farm manager entrants in the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Awards coming from the district.

Two of the six dairy trainee finalists and one of the sharemilker/equity farmer finalists are also from Te Puke.

Fellow entrants in the three award categories are from Whakatane, Tauranga, Opotiki, Murupara and Waimana.

Judging in all sections of the awards was completed by the end of February and winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year and Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will be announced at the region’s awards dinner at the Awakeri Events Centre on March 19.

Bay of Plenty’s regional convenors Richard and Amy Fowler say the awards continue to attract the most talented and ambitious farmers, who are keen to have their skills and abilities recognised as well as progress in the dairy industry.

The entrants will be competing for cash and prizes worth $50,100 and the honour of winning the regional title.

“As past regional winners, we are extremely aware of the opportunities that will be presented to the winners.

Attending the national final was a highlight, with meeting and getting to

know all of the other regional winners.

There are some great people involved and we all look forward to meeting up when we get the chance.”

The Fowlers are pleased with the level of interest in this year’s awards, which has attracted 45 entrants from the region. There are six competing for the Bay of Plenty sharemilker/equity farmer title, nine vying for the farm manager title and 30 contesting the dairy trainee award.

“The level of interest in the dairy trainee contest is just awesome and bodes well for the future of the awards in the region, as those trainees progress in the dairy industry to managing and then sharemilking.”

The awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1 and Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).

Richard and Amy are convening the awards for the first time after winning the region’s Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year title in 2012.

“We’ve just had a wonderful association with the awards. Convening is a new challenge and we’ve enjoyed the opportunity to develop relationships with industry professionals and sponsors associated with the awards.

Working with our team of volunteers on the committee to create a great experience for the entrants has also been great. We’re certainly looking forward to the awards night.”

Entrants in the Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year awards.

They say those considering entering the awards should come along to the regional awards dinner and gain an insight into the awards experience first-hand.

Tickets to the Bay of Plenty regional awards dinner cost $65 and can be purchased by contacting Charlotte Jones on 027 663 1590.

This year’s finalists in the Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year awards are: Jeff and Ryn Going, who milk 344 cows on a 115ha farm owned by John and Linda Folwer of Te Puke, are aiming for a production of 115,000 kg/ms this season.

Grant and Karley Thomson.

Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year entrants.

Caleb Lally.

Jamie Burt.

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Page 14

NZ DAIRY AWARDS

Dairy awards to honour region’s top farmers Value yourself and your team!

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People after all are the heart of farming.

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Brett and Natasha Grindrod, who milk 440 cows on 140ha owned by Barry and Yvonne Richardson of Whakatane, are aiming for 165,000 kg/ms.

Sefton and Katherine Hemmingway, farming 229 cows on 82ha owned by Andrew Hodge of Tauranga, are aiming for 82,000 kg/ms.

James and Rachel Otto, farming 535 cows on 160ha owned by Fraser and Gillean Mclead Searle of Whakatane, are aiming for 168,000 kg/ms.

Grant Thomson, farming 418 cows on 140ha owned by Bremna Farms of Opotiki, is aiming for 140,000 kg/ms.

Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year finalists are: Tony Baker, who is managing 694 cows on 242ha near Tauranga; Thomas Blackett and Stacey Lepper, managing 409 cows on 180ha at Whakatane; Jamie Burt, managing 297 cows on 100ha at Te Puke; Simon Davis, managing 349 cows on 77ha at Te Puke; Caleb Lally, managing 690 cows on 163ha at Te Puke; Luther and Jessica Siemelink, managing 460 cows on 112ha at Te Puke.

The Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainees of the Year finalists are: Andrew Cameron of Te Puke; Josh Cozens of Whakatane; Josh Hedley of Waimana; Cameron Luxton of Murupara; Jodie Mexted of Whakatane; Jeff White of Te Puke.

Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year entrants.

Thomas Blackett, with partner Stacey Lepper.

Luther and Jessica Siemelink.

Richard and Amy Fowler are convening the awards for the first time, after winning Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year title in 2012.

Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year entrants.

Tony Baker.

Simon Davis.

Children dig machinery too While there were plenty of big tractors and diggers for the adults to try out, youngsters also had the chance to drive a digger at last month’s Grasslandz event – thanks to Alistair McIntyre.

entertain, inspire and educate others, especially children, through his own life experiences.

“You only have to look at a busy sandpit to see that children really relate to my love of machinery; the challenge of completing a project, and pride in maintaining a high standard of work.

“I’ve also had to overcome obstacles Better known as Mr Mac, Alistair and challenges, including a serious set up his travelling ‘Doug the Digger’ work accident that really changed how road show at the rural event, giving I look at life. I wouldn’t really describe children instruction in safety, reading myself as a scholastic person, so and machine operation. creating the ‘Doug the Digger’ In association with a book is another challenge that team he calls multiprovided me with the opportalented individuals, tunity to face my own fears Alistair formed and find the courage to the Having Fun turn my dreams into Company to reality.”

Alistair travels the country visiting schools, pre-schools and public events, teaching children the value of reading, writing and paying attention to what’s important, and at the same time giving them the thrill of operating a digger.

“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Seeing the satisfaction on children’s faces as Alistair McIntyre we enjoy ‘Doug the helps five-year-old Digger’ together is just Fletcher Rogers incredible.” operate ‘Doug To find out more go to the Digger’ at www.dougthedigger.co.nz Grasslandz.

NZ DAIRY AWARDS

Page 15

“The Bay of Plenty region is a strong and well established dairy farming region, so the fact we have yet to win a national sharemilker title just demonstrates how tough it is to win; and how prestigious it is for those that are successful,” say BOP regional convenors Richard and Amy Fowler.

“We are pleased to say the region has had success in the newer farm manager and dairy trainee competitions.”

Bay of Plenty’s Shannon Wadsworth was the inaugural

winner of the New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year competition in 2003; and in 2009, Mark Nicholas was successful in claiming the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competition for the region.

The 2014 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards national final will be held in Auckland on May 9, with about $160,000 in cash and prizes on offer, as well as the honour of taking out a national title.

Sharemilker award’s 25-year milestone This year the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards celebrates 25 years of the New Zealand’s longest running and most recognised dairy farming competition; the Sharemilker of the Year (now Sharemilker/Equity Farmer) competition.

Impressive prize pool

because supporting NEw ZEalaNd dairy farmErs mattErs

Nadine and Russell Meade were the 2013 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year.

A large prize pool and further recognition await the three 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards winners, who will progress to the national finals in Auckland on May 9.

The trio will line up against 30 other sharemilker/equity farmer, farm manager and dairy trainee regional finalists to determine who will take home the prizes, worth nearly $160,000, and the national honours.

The prize pool for the 2014 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year is valued at $89,000, with the winner taking home prizes worth nearly $41,500. The runner-up will receive $16,000 in prizes and the third place-getter will take home prizes valued at $11,000. A further $20,000 in cash and prizes will be won by the winners of the nine merit awards.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab,

Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1 and Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO (formerly AgITO).

The 11 regional finalists competing in the New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year will compete for a total prize pool of about $46,500, with the winner taking home about $24,500 in prizes. The runner-up will receive prizes worth $8500 and the third place-getter will win $3500 in prizes.

Five merit awards are worth another $10,000 in cash and prizes to the winners.

A total of $22,400 is on offer to those competing for the New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year title, with the winner collecting prizes worth more than $16,000. The runner-up receives $3000 and the third placegetter receiving $2000 in prizes. One national merit award worth $1000 will also be presented to a trainee.

Further information, on the prizes and awards, is available on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

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Page 16

PASTURE RENOVATION

Time to renew pastures Autumn is a good time to look at pasture renovation, as pasture renewal or renovation is an effective means of keeping it performing to its maximum.

Pasture renewal needs to be done on a more regular basis if legumes are present. Legumes provide ideal forage and diversity, but they have a relatively short lifespan and can disappear quickly in less than ideal conditions, such as drought, overgrazing or competition from either grasses or weeds.

New pastures will provide a number of benefits; the main one being more growth annually. It will improve feed quality by increasing protein content and quality; and will provide more metabolisable energy, or more energy per hectare, and should cut down the need for nitrogen applications. It will also offer higher mineral concentrations, especially calcium and magnesium, which will help prevent animal health problems leading to improved animal performance in both mating and production.

Before renovation, soil needs to be tested and then fertilised based on test results. It is good to use a biologically active fertiliser that will assist the plant

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in establishing a good and healthy root depth, which translates to improved pasture performance and less likelihood of pulling, pugging and associated problems. If legumes are present in the new pasture, do not initially apply nitrogen as this will only promote grass growth and inhibit legume establishment.

Legumes need to be well-established before grazing if they are to endure in pasture.

Revital Fertilisers offers a full testing service and recommendations, based on biologically active fertilisers (vermicast and composts) that will provide a plethora and diversity of microbial life, assisting pasture to get the very best start by offering the plant all essential nutrients in a plant-available form. Scientific results show humic acid from vermicast enhances root extension and formation of denser roots; and will improve seed germination and seedling growth, increasing plant productivity.

Revital has production facilities in Cambridge and Mount Maunganui. I’ve been with Revital Fertilisers for 14 years and recently became the principal Cambridge representative. I look forward to meeting with Waikato farmers to discuss improvements to pastures. An inspection tour of our facility is most welcome and can be arranged by contacting me: Maureen Rabbidge on 0274 408881.

Stuart Cridge, with new season ryegrass – hot off the header and ready to be cleaned at Cridge Seeds’ Canterbury facility.

Grass seeds tried and true Developing, growing and supplying quality grass seed is a family tradition for Cridge Seeds Ltd of Doyleston, Canterbury.

Stuart Cridge formed the company in 1982 and has more than 40 years’ experience in the seed industry. As well as the company’s own decades of research and development, Stuart and wife Julie travel overseas to inspect grass and forage seed trials to keep up with the latest international trends.

“We have experienced and longestablished local farmers who grow our own brands of grass seed for us, which are cleaned at our company site to a high standard, with purity and germination tests available on request,” says Julie.

Cridge Seeds deals directly with its customers and Stuart is available to discuss their specific needs.

“We have a good understanding of

what grows well in different regions of the country so are able to help farmers with their choices,” says Julie.

In fact their website provides general recommendation for species, which will do well in different regions.

Delivery is five days from ordering – but as now until April is very busy, Julie advises clients not to leave ordering until the last minute.

The company has a range of annual, perennial and fodder species. Among it is Canterbury - Riley and Enticer long rotation/perennials. Annuals include Cutter Tetraploid Italian and Striker Diploid Italian.

All of the seed can be used alone, or in sow downs mixed with clovers or brassicas.

Julie, who visited Bay of Plenty clients in February, says as a result of last summer’s drought many farmers are questioning the pasture species they’ve used and are returning to tried and true varieties with the ability to endure tough conditions.

Music under the trees Those who go down in the woods at the TECT All Terrain Park near Tauranga on Sunday, March 2, won’t find bears – but they will find musicians and Lions, as that’s the day the Lions Clubs of Bay of Plenty hold an afternoon of Music Under The Trees.

The Rotorua Symphonic Band will be entertaining between 1pm and 3pm; and while everyone is invited to bring along a picnic, there will be a sausage sizzle too.

The picnic is a chance for the public to see the work done by Lions clubs towards creating the Lions Tree Grove at the park, by transforming a pine forest back into native bush; and a gold coin donation is requested to help with the project.

The TECT All Terrain Park is on State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua. For more information on the afternoon, call 07 349 2450 or email thchef@xtra.co.nz

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DAIRY

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Grass roots preparation for agricultural show duction, good milk production in summer dry periods and high trace element content.

It can be added to all pasture mixes and is a valuable pure stand option for early feed to increase lamb and ewe live weight at weaning. Mark says farmers are also showing renewed interest in chicory; and the variety called Choice is a perennial with good persistence, improved dry matter production, high summer quality and is ideal for short-term finishing or milking pastures.

Clovers, fescue and rye grasses, including new varieties, also featured in plots outside the PGG Wrightson’s site.

Combining a number of pasture species to create a mix not only gives animalsBCL grazing it a varied diet, but can also help with pasture persistence in adverse weather, says Mark.

Accelerating breeding enhances traits University of Waikato science student Zach McLean has been awarded a $5000 Patrick Shannon Scholarship from Livestock Improvement Corporation.

The scholarship will go towards a Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons)) research project, working alongside Dr Bjorn Oback and the Reproductive Technologies group at AgResearch.

The project will involve investigating genes associated with the genetic network regulating pluripotency in bovine embryos. Pluripotent cells are able to produce all cell types in the body and emerge during early preimplantation development.

“My project will contribute to the aim of capturing this population of cells within the early embryo. Once captured, we wish to derive so-called embryonic stem cells from this cell population,” says Zach. “With these cells, valuable genetics of elite cows could be stored in a petri dish and used to speed up the breeding process.

In the future, this accelerated breeding will lead to animals with desirable traits such as a higher milk yield or reduced methane production.”

Zach completed his Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech)) with a double major in Chemistry and Biological Sciences last year at Waikato University, and will continue this year with a BSc(Hons) focusing solely on Biological Sciences.

Waikato During the BSc (Tech), he University student completed two work placements.

Zach McLean.

“In my first placement I was in a

water-testing laboratory at SGS in Waihi, during which I used analytical techniques to analyse a number of samples from the Waihi gold mine.

“In my second placement I undertook a project at AgResearch, in the Reproductive Technologies group.

This involved research using a number of molecular biology and embryology skills and ultimately led me to my post-graduate research topic.”

A former Tauranga Boys’ College student, Zach decided to study at Waikato following an impressive visit to the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Zach says financially it was also the best option, due to the School Leavers Scholarships available.

In the future Zach plans to undertake a PhD, before venturing into a career as a research scientist in the area of molecular biology.

BCL Feed Systems Mark Enevoldsen, technical field representative Feed Systems

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The team cultivated part of their site, by planting nine small plots of different pasture species, to give farmers a chance to examine them when attending the show near Eureka in late January.

Matamata’s PGG Wrightson technical field representative Mark Enevoldsen says the real

‘live’ demonstration of individual pasture species, and a sample of a mixed pasture, attracted a lot of attention.

“It was an opportunity to showcase PGG Wrightson’s extensive experience in agronomy, animal health and nutrition and its focus on providing quality inputs and advice for farmers to help them lift productivity,” says Mark.

“It’s great for farmers to be able to see the plants growing and to discuss what would suit their feed requirements and climate best.”

Mark says there was a lot of interest in plantain “because of the live weight gain it offers and because of how it stood up to last summer’s drought”.

The plantain variety called Tonic offers excellent winter growth, high dry matter pro-

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DAIRY

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Alice is the tunnel-boring machine currently worming its way underneath Auckland’s suburbs, creating what will become two three-lane tunnels.

With each tunnel 2.4km long, and up to 45 metres below ground, it will connect the Western Motorway at Point Chevalier to the rest of the Western Ring Rd. The Cutting Head Diameter is 14.4m – and is 87m long with a top speed of 0.0005km/h, or 80mm per minute.

Smartway Security Services is helping Alice and the team, which operate it, to get the job done.

The company has been contracted to install closed circuit television cameras to help with the construction project.

The cameras are currently being installed on Alice and the conveyer belt system that carries more than 800,000m3 of earth out of the tunnels, as she moves through the next 4.8km.

“This is just one of the many exciting jobs that Smartway’s technicians get to work on,” says Roger Bull, the company’s managing director.

Another recent installation saw the technicians install a network of cameras, wireless links and wi-fi access points at Waikato Stud in Matamata to help manage their business more efficiently.

“They wanted to be more proactive in response to keeping an eye on their mares when they were in foal; they now keep an eye on the stables using their smartphones.”

Smartway Security Services has installed closed circuit television cameras on Alice.

So if you are looking for security CCTV cameras, alarms and monitoring, wireless networking and wi-fi – or anything to do with electronic surveillance – at home, around your business or on the farm – then give Roger at Smartway a call and get him to bring the CCTV Demonstration Truck around to show you.

DAIRY

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IMAGINE...

There will always be ‘the millionaires’ in the herd, who push up the daily bulk milk SCC.

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

Milk down – somatic counts up It happens every year – production takes a tumble with the dry weather and farmers get caught with Somatic Cell Count grades.

Plus, a rapid change to once-a-day milking increases the risks.

Too often there’s more than what farmers describe as ‘just the odd grade’. There is a whole swarm of them, all wasting hard-earned money with the current high milk payout.

Many farmers seem less worried about penalties when the payout is high – but whatever the payout, wasting income on SCC grades is bad, and can be avoided even when the system has failed to detect problems early.

In a herd at any time, there will always be ‘the millionaires’, who push up the daily bulk milk SCC; and if these are found early and dealt to, then grade risks are immediately reduced.

Too many farmers have BMSCC floating at about 250-300 cells per millilitres of milk, and think they’re safe. But it doesn’t take more than a few millionaires to catch them out.

The message for decades was to ‘treat’ cows with rising SCC. This inevitably meant using antibiotics, which didn’t work – but few were brave enough to admit it.

At least following this old Five Point Plan advice

meant you felt you were doing something positive to help. Thankfully, the message has changed to: ‘Treat snots and watch clots’ until the cow goes clinical, when antibiotics then have a fair chance of working.

But this is not a good approach either, as you have to sit there with high somatic milk going into the supply, knowing it is adding to the BMSCC – and a rogue millionaire cow or two that has been missed by the milking team will cause a grade, often hosing that days’ profit into the effluent system.

The many farmers using Wormade’s Oral Mineral Supplement (OMS) have got a system that is simple and goes into action at the first sign of a rise in BMSCC. When the bulk cells go up, the search is on for the millionaires and they’re immediately dosed with OMS – and watched. If their SCC doesn’t drop, they’re dosed again – and watched. If they’ve not responded with their SCC going back down again, they’re marked for culling. Plus, there are no antibiotics involved.

The OMS programme has produced many positive benefits. A dosed cow never goes clinical, saving money on drugs, vets and withheld milk. Also, staff don’t get frustrated waiting for clinical mastitis in suspect cows, and the biggest plus of all – they don’t have the daily worry about a nasty message of a penalty on the docket, and then devise who was responsible for it.

(Source: Wormade).

Dairy cattle code of welfare The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is amending the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare to cover the welfare needs of dairy cattle, including calves that are kept off-pasture. A new section covering behavioural needs of all dairy cattle is also proposed.

In its submission on the changes, Federated Farmers has agreed changes need to be made; the welfare of dairy cattle is important; farming practices are changing as farmers are required to manage nutrient run-off; and that standing cows off paddocks can range from just a few hours to months.

In a recent newsletter to members,

Federated Farmers says it welcomes additional notes for those contemplating building an off-pasture management system.

The federation considers the development of guidelines, and possibly a code of practice on construction would be a step in the right direction.

Getting it right the first time will save farmers money; and as the practice is new to New Zealand, Federated Farmers feels this guidance would benefit the industry. It’ll also look after the welfare needs of the animals too.

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Page 20

DAIRY

Breaking with convention – when it boosts the bottom line Cor Verwey is a conventional dairy farmer with a bent for the unconventional when it comes to management practices, provided it enhances the operation’s bottom line.

Christine and Cor Verwey, who have farmed the former drystock land on the outskirts of Te Puke for 25 years, consistently out-perform the area’s farming benchmarks in almost all areas of farm production from milk solids to pasture dry matter.

Cor and his son David shared their philosophies and

Cow number 24 wandered up for a pat as Cor Verwey talked to a DairyNZ discussion group on his Te Puke farm.

management techniques with about 30 farmers and rural professionals at a DairyNZ discussion group day in late January, which included a walkover part of the farm to look at the herd and two different pastures. Organised by Kevin McKinley of DairyNZ, it was the first in the district for 2014.

“The purpose of our discussion group is to review the physical performance of this farm and to look for opportunities to enhance it, to help the host business growth objectives,” says Kevin.

The Friesian and Friesian-cross cows appeared keen to hear what was said about them, as they moved quietly closer to members of the discussion group, standing in their paddock. Cow number 24, perhaps bored with the lack of action, calmly walked on in for a pat from Cor as he explained the farm’s policy of testing for but not treating mastitis.

Cows with infection are isolated and looked after, returning to the herd once they’ve recovered, says Cor. However, repeat infections could see them culled.

Cell counts are low and the 460 members of the herd enjoy generally good health, thanks partly to being well fed and to genetics.

“I breed cows for longevity. There’s no point in having a high producing cow which only lasts a few seasons.”

Cows are not induced and no drugs are used to improve timing of pregnancy.

“Feeding PK [Palm Kernel] in the spring saw mating improve heaps. We also put more urea on in spring to feed the cows well for mating.”

The cows aren’t herd-tested either, because Cor doesn’t believe it offers any financial benefits.

“Last season the herd animal health costs were $40 per cow.”

The cows produced 177,560 kilograms of milk solids in the 2012-2013 season, compared to the benchmark of 144,540

kg/ ms and the aim for this season is 195,000 kg/ms. The cows were in milk for 268 days, compared to the benchmark of 227.

As well as good quality pasture, the herd also receives 550kg per cow of palm kernel; and maize silage is grown on the farm and a run-off to extend lactation.

Calves are grazed off-farm from October 1 and return home in-calf in July.

In March last year, when the farm, like all others in the district, was suffering the effects of a prolonged drought, Cor and David mixed seed of the new Shogun tetraploid hybrid ryegrass with lime and spread it on the pasture – and prayed for rain.

When the rain eventually came, the new grass quickly became well established. “We did 95 per cent of the farm – and I kick myself that I didn’t sow more.”

The farm has its own fertiliser spreader, which has made it easier for Cor and David to act on the information received from soil tests from individual paddocks.

While it’s more expensive to soil test the whole farm, the results appeal to Cor’s financially-prudent nature. “I don’t mind spending money if it’s going to save me money. With these tests, I’m not using as much fertiliser.”

Rob Adam of Ravensdown says new technology, including GPS systems and Ravensdown’s joint ventures with companies operating variable rate fertiliser spreaders, now make taking samples from individual paddocks worthwhile – because spreaders have the ability to apply what is needed and where.

“This farm has three different soil types; sandy, loam and one we’ve called ‘complex’.

It has high areas, low areas; areas which are wet and those which are dry.”

The soil tests results differ from paddock to paddock and clearly showed areas which were low in particular nutrients and those which didn’t need

A pasture mix, including chicory and plantain, is proving popular with cows on the Verwey farm at Te Puke.

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Individual paddock soil testing any more. The testing of individual paddocks costs between $2500 and $3000 but can result in savings in fertiliser costs, says Rob. The recommendation is to repeat them every five years, but Cor may have the tests done again next year to see what gains have been made.

Effluent is spread on about 80 hectares of the 122ha effective unit and those paddocks required little extra, apart from sulphur, says Cor. Pioneer’s regional manager Robin Billett says effluent contains a range of nutrients derived from what the cows have been eating, including palm kernel and maize silage.“Using farm

effluent can be worth $500 to $1100 per ha in savings on fertiliser costs.”

David and Cor have also included chicory and plantain in some of their pastures; a mix the cows find particularly palatable. In order to avoid damaging the more delicate species, they don’t break feed it, instead putting the whole herd into the pasture for 12 hours before removing the cows to graze elsewhere.

Cor’s farming principles are: “Keep it simple, run a low cost profitable operation, be mindful of farm working expenses”.

And Cor says he’s allergic to metal – “the kind which is shaped into big expensive farm machinery”.

By Elaine Fisher

A way through for dairying The Government-appointed Commissioner for the Environment has again criticised the government’s fresh water policies, saying they are inadequate for the maintenance of present water quality; and saying there is little in the national policy for fresh water management that would prevent the dire 2020 scenario in her report on water quality, presented last year, becoming a reality.

Amy Adams, the Environment Minister, rejected the criticism, saying the commissioner seemed to be deliberately forgetting every council will be required, at a minimum, to maintain water quality.

Bryce Johnson of Fish and Game says the commissioner’s comments are timely and that the current government’s enthusiasm for irrigation with very little attention to the serious consequences scares the hell out of them.

Willy Leferink, of Federated Farmers, says farmers aren’t dumb and are regulated by rules as well as economic sense; and with every kilogram of nitrogen costing $2 farmers want to mitigate the loss of nitrates.

There is much in each statement that is factual and relevant, and most importantly little by little the discussion is getting to the heart of the matter – the annual application of more than 500,000 tonnes of urea to our 15,000 dairy farms at an average of 150kgN/ha.

Thirty years ago, very little urea was applied; and one of the consequences of applying nitrogen is now about 230 million kilograms is used annually. In a number of areas the amount of Nitrate N in groundwater is rapidly approaching the level where health warnings will have to be issued.

It’s been claimed New Zealand’s water is already “stuffed” and we don’t accept that, however large dairy farm developments currently applying for irrigation rights claiming Nitrate N leaching losses will be mitigated by ‘yet to be developed technology’ highlights a real issue.

It takes 10 years for sufficient information to be gained to know whether

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Cor Verwey is a pragmatic farmer who believes in keeping things simple, but effective.

a new product or process will actually provide the desired results, and even if the ‘yet to be developed technology’ is available tomorrow; 10 years is too long to wait.

The only valid argument for the continued use of fertiliser nitrogen is much less pasture would be grown without its use. Not one of the scientists that support our work agrees with this.

MAF pasture measurements from the late-1970s to early1980s recorded annual pasture growth in excess of 18 tonne of dry matter annually without the use of nitrogen fertiliser. Annual pasture growth from permanent pasture now is significantly less.

DoloZest and CalciZest based total nutrient packages have been used for 10 consecutive years on intensive dairy farms; and total annual pasture production this season will measure close to 20 tonne, substantially exceeding any conventional system.

Nitrate N losses from leaching on the Berryman Edgecumbe property, (the ESI focus property), meet the current Ministry of the Environment ‘good’ standard; about one-third of the losses from a comparative property using a conventional N-driven programme.

Each component of DoloZest and CalciZest has a proven benefit. The key to the substantial improvement in performance is due to the innovative way in which the products have been put together and combined with conventional nutrients.

Its unique technology developed here in New Zealand for our conditions; technology local farmers can rightfully claim as their own and use with an immediate lift in total farm production and a reduction in nitrogen leached.

For more information, contact Peter Burton at Eco-Logic Soil Improvement on 0800843809.

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EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Vermicast benefits pasture - maize We all know earthworms are an important indicator for soil fertility. They mix the soil and make sure air can get to the roots.

Earthworms also play an important part in the soil food web to improve bacterial, fungal and other microbial activity in our soils.

This is done by the flora of the intestine of a worm.

So the real value of the earthworms is actually the end product of what is digested and excreted from the earthworms.

This is called earthworm casting, or if produced in a worm farm it is called vermicast.

Vermicast is humus-loaded with beneficial bacteria enzymes, such as phosphatase, making phosphate plant available, along with plant nutrients; and most importantly, specific plant and root growth promoters. Some of these earthworm-made root and plant growths promoters are gibberellin and auxin-like humic acids.

In a way these promoters are ‘telling’ the plant there are plenty of earthworms in the soil to provide the plant with nutrients; and it makes sense for the plant

Vermicast is the end product of what is digested and excreted from earthworms.

to invest into growing more roots, and to increase nutrient uptake activity at the roots.

More deeper and more active roots will allow pasture and crops to access more nutrients, especially those slowly leaching down through the top soil towards the groundwater.

John Nettleton of Blue Grass Contracting Ltd at Matamata has seen significant results from the use of vermicast applications.

“The benefits are especially noticeable in the dry late-summer period, where the vermicast areas of

maize don’t have the same drought stress symptoms,” says John.

Most benefits from vermicast can be expected on soils with shallow and poor root development with no or few earthworms. There are also benefits in paddocks where effluent is applied to increase nutrient and water or effluentholding capacity within the root zone.

Rates of 2.5 to 5 tonnes per ha on pasture and 10 to 20 tonnes per ha to

maize of MyNOKE vermicast have been applied in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Region with great success.

MyNOKE vermicast releases plant and root growth promoters, which increases nutrient and water-holding capacity of top soils; and reduces nitrate and potassium losses from pasture and maize, and is available from sites in Tokoroa and Kawerau.

By Dr Michael Quintern, CEO of MyNOKE

Professional and humorous too

Peter Harford happily admits to being “in the shit” for at least the last 34 years – and thousands of people throughout the Bay of Plenty are really glad he is.

That’s because Peter and the team at Pete’s Takeaways have been taking care of septic tank waste since the early 1970s.

During this time Peter’s built a reputation not only for a prompt, efficient and extremely clean and tidy service, but also for his rapid-fire jokes – because, says Peter, to survive in the septic tank cleaning business, a sense of humour is vital.

Humour, (and the right protective clothing), helps when operators are called to search in septic tanks for false teeth or diamond rings, or to examine a portaloo for a lost wallet.

0 7

5 4 1

But despite the laughter and the jokes, Peter says it’s a serious business.

“A poorly-maintained septic tank will become a serious health hazard, spreading disease and contaminating water sources. We recommend tanks be cleaned every four to five years because septic tanks are a bit like cars which need their oil changed regularly to stop them setting sick. Septic tanks need cleaning so they don’t get sick and make your family sick too.”

Poorly maintained septic tank systems can also be expensive to repair with soakage fields alone costing between $3000 and $9000 to upgrade.

Pete’s Takeaways has a register of more than 11,000 septic tanks from Waihi to Whakatane and he can advise clients on when their facilities next need cleaning.

The task may be seen by some as a dirty job but for Pete’s Takeaways, hygiene of staff, vehicles and equipment is vital – as is leaving the client’s yard in pristine condition.

3 4 0 2

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 23

Wairakaia farm wins environment award Muriwai farmers Rob and Sandra Faulkner and Bruce and Jo Graham have been named Supreme winners of the 2014 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The Faulkners and Grahams run the 600ha family farm Wairakaia, south of Gisborne.

At a special Ballance Farm Environment Awards ceremony on February 20, Wairakaia also collected the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, the Hill Laboratories Harvest Award, the Massey University Innovation Award and The East Coast Farming For The Future Award.

Wairakaia is a sheep, beef and cropping operation, running about 5000 stock units on contour ranging from flat to very steep and growing about 190ha of maize, squash and seed corn on owned and leased land.

The business has 32ha of forestry, 10ha of citrus and 1ha of tree lucerne.

It also has a poplar nursery that supplies the farm and sells about 1000 poles annually.

BFEA judges noted the farm’s highproducing, quality stock and good mix of genetics. The cropping programme has been successfully integrated with stock finishing and the operation achieves consistent crop yields, with the inclusion of citrus providing increased diversity. Judges also noted the excellent

Supreme winners of the 2014 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards Bruce and Jo Graham and Rob and Sandra Faulkner. pasture and soil management and the consideration given to effects on both land and water.

The farm was originally settled by Rob and Jo’s great-grandparents in 1900.

Subsequent generations of the family planted trees for agroforestry, erosion control and aesthetics.

Erosion control is ongoing and the planting is varied, with BFEA judges noting the “careful selection of biodiversity plantings for public viewing”.

While all partners contribute to the running of the business, Rob and Bruce form the core working partnership.

Each has a defined role and complementary skills.

BFEA judges praised the structure of the business which enables the family to maintain its partnership “during intense development and off-farm activities at national, regional and local levels”.

A BFEA field day will be held on Wairakaia on Thursday, March 27, 2014.

Diversity in take-aways “We set very high standards, so high in fact that if clients aren’t home when we clean their tank, they don’t even know we have been – that’s how good our drivers are at reinstating lawns and areas covering the septic tanks.”

Septic tank cleaning accounts for 50 per cent of the company’s business. Pumping other liquids, including dangerous chemical spills, makes up the balance.

The company’s fleet of nine vehicles are able to pump waste from cruise ships, spilled concrete, molasses, liquid fat or fuel; and was involved in helping clean up waste from the wreck of the Rena, when it washed onto Bay of Plenty’s beaches.

Personal service is another hallmark of the company. When clients call Pete’s Takeaways, whatever the hour, they talk to an experienced professional, often Peter or manager Red Milson, who has been with the company for 18 years.

“We like to think of ourselves as the cono-sewers of the takeaway business,” says Peter.

Other winners In the 2014 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards were: Meridian Energy Excellence Award: Art and Jill Eastham, Whatatutu.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award: Bruce Nimon, Hastings.

PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award: Richard and

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Robyn Busby, Makorori Station, Whangara.

WaterForce Integrated Management Award: Leicester and Margaret Gray and Callum and Sarah Gray, Waipawa.

Donaghys Farm Stewardship Award: Tom and Linda Savage, Te Karaka.

LIC Merit Award: Dave and Tracey Thompson, Takapau.

The benefits of gypsum in soil treatment are well known, but its value goes well beyond this: • Helps mitigate the flow of nitrates and phosphorus in New Zealand waterways • Can be used to address the issue of sodium from applied effluent • Reduces surface run-off and drainage loss, reduces preferential flow of water run-off in soil • Can be applied by a number of different means to target risk zones • Assists with addressing high soil potassium levels Rates vary per farm and soil type. Applications can last for up to three years and can be used as a base layer in stand-off (loafing) pads.

For further information please contact your local fertiliser supplier, phone 0800 100 442, or visit our website at www.gypsum.co.nz

MAIZE

Page 24

This crop of red clover and ryegrass is not one of Kiwi Fertilisers’. There was not a single bee to be seen or heard as the crop energy is lacking. Crops grown by Kiwi Fertiliser are covered in bees that produce copious quantities of honey and are the fattest bees beekeepers have seen.

Getting the best out of what we have We, at Kiwi Fertiliser have no problem at all growing clover – whether it is red or white. Nor do we need GE to do so.

There is ample evidence that GE produces inferior food worldwide, causing more problems than it solves.

In addition, soil fertility is declining slowly but surely on most properties worldwide because it is driven by corporations, or co-ops that behave like corporations. They have their own interests, not the farmers’ interests in mind.

We haven’t scratched the surface regarding increased production and profit, yet GE is seen by some as a magic bullet. There are no magic bullets.

I’ve measured pasture production for many years now. On one farm I fertilised, the increase was 48 per cent during five years.

They couldn’t afford to fertilise the whole

farm each year, but still attained 9.6 per cent per annum while not reaching anything like full potential. The best flats produced 21,000 kg/ha while the worst were about 15,000, rolling was 19,000 and steep hills made 9000.

Soil quality was not great. Clover was generally about 30 per cent of the sward except for February, when it was 60 per cent as grass growth declined.

Another farm fertilised by Kiwi Fertiliser was measured by DairyNZ. This time, it was pasture eaten on rolling country which rose from 11,500 kg/ha to 14,100 kg/ha – an annual increase during three years of 7.5 per cent, including the 2013 drought. More is yet to come. Nor is it just about dry matter.

Pasture quality and stock health have both improved. We don’t need GE clover. We need to get the best out of what we have, by working with nature, not against it.

Clover and other legumes require five factors to fix free nitrogen from the air:

1. Appropriate calcium and magnesium per cent as measured on the base saturation.

2. Available phosphorus (not excess P).

3. Available iron.

4. Cobalt.

5. Molybdenum.

Unfortunately, most soil tests I see show deficits or excesses of calcium; deficits of magnesium and cobalt; and excesses of P and Mo. If your Mg is not up to scratch, you will require up to 50 per cent more bagged nitrogen to get the same results; so these things are important.

You will not get the same results by using the cheapest fertiliser either. Cheapest is not best. Cheapest is actually the costliest.

Mag oxide and serpentine will not build Mg in the soil in the vast majority of cases.

This manifests itself year after year in animal health issues, particularly around calving, costing the industry millions of dollars annually in lost revenue.

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

}80%

EXCHANGEABLE HYDROGEN (10 to 15%)

Further, the correct Ca:Mg percentage greatly mitigates the effects of drought, making white clovers shallow root system a virtual non-issue.

However, potassium and zinc are also involved in water use efficiency. Frequently, these two nutrients are below par.

I changed my wicked ways many years ago.

Many years before that, I stopped adding red clover seed into seed mixes. It was a waste of time. One of the first observations after changing fertility practices was of red clover proliferation. The grazing management was unchanged.

A 5600kg/ha crop of red clover requires 315kg of N, 30kg of P, 225kg of K, 135kg of Ca, 35kg of Mg and 28kg of S. That’s just for 5.6 tonne/ha. Some soil experts maintain there is no such thing as calcium deficiency in NZ soils. Evidence we see tells us otherwise; and we don’t have any problems growing red clover and grazing it.

MAIZE

Page 25

Comparing maize with maize at Grasslandz Four new hybrids, including one with higher drought tolerance (Optimum AQUAmax) compared to the other hybrids, and one described as a “tall plant with chunky ears”, were among 18 maize hybrids on display at the Pioneer Brand Products’ plot at Grasslandz.

Craig Maxwell, regional manager for Pioneer Brands, North Waikato and South Auckland.

Craig Maxwell, regional manager for Pioneer Brands, North Waikato and South Auckland says work on the site began in spring when the hybrids were planted.

Being able to grow a selection of hybrids in one location is an opportunity to show a range of hybrids and maturity, says Craig, as it gives farmers and contractors the chance to see the hybrids side by side and assess them under similar growing conditions.

Last summer’s drought has heightened interest in maize in general, and in particular plants able to cope with drier conditions; and Craig says those in the Optimum AQUAmax range, with higher water use efficiency compared to other hybrids, are in demand.

“To be clear, the Optimum AQUAmax range of Pioneer Hybrids is not drought-resistant, but they do have higher tolerances under drier conditions; and therefore offer more opportunity with minimising plant stress and subsequently less yield loss under those conditions.”

The plants on display were grown under commercial conditions. “We don’t pamper our hybrids as each hybrid needs to be able to perform under normal farming conditions, but we do of course always stick to and recommend best practice which includes

Dry conditions slow crops Constant wind, dry weather and cooler nights in January slowed development of Waikato maize crops, the Foundation for Arable Research reports in its newsletter ‘Maize @ction’.

Previously crops were about two weeks ahead of normal, but the weather conditions had brought them back to more average timeframes.

Also in the Waikato, some leaf rolling and firing of the lower leaves is continuing in the drier areas and rainfall would be very beneficial, as all but the lateplanted crops move through the

critical pollination stage.

Central and Eastern Waikato have been particularly dry, and rainfall is now critical for grain fill. However, should the dry weather continue, crops will start to rapidly dry down and again advance the season’s harvest timing.

Growers are reminded to scout headland areas for biosecurity weeds, such as velvet leaf and noogoora bur.

In the Bay of Plenty, maize crops continue to look promising as a result of above average rainfall and warm days. Only minor armyworm damage and common rust has been observed. While crops are not moisture-stressed, rain would be beneficial to ensure excellent grain fill. Noogoora bur

is also a weed to watch out for.

While the Gisborne flats have received some rainfall, by February it was getting dry again and further rainfall would be very beneficial for grain fill.

The Wairoa and Tolaga areas have had more rainfall and crops look very good. There are no reports of armyworm.

In the Hawke’s Bay, ground conditions were dry in January/ February; and unirrigated crop yields on the poorer soils were being compromised. Some areas nearer the hills have had more rainfall and crops are looking promising. As in other areas, crop development has slowed due to the wind and cooler night temperatures. For more information, visit www.far.org.nz

good ground preparation, timely weed control and fertiliser application and equally important, choosing the right product for the right paddock which is where the Pioneer range of hybrids for each maturity comes in.”

The 2013-2014 growing season has been exceptional so far with the maize

getting off to a good start, enabling the hybrids to reach closer to their potential.

Each hybrid was clearly marked with its number and while Pioneer staff were on hand to explain their attributes, information sheets were also available in pouches attached to the numbered signs.

MAIZE

Page 26

Preparation recipe for success The quality of an excellent maize silage crop can be significantly reduced if it is not stacked, covered and cared for correctly.

Too often we see crops which have taken time, attention and money to grow damaged by farmers taking shortcuts at the ninth hour.

Making top quality silage with high metabolic energy requires careful preparation and attention to detail, which starts with checking the cobs for the right dry matter. For us, the harvest is already underway. Before starting we make sure cobs are at the two-thirds milk-line, which will give 35 to 36 per cent dry matter.

Check that your contractors are chopping the maize to the right length and carry out the “squeeze test” to ensure no moisture runs out between your fingers.

Kernels should be smashed open, so

cows can digest them and get the energy they need from the feed. If you find whole ones, talk to your contractor about adjusting the kernel processor until the cobs are mashed up.

Once the maize arrives at the wellprepared silage site, ensure it is spread in thin layers, and each is well compacted before the next layer is added.

The stack should be constructed of layers no more than 75mm to 100mm - and each layer must be rolled well.

When a properly-made stack is complete, it should not be possible to push your finger into it any further than the end of your finger nail or your first knuckle. If you’re concerned about the compaction, talk to the driver or your contractor and get them to do it properly.

Don’t make the stack or pit too wide; you need to determine how much you are going to feed out each day. Long and narrow is better than wide and

high, unless you have a block cutter to cut the face.

You need to take 30cm-a-day across the whole face; otherwise in humid conditions clostridia bacteria, which can be fatal to stock, can become established in the stack.

A stack which isn’t made well is loose and lets in the air so the stack will go mouldy. Cows won’t want to eat it and if they do mycotoxins, which grow in it, may reduce their fertility.

We add an inoculant to our maize, which speeds up the ensiling process by introducing beneficial bacteria to use up the sugars or energy in the silage to preserve it faster and produce a better quality product.

Once compacted and covered, the whole stack heats up, using up energy, and you want this to happen quickly, preferably within two weeks.

More expensive inoculants, which contain different bacteria to produce acetic acid to reduce the growth of yeasts and help hold the face of the stack more stable at feed-out time, are also available and we can include them on request.

Make sure the stack is well-covered, and the edges are sealed and cover is tight, not bellowing in the wind and pumping air into the stack as this will cause condensation – water is alkaline and the silage is acid, and this can start a composting instead of ensiling process.

Air can also get in through damage to the cover caused by tossing on old tyres with wire sticking out, so be careful when putting tyres on; or by rats, possums or pukeko, so laying bait stations for pests is

important. Covering the stack with netting will keep pukeko off. Fence or hot wire the site too because young livestock love climbing on silage stacks, damaging the cover with their hooves and leaving effluent everywhere.

Don’t use last year’s cover, except as a secondary cover over or under a new one, as it’s bound to have holes in it which will let in water and air.

A badly damaged stack can see farmers lose up to half the value of their silage. It’s a valuable and expensive product, so treat it right.

Once the stack is open, don’t cover the face again, but do put shade cloth over it if you need to keep birds out.

Covering it can encourage the growth of unwanted yeasts in a humid environment.

Many farmers will be turning their turnip and maize paddock back into pasture; and as with everything in farming, preparation is vital. Soil tests will determine what’s needed to grow grass; sprays will keep weeds and insects like grass grub and black beetle under control. Buy top quality seed, which is right for your requirements and location, ensure the seed bed is well prepared and compacted and keep up the fertiliser programme.

Laying baits for slugs is also worthwhile, as they and stem weevil will happily chew up new young shoots.

If kikuyu is a problem, now is a good time to spray and put in winter annuals if the paddock is going into turnips or maize next spring.

Using three sprays through the growing season can help get rid of unwanted weeds and grasses.

New harvest machine collects data too Maize harvesting is coming up quickly, with many crops looking exceptionally good. At Neville Marsh Contracting, Neville, Daniel and their harvester drivers are excited about the new technology and machinery they are introducing this season.

Neville Marsh Contracting Ltd has the new era in forage processing technology called Shredlage. This crushes the kernel producing ‘Shredlage’ is longer cut corn measuring 26mm-30mm with the stalk ripped length-wise into planks and strings, allowing for improved effective fibre, better packing and a greater exposure to the inner cells of the plant for increased microbial activity. As a result of the increased digestibility, dairymen now have the option of taking out

ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD

Neville Marsh Contracting’s new CLAAS Jaguar 950 Harvester not only harvests maize, but gathers information on the crop too. or lowering straw, hay or haylage - allowing a much higher percentage of the diet as Shredlage - and still having healthy cows.

The company’s new ClAAS Jaguar 950 Harvester has other advanced technology too.

“We are now able to do a print out of each job done, whether on-farm or for clients buying in maize.

Information gathered includes the crop’s area, total wet tonnes, average moisture and the average dry matter.

“Our harvester drivers will now know when they are close to finishing one client; and in turn give the truck drivers directions to the new job when it starts,” says Neville.

Farmers growing their own maize will now have an indication of how many wet tonnes, and the maize dry matter percentage in their maize silage stack.

This information will mean more efficient feeding, less waste and a better dollar return on the farmer’s investment. The farmer will also see if it is effective to grow his own maize, or whether it would be more cost effective to buy it in.

“If farmers want their maize weighed, we have our fully-certified Marsh Portable Weighbridge that can be set up on farm to do this.”

All trucks weighed have individual IDs, which are printed on the docket along with the time, date, gross, tare, and net weight. This allows farmers to keep a check that no trucks have gone over the weighbridge without being recorded. Dry matter samples will be taken on the farmer’s request and sent away to be tested for dry matter only, or a more in depth analysis, for example; Metabolisable Energy, Crude Protein or a full feed quality analysis.

MAIZE

Page 27

Gain more this maize harvest Once your maize silage crop has reached silage harvest point, your focus needs to shift from maximising crop yield and quality to minimising losses.

like Pioneer brand 11C33 can help keep silage cooler for longer. In fact, a published New Zealand trial shows 11C33 inoculated maize silage stayed cooler 55.5 hours longer than an untreated control.

While maize silage can be fed immediately after harvest, maxiGood stack Photo supplied by Neville Marsh. mum aerobic management stability gains coupled with the will be made use of a proven when it is fersilage inoculant mented 30 days can help ensure prior to feeding. you lose less Less heating dry matter and means your nutrients – and gain more from maize silage your maize silage loses less energy, investment. so your herd can Most crops produce more lack sufficient milk.

The maize harvest is about to begin – and it’s important numbers of the Compaction to make the most of this valuable supplement. right bacteria removes air to ensure a fast, from the silage efficient fermentation. Silage inoculants contain large stack so the fermentation process can begin. Ensure numbers of tested and proven “good” bacteria. When your maize is well compacted by matching the size added to the crop at harvest time they multiply, and number of compaction vehicles with the rate of controlling the fermentation process. As a result, less maize silage delivery to the stack. A better comenergy and dry matter is lost during ensiling – and paction will be achieved if maize is spread in thin you get more feed energy, which your cows can use to (100-150mm) layers. produce milk.

Seal the edges of the stack or bunker using sand or The positive effects of silage inoculants observed in lime. While the maize in your stack or bunker can controlled industry and university studies include: be fed out immediately, its feed value will increase • Lower silage pH slightly over time as fermentation bacteria improve • Greater dry matter recovery (less shrinkage, spoilthe availability of nutrients, especially starch. For this age and run-off ) reason it is recommended farmers always keep a stack • Improved silage digestibility (higher feed energy of maize silage on hand, so last year’s silage can be fed levels) out while the new silage is fermenting.

• Increased animal performance (more milk or more Two critical factors associated with reducing silage meat per tonne of silage fed) losses are management of the front (or face) of the Just as two cows differ in their ability to convert stack, and feed-out rate. Design your bunker or stack pasture into milk, silage bacteria differ in their ability so you can remove 15-20cm from the stack face each to convert sugar to lactic acid and make good silage. day. Keeping the stack face tight throughout the Research shows proven products, such as Pioneer feed-out period will reduce the amount of time the brand 1132, can deliver up to $13.14 return per silage is exposed to the air. This will decrease the risk dollar invested when compared to an untreated of mould growth and spoilage and help minimise control. Don’t waste your money on an unproven energy and dry matter losses. product; always ask for product-specific inoculant Get more maize silage dry matter and energy; and trial data. reduce spoilage and losses by using a Pioneer brand Maize silage is more prone to heating at feed-out inoculant and following good management practices time than other silages, because it contains a high this harvest time. Your cows will thank you by delivconcentration of starch and sugars. Silage inoculants ering more milk. (Source: Pioneer brand).

THIS HARVEST IT’S YOUR CALL...

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RETAIN MORE SILAGE, GAIN MORE MILK AND INCREASE PROFIT*

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INOCULANTS *Returns are calculated relative to an untreated control using drymatter recovery data from Pioneer trials, Washington State University dairy milk production results and a milksolids payout of $8.60/kg/MS. Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase, which are part of the labelling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM, Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

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RURAL DRIVER

Page 30

Chasing dirt bike title Raglan dirt rider Jason Dickey is in the chase for New Zealand Cross-country Championships title, after an impressive start to the four-round series at Purangi.

3

+

1

Following on from his earlier success winning the Raglan Rocx cross-country title in January, his competitive riding at the inland Taranaki farmland circuit has him now being rated as one of the top picks to win the senior national title.

Jason, 19, finished second coming in only two minutes behind ultimate winner, South Islander Ethan Bruce, after a see-saw three-hour race. The Raglan dairy farmer was neck and neck with Ethan through the race’s early stages, swapping the lead as they battled the steep and rugged course, before losing it with a refuelling stop.

A crash near the end spelt the end of his hopes to regain the lead.

“In the end, I decided to settle for second place. I’ll do all four rounds of the series, so there will be a chance to change the points.

“I’ll be back at round two and we’ll see what happens there,” says Jason, who along with other Waikato riders

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Raglan’s Jason Dickey battles for the lead at the New Zealand Cross-country Championships opening round in Taranaki. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com will be hoping for a local advantage when the second round is held in Huntly on March 15.

Other Waikato riders in the hunt include third-placed Nathan Tesselaar from Morrinsvile and fourth-placed Adrian Smith from Mokau.

On top of Adrian’s pedigree as defending national champion, he also had a lot of people taking notice, after reminding everyone: “it’s not how you start but how you finish that counts”.

He recovered from almost dead last in a terrible start in the 57-strong field to eventually claim fourth place.

“To have a bad day and still finish fourth is not too bad,” says Adrian.

“I went berserk on the first couple of laps to make up ground, but I blew myself out in the end and just had to settle for fourth.”

The national series will wrap up with the last two rounds in Westland on April 13, before the final round in Marlborough on May 17.

RURAL DRIVER

Page 31

For about town and around Whether it’s a trip to the district dance, to your accountant or banker, or just to get a spruce up – there are times it pays to make the right impression.

That’s exactly where the Nissan Altima Ti comes in. This newcomer from the Nissan stable offers good looks and smart technology even your city cousins will envy.

In fact, its professional image could be just what you need to get that important deal over the line.

If you want to be a mover and shaker – whether it’s on the farm, at the sales yard, or in the office – Sideline Sid has found the car for you, and it has more technology than you can poke a stick at.

The latest mission for Coast & Country’s rural driver test pilot was to take a Nissan Altima Ti from Bay Nissan at Farmer Auto Village on Hewletts Rd in the Mount, out for a spin. On a day where we passed plenty of pulsating action at the air show and jet boat extravaganza on our drive, the latest offering from the Nissan team completely grabbed out attention.

In order to give the Nissan Altima Ti the attention it required, Sideline Sid’s co-pilot on the day was his long-suffering wife of more than four decades. First impressions were of a stylishlooking 2.5 litre sedan, coloured in Panther Black.

In keeping with the stylish concept, the Nissan Altima also comes in exotic sounding shades of Titanium, Storm Grey, Sheer Silver, White Diamond and Mineral Blue.

A quick initial scan, before taking the Nissan Altima Ti out on the test drive, showed a compact 2.5 litre engine under the bonnet, plenty of leg-room in both the front and the back of the vehicle; and a huge boot that would take three huge suitcases with ease.

Out on the open highway to The Lakes, the premium class

Altima Ti purred along close to the speed limit, in an extremely quiet manner. The Nissan Altima delivered a light touch of the steering wheel, but gave a firm grip on the road. Passing acceleration was very responsive, with the car’s sensors confusing Sideline Sid when they beeped as he got too close to the white lines.

However, it is the Nissan Altima technology that makes it stand apart from its competitors. The driver’s seating is outstanding, with an eight-way power adjust seat, which automatically adjusts each time you get into the hot seat, courtesy of the memory settings.

The four cameras and multiple sensors give the Altima Ti a sense of invisible body armour. The cameras keep watch around the vehicle; and if other cars, trucks or people start to stray too close, the driver is alerted of impending trouble by the Altima Ti’s beepers. Of particular value is the blind spot warning, alerting the driver to other vehicles prone to sneaking up unseen.

The cameras and sensors are just the start of a myriad of technology on show in the Altima TI that we took out on the local roads. Headlamps with auto levelling and door mirrors with auto tilt reversing, along with rain sensing wipers and rear privacy glass, complement the outside of the sedan.

The front passenger seat has four-way power adjust with dual zone air conditioning, providing individual comfort. A 7-inch touch screen with Blue Tooth and Audio streaming are rounded out with nine BOSE speakers. Satellite navigation is state-of-theart with plenty of bells and whistles; and even includes a petrol station finder when running low on fuel.

But it is the around-view monitors with multiple functions that will really appeal to business professionals who are always on the go. Front and rear parking sensors help avoid the little bumps and knocks when parking, along with blind spot warning and lane departure warning; plus with moving object detection,

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it makes for mistake-free motoring.

Really comfortable rear seats, which have genuine leg-room for six foot-plus back seat passengers, is another bonus. The back seats fold down, and coupled with the huge boot, give a vast area to transport a wide variety of purchases and goods.

Safety is an overriding feature of both the Nissan Altima ST and Ti models. Dual front, side and curtain airbags just the start in a focus which extends to Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Traction Control (TC) Active Understeer Control (AUC) and ABS, EDB and BA braking systems.

Final impressions from the intrepid husband-and-wife reviewers were of a top quality, bigger car for a medium-car price.

The Nissan Altima ST and Ti models are ideally suited to life on the road for the rural driver, with the on-board technology providing the perfect temporary office base to send and receive information.

We left the last word to Roger at Bay Nissan, who said: “The Nissan Altima has outstanding fuel efficiency for a large car; and front seats with the same zero gravity qualities as the space shuttle, which make it top of the class against the opposition”.

SPECIFICATIONS Nissan Altima Ti Engine: 2.5L petrol engine Power: 127KW Torque: 230Nm Transmission: Xtronic CVT Automatic Safety Features: Vehicle Dynamic

Control (VDC) Traction Control (TC) Active Understeer Control (AUC) and ABS, EDB and BA braking systems.

Recommended Retail Price: Ti Sedan - $53,290 ST Sedan - $43,990

Contact: Contact: Bay Nissan @ Farmer Auto Village 07 578 6017

Page 32

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Trailers for longevity and endurance Many of the more than 32,000 trailers manufactured by a Te Puke company during the last 45 years are still in use – their longevity testimony to the design and construction standards, which are a hallmark of Prescott Trailers from the first day Glenn Prescott began the company on an industrial site in Station Rd Te Puke.

Deer farmer John Grierson is also owner of Prescott Trailers, Te Puke.

Glenn owned and operated the business for 38 years before selling it to Katikati deer farmer John Grierson.

“Glenn’s retired and living at Maketu but he still takes a keen interest in the business, coming in on a regular basis to feed our guard dog and say hello,” says John.

Venturing into trailer manufacturing was something of a change of focus for John - but it’s one he continues to enjoy, especially the opportunity to further develop and refine the trailers and diversify into new designs.

Backed by an experienced team of 16 staff, many of whom have been with the company for a long time, John has grown the business and the range of trailers the business manufactures.

Today Prescott Trailers manufacture trailers from those small enough to tow behind a quad bike, to big enough to transport

a waka, or carry loads up to 3500kg. “Our trailers really do last a lifetime. We traded one recently which was 42 years old and was in pretty good condition.

The owner got more for it than he paid for it new.”

Endurance

It’s the commitment to build the trailers to high quality standards, which ensures their endurance.

Each trailer has a fully galvanised chassis, rectangular hollow section steel chassis bearers, (not angle iron as in many other trailers), and heavy duty axles.

Prescott has a range of standard trailers for general purpose use and heavy duty trailers for commercial use.

Boat trailers up to 3500kg and farm trailers with removable stock crates are also produced by Prescott Trailers.

“We have a commitment to buying local and New Zealandmade wherever possible,” says

Garth Spain, Prescott’s workshop manager.

This includes using steel from New Zealand Steel and jockey wheels, which are New Zealandmade. All galvanising is carried out in Hamilton by Perry’s.

Most custom trailers that need painting are sent to Peak Panel & Paint in Te Puke. Zinc coatings are applied by Tauranga Electroplaters and the fibreglass bodies for horse and furniture trailers are moulded by Ocean Dynamics, also in Tauranga. Te Puke company Blaymires Engineering takes care of any machining work in its excellent machine shop.

Prescott has the capacity to produce up to 1000 trailers a year and has recently upgraded and extended its workshop, finishing and repair servicing areas to create a drive-in drive-out facility.

Trailers begin as sheets of steel, which are cut to size and folded for strength before being fabricated and welded to the chassis sections.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Finisher Jaden King works on a 10x5 Prescott Commercial Tandem trailer.

Page 33

The British Penny

Antiques Rod Show

EU Directive No. 456179: In order to bring about further integration with the single European currency, all citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland must be made aware that the phrase ‘Spending a Penny’ is no longer to be used.

From now onwards, the correct terminology will be: ‘Euronating’.

It is hoped this will be a great relief to everyone.

Paddy took two stuffed dogs to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’. “Ooh!� said the presenter. “This is a very rare set, produced by the celebrated Johns Brothers taxidermists, who operated in London at the turn of last century.� “Do you have any idea what they would fetch if they were in good condition?� asked the presenter. “...Sticks.� Paddy replied.

Design continually refined Specialist’s bays for different trailer models are set up throughout the workshop.

Waka

The versatile Prescott team can turn their hand to almost any part of the process, but most specialise in a particular aspect of manufacturing – like the 12.5 metre Waka trailer that has been recently constructed.

The design of trailers is continually being refined in response to customer requests and the staff ’s own experience of using them, says John. “We are always looking for ways to further improve our trailers, like the self-locking mechanism

we have designed for our tilt trailers which means the deck doesn’t have to be manually locked down once the trailer is loaded.�

The new flat deck commercial trailers have recessed tie-downs fitted to the deck and the sides are easy to take on and off – plus there’s a guard to protect the breaking mechanism of the tow bar. There’s also the builder’s trailer with a telescopic tow bar, which allows the trailer to safely transport longer loads. “Many commercial companies are finding our trailers ideal for carting big, bulky but not necessarily heavy loads, such as Zog Steel

Framing for houses or the heavy duty polystyrene use in the construction of the Western Arterial Route near Te Puke,� says Garth. “Increasingly we are being asked to design and build custom trailers,� says John.

These have included a mobile bank with bullet-proof glass windows for Samoa, a trailer to transport bikes to Australia’s salt lakes for a land speed record attempt, a luggage trailer for a hotel in the Chatham Islands and another designed especially for a mining company in New Guinea.

By Elaine Fisher

Fabricator Michael Dobson of Precott Trailers works on the Maui Kanu Waka trailer.

Kevin Allen carrying out maintenance on a Prescott trailer, which is used by a hire company.

Under construction – Peter Sanderson welds the frame for a new Prescott Trailer.

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   � � �

Page 34

COAST & COUNTRY

Eradicate the maize invader Noogoora bur (Xanthium strumarium), can poison stock.

Unwanted plant pest Noogoora bur (Xanthium strumarium), is quite literally a space invader.

It’s a strong plant that can grow rapidly and has the potential to compete with crops and pasture, poison stock and reduce wool quality.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is currently battling to eradicate Noogoora bur from several maize paddocks in the Western Bay. The weed is an annual herb, with maple like leaves on short, purplestreaked stems. Clusters of 7-25mm long burs grow at the leaf nodes. It can grow up to 2.5 metres in height, growing upright among groups or more sprawling in open ground.

Its burs have spiny hooks that attach themselves to animals, clothing and farm equipment. The burs also float well and are moved by water.

Each plant can produce up to 11,000 seeds, which are commonly spread through contaminated agricultural seed and machinery. They can lie dormant in the ground for many years, germinating when soil is disturbed.

Council is urging farmers and contractors not to help this alien invade local farms. Stop the spread by buying clean maize seed from reputable sources.

Check and clean harvest machinery between properties; and insist all machinery and material to come onto your land is weed-free.

If you see the pest, report it by calling a Bay of Plenty Regional Council land management officer on 0800 884 880.

Hawaii job for Simon Just three weeks after handing in his master’s thesis, University of Waikato chemistry graduate Simon Williams was on a plane to Hawaii.

Since that day two years ago, he’s worked as a research assistant at the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, in the Renewable Resources Research Laboratory.

The R3 Lab is a test-bed for the development of innovative technologies and processes for the conversion of biomass into fuels and other products.

Simon has been involved in the laboratory’s work on Flash Carbonization and studying the thermochemistry of biomass conversion via pyrolysis into biocarbon (charcoal).

“Flash Carbonization involves the ignition of a flash fire at elevated pressure in a packed bed of biomass. The elevated pressure allows the fire to quickly spread through the bed, converting the biomass to biocarbon. High carbon yields can be achieved in as little as 20 or 30 minutes. By contrast, conventional charcoal-making methods take from eight hours to several days,” says Simon.

The long term goal is for small communities, like those in Hawaii, to be able to turn locally produced biomass, such as macadamia nut shells, into biocarbon to be used as a fuel to replace imported fossil fuels, or in agriculture for soil beneficiation and carbon sequestration.

Simon works on a number of projects running in the lab, with a focus on the chemical analysis of the gases produced in the experiments.

“I run a piece of equipment called a Micro GC, which is a specialised miniature gas chromatograph used to measure the composition of the gases from our carbonization experiments.”

His Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees set him up well for his role, according to Simon. “I learned a lot about various

Simon Williams is working on a system to replace fossil fuels. instruments and instrument support, which is a significant part of my job now.”

As a school student, Simon attended Tauranga Boys’ College and got a head start on university by completing two level 100 papers at Waikato University while in Year 13.

This made the transition to tertiary study easier and allowed him to complete some 200 level papers in the first year of his BSc.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 35

CONTRACTORS

Page 36

Bird nest makes tractor toast All of the tractors on the stands at Grasslandz were bright, shiny and immaculate – except one – and it proved to be a real show-stopper.

The burnt-out wreck of a machine on the FMG stand was a graphic reminder of how important it is to check under the bonnet – even after a one-hour lunch break.

The tractor’s demise, explains Alex Murray, FMG Waikato’s rural manager, was caused by starlings building a nest in the engine bay in the hour it took the tractor driver to have lunch.

“This can and does happen to any make or model of tractor. Fortunately, the owner of this machine was insured.”

It can take starling as little as 17 minutes to install enough nesting material in the engine bay to cause a fire when

the key is turned on.

Alex says the message is to leave the bonnet open and check for evidence of birds before starting the machine.

“If a tractor does catch fire, not only can it mean the loss of the machine, but also the ability to carry out the work it is used for. We offer cover to help with the extra costs and even the hire of a replacement vehicle.”

Alex says the tractor and its sorry state attracted a good deal of attention and helped reinforce the ‘Stop and Pop’ message the insurance company is promoting.

“The best way to avoid a tractor fire in spring is to ‘Stop and Pop’.

“Stop and check for nests under the bonnet before you get going for the day. Birds are speedy builders and can make a start on a nest in the time it takes you to have your lunch; so remember

to take a look each and every time you use your tractor.

“Pop the bonnet and park with it lifted. Birds prefer to nest in sheltered, enclosed spaces, so put them off by storing your tractor with the bonnet lifted.”

By Elaine Fisher

FMG Waikato rural manager Alex Murray with the burnt-out tractor, which received a lot of attention at Grasslandz.

New mower launched at Grasslandz Peter Lawry began his engineering apprenticeship building mowers - and now, many years later, he’s designed and built his own models for farmers and green keepers.

Peter, who also has a precision engineering business, launched the Glaber Uppercut 2700 and the Glaber Green Keeper 2700 at Grasslandz at Eureka in late January after about 12 months of development.

Together with son Jonathon, Peter explained the advantages of the mowers they say combine state-ofthe-art computer-aided design, modern processes and materials, and time and field-proven technologies.

The farm version for topping or hay mowing is mounted on skids while the mower for parks, reserves and sports surfaces, has rollers.

“The Uppercut has been extensively tested by a Hawke’s Bay orchardists, who like the fact it doesn’t need a high-powered tractor to drive it,” says Peter.

The rotationally moulded guards won’t rust and Peter says the mower’s sleek shape means it is easy to remove grass after each paddock is mown. “Farmers like this feature, because it reduces the risk of spreading unwanted weed seed from one paddock to another.”

The mowers are designed and manufactured in a special facility, built by Peter in Hastings.

Jonathon and Peter Lawry (far right), discuss with a farmer the attributes of the Glaber mower they launched at Grasslandz. The guard has been removed from half of the mower to show its operating system.

CONTRACTORS

Page 37

Fencing world record stapled up Fairbrother Speed Fencing Challenge competitors – from right Gordon Hansen (fourth), Simon Green (first), Jarrad Nicholson (fourth), Jeff Joines (second), Bill Brewer (first), Glen Neilson (unplaced), Cameron Black (unplaced), Jim Fairbrother (sponsor) and more, all looking great in their Fairbrother T-shirts at Grasslandz.

Taumarunui fencers Bill Brewer and Simon Green have set a world record of 11 minutes and 38 seconds for stapling 30 battens on a nine-wire fence at the inaugural Fairbrother Speed Fencing Challenge.

The competition attracted about 20 competitors, who put their stapling skills to the test at Grasslandz Agricultural Machinery Expo in January’s hot summer sun at Eureka near Hamilton, where Bill and Simon took away the $1000 first prize.

Fairbrother Industries sales manager Ken Lawson says the event attracted fencing contractors as well as young farmers and those who don’t usually enter formal fencing competitions.

“This competition is a world first from Fairbrother Industries, New Zealand’s innovators in fencing and agricultural equipment. Fairbrother Industries is proud to sponsor the speed fencing challenge as fencing is an essential element of farming – and this fencing challenge is a great opportunity for people to showcase their skills.

“We will be running this event again at the 2016 Grasslandz and also hope to be running similar but smaller battening

Bill Brewer (right) Simon Green and winners of the Fairbrother Speed Fencing Challenge.

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Jeff Joines (left) and Tim Stafford – second place-getters in the Fairbrother Speed Fencing Challenge. contests at regional field days.”

The event was judged by two highly experienced fencers and fencing competition judges, Wayne Newdick and Nick Liefting, who monitored for quality standards and ensured for each nine faults, contestants had to add another batten.

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Page 38

EARTHWORKS

Natural wetlands are ‘kidneys’ of the landscape

By Bala Tikkisetty

Intensive farming practices can result in significant amounts of contaminants, notably nitrogen, phosphorus, faecal matter and sediment, getting into waterways.

KEVIN WADE

FARM DRAINAGE & EARTHWORKS

Natural wetlands have been called the ‘kidneys of the landscape’ because of their ability to store, assimilate and transform contaminants lost from the land before they reach waterways. Like a giant kidney, wetlands help to dilute and filter material that could otherwise harm our lakes, rivers and other waterways.

Sadly, large areas of wetlands have disappeared with the development of farmland – and they now occupy only about two per cent of New Zealand’s total land area. It is estimated about 90 per cent of New Zealand’s wetlands have been drained – one of the largest wetland losses in the world.

Wetlands once covered large areas of the Waikato, but they’re now some of our rarest and most at-risk ecosystems.

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Wetland is a generic term for the wet margins of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries, lagoons, bogs and swamps.

They contain a diverse range of plants and animals and are home to many rare and threatened species, so conserving and restoring wetland habitats is worthwhile for many reasons.

Rainfall patterns, soil water status, groundwater levels, soil properties, drainage system design and land management practices can all affect the contaminant loads generated in farm drainage.

Nitrogen and phosphorous enter waterways through leaching and surface run-off. Wetland vegetation uses these nutrients for growth. Wetlands remove up to 90 per cent of nitrates from ground water through a process called denitrification. Microbes living in wetlands absorb and break down nitrogen improving water quality.

Wetlands also play an important role in sediment management and reduc-

ing erosion. The plants trap sediment suspended in water, improving water quality, and in riparian areas their roots hold riverbank soil together.

Habitat

Wetlands also help to regulate the flow of water from land, soaking up excess floodwater and then slowly releasing it to maintain summer flows or recharge ground water.

Providing habitat for many different plants and animal life, including rare or threatened species, is another role for wetlands. These areas are also essential breeding areas for whitebait species and game fish, as well as providing a rich source of insects for fish, birds and amphibians.

Fishers, shooters, naturalists and other water-based recreationists also make extensive use of wetlands. Their importance to Maori as mahinga kai (food gathering areas), and as a source of plants for medicines and dyes, are well recognised.

On an international level, healthy peat wetlands are important in helping to combat global warming, as they soak up excess carbon.

Waikato Regional Council provides free advice to landowners on managing wetlands, including information on fencing, planting of suitable riparian margins and weed control.

Fencing keeps stock out, stops pugging of wetland margins and enrichment from animal wastes. Appropriate planting around the edges of the wetland reduces pollution from surrounding farmland, provides cover for wildlife, reduces bank erosion and reduces the temperature of water through shading.

Of late, constructed wetlands, as trialled by NIWA, have been recognised as an effective technology for treatment of tile drainage waters.

Wetlands are worth caring for – failing to maintain their health is a risk too great to ignore.

Bala Tikkisetty is a sustainable agriculture coordinator at Waikato Regional Council. For further advice, call Bala on 0800 800 401 or email bala.tikkisetty@waikatoregion.govt.nz.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 39

Robert bought Cat back after 30 years # If you still have your first tractor, First tractors or bulldozers often have a or photos of it, we’d love to hear from special place in their owner’s affections, you.

Send your photos, along with a to the extent that some, like Robert story of the machine and what it meant Laidlaw of Taupo, may even buy them back 30 years later.

Robert Laidlaw, on his Caterpillar D2 5J 4500 with daughter Helen and son Andrew; photographed in 1970 at Western Bays, Lake Taupo.

Robert’s first bulldozer was a Caterpillar D2 5J 4500 bought for 300 British pounds in 1964 from Flag Range Rd, Sherenden, in the Hawke’s Bay. “I used it to pull a three furrow Ransome plough, which cost £5 to plough 20 to 30 acres of swedes and chow each spring; and then converted it back to grass, sown with an IH shuffle feed horse-drawn top dresser costing £10,” Robert says.

“The D2 was very special to me but was sold in 1980, and bought back 30 years later in a sad state.

Hopefully, one day it will be restored. It was a wonderful, reliable, economical little tractor.”

Mucking in for education

Katikati Primary School students at their first muck in day this year, to restore the gully at their school.

Getting up close with the environment – to learn from and enjoy it – will see groups of Katikati Primary School students get their hands dirty this year.

An overgrown gully at the school is being transformed into an environment for learning and play, with Year 5- 6 students ready roll their sleeves up and help with restoration work throughout 2014.

“We are going to make some raised platforms where the children can sit, sketch and take in their environment – as the ground there takes runoff water,” says KKPS teacher Liz Woods, who is a project organiser with Kathryn Burtenshaw.

Children are also making weta houses to be placed in the gully next year. “Once the community gains respect for the site and looks after it – which we think this project will achieve – we will place the weta houses down there,” says Liz. The project began in October last year, after the school received an Environmental Enhancement Fund grant of $10,000, making it possible to makeover the Te Awaawa gully.

About 40 parents plus children and community members spent a day planting more than 600 plants to landscape the gully after a bank was re-sculpted to stop erosion.

“This has created an area the children can explore and walk among the flora, which in time will create micro-habitats they can explore close up,” says Liz. A hut building area nearby has also been created, with a digger removing a large pile of bark which is unsuitable for the gully.

Liz says phase one is near completion, so this year the school can involve more children in a hands-on way to learn about the environment.

“So far, we’ve cleared the gully out with kids-power from the school and re-planted some of it.”

Liz says phase two – set to begin – will involve weed removal, under-planting and riparian plantings.

Making a viewing deck, paths and steps will

also continue next year.

“The school’s elective programme for Years 3-6 and an enviro group will participate in weeding, planting, watering and other activities in the gully every Friday,” says Liz, who says weed removal will be all natural as much as possible.

“The children will then have a safe learning area that they can go to with their teachers,” says Liz. “It is a very exciting project to be involved in, as we are so fortunate to have this area in our school to

By Merle Foster use for learning.”

to you, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with the subject line: First Tractor. Or post to: First Tractor, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110.

KIWIFRUIT

Page 40

Higher charges equal higher returns Judging packhouse performance on packing costs can be misleading – in real terms – by as much as 20 cent per tray, says Katikati orchardist David Roberts.

David packs fruit from one orchard at two different facilities and says Aongetete charged him 15 cents more per tray but his export pack out was 89.5 per cent, compared with 83 per cent for the other facility.

“This 6.5 per cent difference equates to an extra 845 trays [on a 13,000 tray crop] which at $5.38 return gave me $4546 extra money, or 35 cents per tray.”

David says he’s better off by 20 cents because of “Aongatete’s attention to detail and commitment to get every fruit into a tray they can”.

Aongatete is so confident it can deliver better results for growers it’s offering the chance to win a trip to Australia to any grower who packs with another facility and is prepared to allow its team to review their 2013 orchard performance; and compare their orchard gate return and pack out report with Aongatete’s forecast results.

Existing growers who give Aongatete an introduction to a new referral also go into the draw for the holiday prize.

Grower Services manager for Aongatete Tracey

Chinnery says she worked in the pack house before joining the fulltime team and part of the reason she decided to is the company’s transparency and early adoption of technology.

“Every bin which comes in from the orchard is weighed when it’s full and weighed when it’s empty, so we know exactly how much fruit it contained; and that information is reported to the grower, who can tally it against fruit packed and fruit rejected.”

Always an early adopter of technology, the company invested in near infrared technology 14 years ago,

which is adjusted to maximise the benefits of each individual crop it scans. When it comes to repacking or checking, the Sinclair Tapper machine tests firmness without squeezing so doesn’t damage fruit.

Aongatete was established by orchardists Allan Dawson and Roger Stiles 30 years ago, and is today owned by Allan and his wife Nell.

Their son Andrew is a grower services representative. Recently, well-known orchard manager, Graeme Philp, who has 30 years’ experience in the industry, joined Aongatete and will oversee harvest operations.

Allan Dawson (right) and son Andrew, who is part of the company’s grower services team outside the Aongatete packing and coolstore facility.

Psa target of new products Grosafe Chemicals of Mount Maunganui is currently working with several products to screen their activity against the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V.

Global experts in food safety and quality AsureQuality has been operating in the NZ food and agricultural sectors for over 100 years.

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It has evaluated a number of products in its search for a solution for growers and has recently been appointed the exclusive distributor for a new bactericide/fungicide for development in a wide range of crops.

Mark Yortt, founder and managing director of Grosafe, says kiwifruit will be a primary focus. “As with any new product, extensive trials to determine efficacy, crop safety, residues and toxicology are required. So growers will have to wait before this product reaches commercialisation.”

It is among several being developed by the company, which works closely with Zespri and Kiwifruit Vine Health plus

independent agencies to develop products to assist in the control of Psa. Grosafe, started by Mark in 1995, currently has three products in Zespri Psa trials. One has recently been registered for use, two are expected to be registered next year; and work is continuing with another six crop protection compounds, which will soon be available to kiwifruit growers.

Mark, a graduate of Lincoln University, worked for ICI and later Monsanto, helping develop that company’s weedcontrol product Roundup from a coded compound to a product registered in many use situations on a wide range of weeds.

He is also a grower, and it was while a director and owner of Bridgecool in Katikati (now part of Seeka), that Mark saw the need for a chemical company sourcing products specifically for the kiwifruit and avocado industry, and so he established Grosafe.

KIWIFRUIT

Page 41

Growers endorse elicitor

Some Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers battling the vine disease Psa-V are finding an elicitor called Agrizest is helping boost vine health and fruit production.

Kiwifruit growers can legally use Agrizest as an elicitor, as it can be legally sold and used in New Zealand, provided there are no specific label claims made of efficacy against Psa-V, says a Ministry for Primary Industries spokesperson.

Developed and produced by Nathan Balasingham of Indigo, Agrizest has been used on Mike Franklin’s Katikati Hort 16A orchard for seven years, under the direction of orchard manager Peter Hope. “We have found it very beneficial to plant health. We had good storage incentives and an average size of 33 in the midst of a dry summer and with Psa. We have grafted to G3 and used Biozest once the grafts had taken. We have a 70 per cent canopy and the orchard is looking good.”

Mike says Agrizest is part of a programme designed to manage Psa and improve vine health. This has included the limited use of copper.

The orchard achieved an orchard gate return of $210,120 and 17,639 trays of count 33 fruit per hectare, with a storage incentive of

$0.796 per tray. Another Katikati orchardist, who doesn’t want to be named, also uses Agrizest; and last year harvested his first crop of 3000 trays per hectare of the gold variety G9, which had been grafted onto two-year-old Bruno seedlings.

This season he hopes to pick 8000 trays per ha. “It’s a challenge with Psa growing in this windy environment, but I’m still here and I still have a crop. I am happy with where the orchard is at. Agrizest is another tool, and part of the holistic management process used to improve the health of the soil and the plants.”

Bruce Abrahams of Te Puke used Agrizest for the first time on his green crop last season, achieving a count size of 33.4 (industry average 35), producing 12,047 trays per hectare, up on 9000 trays/ha the season before and ahead of the industry average of 8170 trays.

His packhouse is predicting this season’s crop will be about 11,600 trays/ha of count size 31.4.

“I am exceptionally happy with the crop and am sure Agrizest has assisted in achieving these results and in improving vine health.”Copper has also been applied, but sparingly, in the orchard, says Bruce.

Rob Thode of Te Puke, hard hit

by Psa, also applies Agrizest and last season harvested 12,660 of count size 34.5 Hayward fruit per hectare

at week 13. “I had an incredible year, despite having Psa. To achieve top returns you must have volume, size and taste in balance.

Vine health is an essential part of achieving that and Agrizest has made an enormous difference to my orchard.”

Rob says using the product, and taking a holistic approach to the health of the orchard, from the soil up, has made it possible for his orchard to not only survive but also flourish. “Technically, Psa should prevent what we’ve achieved on this orchard last season; but we did that, even in a season with a not very good spring.” The coming crop is also looking promising, says Rob. Nathan says Agrizest improves yield and quality, bringing a lift in production.

“A very important point is the high OGR and productivity is sustainable, year-on-year. For example, Bruce has a comparable crop this year. “We have been working with the industry’s leading orchardists to demonstrate that in Hayward a, year-on-year yield of 12,000 to 14,000 trays per hectare is achievable. “Importantly, the improved yield together with the higher quality is delivering OGRs that are consistently and sustainably in the upper quartile. Agrizest growers have improved vine health and are achieving high OGR in this difficult Psa environment.”

Focus on science, technology, innovation

Mark Yortt, founder and managing director of Grosafe.

“Three words sum up the Grosafe focus – science, technology and innovation. The work we are doing to identify compounds to help manage Psa is a good example of that in action,” says Mark.

“We have also spent the last year working with our formulation chemists, developing an improved lactic acid-based water stain remover trade named Kiwi Stainoff LF. This product ticks all of the boxes on food safety with only pharmaceutical and food grade active ingredients and surfactants being used. It also performs to high standards, equivalent to or better than those currently on offer.”

As a complimentary adjunct Grosafe has also launched a new range of home garden products through a major retailer.

However, for growers and farmers it remains a direct to-farm and end-user company. It has a central warehouse and services customers and buying groups, who order directly, by phone or the internet, with on-farm delivery within 48 hours of placing an order.

Clients can also contact one of Grosafe’s territory managers to discuss their particular needs with experienced staff, and purchase the products they need.

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.

My Name is Neil Woodward.

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

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

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

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

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

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

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

.

a H / R G O 0 2 10,1 2 $ A 6 1 t r Ho Katikati

rt a t S i w i K . a 39/H ,2 1 9 $ n e op r C Gre n i a M . a $68,026/H Te Puke Healthy Plants Healthy Profits Available now from: Horticentre Farmlands Agriplus & Tasman Crop Protection

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reak and flowerin uniform increased budb

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Testimonials from a cross-section of long-standing satisfied customers ...

Being an early maturity orchard we depend on the accuracy and quality of our bud break. I can confidently recommend Hi-break™ to all growers looking for quality, performance and cost efficiency from their bud breaker.

Colin Jenkins, Ngai Tukairangi Trust Orchard, Tauranga.

As an owner of a large production kiwifruit orchard at higher altitude, obtaining the desired bud break is Our Atoms are set up with radar speed critical to thesensors, performancethis and combined with fully automatedprofitability sprayerofcontrollers our business. I and began three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and using Hi-Break™ because of the accuracy. competitive price offered and have benefitted both savings and We also use a quad bike for strip weedfrom spray quality ever since. applications.

Jeremy Meehan, We hold all certificates neededLandsberry to meet Globalgap Orchard, Tauranga

compliance.

Hi-break™ has been an integral part of

Kiwifruit is our livelihood, so what we apply to it is critical. We have been using Hi-break™ for 11 years and it has delivered the results every year. We have full confidence in Hi-break™ and have committed our Pongakawa Bush Road order to Grosafe216 this season.

Mark Nicolson, Tauranga. Te Puke

To contact us: 021 907 621 E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz eight years and it forms the backbone

have been using Hi-break™ Phone: We look at all challenges to help ensure weI protect our programme for the best part of eight dormancy breaker from Grosafe for your crop with excellence. years. Hi-break™ has always performed perfectly and we wouldn’t consider any other product for reliability and the service we receive from Grosafe.

Johnny Schlepers, Whakatane.

of our kiwifruit programme. Value for money and reliability I wouldn’t go past Hi-break™.

Ross Steele, Opotiki.

Hi- break™ has been the mainstay of our programme for 11 years. It performs year Grosafe Chemicals make it easy for us with Hi-break™. We have been using 216 Pongakawa Bush Road on year and there is no question that it is the product for eight years and would have no hesitation in recommending Te Puke value for money.

Hi-break™ and Grosafe to all kiwifruit growers.

Ken Williams, Katikati.

Riverlock Packhouse, Opotiki.

To contact us: PHONE 07 572 2662 or FREEPHONE 0800 220 002 or Phone: 021 907MARK 621YORTT 021 929 848 • SAM KIRK 021 460 661 • DUNCAN IBBOTSON 021 460 952 EMAIL: orders@grosafe.co.nz • www.grosafe.co.nz E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P7018. Approved pursuant to HSNO Act 1996, Approval Code: HSR000807

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 42

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RETIREMENT

Page 43

Walkway to honour tree-lover A walking track at McLaren Falls Park is being named in honour of a prominent member of the Bay of Plenty Tree Society, who died last year.

Automatic system makes watering easy Watering plants can be a real hassle, especially during the summer months.

It is time consuming and there is always wasted water.

But now, thanks to AutoPot plants won’t suffer when you are too busy to water or are away on holiday. It is a simple watering system with the ability to leave plants unattended for weeks at a time.

AutoPot’s ingeniously designed ‘Aquavalve’ not only waters and feeds the plants, but also gives them a wet dry cycle allowing much-needed oxygen to get into the root system and promote further growth – without the need for pumps, timers and electricity.

AutoPot is hooked up to a tank or water butt, and gravity will ensure your plants receive just the right amount of nutrients and water to grow a bumper crop.

It’s the only watering system that allows the plant to be in control of its own requirements. This maintenance free growing method is ideal for the greenhouse, polytunnel, garden or home, without wasting a single drop of water. As you grow more, S o l i d F o by o d easily for Soils you can extend the system within minutes adding more pots.

Thanks to Gubba, Coast & Country has one AutoPot starter kit with an ‘Aquavalve’ to giveaway. To be in to win, email your name and address, with Gubba AutoPot as the subject, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than March 17. The winner will be D o l oissue.

Zest announced in Coast & Country’s April CalciZest 0800 843 809 07 362 7288

or go to

www.esi.org.nz Eco-Logic Soil Improvement

The magnolia area at McLaren Falls Park, officially named the David McNeil Magnolia Walkway, is a tribute to a long-term BOP Tree Society member, who “loved his magnolias”, according to fellow member and long-time friend Geoff Brann.

Geoff, who lost his friend a little more than one year agoe, says the walkway had been put through the magnolia area, so the club has dedicated and named it after David, a tree-loving Tauranga resident.

“It’s terrific, I’m just so pleased because he did so much work up there and he just loved the park,” says Geoff.

“He [David] had a tremendous knowledge on trees – he was very, very involved in Matamata and he just loved trees.”

David owned a farm in Te Poi before becoming largely involved with tree planting at McLaren Falls through the BOP Tree Society.

Geoff says David inspired him to become involved too.

“Every Monday, the group meets there at 1pm and we’re all planting, labelling or sorting out the trees.

“Basically, all of the trees at McLaren Falls have been planted by the tree society – and David was one of the major drivers of that.”

Geoff says the walkway leads walkers on a 200 metre track through an area planted with magnolias.

In honour of David, Geoff says signs, with David’s name, will be put up at each end of the walkway.

The magnolia area at McLaren Falls Park was officially named the David McNeil Magnolia Walkway at a ceremony in December 2013.

McLaren Falls Park, 10 minutes drive from Tauranga, is 190ha of pastoral and horticultural parkland set along-

side Lake McLaren and is home to one of the best botanical collections of trees in the North Island.

By Zoe Hunter

Page 44

RETIREMENT

‘Sneaky preview’ at new community centre COPPER CREST f OPEN DAYe Sunday 23rd March Get a preview of the newly built community centre, plus having a wander through our latest villas, as well as the launch of Stage 4 sites.

Refreshments will be served and residents of Copper Crest Village Estate will be available on site for a cuppa and a chat about “what it’s REALLY like to live in one of SNEAK THESE places!”

PEEK!

52 Condor Drive, Pyes Pa, Tauranga P: 07 578 6245 ■ www.coppercrest.co.nz

It’s not quite finished, but Copper Crest Village Estate, Pyes Pa, Tauranga, is opening the doors of its brand new 1300 square metre community centre to the public on Sunday, March 23.

“We’re calling it the ‘Sneaky preview’ because while the building will be virtually complete, the landscaping won’t be finished, but so many people want to see what’s inside we’ve decided to invite them in,” says Copper Crest Village Estate’s village manager Astrid Martin.

The complex features a heated swimming pool, spa pool, gymnasium, library, cinema and two multi-purpose rooms.

There are two lounges. One which is raised, with a heated fire-

Nearing completion – the community centre at Copper Crest Village Estate. place and small kitchen, and a deck with unobstructed views of the Mount, Tauranga and the Kaimai Ranges.

The second has a full kitchen, dining room and bar facilities.

In the activities area there is a fullsize pool table, a table tennis table and changing rooms, toilets and showers for the indoor and outdoor bowling facilities, which includes a six-lane bowling green. There’s also a men’s hobby room too.

The centre is due to officially open in late April or early May;

and Astrid says its décor, inside and out, will be stunning.

“River stones used, in the retaining walls along the boulevard, are incorporated in the pillars of the new building; and in keeping with the village’s name, copper tiles are also feature on the exterior. Inside the furniture will be of five-star hotel standard and the colours will be vibrant.”

The centre is a much anticipated addition to the village, which has just released 22 new building sites, all with some views.

Village re-development now complete The redevelopment of Ocean Shores Retirement Village in Mount Maunganui is now complete, with newly refurbished luxury apartments available for occupation.

INsite RVA Manager of the Year 2013 award for her work during the last 12 months, performed under challenging circumstances.

As well as managing day-to-day operations, Sandy led the redevelopment of the community centre and apartment blocks at Ocean Shores, which included replacing the roof and façade as The apartments are all re-furbished. well as refurbishing the internal On March 7, 2014, Minister apartments. of Health Tony Ryall will officially open the newly The apartment blocks have been future-proofed and refurbished village, which incorporates 84 one and two now all apartments look like they were built in 2013, bedroom apartments in two three-level buildings. and built to current day building standards, including A single-storey central building houses the reception double glazed windows. and common areas, while the main building is part of The whole process has seen the added benefit of an 8.5 hectare village which includes 124 quality and drawing Ocean Shores’ residents closer together, with spacious villas. new friendships and bonding made may not have The pool building has also been demolished and otherwise happened. completely rebuilt.

Living the retirement dream, 300 metres from the Village manager Sandy Quigley recently received the beach in a luxury apartment, is no longer out of reach.

Jason & Sharlene Rowling with the team.

Come and enjoy a cuppa with us and see what makes the difference

RETIREMENT

Page 45

EDUCATION

Page 46

Auckland Grammar students, enjoying a water sports event.

Vibrant caring girls’ school At Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, students become confident,independent, life-long learners and fine citizens, says communications and marketing manager Debbie Stevens.

Proud tradition, modern facilities Enabling each student to reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives has been Auckland Grammar School’s mission since its establishment in 1869. This endeavour has evolved to become known as ‘The Grammar Way’.

“Our school is unashamedly academic in its focus, steeped in traditional values and committed to offering young men the very best opportunities to succeed in the classroom, on the sports field, and in musical, cultural and social activities,” says senior housemaster Peter Morton.

“Tibbs House, the school’s boarding establishment, offers a blend of excellence and proud tradition to young men who live outside our school’s zone.”

Located beside the school, in the heart of the Epsom/Mount Eden community, Tibbs House provides a modern and comfortable environment for its 120 young men to make life-long friends while reaching their full potential.

Eight full-time teaching masters provide daily supervision, pastoral guidance and assistance during prep sessions, while matrons offer young men support, care and attention.

Tibbs House boarders live ‘The Grammar Way’ and are expected to set the highest standards of behaviour and maturity and to participate widely in school life while they are challenged to grow and develop into well-educated and well-adjusted young men.

“The friendships gained at Tibbs House will be lifelong and their experiences will be richly rewarding.”

In the sporting arena, Dio teams continue to loom large on the national stage; and in the arts increased participation and quality of performance, teamed with the introduction of exciting new performing groups and events, has seen regional and national acknowledgement and an explosion of the arts at the school.

“They are Debbie fortunate says these to live and outstanding learn in an achievements environtell the ment of high story of a expectations school whose where they students are experience motivated, great teaching Waikato Diocesan students enjoy superior involved, and witness boarding and educational facilities. talented and academic driven. excellence.

“Waikato Diocesan School for Girls is Most importantly, they know how it much more than just a beautiful site and feels to be part of a vibrant and caring a superior group of buildings, boarding community.” and educational facilities,” says Debbie.

Debbie says Dio continues to enjoy “It is more too than an educational unprecedented success due to the institution with an excellent set of teachenergy, drive, passion and commitment ing programmes. Dio is best described of students, staff and the wider school as a sense of belonging, a commitment community. to a common set of values, standards “While the primary academic goal is and expectations; many relating to edualways for Dio girls to achieve at the cation and some merely relating to life. highest level of which they are capable, Dio’s academic results continue to trend We are a family with a shared faith and a shared future.” ever upward with the 2013 NCEA Debbie says those interested can results exceeding those of the previous experience “The Dio Difference” at the year. Of particular note is the 100 per school’s Open Day on Friday, March 14, cent achievement rate at Level 2,” says from 10am to 12.30pm.

Debbie.

Open Day 2014 Friday 14 March, 2014 10.00am to 12.30pm

Principal’s Welcome – 10.30am, All Saints Chapel (follow directions at venue) School Tours – 11.15 to 12.30pm Off Street Parking at Martin Street Entrance (Off McNicol Street).

THE SCHOOL’S BOARDING HOUSE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR 2015 With a vision of pre-eminence in boys’ secondary education, Auckland Grammar School is proud to offer young men: •

An unsurpassed state school education

•

A dual academic pathway of NCEA or Cambridge International Examinations

•

A unique combination of academic challenge, sporting endeavour, cultural richness and tradition

Located directly adjacent to the School, Tibbs House provides accommodation, study and recreational facilities for 120 boarders.

Young men are supported by eight full-time masters, offering expertise in a wide range of teaching subjects and activities, as well as nightly study guidance.

To apply, please download an enrolment application at www.ags.school.nz/at-grammar/ boarding/ or contact Mr Peter Morton, Senior Housemaster, at p.morton@ags.school.nz or (09) 623 5432.

Tibbs House, 87 Mountain Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand www.ags.school.nz

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls is the only Anglican girls’ secondary school in the Waikato offering boarding for Year 9 to Year 13 girls.

For further information, please contact: admissions@waikatodiocesan.school.nz phone (07) 855 2038 or visit www.waikatodiocesan.school.nz

EDUCATION

Page 47

Excellent education for young women Epsom House boarding facility in Owens Rd, Epsom, Auckland, is part of Epsom Girls’ Grammar School’s long boarding tradition.

118 girls from overseas and rural New Zealand, is located within the school grounds, close to Newmarket and good public transport. Facilities include communal dining and recreational areas, private grounds and a computer room. All students have their own rooms and their own email address to It provides access to an excellent single-sex educaenable them to communicate with home. The hostel tion for young women. Girls can attend from Year is fully staffed, including overnight supervisors, 9 to Year 13 and can join the school at any level, tutors, prep supervisors and a house manager, charge though only limited places are available for Years supervisor and 10-13. Epsom Girls’ director.

Grammar School Epsom House stustudents achieve dents are an integral excellent academic part of the School results and nearly all and participate fully continue to tertiary in activities and coeducation. curricular activities Epsom House, offered by Epsom which provides Girls’ Grammar accommodation for Overseas and rural students board at Epsom House.

School. An open

day will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, from 1-3pm; and parents and girls are invited to visit the school and

the hostel, and to meet current students. Applications for 2015 for Year 9 students close on May 5, 2014.

College knows boys and how to teach them Boarding at Lindisfarne College is a very popular option for boys from throughout the North Island – and according to rector Ken MacLeod, that’s because the school provides the things parents see as important in the education of their sons.

With pass rates of 99 per cent at level 1, and 100 per cent at Level 2, and 97 per cent at Level 3 – and with one of the best scholarship success rates in the country

friendly competition will achieve more than they imagine.”

Small class sizes (with 20 in Year 9) also enable boys to be well supported and challenged by teachers.

The regular onehour-and-a-half rs. supervised study or rde a o eb ‘prep’ each evening is another r a nts real bonus for boys. ude t s “It helps them develop discie g olle – Lindis- plined study habits and adds some “We have a strong focus C rne farne is up on boys. We know boys, we 200 hours of learning per year isfa d n know how to teach them i there with the very – the equivalent of an extra eight L f and we think they are great. lf o best. weeks of class time. a H Nationally, boys have lagged “The pass rates really please The four cornerstones of school me because we don’t select solely life – academic, sporting, cultural behind girls but at Lindisfarne on academic ability. Our success and Christian dimensions – prothe academic achievement is well indicates all boys in an environduce well-rounded young men,” above the averages for all students ment of high expectation with says Ken. and all schools,” says Ken.

Lindisfarne College ‘Founded on Tradition... Focused on the Future’

Boys’ Education at it’s best!

10 Great Reasons to Choose Boarding at Lindisfarne College...

• • • • • • • • • •

One of NZ’s top boy’s schools.

A safe, caring and positive boarding community.

Small class sizes Saturday 5th April Modern, living facilities with access to all school facilities.

8.30am - 12.30pm Supervised homework and study each night with tutors available Organised weekend activities.

Outstanding food and plenty of it!

High expectations of traditional manners and behaviour Strong values that focus on developing ‘Good Men’ to lead successful and significant lives.

Easy access from Taupo, Gisborne, Wairoa, Central Hawke’s Bay and the 5 main centres.

OPEN DAY

ALL WELCOME

“We know boys, we know how to teach them, we think they are great!”

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS

APPLY NOW

Lindisfarne College congratulates our boys on their outstanding 2013 NCEA results.

for 2015 boarding places.

NCEA % Pass Rate (Source NZQA) NCEA Level 1 NCEA Level 2 NCEA Level 3 UE

For further information please contact:-The Rector’s P.A. Phone (06) 8731136 Fax: (06) 8786955

99% 100% 97% 95%

email: office@lindisfarne.school.nz Website - www.lindisfarne.school.nz Head Boy: Hugh Renton Deputy Head Boy: Tom Pease

Page 48

EDUCATION

How to farm for profit and environment Farmers can increase productivity at the same time as reducing their environmental impact, says Daniel Schuurman, director of Franko Solutions, which is hosting a fourday Nutri-Tech Solutions course on sustainable farming at Trinity Wharf in Tauranga from March 17 to 20.

“Farmers and growers do not have to sacrifice profit and productivity to farm in an environmentally sustainable way; and this course will teach how that’s possible,” says Daniel.

The course is led by Graeme Sait, ex-pat New

what you grow. Using Nutri-Tech Zealander and co-founder of Nutriproducts, we went from using 40 Tech Solutions of Australia, now the to 50 different pesticides to none.” largest biological growing solutions Those who attend the course will company worldwide, servicing more learn key sustainable farming practhan 15,000 growers with its more tices which, once put in practice, than 200 products exported to 40 will enable them to increase yields countries. and plant health while reducing Daniel says Franko Solutions spending and chemical inputs. became New Zealand agents for “Balance – both mineral and Nutri-Tech after using its products biological – is the keystone of this and system in its rose breeding approach, but there are numerous business, Franko Roses. management tips, tricks and syner“We found we could breed roses Graeme Sait. gies that complete the equation. for disease resistance, but genetics The bottom line is the fact that this was just part of the answer. How you grow plants is almost more important than holistic precision approach simply outperforms

Course: Wharf, Tauranga, New Zealand 20th Mar 2014 Franko Solutions are the Master Agents for Nutri-tech Solutions in New Zealand. info@frankosolutions.com

Get Ahead career expo Farming can offer higher than average starting salaries and great career trajectories, but fewer young people are choosing agriculture as a career.

In an effort to turn this trend around, Young Famers has introduced the Get Ahead programme, focused on promoting careers and opportunities in the primary industry.

The programmes will be held in Gisborne on April 1 at the Turihaua Station Bull Sale Yards and in Cambridge on April 3 at the Don

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the conventional approach.”

The course’s four days feature mineral management, microbe management, plant management and pest management, with human health management interspersed throughout.

The course includes comprehensive presentations and hands-on workshops. The human health workshop is both entertaining and informative, with patrons receiving a comprehensive report card on their personal health.

Franco Solutions is offering a $100 discount on the registration price of $799 for anyone who says they read about the course in Coast & Country. For more information, see the advertisement on this page.

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The days showcase on-farm, business and science-related career opportunities; and each year more than 1000 students attend the 10 sessions throughout the country.

“This is a very tangible and effective programme to get in front of teenagers and address the gap between them and a diverse array of readily available jobs both at school leaver and degree qualified levels,” says Get Ahead project leader Rosie Todhunter.

For more information, email rosie.todhunter@youngfarmers.co.nz

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 49

Complexities of plaque formation In this first in a series on heart health, we look at blood circulation within the heart itself.

Coronary (heart) circulation starts with oxygen-rich blood from the aorta pumping into the left and right coronary arteries and then into the smaller blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle cells.

Any tissue receiving insufficient oxygen and nutrients will show stress and eventually die. When coronary circulation is restricted by plaques and clots this can lead to reduced circulation, causing angina and at worst a heart attack. The actual process by which plaques form is much more complex than we are led to believe. In an attempt to give a simple explanation, we are told circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol clogs coronary arteries, much like a pipe getting blocked with fat.

The reality is quite different. The process of plaque formation starts with excess LDL cholesterol becoming trapped within the walls of arteries. The trapped cholesterol then oxidises and changes into a dangerous form in what is an already inflammatory

environment. White blood cells then gobble up the cholesterol and become fatty foam cells that form streaks in arteries, leading to the first step of atherosclerosis – the blocking of heart arteries. This is a dual process of oxidation of cholesterol and artery inflammation.

The answer is an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements rich in antioxidants, especially grape seed extract and vitamin E that reduce cholesterol oxidation and associated inflammation. Additionally, we add nutrients that help optimise blood flow and general blood vessel health.

While medication to lower cholesterol is very effective some cannot tolerate it, and others prefer a more natural solution. An option is to use natural compounds, such as palm fruit and citrus extracts, to help balance cholesterol. We’ll look into natural cholesterol management in the next column.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med), is a nutritional therapist and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. Contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@johnarts.co.nz Join his weekly newsletter at: www.johnarts.co.nz For product information visit: www.abundant.co.nz

Great alternative to owning a bach A limited number of annual beachside holiday sites have just been released for sale at Papamoa Beach TOP 10, a stunning family holiday resort situated on the absolute beachfront in the Bay of Plenty.

“People are only just realising that we have these special sites available,” says Papamoa Beach TOP 10 managing director Rebecca Crosby.

“We call them ‘Weekender Sites’ and they make a fabulous alternative to owning your own beach bach – and they’re much more affordable.”

Papamoa Beach TOP 10 allocates a certain number of Weekender Sites designed for those wanting to leave their caravans on-site annually for holiday purposes.

“Some choose to purchase bare sites and bring in their own caravans, while others prefer to buy caravans on-site that are set-up and ready to holiday in immediately,” says Rebecca. “The seaview sites tend to get snapped up very quickly.”

These sought-after sites are very popular among Waikato and Auckland families. “Our weekenders love having the freedom of being able to pop over to stay whenever the mood takes them – not to mention the perks of being situated in a holiday resort.

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There are many great reasons to stay at Papamoa Beach.

“Where else can you find a beachside holiday pad that has an adventure playground and giant jumping pillows for the kids, a private hot spa pool to hire and the beach right on the doorstep?” asks Rebecca.

“There are restaurants, bars, cafes, supermarkets and retail stores all within walking distance, so there’s plenty to do.”

Seaview Sites are only available from July 1, 2014, subject to availability. A limited number of park sites are currently available.

Abundant Health

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 50

Festival a celebration of city’s diverse cultures Tauranga’s Historic Village will come alive with a festival of cultures, colours and culinary treats from around the world on Saturday, March 15, 2014.

SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2014

@ THE HISTORIC VILLAGE, 17TH AVE 10AM - 4 PM, ADULTS $6, UNDER 12 FREE EVERYBODY WELCOME!

That’s the date of the 15th Tauranga Multicultural Festival, which is now a firmly established family fun event organised by the Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council.

The organisation’s flagship event is held every year in March near Race Relations Day, which falls on March 21. The festival’s aim is to celebrate the diversity of cultures in Tauranga, where there are more than 70 different migrant communities.

This year the festival will showcase Tauranga’s wonderful diversity of ethnic food, crafts, and entertainment. The day will include a parade of ethnic costumes throughout the village, and visitors will have lots of opportunities to watch ethnic dances from all corners of the world, listen to many music genres, and try a wide variety of authentic ethnic foods.

The programme caters to all ages. Most performances will take place on the main stage on the Village Green, but there will also be other exciting events going on throughout the village all day.

One lucky visitor will not only enjoy the event but also take home a great mystery spot prize, funded by ANZ Bank.

The festival starts 10am and finishes 4.30pm.

Spanish Flamenco – one of the ethnic performances on Admission is $6 for adults, children under 12 stage every year. Visitors can expect infectious music, enter for free. Tickets can be purchased at the thrilling performances and a wide variety to suit all gate of the Historic Village, 17th Avenue tastes at this year’s festival. Photo by Bill Hodges.

West, Tauranga.

Appeal to subdivision rules turns the table Following the settlement of an appeal to the Environment Court, it is now much tougher to subdivide a lifestyle block.

In an interesting turn of events, the Waikato District Council was forced to increase the parent lot size to 20ha in order to settle the appeal by the Waikato Regional Council. The district council proposed allowing one lifestyle block to be cut off a qualifying property that was at least 6ha.

While many protested and asked council to return to two lifestyle blocks per title, regional council took another view. It appealed the district council’s decision, requesting a much larger parent block; and won the day.

This is an example of what can pop out of a district plan review, following the public process. It was a rule that neither existed previously, nor was proposed by council. And this is the reason I encourage all interested citizens to get involved in these district plan changes.

I believe this rule will have a limited life – the writing is on the wall for lifestyle lots to disappear completely around Hamilton. Soon you will need to start with 40ha, if you are allowed at all.

Those involved in this process could see this coming and would have been foolish to not take action. An example of this is an application we made. The original property was 7ha in size and we obtained approval for one small lot containing the existing house and a balance lot with an area of

5.4ha. This scenario is now non-complying and, in my view, would no longer receive approval. Now we have the resource consent, we are applying to change the relative size of those lots in accordance with a change to the minimum lot size agreed at mediation.

The round of district plan reviews we have seen is now drawing to a close, with submissions closing on the Thames-Coromandel Plan on March 14. So if you have any interest in land subdivision, development of land, or building in this district, you should have a look at the proposed district plan. If there are aspects you object to, put in a submission; but equally if you do like what you see, put in a submission in support.

That way you will at least be informed and in a position to take the required action.

Waipa district has proposed major changes to its rural subdivision rules, restricting the number and size of subdivisions also. It has just completed a marathon of submission hearings and advised the decision will be released on May 30. So there is still time to apply for subdivision consent if you are affected by the proposals.

If you have any plans for subdivision in the future, or wish to lodge a submission and require advice, I’m happy to discuss the opportunities. So don’t hesitate to give me a call.

Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. For further information, call 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

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                   

COUNTRY LIVING

Control for pets gone wild It can be wonderful and rewarding to witness a litter of kittens or puppies being born.

And although some pets are used for breeding and are not de-sexed (a surgical procedure where males have their testes removed and females have their uterus and ovaries removed), for most dogs and cats there are a number of very good reasons why it is important to consider de-sexing.

De-sexing is used as an invaluable tool to help combat pet overpopulation, which is a huge animal welfare issue worldwide. An underlying theme in our society is quality is exchanged for quantity and the massive number of animals abandoned, aren’t adequately cared for, or can’t be rehomed by animal shelters, leads to millions of dogs and cats being euthanised each year.

ARRC Wildlife Trust has been working on managing Tauranga’s stray/un-owned cat population and to date has removed more than 450 cats and

kittens from the environment. These cats are present in our community because they have been neglected by humans; at some stage in their lives, or their forefathers’ lives, they were not de-sexed and left uncared for. Stray breeding cats impact on our natural environment and on our pets.

They continue to breed, and without intervention this problem grows at an alarming rate.

Longer day light hours are wonderful to enjoy but they also bring about an onslaught of work for ARRC Wildlife Trust. Not only is summertime a busy time for wildlife rehabilitation but with their Spay the Stray Cat campaign, we inundated with many stray/un-owned cats to tend to.

While some of these cats and kittens are too wild to re-home, many cared for by ARRC’s fabulous team of kitten fosterers are ready to find homes and will make fantastic pets.

If you would like to adopt a kitten or cat, contact ARRC 07 579 9115 or view: www.arrc.org. nz or ARRC’s Facebook page. By Dr Liza Schneider

When out-of-work behaviour becomes a problem As a rule, conduct by an employee out of work hours does not justify disciplinary action unless there is a material connection between the conduct and damage to the employer.

Scenarios where an employee’s off-duty conduct gives rise to employment concerns include: bringing the employer into disrepute; the employee acting in a way that is fundamentally inconsistent with an organisations’ values or purpose; where clients refuse to deal with an employee as a result of their off-duty conduct; off-duty conduct that involves serious misconduct; or a serious breach of the organisations’ rules or policies, as recorded in the applicable employment agreement.

Employers are wise to introduce a policy addressing the expectations on employees both at work and when off-duty. This policy should inform employees of the consequences of their off-duty actions, being clear about what is required reduces problems.

With regard to addressing an employee’s undesirable off-duty actions, the onus is on the employer to demonstrate discipline or termination is justified.

An employer must act fairly and reasonably during any process. In summary, an employer is able to discipline and terminate employees for behaviour that occurs out of work hours, but a fair and correct process must be followed; and there must be a connection between the employee’s conduct and damage to the employer.

If you have any employment or HR queries you would like assistance with,

please email Wendy directly at wendy@accordservices.co.nz

This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice. Specialist advice should always be sought in relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.

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Page 52

FORESTRY

Equity investors eye forestry Forest investment and market outlook is the theme for the Forest Industry Engineering Association’s third biennial forest industry investment conference in Auckland on April 9-10.

A second conference will be held on the same theme in Melbourne on April 14-15.

The conferences will focus on strengthening ties between the equity investment, finance and forest products industries in New Zealand, Australia and globally. The list of keynote speakers includes: • Kevin Mason, managing director, Equity Research Associates, BC, Canada.

• Gary Myers, principal, Timberlink – timber advisors to institutional investors, Georgia, USA. • Brooks Mendell, president, Forisk Consulting, Georgia, USA. FIEA event director John Stulen says the global recession has forced many industries to review their attitudes to risk and industry growth.

Meanwhile, renewal in the forest and wood products industry, particularly in Australasia, has

brought new opportunities to the fore.

“Many of the countries that are key buyers of our wood exports are now beginning to emerge from the recession,” says John.

“With many timberland investments around the globe continuing to perform well during the global financial crisis, equity investors are now very focused on this investment class.

“FIEA is bringing some the key timber investment advisors to Australasia to inform industry leaders of where they need to be positioned to make the most of current changes for their businesses.”

Forestry is also poised to pick up a greater share of the equity investment resources that could make for huge change and growth in the industry, says John.

“Forest products companies in many countries now have huge export opportunities into China and Asia. It’s about both investment and market opportunities; and it works both ways.

“The time is right for senior managers in New Zealand and Australia’s forest products industry to learn more about these.

Our speakers are all well-versed in these subjects and are willing to share their insights.”

John says in addition to China’s continued appetite for imported

wood, it is vital for people to understand how to build relationships with the key players in Asia and China specifically.

“We’ve dedicated two key sessions in this high-level conference to the subject of building relationships with Chinese industries.

Our industry there has surged ahead with wood exports to China; and there is a degree of learning that can come from key people’s experience on that front.

“Finance and investment industry leaders and executives will also learn a lot from the collection of local experts in key areas, where forestry has some challenges to solve. We have always attracted a strong group of CEOs and senior managers to this conference on investment and markets. We’ve worked hard again to bring an informative line-up of speakers to help people get some real insight for their own strategies and tactics for business growth.”

It’s also vital investment advisers and financiers are more aware of the global factors that will affect future forest and forest products developments in New Zealand and Australia, says John.

“This pan-industry conference will include key international forestry investment experts who will provide that global view.”

To register, call 07 921 1382 or visit http://fimo2014.com

Adding value to biological raw materials An alliance between four national research providers has been established to aid the recovery of high value co-products from New Zealand’s primary industries.

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value from low value biological streams.

The alliance will have wide reaching benefits for the country’s economy by adding value to the secondary by-products from forestry, marine, agricultural, horticultural and microbiological sectors. It integrates the research expertise and processing technologies within the separate sectors, and provides a single point of engagement for other research collaborators, industry, commercial investors and government agencies.

The BPA will enable industry partners to gain access to raw materials from across the whole primary sector, along with the opportunity to produce high value co-products from low value biological raw materials. It will also provide opportunity to create industry clusters across whole value chains, and generate employment with potential spin-off for secondary industries, such as engineering for plant design and construction.

The Bioresource Processing Alliance is a government-subsidised initiative, with $2.5 million per annum available during the next five years for technical and industry development.

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 53

Agriculture machinery action

Two-year-old Leyton Voogt of Gordonton, with dad Daniel close by, checked out a CLASS harvester at Grasslandz.

John Walsh of the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club is among those who offered visitors rides around Grasslandz.

   

The Eureka Grasslandz site is big enough to allow ploughing to be demonstrated.

While Grasslandz doesn’t attract huge crowds, Large and small farming machinery cutting Andrew says those who attend are “purist punters” grass, harvesting maize, ploughing paddocks there to check out and compare farm machinery and and digging holes at Grasslandz are make buying decisions.

“We are pretty strict about who we let exhibit at key it its success.

Event manager Andrew Reymer says the format, which allows farmers to see machinery in action, has proved such a winner the event is now firmly established and will be back in two years – on January 28 to 29, 2016 – at the 65ha Eureka site.

Based on the highly-successful Grasslands, and Muck live agriculture machinery demonstrations in the UK, Grasslandz had its beginning in NZ in 2011, when Andrew staged Ag in Action.

The concept is close to that which used to be seen at New Zealand A&P shows, where dealers demonstrated their latest tractor, hay baler or mower.

However, that trend has been declining so Andrew decided to create a show which is all about machinery, agronomy and expertise.

The 2014 event had 24 demonstration sites laid out to showcase each exhibitor’s machinery and crops, including stands of maize, grasses and vegetables, which were planted in advance so farmers could see first-hand new and proven varieties growing.

“The interest has been so strong, the agronomy section will be even bigger in 2016,” says Andrew.

Initially focused purely on machinery and live demonstrations, Andrew says he was convinced to include the special section called All About Fencing, because visitors could see a range of fencing material and systems in use and watch competitors in the inaugural Fairbrother Industries Ltd Speed Fencing Competition.

Grasslandz – and in some ways its quality is as much about who is not there, as who is,” says Andrew.

“Our exhibitors love the fact there are no school children wanting freebies, no people just looking for the sake of looking.

“We will stay pure to our cause, which is machinery and now agronomy; and the exhibiters are really responding to it. Grasslandz is more conducive to sales.”

It’s not just machinery dealerships, which get to show off their equipment in action. Members of the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club brought out their favourite restored machines to tow trailers and provide free transport around the site; and the Waikato Ploughing Association held a ploughing competition at the event.

The large, flat site is owned by McFarlane Contracting, which allow it to host what organisers say is: “New Zealand’s premier ag machinery demonstration event”.

MASSIVE SAVINGS

By Elaine Fisher

CENTRAL DISTRICT FIELD DAYS SPECIAL!

CALL NOW 0800 43 88 66 SAVE

490

$

RRP $2985

$

NOW

2495

*

Be Quick! Show Special for a limited time only.

COME AND SEE US AT STAND S34 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS Mention this advertisement and also receive FREE

n Security Cable (Value $45) TOTAL n Free delivery (Value $40) $ n Vinyl Cover (Value $100) n 1 ltr Honda Oil (Value $15) n Extended warranty to 5 years (Value $100)

300

GENERATOR PLACE

0800 43 88 66

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 54

trades & services What’s on in your area

Tuesday 11 March

SMASH Cool Cows Field Day

Peter and Raewyn Marwood, 590 Kakaramea Road, Te Awamutu SN73603 10am.

It’s hot out there!

How is your herd holding

e We servic of all makes s p pum

up in the heat? Hosts: Peter and Raewyn use a number of strategies, including a covered shed.

At this field day learn tips and tricks you can use for keeping your cows cool.

Speaker: Dr Jim Webster, AgResearch - the effects of heat on welfare and

personal

FRE QUOTEE S! Card

download your free App today

Keep your cows in milk over summer Plan your summer crops now • Pasture Sprayout

• •

Cultivation & Seeding

C908tbGorringe

fishing charters

Direct Drilling

Friday 14 March Take a Kid Hunting & Fishing Competition

The Annual event is back on and is been held at the Top Shot Bar in Te Puna, Tauranga on the 14,15,16 March 2014 for the whole family. Categories include: Rabbits, Possums, Hares, Magpies, Eels, Snapper, Kahawai, Trevally, Herrings Spotties & Piper. Only $5 per child. Check out our facebook page for more information www.facebook.com/tepunahuntfishclub

Otorohanga Employers Group

At St John Station, Kakamutu Rd, Otorohanga 10.30am – 1pm.

If you have staff and want to learn some different tips and techniques and also hear about what other people have done, this is for you.

RSVP required before event to John Vosper: john.vosper@ dairynz.co.nz

Tuesday 25 March

Effluent Expo 2014 – Hamilton

Mystery Creek Events Centre, Mystery Creek Rd, Hamilton 9am-3.30pm. Everything you need to know about effluent management. Talk to key effluent industry providers and advisors who can help you plan the right effluent system for your farm. Attend seminars and outdoor irrigation displays.

No need to register and free entry. www.waikatoregion. govt.nz/forfarmers

We do the complete job.

Book early—Call us on 07 549 1075

cars wanted

To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

WE ALWAYS PAY MORE! S

BER TR TIM E

NT ME AT

PEPP ER

www.gorringebros.co.nz

trades & services

production. Lunch provided, all welcome. Further information contact: smash. registrar@gmail.com or 022 047 6274 or www.smallerherds.co.nz

$1000 CASH per week

0800 382 828

for sale CHICKENS FOR SALE, Hyline, 21 weeks, laying. Only $30 each. Ph 07 552 6283 today PULLETS Hy-line Brown, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

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 ONLY $23 FOR 20 WORDS Highlight your trade here and be seen in 31,050 copies delivered to your target audience! Don’t delay, call me today and have a chat about how we can help you. Ph Aimee-Leigh 07 928 3042.

phone 07 578 0030

email ads@thesun.co.nz

web www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY

feature properties & auctions ADVANTAGE REALTY LTD MREINZ

Page 55

www.harcourts.co.nz

Advantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Tauranga Central Office – 07 578 0879 Cherrywood Office – 07 576 8770 Bethlehem Office – 07 579 2206 Mount Central Office – 07 575 6384 Papamoa Office – 07 542 9012 Te Puke Office – 07 573 4754

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 56

COAST & COUNTRY

PRIZE PACK

Four-year-old Oliver Winters, on his first shooting expedition with Dad. Sent in by Melissa Winters.

UP FOR GRABS!

Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to sarah@thesun.co.nz “Country Camera” or posted to Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga. Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.

Rachael Hayward, age two, with heading dog pip of Wairamarama.

Sent in by Allan Hayward.

Stacey van der Vegte, nine, enjoying her first ever ‘bush ride’ with her gran Norine MacCarthy in Taupo.

Sent in by Nik van der Vegte.

Naomi enjoying a summer’s evening.

Sent in by Jo Smith.