Coast & Country News Aug 2014

BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER 2014 · BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER 2014 · BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER 2014 · BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER 2014

HUNTAWAY PAGE 4

DEPRESSION PAGES 6-7

MAIZE PAGES 24-30

AVOCADO PAGES 31-35

RURAL DRIVER PAGES 40-45

RURAL WEDDINGS PAGES 52-53

COUNTRY FUNNIES PAGE 51

August 2014 Issue No.168

Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle

Calf rearing on the mark “If you wouldn’t be comfortable sitting down in your calf pen – then you shouldn’t ask your calves to do the same,” says Mark Bocock of Te Awamutu. Photo by Elaine Fisher. Read his story pages 14-15.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 2

No vacation from ‘dairy bashing’ “We’re dairy farmers, but don’t hold that against us,” a New Zealand couple reluctantly admitted as we ate lunch on One Foot Island, Aitutaki.

They braced themselves for negative reaction about dairying’s environmental impacts but that didn’t happen.

The Kiwis on the snorkelling trip had a good understanding of the industry’s value to their economy and the efforts farmers are making to address environmental issues.

But it’s sad that even while holidaying on a remote and beautiful Pacific Island, these farmers felt they couldn’t hold their head high and say: “We are successful farmers, making a significant contribution to our country’s economic wellbeing”.

It’s a reflection of how bad ‘dairy bashing’ has become.

That pressure may be one of the many reasons for high levels of depression among farmers. Read about Hamish Lile’s battle with depression and what helped him through on page 6-7.

Pressure on farmers is not likely to let up. Water is already an election issue and the Greens’ stance on water quality is gaining traction. One

staunch National supporter I know is thinking of voting Green, because he says he wants rivers clean enough for his grandchildren to swim in.

Leaching of nutrients from pasture into waterways is among the factors blamed for declining water quality. There are ways to reduce these impacts, especially in winter, writes Bala Tikkisetty, a sustainable agriculture coordinator at Waikato Regional Council – see page 18.

Regular Coast & Country columnist Peter Burton of Ecologic poses the question: “What if the answer to generating more pasture may be ‘less nitrogen’ and ultimately ‘no nitrogen’?” – see page 37.

Phyllis Tichinin, general manager of True Health of Havelock North, says using urea fertiliser as the basis for pasture growth creates high levels of nitrate nitrogen in the forage and she’s calling for change – see page 16.

Tougher rules on farming and horticulture are inevitable. And while we may complain urban populations aren’t bearing their share of the responsibility, the best way forward is to be proactive about limiting environmental impacts and make sure industry is part of consultation on new regulations in order to preserve the right to farm, as well as the environment, into the future.

One Foot Island, Aitutaki.

By Elaine Fisher

The winner of the book ‘Feed a family of six for under $20’ by Jas McPhee, published by Penguin Books, is Veiljo Henton-Hill of Onepu, Whakatane. The winner of ‘Hunting Daze’ by Bomb Grant, published Halcyon Press is Renee Hodson of Te Kuiti.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 3

Water security looming security issue loomin g

In the midst of a very wet winter, worries about water supply may seem remote, but experience has shown water and rainfall can’t be taken for granted.

NIWA is warning New Zealand may be in for an El Nino summer, which could mean warmer, drier conditions in the east. And while they’re not predicting a drought, a third one in a row is not beyond the bounds of possibility.

HortNZ’s Leigh Catley says water security is a national issue that in future will affect not only primary industries but the community as a whole.

“New Zealand’s commercial fruit and vegetable growers are well aware of the benefits of the relative abundance of water we have in this country, and just how vital that is to keep our agricultural economy thriving.

“HortNZ believes climate change and the arrival of the new El Nino weather pattern will put added pressure on water resources, which in some horticulture regions are already stretched,” says Leigh.

“The Bay of Plenty is relatively secure in water availability and use, but this does not mean it should be taken any less seriously here than other regions where the situation is more critical.”

Extreme weather

Leigh says weather patterns have always been variable and it’s predicted there will be more severe extreme weather events in future. Securing adequate water supply is one way to cushion against these extreme events, she says.

“HortNZ is working at a national and regional level to investigate options and solutions to ensure water security.

“Such options include smart irrigation technology, water storage systems and research into water catchments, to ensure we have an in-depth understanding of ground and surface water in catchments so allocation of consents and limits are informed and effectively managed.

“We are now seeing growers taking action to protect the water they have, and extend their ability to manage water properly, through better use of technology, more on-farm storage and working together in catchments, rather than as stand-alone water users.”

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Rick Powdrell says historically most farmers provided their own water supply, often from rain water, but in some regions sources of water from aquifers or streams and rivers are “over-allocated”.

“That’s not to say they are over-used, but to plan for the future we do need to know how much is allocated and how much is actually used.”

To get a clearer picture of what’s happening in the region, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council is carrying

out a survey of available water and water use.

“Now is the time to think ahead about our future water needs,” says Rick.

“The kiwifruit industry has done well in its battle with Psa-V and if the industry takes off again, as it looks like it will, then water demand will increase in the Bay of Plenty.

“Throw in that NIWA is predicting we need to be prepared for drier conditions, then water demands will increase. No matter what we do, water is vital.”

Possible dams

Rick says the questions of water storage and flood protection are linked – and there is potential for water storage or dams on some tributaries in the Bay of Plenty, which could not only supply water for irrigation but also control flooding and provide possible hydroelectric generation.

However, gaining consents for such projects will not be easy.

During previous droughts Rick says the biggest worry for his farm, just south of Te Puke, was not so much feed but water. “Our farm is spring-fed and we noticed springs slowing up.”

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco says while mature kiwifruit vines, growing on good soils, aren’t generally so badly affected by dry summers as pasture, the industry still needs secure access to water.

“Water will become a more critical issue in future, especially if primary industries are to double production by 2015 – which is the government aim. To do that we all need reliable water,” says Neil.

“Water security is on the list of things growers need to be aware of.”

Consent process

Regional councils need to ensure kiwifruit is taken into account in its future planning for water allocation, even though the industry is not a large user of water, says Neil.

“One of the current concerns is the consent process [for water allocation] is made too onerous.

“Some growers are having to reapply for consents now and some are struggling to understand and work through some of the consents requirements. It seems like there are more and more rules.”

Federated Waikato president Chris Lewis says soil moisture levels in some parts of the province, including his own farm, still appear low – and another dry summer could be tough for farmers.

Not easy

“There are parts of my farm where I’d normally be getting stuck if I tried to drive or bike through, but this winter they are still quite dry,” says Chris.

Recent dry summers have turned farmers’ thoughts to providing their own water storage but Chris says it’s

not an easy option, given the amount of water required to meet the needs of stock and milking, and the lengthy and expensive consent processes involved.

The Waikato may appear to have plenty of water from rivers and streams, but water takes are already

well-allocated, especially for hydro and municipal supply.

Chris says the best farmers can do at present is ensure they have plenty of feed on hand, should this summer be another dry one. “It’s a case of concentrating on what you can control.”

By Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 4

Huntaway - protected as working dog Its exact origins are lost in the mists of time but after about 100 years, unique working dog the New Zealand huntaway has become this country’s first registered breed and now looks set to receive international registration too.

The New Zealand Kennel Club and the New Zealand Sheepdog Trial Association have agreed to the huntaway’s registration in this country – and the NZKC has applied to the world’s largest canine body the Federation Cynologique Internationale to ratify the breed too.

NZKC’s immediate past president Owen Dance says once the FCI recognises the huntaway as a district breed, its recognition by the two other international bodies, the British and the American kennel clubs, is likely to follow “almost automatically”.

A proposal from NZKC three years

ago to register the breed was initially turned down by the New Zealand Sheepdog Trial association, says president John Harvey.

“There were concerns that some people might breed the huntaway as a show dog, and its unique qualities as a working dog might be lost,” says John.

“However, when it became apparent the kennel club shared those concerns and in fact wanted the huntaway protected as a working, not a show dog, we were more than happy to work together to make that happen.”

The official description of the huntaway makes it very clear the New Zealand huntaway is “first and foremost a working breed, selected solely for its ability to tirelessly work stock day in and day out”.

The official breed description, agreed by both bodies, goes on to say: “the only consideration when breeding should be as to their working ability and physical soundness. There should be no deviation from this when breeding”.

The breed standard document also says: “It is the opinion of the New Zealand Sheepdog Trial Association that the huntaway should never be shown due to the large variance in colour, type and size and the inability to prove in a show ring their core [and only] task of working stock”.

“No changes to the official breed standard of the New Zealand huntaway will be made without consultation with the New Zealand Sheepdog Trial Association.”

The standard also includes the statement the NZSTA’s opinion is the New Zealand huntaway shouldn’t be kept solely as a pet.

John says it’s appropriate a dog which plays such a significant role in New Zealand farming, should become this country’s first registered native breed on the official NZKC Registry.

There are 223 different breeds on the registry but all have offshore origins.

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For dogs of a recognised breed to be registered with the NZKC they must have a pedigree of at least three generations.

“The origins of the huntaway are lost in the mists of time but probably go back to the 1840s or 1850s, when shepherds working sheep on hill country and bush realised the border collies were less able to cope with the mild, moist climate and the size of the farms,” says John.

With the shepherd often far behind the dog, the silent working method of the collie made it difficult for the shepherd to manage the flock and keep track of the dog. So they looked for a dog with a short-haired coat, greater stamina and ability to bark to control the flock.

Those shepherds looked for dogs with the potential to produce the attributes they needed and began to cross border collie and bearded collie with labrador, rottweiler, harrier, gordon setter and smithfield collie.

That’s why finding an accurate description to officially define the New Zealand

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The New Zealand huntaway is officially recognised as a breed in New Zealand and there’s hope it will soon gain international registration too.

huntaway wasn’t easy.

In the end both the NZSTA and NZKC agreed the huntaway should be: “usually a short-haired breed, the coat can be smooth, rough or wiry; and a huntaway’s colour, coat and size are totally irrelevant as compares to their working ability; although it is accepted a high percentage fit into the mid-size, black and tan, smooth haired range”.

The description gives weight to the dog’s endurance, activity, intelligence and voice, which should be “deep, loud and able to be maintained all day”.

Owen says it’s hoped by registering and defining the New Zealand huntaway, and discouraging it from the being shown, the breed won’t be distorted for appearance – as have others, such as the bulldog.

New Zealand huntaway are found overseas and Owen says there was a risk another country might try to register it as a breed.

“It is rightfully a New Zealand breed and should be registered as such,” says Owen.

By Elaine Fisher

The third Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards – to recognise topperforming New Zealand sheep breeders – are being held on August 6 in Napier.

In addition to the sheep industry trainer of the year, individual or business making a significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep industry and the sheep industry innovation award, there are two other awards: the sheep industry science award, recognising a project, business or person undertaking science that is having a positive impact on farming now; and the sheep industry supplier award, which recognises a farmer supplier nominated by processors for consistently meeting company specifications and other key performance indicators.

The genetics-related awards are derived from the performance of breeders’ rams in the large-scale, across flock and breed genetic evaluation of more than 330 ram breeding flocks.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 5

An expert in the language of whistles Alan competed in his first dog trial in Tolaga Bay in 1956 and has competed every year since. While he likes the competition and the chance to spend time “talking about dogs, then talking some more about dogs”, it’s work on the farm in “real” situations he enjoys most.

That includes riding his horse Paleface and droving sheep with his team of dogs on his son Rodney’s large sheep station near Taihape, and he also musters on the Lands and Survey Rangitaiki Station on the Napier-Taupo highway, where his granddaughter’s husband is a manager.

Alan McCaughan has a repertoire of at least 36 different whistles for his six working dogs. That’s six separate commands for each dog.

“Each dog has its own set of whistles to tell it to run, stop, come back, go right, or left, or walk up,” says Alan, who has no problem remembering which commands to give which dog – even when all are working together herding sheep or cattle.

“It’s a bit like Morse code I guess. I come up with new whistles for each dog I’m training, sometimes after hearing a bird call and thinking ‘that might be a good new whistle’.”

His dogs pick up their special commands quickly too.

Dogs which don’t would be little use on the farm.

Alan begins training pups from about eight weeks old, keeping them on a lead at first, and teaching them to stay behind him.

“The first most important command is to stop. If you can’t get a dog to stop when you want it to, it probably won’t obey other commands.”

Alan prefers to teach dogs individually, rather than run them with other dogs. “If you try that, they’ll follow the other dogs instead of working alone.”

Kerikeri

Today Alan has two heading dogs King and Grace and two huntaway dogs Basil and Bruce, and a pup called Bess.

However, in 61 years of working with dogs he’s bred, owned, handled or worked close to 400 dogs. Many of the dogs Alan has bred he’s given to up-and-coming shepherds.

Joe was Alan’s first huntaway but the first dogs he owned where a much quieter kind.

“My first working dogs at Kerikeri were border collie heading dogs,” says Alan, who with wife Joy now lives on a 17ha drystock farm near Pyes Pa. At 18, Alan left Northland to work as a shepherd on a large and remote Gisborne sheep station. “I soon found out heading dogs couldn’t work sheep alone in 1000 acre paddocks.”

What was needed was the physical endurance and big voice of a huntaway, so Alan acquired Joe.

Tolaga Bay

The Gisborne station in the Tolaga Bay area had three shepherds and a manager and was so remote vehicles were left 10 miles away, and horses used for the final section of the road. It took a day with packhorses to complete the road trip to collect mail and supplies delivered to the end of the road once a week.

“The isolation didn’t bother me. As a young fellow it

By Elaine Fisher

was all part of the adventure,” says Alan, who quickly gained respect for the work of farm dogs, huntaways in particular. “They often run 30 to 40 kilometres a day.”

Alan’s next job was as head shepherd on the 13,000 acre Waihau Station. After he and Joy married they moved to managing 1600 acres in the back of Whatatutu and later managed 5000 acres in Hicks Bay for seven years.

Eventually he and Joy saved enough money to buy a 700 acre ballot farm at Mangakino and spent 25 years there grazing sheep and beef – and Alan also bred, trained and worked dogs.

He finds a good bitch will generally produce good pups, no matter which dog she’s mated to.

The essence of a huntaway is its big bark, its endurance and its enthusiasm and skill for working sheep and cattle, says Alan.

Above: Alan McCaughan has trained hundreds of working dogs in the last 61 years.

Alan McCaughan on Paleface with heading dogs, on left: Bill, King and Boss, and right: huntaways Bruce, Basil and Ringo.

Biddable

Alan places temperament high on his list of what makes a good huntaway. “I like a dog which is biddable – will obey commands. Some shepherds like what we call a ‘hard’ dog, one which is harder to control but very keen to work.”

He works both heading dogs and huntaways, using the skills of each for sheep and cattle.

“If you are moving a flock of sheep through a paddock of other stock, you need to keep them together.

When droving sheep, we have a lead dog which stays out in front and you might not see it all day – but he or she will stay there, making sure the sheep don’t get away.”

Other dogs control the sides and rear of the flock, keeping stragglers in line.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 6

If life’s not ‘sweet as’ - maybe help is needed Depression didn’t immobilise Hamish Lile.

By Elaine Fisher

Instead it turned him into a “workaholic”, holding down two full-time jobs, running the farm by day, driving trucks by night.

Some may have been impressed at his work ethic and determination to “get ahead” but Hamish’s wife Lisa knew something was seriously wrong.

“Depression takes many different forms. People think it’s about someone sitting in a corner and crying all

the time, but it’s often not like that at all,” says Lisa, who finally convinced Hamish he had a problem and needed help.

“Help was really hard to find and it shouldn’t be that hard,” says Lisa.

To make help easier to access for others in similar situations the farming couple from Te Awamutu has taken the brave step of going public about Hamish’s battle with depression.

They have become part of the rural depression programme managed by the Health Promotion Agency and fronted

by John Kirwan.

John Kirwan (right) with Hamish and Lisa Lile and their daughters, Dana (left) and Hayley.

The programme includes John interviewing Hamish and other farmers in videos that can be viewed on depression.org.nz/rural “If your life is not ‘sweet as’ it might be time to get some help and get life back on track,” says Hamish.

Robbed

Eighteen months ago his life was anything but sweet.

“I used to enjoy playing sport, being involved with activities which meant being around people like young farmers and other farming groups, working on the land, milking cows and spending time with friends and family,” says Hamish.

Depression robbed him of all that.

“It took everything I enjoyed in life away and more. I lost the desire to play sport, get involved with other groups; and I started to distance myself away from friends and family, including my best friend, my wife, and my two daughters Dana and Hayley.

“It took away the happy me and replaced it with the sad, angry, unmotivated model.”

Hamish felt he was a failure and unloved by family and that he had to prove himself.

“The only way I could see out was working harder, to prove to people I can do it. I can look back now and see it was the wrong thing to do.”

For Hamish there was no light at the end of the tunnel, only darkness.

“I am lucky to have Lisa, who was always there to turn that light on and help guide me there and support me along the way.”

Lisa needed help too but says in some cases the wider farming community wasn’t as supportive as she’d expected.

“We hear about rural communities and farmers supporting each other, but that’s not always what I found. I think it is probably because some people are also suffering from depression but don’t want to admit it.”

Lisa did find strong support from two girlfriends; one who is a farmer, and one who isn’t.

Hamish Farmer, Te Awamutu

Feeling disappointed about how you handled a difficult situation is pretty normal.

But when you feel like a failure for more than two weeks, this could be a sign of depression.

You’re not alone. One in six New Zealanders will experience depression at some time in their life. Understanding more about depression can help you find a way through.

Join JK at depression.org.nz, or call the Depression Helpline 0800 111 757.

DEPRESSION There is a way through it depression.org.nz/rural

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“I made myself busy on the farm 22 hours a day because I didn’t want to be around people.”

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 7

Talking to his best friend, Lisa, got Hamish through we’ve probably already done that.”

Lisa says she’s often approached at netball, or when she’s out and about, by wives and partners who want to talk to her about how to get help for their menfolk.

In the first three months of the website going live, there were 18,800 views, which Hamish and Lisa also believe demonstrates the need for information and help. Their advice to anyone feeling overwhelmed by life is to visit the website, listen to the stories from farmers of all ages, to seek help – and most of all talk about how they feel.

“Talking to my best friend Lisa is what helped me get through,” says Hamish.

To find out more go to: depression.org.nz/rural or for help call 0800 depression helpline (0800 111 757).

By Elaine Fisher

A neighbouring farmer also took to calling in unannounced, just to check things were okay. “They were amazing and I am so, so grateful to them,” says Lisa.

She also found some help from Federated Farmers and great help from the 0800 depression helpline (0800 111 757) and was finally able to convince Hamish to see his doctor.

Medication wasn’t the answer for Hamish.

“The pills I was taking made me feel physically ill and gradually I weaned off them.”

Ford Fairmont

What helped most was talking about how he was feeling, cutting back on work hours, taking vitamin and mineral supplements,

cutting back on alcohol, eating well, spending time with family and friends and on interests outside farming.

That included buying a bright orange, classic 1977 Ford Fairmont.

“We have friends who are also into classic cars and have been to Beach Hop, which was a blast, and other times just go for a drive, playing 1970s music and enjoying the ride,” says Lisa.

Hamish has a talent for making clocks from old rimu fence posts and is learning to fly a remote control helicopter. He also still enjoys long distance driving.

Getting enough sleep can be an issue. “I still find myself waking early in the morning and having trouble getting back to sleep – I try not to watch the clock.”

Lisa joined the gym and got more involved in their daughters’ sports. Even walking the dog is a break from the pressures of farming.

Positive

Lisa and Hamish were a little apprehensive about what sort of reaction they would get from the tight-knit Te Awamutu community when they went public about depression, but so far it’s been overwhelmingly positive.

“When we agreed to be part of the programme both Lisa and I said if we could save just one life by doing so, it would be worth it,” says Hamish.

“I think from the phone calls we’ve had and conversations with people who have closely identified with what I went through and recognised they too have a problem,

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COAST & COUNTRY

Dreams of flying and tea-tree oil Nearly 60 years ago Nicholas Murray-Leslie stepped ashore on New Zealand soil for the first time, with a borrowed pound in his pocket.

Today the 79-year-old runs a business on the Coromandel Peninsula exporting tea-tree oil products around the world.

The years in between offer a remarkable story of a boy who dreamed of flying – and a man who saw the potential in a run-down manuka and kanuka-covered piece of farmland on

the outskirts of Whitianga.

Nicholas grew up in England and was a small boy in London during The Blitz – the German bombing campaign on British during World War II. At age 14 he won a scholarship to a French agricultural college and spent three years studying agriculture, horticulture and viticulture.

Back in England he took a job as an office boy at an airline but was laughed at when he asked one of the bosses to teach him to fly.

He did a couple of years’ service in the British Army and then, at age 20, emigrated to New Zealand.

Nicholas Murray-Leslie and the plant which extracts oil from tea-tree at his Whitianga property.

He slept under a bridge at the Glasgow docks the night before the Captain Cook sailed and when he arrived in New Zealand he had to borrow a pound from a fellow Scot on-board.

After milking cows in Hawera and herd testing in south Taranaki, he began driving bulldozers in the Huntly coal mines, where he earned enough to pay for flying, gaining commercial and C category instructor licences.

Airline pilot

Just after he was laid off from the mines, he heard about a temporary flight instructor position at the Tauranga Aero Club.

By age 25 he was captain of a Bay of Plenty Airways’ passenger plane.

The next step was Sydney and a co-pilot job with Qantas. He recalls with satisfaction visiting the London airline boss, who had scoffed at his desire to fly.

A captain by age 34, he flew round the world for Qantas for 21 years.

In 1975 he volunteered to fly into Saigon to evacuate Anzac troops at the end of the Vietnam War. The overloaded plane struggled to take off and came under fire as Nicholas flew low along the Mekong Valley. Finally enough fuel was burnt off to allow him to gain some height.

Last year he received an Australian Service Medal for his work.

Post-Qantas he flew for Singapore Airlines and then it was time to do something else.

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During the years Nicholas has flown over the Coromandel Peninsula many times and dreamt of one day owning a farm there.

Organic farming

At aged 60 he sold his farm in New South Wales and with wife Monique bought 162ha on the southern outskirts of Whitianga.

The couple began organic farming but instead of clearing the manuka and kanuka for pasture, they began exploring the native plants’ potential.

As they made and sold tea, and devised a distillation process to extract oil, the New Zealand Coromandel Mountains Tea Tree Oil Company was born.

Research found the oil had antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal and anaesthetic properties. Oil is extracted by warm steaming at very low temperatures to retain all its benefits.

The first few years were hard, says Nicholas. “It was five years before we made any money.”

But gradually sales grew and today the company sells oil, soap, tea and honey, employing a five staff.

The main market is New Zealand but products go to numerous countries, including Italy.

Each year 100 bottles of oil go to a group of dental surgeons in Milan.

Monique died last year and Nicholas misses her a great deal. His son Tim works between Whitianga and a farm in Australia, and Nicholas also has two daughters and six grandchildren.

He still flies, down the coast to Tauranga or over to Thames, and still enjoys the wonderful views.

By Shenagh Gleeson “I love this place,” he says.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 9

Expedition to relieve dental pain in Himalayas

A Whangamata dental nurse is heading to a remote Himalayan region to help children suffering from oral health problems caused by eating Westernised foods.

“We are also hoping for money to buy other necessary items such as additional equipment, dental instruments, along with boxes of gloves and masks for all the dental operators,” says Justine.

Justine Connolly is joining a volunteer dental expedi“There are 10 volunteers in total tion in northern India this month to help with an from New Zealand, Australia and the epidemic of dental disease sweeping through many of UK, so it will be quite a nice mixed the Himalayas’ high mountain villages. group. The team is made up of denThe epidemic is due to increasing numbers of tourists tists, dental therapists, dental assistants and trekkers bringing in sweets, soft drinks and junk and others who will run the IT and food which aren’t normally readily available to local sterilising departments. children, says Justine.

“We leave NZ in early August and “These children, often with large and serious cases of head via Delhi to the remote village of Leh, in the dental decay, do not have any local dental care and can Ladakh region of northern India, some 3500m up in spend entire winters the Himalayas where suffering in pain.” we’ll work for about As a dental nurse three very busy weeks, Justine was invited to treating upwards of join the 2014 dental 2000 local children, expedition led by who all have rampant English locum dentist decay and have no on Dr Trevor Barnes, who the ground, permanent until recently worked dental services.” at Ocean Dental in Justine says at the end Whangamata. of the team’s time in Since agreeing to go, the Himalayas, and to Justine has talked to thank them for their other friends and fellow work, the locals will dental nurses Gill Bird, take them on a trek for five to six days up Marise Hunt and Diane Up to 2000 children will receive desperately-needed Chester, who’ve agreed detail treatment from volunteers working in their remote into the Himalayan mountains, ending up to join the group as Himalayan region next month. at about 6000m above well. sea level.

Dr Trevor Barnes, who led “This is actually slightly a similar dental expedition higher than the Everest to this area in 2012, has a Base Camp in Nepal. So it varied dental career which will be quite a challenge, has taken him all over the but what an amazing world. opportunity.

He’s donated his time and “This place is still reasonskills by offering volunably remote to the Western tary dental work in other world, it’s just starting to remote locations, including gain popularity as a far parts of Africa and most reaching tourist destinarecently in Turkey treating tion and a good quality, Syrian refugees. less populated trekking All volunteers will pay for location.” their own travel expenses Anyone who wants to donate to Justine’s Himalayan and they’re also raising funds for desperately needed dental expedition can do so on website: www.givealitdental equipment, all of which has to be flown in by tle.co.nz/cause/himalayandentalaid light aircraft to the remote Buddhist enclave in India, Or donate via Westpac bank under the Account close to the border of China. It’s so remote it’s inaccesname ‘Dental Aid’ with account No. 03 1577 sible in winter.

0439063 000. Or contact Justine on 07 865 6795 or “Just $30 will buy enough anaesthetic and dental email: mrsjustineconnolly@gmail.com By Elaine Fisher materials to treat two children.”

Whangamata dental nurse Justine Connolly and Dr Trevor Barnes will be part of a volunteer dental expedition to northern India in August.

Page 10

COAST & COUNTRY

Fruit fly detection work highlighted at MPI stand The Ministry for Primary Industries’ two colourful cargo containers on its Fieldays site were open to the public this year, with the children and adults passing through getting to see and learn about the Queensland fruit fly.

Queensland fruit fly is one of the biggest threats to New Zealand horticulture. Two solitary male fruit flies were found on separate occasions in Whangarei earlier this year but no further flies were found after intensive MPI investigation.

MPI’s director investigation, diagnostic centre and response Veronica Herrera says the Ministry’s Fieldays stand showed visitors – including Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit growers – how MPI operates and responds to detections of unwanted pests such as Queensland fruit fly.

“When there’s travel and trade across our borders there is always the risk of detecting unwanted pests and diseases and MPI is ready to respond.

“The stand showed what we do; the staff we mobi-

lise, and all of the systems, resources and equipment we have to protect New Zealand.”

A display panel called ‘Dealing with the Queensland fruit fly in Whangarei’ says “within 24 hours more than 60 MPI staff were in the field” at Whangarei’s Parihaka suburb “setting out an extensive trap network, checking properties for fruit and informing the community about the situation”.

After 48 hours, a mobile field laboratory was in place to closely examine fruit and vegetables collected from the area and to identify any pests found within traps.

By day four more than 100 traps were in place, and by day six 200 traps were in place out to 1.5km from the find.

One week in, lab staff were looking for fruit fly eggs and inspecting up to 300kg of fruit daily.

Within 14 days full trapping had passed with no further flies detected, MPI was able to lift restrictions and call the response off – and New Zealand remains fruit fly-free.

MPI’s Fieldays stand also worked as an awareness tool to educate people on New Zealand’s biosecurity threats.

MPI’s Fieldays organiser Gabrielle Frayling says the ministry’s site offered “a really fun, friendly way to get across a very serious message in some respects”.

“People sometimes don’t understand why they have to discard fruit or clean hiking boots they bring into the country, asking if it really does make that much of a difference.

“The answer is: yes, it does make a huge difference. If we detect one pest – such as a fruit fly – we take it very seriously because it is a threat to New Zealand’s biosecurity and that’s why we mobilise so many staff and resources.”

MPI also promoted its pre-border work at New Zealand’s entry points – again something most people don’t realise – with some interesting facts.

“For example, we have about 5000 cats and dogs coming into the country every year and they are all checked well before they even get to New Zealand – most people wouldn’t even think about this.”

By Merle Foster

The Queensland fruit fly display inside a container at MPI’s Fieldays site.

New $65million high-security lab to be built A new $65million high-security biocontainment laboratory in Upper Hutt’s Wallaceville will replace the existing high security laboratory and continue more than 100 years of animal disease diagnostics at the site, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

COSIO COSIO INDUSTRIES

“The existing laboratories and skilled personnel have an essential role in responding to disease outbreaks, protecting public health and providing international trade assurances about New Zealand’s animal disease status.

“While these current labs have a good service record, they are now reaching the end of their design life.

“This new, fit-for-purpose laboratory facility will be equipped to current international standards, and have better capacity to deal with a largescale emergency situation, in the unlikely event one should occur.”

Nathan says the primary industries form the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, with more than $20 billion of exports coming from animal products.

“A major disease outbreak could halt trade, which could only be resumed through extensive laboratory testing.

“Many of our trade relationships are also dependent on ongoing surveillance and investigation work, such as that

currently undertaken at the site on a day-to-day basis,” says Nathan.

MPI has commissioned an international company, Merrick, which has designed and built a large number of similar secure containment facilities around the world, to design the facility.

The laboratory will integrate two separate laboratories if NZ has a serious animal disease outbreak and maximum testing capacity is required to help manage the outbreak.

Some examples of diseases that could be tested at the facility include foot and mouth disease, anthrax, brucella, and avian flu.

“I’ve made biosecurity my number one priority. A worldstandard diagnostic laboratory such as this is a necessity, not a luxury,” says Nathan.

There are no live animals held at Wallaceville, and no live animal testing carried out there.

“This will continue to be the case when the new laboratories are built,” says Nathan.

Preparative work is expected to begin on the site this month, with construction planned to begin early next year.

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COAST & COUNTRY

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Page 11

BUSINESS

Page 12

Dairy farm leases below what they should be A client has recently leased a small area of consolidated peat to his neighbour to dairy on for $2150 per hectare plus GST.

There were no buildings, just new pasture and fences. The lease is for five years with right of renewal – and that got me thinking.

Thankfully, land leasing is heading towards commercial lease in style and return. For farmers this means longer-term, well-structured leases, good returns to all parties and expectations and reviews.

We talk of ‘economic rent’. That is a fair return to the land owner and a rent the tenant can reasonably afford.

I guess the tenant wants it as cheap as he can get, to maximise his profit – and the landlord has the same drive.

The percentage leasing has highlighted low farm rent as well. If you take 1000 kg/ms per ha at an $8 per kilogram payout, this equals $8000 per annum per hectare and at 25 per cent an indicative rent of $2000/ ha plus GST. This 25 per cent figure came about when

rents were $1 per kg/ms when the payout was $4 per kg – and that’s not that long ago.

If you look at the debt servicing model then banks will say 25 to 30 per cent of your income can go to debt cost. However, they do have higher ratios. Take the 1000kg/ha model at $8 and you get $2000 and $2400 per hectare respectively as an indicative rent.

In the distant dark ages in the 1950s-1970s Crown leases were at five per cent of value. Take a dairy farm at $50,000 per hectare. At five per cent, this equals a $2500 per hectare indicative rent.

The caveat on all this is if you’re in a good area with good production at $1200 kg ms per hectare the rent will be more. And the converse applies. Poorer land with lower production will show a lower rental – and this is where percentage leasing really comes into its own.

The other reason I think rents are too low is I believe a higher rent may encourage farmers to retain their land, because they can get a good return and keep it as a com-

mercial venture. Therefore, a good lease may allow retention of the property for the next generation. I was recently asked to calculate the percentage lease of dairy cheque where 70ha was part of a 200ha dairy business.

After much thought and many calculations it came to eight per cent of gross cheque.

The result was everybody knew the deal and it is near flawless. It also resulted in a 60 per cent increase in rent to the existing family, as owners of the 70ha.

Now there are many and varied calculations for dairy farm leases. Sometimes it may be difficult to calculate a percentage lease because extra feed is bought in; and there may be other issues on other land leased. But I’m convinced the lease rate for dairy farm leases are well behind.

Currently, $1500 per hectare seems to be about the base rate. My calculations indicate they should be more like $2000-plus per hectare.

Looking at those numbers and on existing examples with which I’m involved: a) Fixed price lease 70ha @ $1500/ha = $105,000 b) Percentage leasing kg/ms

70ha @ 1000/ha x $8 x 25 per cent = $2000/ha and a gross rent of = $140,000 Considering the above calculations, farm rentals appear to be below what they should be.

An improvement could see a change in attitude to land retention and more commercial-type leasing in the industry. For farming there are huge benefits to all parties to get the rent up and correct.

What better investment can a retiring farmer have than his own farm rented to a good lessee? This also means a good landlord will allow career lessees an opportunity to happily farm with a long-term view, because they may not be able to afford to buy their own farm at current values.

For further information on this percentage leasing concept, view our website www. fraserfarmfinance.co.nz and check My Philosophy No 408 Percentage Leasing.

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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The upgraded laws give the average Kiwi consumer more protection and introduce heavier penalties for traders who break the law.

The main changes are to the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, which will provide greater protection against unfair practices and dodgy dealers.

One of the biggest reforms means goods bought online will be covered by the Consumers Guarantees Act, giving buyers the same protection as they’d have when shopping in a store.

This change has been largely brought about

by Kiwi’s love of TradeMe and the growing popularity of online shopping.

The law changes have modernised consumer laws so it doesn’t matter how the transaction occurs – whether it be in a shop, online or at an auction – the consumer is protected.

Under the Consumer Guarantees Act goods must match their description, have no undisclosed defects, be fit for their normal purpose, be safe, durable, and of reasonable quality, and acceptable in look and finish.

Up until now, goods bought through auction on sites such as TradeMe haven’t been covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. That has been a benefit for the growing number of traders who use auction websites, such as TradeMe, because they’ve been able to avoid any responsibility for faulty goods.

The Fair Trading Act also now applies to all traders who advertise or sell to New Zealand consumers online, even if the trader is based outside of New Zealand.

The Fair Trading Act requires all traders who sell online to make it clear they are commercially in trade

so the consumer is aware they’re protected under both the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act. This means there is now differentiation between private individuals selling secondhand goods through TradeMe, which a purchaser wouldn’t be afforded the protection and warranties, and a commercial trader.

Online traders must now disclose their trader status prominently in every place where a consumer can complete a purchase.

For example, a TradeMe listing.

Traders should be making their trader status clear from the outset and on every website or forum the trader uses.

Another major change affecting the average Kiwi consumer is there’s now more protection against retailers who sell extended warranties.

Most of us have been to large retail stores and been offered the five-year extended warranty for some extra money, usually a lot more.

Extended warranties have been heavily promoted, often with confusing or misleading information about the benefits they offer.

But in many cases, you’re paying for protection you already have by law.

For instance the 50 inch TV you’ve recently purchased may have an express written one-year warranty, but under The Consumer Guarantees Act you’re entitled to be purchasing a product which will be “fit for purpose”.

It can be reasonably expected the average TV would function correctly for a period exceeding the one year.

Retailers now have to tell you about your existing legal rights further to the Consumer Guarantees Act.

COAST & COUNTRY

Incomes to fall as volumes grow Grower returns for gold fruit are expected to fall from the current high as volumes increase, says Zespri CEO Lain Jager.

Lain told Zespri’s annual general meeting in Tauranga that while average gold returns – driven by low volumes – were at a record $12.91 a tray, as gold volumes rapidly increase during the next few seasons returns will drop to “more normal levels”.

However, the drop should be offset by more fruit per hectare.

“If we deliver high taste [in gold fruit] we should see high-yield as a tremendous competitive market opportunity for us, rather than a problem,” says Lain.

Zespri chairman Peter McBride says the current forecast range for gold is below $10 a tray, which is a result of volumes increasing from 11 million trays to 19 million trays this year.

“This trend will continue as Gold3 volumes rise, and we are forecasting average per hectare Gold returns to stabilise above $70,000 a hectare.

Commercial performer

“With its high yield, Gold3 will continue to be an excellent commercial performer and will underline grower wealth in the medium to long-term if we continue to deliver high-tasting fruit.”

However, because of rapidly increasing volumes, it’s unlikely there will be any allocation of new licences next year.

Lain indicated the future of the second new gold variety, G9, may be in doubt because it “shrivels” which is causing a loss of confidence among customers. “Ultimately, we may need to consider whether this variety remains viable.”

Early adapters who graft to a new variety are taking a higher risk, as the future of the new fruit is not necessarily assured, says Lain.

“Our strategy must be built from the market back through the rest of the supply chain. This means success is likely to be reflected by having relatively few, relatively large product categories, which each earn their own shelf-space.

“In this environment we must avoid the temptation to allow the proliferation of small products in the market and have the courage to de-commercialise cultivars that do not have a clear role in the portfolio.”

Frequent grafting

After the meeting Lain told Coast & Country the kiwifruit industry may be moving towards a situation similar to the apple industry, which could see new varieties being grafted on a much more frequent basis.

Zespri innovation manager Bryan Parkes says more than 100,000 new varieties are currently under Plant and Food, and Zespri, trials.

Bryan says 264 are part of colonial trials and are at least five years away from commercial trial. Two varieties are in commercial trials and one is a red variety.

“We have the largest programme [on new kiwifruit varieties] in the world.”

No new variety will be released until it has met a range of strict criteria, says Bryan.

In a relatively quiet meeting, with no contentious issues raised during general business, growers re-elected the board’s youngest member Nathan Flowerday for a further three-year term. DMS director Paul Jones was elected to take the vacancy left by Craig Greenlees, also of DMS, who retired after 15 years with the board.

David Pilkington, whose existing position on the board was uncontested, was also re-appointed.

By Elaine Fisher

Focus on ‘getting it right’ Following court cases and customs issues in some of its markets, Zespri has made positive changes across the business and the focus remains fixed on getting it right, says chairman Peter McBride.

Zespri has in recent years been dealing with the consequences of non-compliance issues in three of its 53 markets, which have included fines and the imprisonment of an employee in China.

“We have made and are prepared to make tough choices and end relationships where we believe our partners are putting us at risk,” says Peter.

“This year the board has made significant progress on strengthening the compliance framework we expect the Zespri executive and staff to operate within.

“In line with this, Jonathan Mason, who is the chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, has been directed by the board to lead this work.

“We have engaged external professional advisors to ensure the company is compliant where ever Zespri kiwifruit is sold.”

Peter says the company is auditing the duty compliance of independent import partners in direct sale markets.

“In China, we have worked hard to rebuild our operation and our distribution.

“We now have four import partners in China. We have a new market manager, a newly-created Government Relations role and have several new team members in key positions.

“The links between New Zealand and our China operation are now tighter and much more transparent.

“We have also worked hard to build the right rela-

tionships in China and this has recently culminated in our appointment to the advisory board of the APEC China Business Council and the New Zealand China Council.”

Page 13

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 14

Mark Bocock enjoys rearing and working with calves.

Raising calves without contracts risky business Cover story Raising calves to sell is not a get-rich-quick scheme and if you don’t have contracts, don’t do it – that’s the advice of Mark Bocock, who raises calves on a large scale near Te Awamutu.

Mark says anyone considering commercial calf rearing should buy good quality calves and good quality feed.

“Don’t take shortcuts, but at the same time don’t spend too much. Ensure you have contracts, with deposits paid, or else at the other end you may find your calves are worth less than they’ve cost you.”

Mark and Michelle have been raising calves for 20 years, steadily growing their operation, but it hasn’t been easy.

“There have been good years and hard years,” says Mark.

This year the Bocock farm will raise about 3000 calves, bringing in 80 calves daily, caring for them for 12 weeks.

For Michelle, Mark and staff it’s full on

from July to December.

“I usually start around 5am or 5.30am.

The staff come in around 6am and when things are running smoothly, we can be having morning tea by 9am, knowing every calf is fed and happy.

However, there’s still plenty to do after that.”

Fed Colostrum

Mark buys most of his calves from farmers he’s dealt with for several seasons; and he’s designed and built his own trailer to pick them up.

“I don’t mind travelling to collect calves I know are going to do well – the ones who have been fed colostrum and cared for properly.”

Calves are also bought through agents or from sales. And Mark has another tip on buying calves at sales: “If the big calf rearers are sitting on their hands and not bidding, it’s probably a good idea for the smaller operators to do the same – or else they might end up paying too much”.

“I’ve seen women who have worked hard all season rearing calves in tears at

HOMEOPATHY

HOMEOPATHIC FARM SUPPORT

sales because their animals sell so cheap they’ve lost money.

It’s just not worth the risk unless you know you have guaranteed buyers for your animals.”

Every calf on the Bocock farm has a NAIT identification tag, but also a unique ‘Bocock’ tag which identifies which farm they came from and when. “That way we can trace any problems back to the source.”

Newly-arrived calves are kept in small pens and closely monitored.

Skilled staff

New calves are housed eight to a pen and cared for by staff skilled in their welfare.

“Women are the best calf rearers.

They are more observant and patient than men,” says Mark.

Each calf is monitored during the first few days and any problems, such as slow feeding, is identified and recorded on white boards above the pens.

Homeopathic remedies from Tineke Verkade, of Homeopathic Farm Support, are used to treat health issues among the calves –

Older calves

and Marks says they “work well”.

“We use top end products to feed and care for our calves at all time.”

When it comes to calf feeding no one carries buckets – all the milk is delivered by hoses.

Mark, who built the large covered sheds, has designed the milk reticulation system to increase efficiency and ease of operation.

Milk, brought in from local farms, is heated by gas in an insulated vat and distributed throughout the complex.

For the newly-arrived calves, a hose is used to fill feeders in each pen.

Older calves are moved to central feeders, filled by overhead drums fitted with ballcocks to control the milk flow.

Mark has designed the pens and races so calves from each pen can be fed on rotation, thanks to the assistance of unpaid ‘staff ’ – three huntaways Ziek, Ben and Suzie.

CALVING

Page 15

Huntaways calf rearers too Huntaway dogs are part of the team which care for calves on the Bocock farm.

Large, central calf feeders are filled by overhead drums, fitted with ballcocks to control the milk flow.

Mark Bocock has built a delivery shoot for calf feed (on left), which will fit on the back of this RTV. “The dogs bring the calves up, and then take them back to their pen, sitting in front of the gate until someone comes to close it before the dogs go on to the next pen.”

To say they’re unpaid is not strictly correct. The dog team enjoys the ‘fringe benefits’ of spilled milk when they can.

Every pen also has water, hay and supplements available on demand and a deep layer of kiln-dried wood chips line all pens.

“If you wouldn’t be comfortable sitting down in your calf pen – then you shouldn’t ask your calves to do the same,” says Mark.

Keeping calves clean, warm, dry and comfortable is as important as keeping them well-fed – and Mark doesn’t believe in cutting corners when it comes to supplements. Every load of supplement delivered to the farm is tested and Mark receives a report on its contents.

“Five or six years ago Beef and Lamb NZ and the Commerce Commission got involved in testing calf

supplements and found the cheapest was in fact 40 per cent dearer in real terms because it had less available feed for animals.”

As calves are weaned, they’re moved to small one acre paddocks on the farm where they learn to graze before going on to finishing farms, or to join dairy herds as replacements.

After six months of hard work, the sheds are emptied of wood chips and left to dry out, and the success or otherwise of the season is reviewed.

“Throughout the season I think about the things which really annoy me – and staff tell me what annoys them – and where we can we try to find better ways of doing things,” says Mark.

It’s attention to detail, hard work, and willingness to change and evolve, which has seen the Bocock calf rearing operation succeed.

More than that it’s the fact Michelle and Mark like what they do.

They like seeing the calves grow and do well under their care and enjoy interacting with them too.

By Elaine Fisher

Computer programme for tracking calves online Record-keeping is a vital part of Michelle and Mark Bocock’s calf rearing operation, and their daughter Laura and her partner have helped the task become easier.

They have designed a computer programme called FarmHand, which Mark and Michelle have trialled with success.

“It’s a great programme which links in with other farm management tools and enables us to enter

information when we pick up calves, give the farmer a print out on the spot and add the calves to our inventory.”

Mark prints out adhesive-backed ‘dockets’ from the printer in his ute, giving one to the farmer and attaching the other to his own record book.

The programme records both NAIT numbers and the Bocock’s own ear tags, so calves can be

traced instantly back to the farm they came from.

It also records the performance of calves when they leave the farm and where they go, as well as any deaths.

Anyone interested in buying a copy of the programme for their own use should call Mark Bocock on 027 474 6917.

He’s also keen to hear from anyone who wants to buy calves.

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DAIRY

Page 16

Tall pavlova dung, not projectile poos, the ideal We have a raft of serious problems in dairying we didn’t have 40 years ago: reliance on supplemental feeds and antibiotics, poor conception rates, calf scours, high milk urea nitrate leachate and a rotting profit margin.

urea. And, certainly at less cost to our environment and health.

And it can be done at Olsen Ps below 20 instead of the 50-plus usually recommended.

There’s no need to continue large applications of cadmium and fluoride-tainted superphosphate to maintain Olsen P ratings that are already through the roof.

It’s time to call a spade a spade. All of these We’re spending band-aids we’re told fertiliser money creatwe ‘need’ are due to ing ‘funny protein’ us growing lowgrass that burns quality, urea-addicted out our cows at 2.5 grass that makes lactations, pollutes everyone else money our rivers, propels us except us. in the direction of How have farmers – very expensive barns, who used to be NZ’s alienates consumers most rugged individuand reduces the very Humus forming with a clod of dirt along root alists – fallen for this healing qualities of line; possible when calcium and mineral levels collective scam? milk fat the world The first illusion elevated and well balanced. This is desperately needs and that has to go is the carbon sequestration on a biological will eventually value. one saying: agriculprogramme after 18 months.

We’ve gone beyond ture can function shooting ourselves in successfully as a the foot. Despite the chemical system temporary illusion based on petroleum created by a wonderinputs. No, it is a ful dairy payout, complex biologithe muzzle is aimed cal system governed higher off the ground. by microbes which We can grow larger need to be fed the volumes of high solufull range of macro ble solids, complete Example of a healthy, young, mixed/diverse and micronutrients protein and diverse in biology-friendly sward pastures grown using a biological species pastures that forms. soils programme. beat the pants off any Using urea fertiliser competition. as the basis for pasture growth creates high We can do it by driving our fertiliser prolevels of nitrate nitrogen in the forage. We’ve all grammes with lime, key trace elements, humic been assured we’re growing ‘good’ pasture with acid granules and judicious use of foliar urea its crude protein content of about 20 per cent.

– all at lower costs than our present reliance on Yet the international standard for ideal pas200-plus kilogram per hectare per year of neat

Well-fed content cows. ture crude protein content is 16 per cent. What this really tells us is we have excessive levels of nitrate in our grass, which isn’t the same thing as having complete proteins which are of benefit to the cow.

These excessive levels of nitrate are the start of our negative urea-cascade of poor animal health, depressed production per unit of input, higher costs and lower profit.

The pasture crude protein test we use is actually a cheap shortcut only measuring elemental nitrogen. It’s expensive to measure amino acids or real protein content, so the test measures nitrogen and then multiples it by 6.25 to get an assumed level of ‘protein’.

It is indeed a crude measure, since to actually get usable protein in pasture from nitrogen you need a range of other minerals and lots of energy in order to change nitrate into amino acids chains and then into real protein.

When we feed high crude protein (nitrate) grass, the cow’s rumen microbes need high levels of carbon/sugar/energy and trace elements in their diet to capture the nitrate and convert it to real protein.

The easiest way to get more real protein in pasture is to grow grass high in soluble solids/ brix/minerals/energy. This doesn’t happen when we rely on neat urea as the main fertiliser.

Our standard urea and superphosphate fer-

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%)

tiliser programme isn’t supplying an adequate balance of the dozens of minerals needed for making complete proteins and high soluble solids in forage.

Cows with the ideal nutritional balance capturing all the nitrogen in their feed will chew each cud about 50 times before swallowing and will have firm ‘tall pavlova’ dung. Most New Zealand dairy cows are in nitrate excess and have projectile poos.

The majority of the nitrogen in urea fertiliser applied straight to paddocks, about 56 per cent according to Fonterra, either off-gasses into the air or becomes nitrate leachate through the soil.

Leaching nitrate takes calcium, magnesium and other minerals needed for high quality feed with it when it flows into the waterways.

It’s also difficult to get fully-mineralised forage or crops from soils treated with glyphosate. It takes decades for glyphosate to degrade in the soil. In the meantime it locks up soil minerals while promoting the fungi that create mycotoxins in preserved feed.

Thus we’re feeding high nitrate, low energy and low mineral grass to our cows. The rumen microbes can’t cope with the excess nitrogen, and the urea-driven cascade of ill-health really kicks in.

By Phyllis Tichinin, General Manager of True Health, soils consultant, environmental policy analyst and animal health specialist of Havelock North.

DAIRY

Page 17

Peninsula bulls perform well Kairaumati hereford bulls are hardy animals.

Roy and Kaye Ward have been breeding Hereford bulls on the northern Coromandel Peninsula for more than 30 years and have built a reputation for hardy animals which perform well on all pastures.

“Our bulls shift well because they have grown up eating kikuyu grass in summer, so grow really well when they go on to other pasture – it’s a bit like going from bread to cake,” says Kaye.

Buyers will be able to take advantage of those and other traits Kairaumati Herefords are known for when the stud holds its annual sale on September 9 near Turua.

Stud cows were first bought to the home farm, which ranges from river flats to very steep hill country surrounding the village of Colville, in 1996.

Now the herd numbers 120 registered

cows. Half of the herd is calved in a sevenweek period near August.

The other half is calved in January and February. This has worked very successfully during the last four years.

“Herd and AI sires are primarily selected on calving ease, larger scrotal size, which reflects on fertility, above average carcass traits and structural soundness,” says Kaye.

“There is little emphasis placed on growth as long as bulls are in the average-plus range of growth estimated breeding values and well-muscled, but not to dumpy.

“With traceability of animals there will be more focus on carcass traits, as good premiums are already paid for animals that fit the criteria. These are the values we believe will suit both beef and dairy farmers.”

The herd is fully performance-recorded for all Estimated Breeding Values traits.

Bulls are transported to a 17 acre block near Turua where the annual sale is held annu-

The ‘plunket round’ – Roy Ward weighs a Kairaumati Hereford calf on his Coromandel farm. ally on the second Tuesday of September.

“This year the bulls are exceptionally quiet and easy to handle, in good condition with good markings.”

Consultation on farming rules around Lake Rotorua

The draft rules support the work of the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme – a partnership between Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Rotorua District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

They set out how nitrogen discharge allowances will be allocated to individual rural properties using a mix of resource consents and permitted activities. The rules are likely to affect all properties two hectares-plus in size in the Lake Rotorua groundwater catchment.

“The nitrogen reductions needed for Lake Rotorua are large and challenging. We all contribute nutrients which affect water quality and we must all play a part in improving and protecting

these taonga [treasure] for the future,” Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group chairman Sir Toby Curtis says.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder says landowners will have until 2032 to meet limits that will be set for each property.

“We know that it’s not going to be easy and we’ll provide support and advice to help them achieve their nitrogen discharge allowances.”

“We need a future that includes both a healthy lake and farming in the catchment. Through collaboration and community engagement we need to make sure the rules are workable to deliver the water quality the community wants, as well as profitable farming in the catchment,” says Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick.

Lake Rotorua Stakeholder Advisory Group chairman Dr Tanira Kingi of AgResearch says collaboration between StAG and programme partners has been instrumental in getting the draft rules ready for consultation.

Public consultation on the draft rules ends October 14, 2014.For informa-

tion about the draft rules and to have your say, go to www.rotorualakes.co.nz

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Reduce winter nitrogen loss Winter is a time when farmers should take special care to protect both profits and the environment from the effects of increased nitrogen leaching at this time of year.

Applications of nitrogen fertilisers in winter are generally least

effective for promoting grass growth.

That’s because slow growth of pasture and drainage from increased seasonal rainfall can result in nitrate leaching directly from fertiliser before plants can take it up.

The nitrogen can then make its way to waterways, where it can stimulate nuisance algal growth.

At the same time, the risk of nitrogen leaching from animal urine patches is much higher in winter.

So what can farmers do to help counter these impacts?

Some research on mitigating nitrogen losses has focussed on growing pasture with more rooting depth for better uptake of nitrates.

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Other ideas include reducing time animals spend on pasture and feeding high sugar grasses for reducing nitrogen amounts excreted by grazing animals.

It’s also a good idea for farmers to get clear advice about risks involved with winter nitrogen applications.

Nutrient budgeting using computer models, such as Overseer, combined with feed budgeting, enables farmers to understand whether they’re using too much or too little fertiliser.

From there, they can reduce their impact on the environment by working out a pragmatic nutrient management plan.

Response rate

To help make judgments on what’s the right amount of fertiliser to use, it’s important to understand the term ‘response rate’.

This refers to the amount of pasture grown in terms of kilograms of dry matter per hectare per kilogram of nitrogen (N) applied.

For example, when 20kg N/ha is applied and an additional 200kg DM/ ha of pasture is grown the response rate is 10kg DM/kg N applied.

The response is dependent on several factors, such as soil temperature, plant growth, soil moisture, the deficiency of available nitrogen in the soil and rate of nitrogen applied per application.

Timing of nitrogen fertiliser application is paramount.

It’s good to apply nitrogenous fertiliser when the pasture cover is between 1500 to 1800 kg DM/ha.

This ensures there is sufficient leaf area for photosynthesis leading to good pasture growth.

Profitability of applying nitrogen is dependent on the utilisation of extra feed.

Therefore, nitrogen needs to be strategically applied to fill genuine feed deficits.

Best response The best response to N fertiliser occurs on fast-growing pasture, when other factors such as moisture and soil temperature aren’t limiting growth.

Response rate variation also depends on the season and nitrogen application rate.

In winter, at the same application rate, responses are lower and slower than other times of year.

The response rate also declines when the application rate (single dose) is higher than 40kg N/ha.

Also, nitrogen fertiliser reduces nitrogen fixation by clover by about one kilogram N/ha/year for every three kilograms of nitrogen fertiliser applied.

In addition, clover content will be further reduced if nitrogen-boosted pastures shade the clover. This effect is seen during spring.

‘Nitrogen conversion efficiency’ for any farm is another factor to bear in mind. It’s calculated from the total nitrogen in product leaving the farm – such as milk or meat – divided by the total nitrogen inputs into a farm and is expressed in percentage.

A dairy farm with a figure of about 40 per cent is probably doing fine in terms of nitrogen conversion efficiency.

Bala Tikkisetty is a sustainable agriculture coordinator at Waikato Regional Council. Contact him at bala.tikkisetty@waikatoregion.govt.nz

By Bala Tikkisetty or 0800 800 401.

Best practice guide Federated Farmers and Dairy NZ have jointly developed a guide to help farmers comply with employment law and regulations requirements.

The ‘Best Practice Employment Guidance for Farm Employers’ includes employer’s obligations regarding employment agreements, the minimum wage and supplying accommodation for employees.

The document can be viewed on the Federated Farmers website at: www.fedfarm.org.nz

DAIRY

Page 19

Lepto lurking in NZ sheep flocks Leptospirosis infection in sheep could be a bigger issue than most farmers realise according to research by Massey University, which highlights the disease’s prevalence in NZ sheep flocks.

Researchers found 97 per cent of sheep properties had evidence of infection with either of the main strains: L hardjobovis or L Pomona.

“Typically leptospirosis has flown under the radar for sheep farmers,” says Zoetis veterinary advisor Dr Victoria Chapman.

“Dairy farmers are familiar with its impact both on animal and human health, but there has been a real lack of data until now on just what its prevalence and impact is here in NZ sheep flocks,” says Victoria.

“At any one time there may be 10-20 per cent of the country’s sheep population shedding infectious leptospires.”

Victoria says these levels of infection are a wake-up call to the industry.

“Infection from leptospirosis could

be contributing to unexplained lamb losses or abortions in ewes.”

She urges farmers to consider potential risk factors of their farm and unexplained flock health problems that could be caused by leptospirosis infection.

“If the farm is located in a particularly wet area, then that is higher risk.

Leptospires thrive in those conditions and lamb losses of up to 15 per cent from leptospirosis infection have been experienced in wet conditions.”

Farms with bush boundaries could also be more susceptible, with wild pig and possum populations also being infection carriers.

“Of course there is how you, as a farmer, view the human health risk of leptospirosis. Ask anyone who has had it, and they would never wish it on friends, family, staff or contractors; and would recommend vaccination to avoid that risk.”

The avoidance of WorkSafe liability will be a major factor for many farmers in deciding to vaccinate, especially those on corporate farms, sheep dairy

Bull leaves 44,000 daughters A decade’s worth of outstanding dairy progeny remains the legacy of CRV Ambreed’s top bull Okura Manhatten, which died in May. Stud owners Bruce and Ngaire Cutforth of Okura Stud in Northland were compelled to put down 14-year-old Manhatten 18 months after he returned to the Okura Manhatten passed away in May. stud, having delivered a decade’s service on says helped take the Jersey breed to CRV Ambreed’s Jersey a new protein level, with a gene that sire team. “was out of the blue”.

While saddened at Manhatten’s “We have been fortunate to win the demise, Jersey NZ Council’s former JT Thwaites Sire of the Season award president Bruce Cutforth reflects with four bulls, but I really wanted a proudly on what his bull brought to bull that was a breed-changer – we got the national herd’s productivity. that with Manhatten,” says Bruce.

That came in the form of 44,000 Manhatten is from a stable of daughters and genetics that were a exceptional bulls bred from the Okura “game changer” for the Jersey breed in stud. The most recent is Okura KRC New Zealand.

Iceberg; the latest to claim the JT Manhatten was notable for his high Thwaites Sire of the Season award. protein component, something Bruce

operations and regional parks.

There is now further information available as Zoetis has recently completed a clinical trial evaluating vaccine efficacy and the protection provided to sheep against leptospirosis.

Ultravac 7 in 1 vaccine is found to be highly effective in controlling leptospirosis in the trial flock, recording 100 per cent efficacy in vaccinated animals.

This work is the first significant study in 25 years on efficacy of leptospirosis vaccines in sheep.

“It is reassuring to know we have vaccines available that can work effectively against a fairly insidious disease,” says Victoria.

“It’s a disease that also brings some human health risk for staff, contractors and meat processors, who may come in contact with infected stock – and for

some farmers vaccination maybe worth considering.”

Victoria urges farmers to sit down with their veterinarians when having annual animal health programmes assessed to get professional advice on leptospirosis risks relative to their

Zoetis veterinary advisor Dr Victoria Chapman.

farm’s unique factors.

“This is a disease we now know is widespread in relation to sheep infection; we know the risks involved and with appropriate guidance from a vet, an effective vaccination programme can be implemented if needed.”

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Page 20

Effluent storage ‘new norm’ in Waikato Adequate storage to stop the need to spray effluent onto pasture at the wrong time is starting to become the “new normal” for Waikato dairy farmers, says the author of a report to Waikato Regional Council’s environmental performance committee.

“Ensuring they [farmers] have adequate storage so effluent isn’t irrigated to pasture when the ground is too wet to soak it up is crucial to protecting our waterways,” says compliance and education manager Rob Dragten.

“Irrigating at the wrong time risks effluent running off into rivers and streams, filling them up with bacteria, sediment and nutrients that can cause algae.”

Rob says the council’s col-

laborative work with farmers and agriculture organisations, such as Fonterra and DairyNZ, is now starting to pay dividends for the environment.

“We estimate if the average Hauraki dairy farm doesn’t have enough storage to avoid irrigating during crucial winter months some 600,000 litres of effluent per property will run off to waterways that empty into the Firth of Thames.

“Given there are hundreds of dairy farms on the plains, that would translate into many millions of litres of effluent a year getting into waterways in that area alone.

“And, in one round of farm visits recently in the wider region, we found more than one-quarter of farms had no storage at all.

As result, Rob says efforts of many farmers and their industry organisations in Hauraki, and elsewhere in the Waikato, to expand the amount of effective effluent

storage in recent years is to be applauded.

“Having the right size storage for their property is becoming the new normal for many of the region’s dairy farmers, and good on them,” says Rob.

Systems inadequate

Compliance with regional effluent rules in the early 2000s was low, with many effluent management systems inadequate to prevent contamination of waterways.

Rob says during the last 10 years there’s been substantial progress and it’s now rare to see “blatant, long-standing issues” of the type that could cause particular problems with waterways and groundwater.

The report says the lack of suitable effluent storage remains the biggest challenge but “the number of farms making this investment continues to grow and overall this

change appears to be gaining momentum”.

The process of change had been helped by the dairy industry investing substantial resources into helping farmers comply with rules and lift their environmental game.

The council has also been working one-on-one with farmers in areas with soils presenting a greater risk of effluent getting into waterways or groundwater.

If required, the council advises farmers to seek commercial advice on the right type of storage upgrade and gives them a timeline to implement improvements so they can comply with rules 365 days of the year.

“The farmer response to this approach continues to be very positive,” says Rob.

Some farmers questioned the environmental benefits to be gained from spending significant amounts on effluent storage upgrades.

“But our figures show there is a real risk of very large concentrations of effluent getting into waterways if storage capacity is inadequate,” says Rob. “That’s not helpful to the environment generally; nor to our ‘clean green’ image on world markets. So storage upgrades are a genuinely worthwhile investment all round.

“We’re prepared to give farmers time to get appropriate advice on the best options for the storage of effluent on their properties. Advice should be taken from an industry-accredited dairy effluent systems designer.

Effluent top of farmer woes

Locus Research product designer Simon Crane mans The Lab at Fieldays Innovation Centre, asking people passing through what’s the top five problems on-farm.

How to deal with effluent is top of farmer woes according to farmers who attended Fieldays in June and gave their thoughts to the Innovation Centre’s new drawcard, The Lab. The Lab, run by Tauranga-based Locus Research, was asking farmers what their top five problems are on-farm – and effluent management was the main answer, says Locus Research product designer Simon Crane.

“The most common problem I’ve come across is effluent management on dairy farms. It’s expensive, timely, it takes a lot

of time and the effluent when they irrigate back onto pastures can go through the soil really quickly – and that’s when you get pollution into the waterways.

“How you manage that quickly and costeffectively is a real big problem.”

Effluent regulation tightening is also a factor, says Simon.

“The increasing amount of paperwork they have to do to comply with regulations was another thing I got from farmers – because the more time they spend on paperwork, the less time they’re spending on the farm.”

Better ways to screen for diseases in cattle was another resonating issue, says Simon, who told Coast & Country the questionnaire was a way for The Lab to connect with farmers coming through the centre.

Simon says all ‘top five problem’ questionnaires will be collated to publish a document about the common themes coming through on farms.

“We’re going to get as many problems as we can and publish a document to give to all those entered in the Innovation Centre and the Fieldays as well.

“So all the guys tinkering in their back shed can have a look at this list and say ‘oh yeah, I can resonate with that problem and that one too’ and see if others have the same problem as well.

“Because what can be a

big problem is a guy can spend years in their back shed with a product and take it to people to see what they think and not have the research behind it.

“So we try and do the research up front. We won’t design a product without the research being behind it and you know people want it,” says Simon.

“A lot of guys might just be solving their own problems but not realising there’s a huge market for it.”

The Lab’s focus at Fieldays was being an ideas booth for Innovations Centre entrants to ask Locus Research how to progress their projects.

“We’ve been getting companies and people in the Innovation Centre to do workshops to help take their products to the next step,” says Simon.

“The Fieldays asked us to set up this space as a hub and point of contact to help all companies in the centre to give expertise in product development.

“So we’ve got people in marketing, design and research and development. We get the innovation centre entrants in, have a session. The other day we had the lady developing the Thermo Kennel.

She didn’t know what she was going to do next and we put these ideas on the whiteboard and she was blown away and said: ‘I can do that, and that, and that’.”

DAIRY Submissions sought on coastal plan

The public can have a say on how the region’s coastal areas should be cared for by making a submission on the Proposed Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan by August 22, 2014.

The proposed plan includes new rules for mangrove removal, aquaculture and sewage discharge from boats.

It also contains new policies for managing tsunami risk and identifies four new Harbour Development Zones in the Tauranga Harbour.

Areas with significant natural and wildlife values have been re-classified and re-mapped. Under the proposals the most sensitive of these areas will be protected from activities like mining and petroleum extraction, vehicle

Page 21 use, land reclamation and digging new drains.

“The Regional Coastal Plan puts controls in place for activities in the coastal marine area, like building sea walls or boat ramps, dredging, and removing mangroves,” says Bay of Plenty Regional Council strategy general manager Fiona McTavish.

A Coastal State of the Environment Report has also been prepared. It provides a summary of current management activities, threats and environmental monitoring information relating to the Bay of Plenty coastal environment. The report is available at www. boprc.govt.nz/coastal report. The plan and submission information is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/coastalplan or from regional council offices, public libraries, and district and city council offices in the BOP region.

Louise Clark is associate principal and senior ecologist with Boffa Miskell in Tauranga.

Waterway management is risk management Hands up anyone who thinks rules and regulations for rural waterways are going to get easier? Anyone? No, of course not.

In almost every region in New Zealand policies and rules have increased in scope from controlling point source activities, such as discharges and water takes, to controlling wider land use of nutrient limits and irrigation.

Rural industry guides, standards and toolkits all advocate avoiding effects on waterways.

For many dairy farmers, I’m sure the riparian management plans required by the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord feel like yet another regulatory hurdle.

Let me offer another way to think about it. Farming businesses face numerous risks: climate and market risks, risks from pests and diseases – and compliance risk.

Compliance risk is the risk of an aspect of your farm operation not complying with current rules or regulations.

Compliance risk is complicated by the fact that rules change. A previously complying activity may not comply with current rules.

And when you upgrade to comply with current rules, those upgrades might not comply under a new rule regime in future. Effluent pond requirements are a classic example.

So how does this apply to waterways?

The Water Accord requires waterway fencing and preparation of a RMP for waterways that meet a specific definition: not a drain, permanently contain water, wider than one metre and deeper than 30cm.

That sounds reasonable...until you realise water quality in larger waterways is a direct result of the water quality in smaller waterways, including drains.

your farming operation may not comply even though you did everything set out in the RMP. No one knows what the regulatory future holds, but you can manage that compliance risk now.

Use a Farm Waterway Plan or RMP as an opportunity to manage compliance risk and put your farm on the front foot.

Instead of focusing only on the Water Accord definition of a waterway, prepare a plan that covers all on-farm water movement.

This includes streams, drains, overland flow paths where run-off flows after rain, run-off from yards, silage pits and farm tracks, waterway crossings, wetlands and boggy patches – anywhere water flows or pools.

Positive impact

There are simple inexpensive methods you can use to have an immediate and ongoing positive impact on water quality that will flow to all downstream waterways.

And these methods needn’t be at the expense of productive pasture.

RMP templates might have useful information, but templates cannot account for the unique combination of conditions on your farm.

The right advice for your neighbour’s property is not necessarily the right advice for you.

I recommend getting independent waterway management advice from a qualified professional who understands the unique issues of rural waterways from hydrology and ecology, to farm management and fencing.

Use waterway management planning as a proactive approach to managing compliance risks and an opportunity to future-proof your business.

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Page 22

SPRING FERTILISER

Too many nuts and not enough bolts A very good farmer called me and asked I pen a line or two on spring eczema. Apparently it’s becoming a very big problem in the Waikato and no doubt other regions.

Spring eczema is not unlike our other photosensitivity problems loosely referred to as eczema. This is a very poor choice of terms, as it has little or nothing to do with eczema, it’s a reac-

tion to the radiant beams of light from the sun. The drama of life plays itself out against the cascade of energy from the sun.

On reaching this planet’s plant life, it’s converted from radiant energy into chemical energy or organic energy. The radiant energy of the sun, after being converted into chemical energy as ATP, is used as the means for producing carbohydrates; and eventually fats (lipids) and other tissue compounds for the storage of this chemical energy

captured from the sun’s radiant energy.

Vitamin A is an alcohol with a high molecular weight and is derived from a substances found in most green vegetables, including fresh grass in the form of its precursor carotene. Carotene needs first to be broken apart as in its crude form it appears as two molecules of vitamin A joined end to end.

Unfortunately, just breaking these bonds in itself does not constitute vitamin A. A little amide compound must first be attached before it becomes available to the foraging animal.

True vitamin A

This transformation of carotene to true vitamin A is a result of certain critical functions in an animal’s body. Its conversion of carotenes to vitamin A occurs in the intestinal wall of rats, pigs, rabbits, sheep and cattle. In humans, however, the liver is where this conversion is attained.

Many factors affect the efficiency of the absorption and utilisation of these critical substances, including presence of non-protein nitrogen, as the formation of a very simple amino substance is virtually inhibited in the presence of these compounds.

In the flush growing spring season much of the nitrogen has yet to be transformed from nitrogen to protein. This greatly reduces the ability of an animal to convert carotene to vitamin compounds, and to absorb the vitamins produced.

For the animal to benefit from the production of vitamin A it must first be adsorbed through the intestinal wall.

This requires formation of this very simple compound (CH2OH) on the end of the vitamin. Being a simple compound it’s easily destroyed or inhibited in its formation. Research reveals a small amount of mineral oil is sufficient to inhibit its synthesis.

As this fat-soluble vitamin is absorbed through the intestinal wall damage to the wall will also affect its

absorption. This means animals with high parasite infestation will have increased difficulty with vitamin adsorption.

Full protein

Now let us have a look at what the lack of vitamin A will do in an animal – now we’ve convinced you your fertiliser programme has most likely caused it, with the plant unable to meet its mineral requirements in the order required for formation of full protein substances. Too many nuts and not enough bolts.

Vitamin A is involved in the integrity of the epithelium, the first line of defence, the protective outer skin of all cells.

When this line of defence is compromised, or when there’s insufficient vitamin A available the animal’s liver is also stressed.

When liver tissue breaks down the bile pigment and chlorophyll from the grass is released into the blood stream where it reacts with the sunlight, giving us what’s known as photosensitivity, revealed by an appearance of severe sunburn.

What then can we do?

• Refrain from using Nitrogen to boost spring growth.

• Make sure the animal receives a boost in vitamins A, D and E at least three times per year: once prior to calving, once prior to mating, and once at drying off.

• Have someone, other than a fertiliser company representative, address your soil’s fertility status.

• Feed animals supplementary energy in the form of molasses or high quality grain.

• Make sure all animals are free from worm burdens.

• As vitamins A, D and E are synergistic – they assist each in their action and reaction – the sum of the total being greater than the sum of the parts, always administer the vitamins together.

Young farmer’s newest club For the first time in many years, a thriving young farmers club is operating in the Te Puke area.

President Sean Cuff says 30 people have joined the club, which draws members from the Western Bay of Plenty region and parts of Rotorua.

“Our members, which include five women, are a mix of farmers and young people involved in the

industry, including a rural banker, fencing contractor and myself, as a rural contractor.

“You don’t have to be a farmer to belong and we’d welcome people from the kiwifruit and avocado industries too,” says Sean.

“Our farmer members so far are all dairy farming, but we’d like to have some drystock farmers too.”

Sean says the club is part of NZ Young Farmers and offers many benefits to members.

“Members can enter the Young Farmer of the Year contest, which has major prizes at a regional and national level. There is also the opportunity for training and to take courses at a subsidised rate through the club.”

However, it’s the social side and opportunity to network with others, who have the same interest in the land, agriculture and the outdoors, which is the biggest appeal.

SPRING FERTILISER

Preventing milk fever at the soil level The most common mineral imbalances in pastures causing milk fever are related to high Dietary Cation Anion Difference figures, calcium/phosphorous imbalances and low magnesium levels in pastures.

Pasture analysis can reveal what is the likely cause for milk fever issues.

DCAD figures are determined by multiplying the potassium and sodium levels found in pasture with their atomic weights, and subtracting the chloride and sulphur levels with their atomic weights.

High potassium pastures, such as effluent paddocks, or where high rates of potassium fertilisers are applied too late in the autumn will elevate DCAD figures.

Plants draw their energy from the sun, and when sunshine hours are low during winter, single-harged (monovalent) cations, such as potassium and sodium, are a lot easier for plants to take up compared to divalent cations, such as calcium and magnesium. Consequently, winter pastures are often low in magnesium.

Having good base saturation ratios in the soil between calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium will help reduce

metabolic problems.

Imbalances between calcium and phosphorous – ideally a 1.5-2:1 ratio – is another common cause for milk fever, where too much phosphorous has been applied and too little calcium, or where boron levels are low which is important for calcium availability.

If pastures are low in calcium, applying lime (calcium carbonate) or gypsum (calcium sulphate) along with

boron will help raise the calcium status.

Legumes and herbs, such as plantain and chickory, normally have higher calcium and magnesium levels and lower DCAD figures than grasses.

Vitamin D levels drop during winter with reduced sunshine, and this can make cows more vulnerable to milk fever. Supplementing cows with vitamin D during this period can help reduce the risk of milk fever, as it is involved in calcium utilisation in the body.

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Farmers’ fight night fund raiser Matt Jones, of the Te Puke Young Farmers Club, (right) went beyond the call of duty to help raise $3400 for LandSAR at a Young Farmers Fight Night in Hamilton.

“We meet each month at Mollys in Te Puke for our formal meeting but try to have weekly informal meetings so everyone can catch up and have some fun time out from work.

“It’s great to network, especially if you might be having an issue on the farm, like with a virus among calves, as others might have had the same experience and can help out with advice. It’s also a good way to help find jobs.”

Last month the club took part in a Young Farmers Fight Night at Mystery Creek’s Bledisloe building, with club member Matt Jones entering the boxing ring to help raise

$3400 for LandSAR. “We would also welcome sponsorship from local businesses to assist with club activities,” says Sean.

Te Puke’s young farmers club meets 7pm on the last Tuesday of every month at Molly O’Connors, 110 Jellicoe St, Te Puke. For details, contact: Sean Cuff on 027 328 9765 or email: seancuffcontracting@gmail.com or call secretary Jess Siemelink on 027 424 3907 or email: jessicamillar86@ hotmail.com For more information about New Zealand Young Farmers, go to: www.youngfarmers.co.nz

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Stock Primer – Mineralised Carbon Drench Build immunity, suppress pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus &Solid E.Coli and Liquid Fertilisers for as little as 4¢ per cow per day Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid Increased water retention & nutrient release.

New Biological Controls for Cricket, Cicada, Argentine Stem Weevil, Clover Flea – all added into solid and liquid fertiliser programmes.

Biological PSA management options. Reams Soil Testing, Home Garden Fertiliser.

1 Railway St, Paeroa, PO Box 204, Paeroa 3640, New Zealand 6737, Fax: 07 867 6068, Email: info@ef.net.nz

O Box 204, Paeroa 3640, New Zealand Telephone: 0800 867 737, Fax: 07 867 6068, Email: info@ef.net.nz

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Page 23

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1 Railway St, Paeroa, PO Box 204, Paeroa 3640, New Zealand Telephone: 0800 867 6737, Fax: 07 867 6068, Email: info@ef.net.nz

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Solid and Liquid Fertilisers

MAIZE

Page 24

Supplements reduce grazing time

Cows fed on supplements such as maize silage will spend less time grazing and have a reduced desire to eat, which helps preserve vulnerable pasture.

If the farm is entering a time where a grass surplus might occur, and therefore pasture quality may decline (spring), then feeding maize silage will waste money.

However, if that substituted grass can be carried through to a predicted feed deficit (winter or early spring), then feeding maize silage is more likely to be profitable.

Growing maize on dairy farms can be an important component of planned improvement of a farm’s

feed supply, either directly through the high potential dry matter yield of the maize crop itself, or through the improved pasture resulting from a planned cropping rotation.

Effluent paddocks offer an opportunity to grow maize silage utilising the nutrients from past effluent applications. They often carry N and K surplus to the requirement for pasture production, and therefore have increased risk of N leaching into the ground water and occurrence of metabolic diseases such as milk fever and grass staggers. A maize crop removes large amounts of N and K and therefore reduces these risks.

Maize silage grown on effluent paddocks yields well with significantly reduced fertiliser inputs and therefore less cost to grow.

Maize silage acts as a “break crop” for controlling perennial weeds such as couch and kikuyu, as well as reducing the populations of the clover root knot nematode and the white fringed weevil.

(Source: Foundation for Arable Research publication ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’).

A free copy of the book is available by emailing: far@far.org.nz or phoning 03 345 5783 or go to: www.far.org.nz

Arable opportunity open to graduates

Graduates have the opportunity to learn more about the cropping industry thanks to a new FAR programme.

Future cropping researchers, agronomists and marketers are the focus of a graduate programme launched by the Foundation for Arable Research.

FAR CEO Nick Pyke says the programme has been created following discussions with FAR growers, staff and board members and is open to recent graduates and final year students (undergraduate and postgraduate) of agriculture, science and agricultural commerce.

“The aim of this fully-paid 12-month programme is to introduce graduates to FAR and to the New Zealand cropping industry. Successful applicants will spend a year with us, working on research, extension and communication at our research sites across New Zealand and Australia. If they have specific industry interests, there will also be the opportunity for placement with other organisations or companies

with that area of expertise.

“At the end of that 12-month period the candidates will have developed a strong knowledge of all facets of the New Zealand cropping industry, allowing them to make an informed choice about their preferred career pathway.

Depending on opportunities available at the time, this may be with FAR or elsewhere in the cropping sector.”

The new graduate programme is just one of several opportunities FAR offers students. For several years it has run a summer scholarship programme, providing Lincoln and Canterbury University students who are partway through studies the opportunity to spend a summer working in the field with FAR researchers.

It also funds one or two postgraduate scholarships each year, for students whose honours or masters projects have a cropping focus.

Applications for the inaugural FAR Graduate Programme close Friday August 8. For more information and application forms, visit: www.far.org.nz

MAIZE

FOR SUSTAINABLE PROFIT

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Page 26

MAIZE

Te Puke trio is tops in contracting Te Puke contractor Sean Cuff has teamed up with fellow contractors Bruce Read and Ben Thomasen to supply farmers a full service in the agricultural industry.

Together the trio now offer full cultivation, direct drilling, roller seed roller, maize planting, trucking, round and square baling.

They have three diggers, loader wagons and a brand new John Deere forage harvester, which has the latest in yield measuring technology call Harvestlab.

The harvester also is running on GPS, which provides accurate hectare readings.

There is a printer in the cab of the harvester so at the end of every job clients are supplied with a printout with the total wet tonnage, dry matter tonnage, protein levels and starch levels of their crop.

Te Puke contractors have combined forces and the latest technology to give farmers a comprehensive service.

This real-time nutrient analysis lets clients quickly analyse feed rations for crude protein, fibre, and other factors, and make adjustments to supplementary feed for stock on a daily basis to improve nutrition and reduce feed variability.

HarvestLab also enables more precise application of silage inoculants at harvest time because rates can be adjusted according to crop sugar and dry matter readings. The result is higher quality silage with greater feed value and less spoilage.

Falling prices ‘a blip in cycle’?

‘Keep calm and carry on’ – the World War II slogan – is good advice for farmers today in the face of negative talk about falling dairy prices.

Sure the forecast is down, but it could just be a blip in the cycle and the best thing farmers can do is concentrate on what they can control: the priorities being animal health, feed then fertiliser.

Otherwise continue to do the best job they can without overreacting to things they can’t control: the weather and markets.

Wise farmers don’t budget to the last cent of high payouts anyway.

They budget carefully, without overspending, but also don’t cut back on the essential inputs which earn their income.

We have many wise farmers among our clients, who are already ordering grass and maize silage even before we’ve planted it.

That way they know exactly what their costs are, and they will have sufficient supplements even if the weather turns hot and dry or unseasonably wet.

Proper preparation helps take some of the stress out of farming.

Monitor crops

We do still have some supplements available now, but our sheds are nearly empty. We’ve just taken on a new trainee, whose job will be to closely monitor all our crops.

He’s already started taking soil samples in our maize paddocks, most of which are now empty of winter grazers.

We’ll put on nitrogen to get the grass growing again; and once we have the bulk of our orders in, we’ll know how much maize to plant for silage and how much to plant for grain.

Maize is such an expensive crop to grow we can’t afford to plant it without surety that the bulk of it has been ordered. Other contractors are the same, and farmers who fail to

order early risk missing out on supplements when they need them most.

Close observation of crops and livestock can lead to early detection and remedies for problems, as we found out when soil samples we did earlier in the year showed pH levels in some of our maize paddocks were down.

We’ve applied lime and the pH has returned to normal, so we know when we plant the maize it will be off to a good start.

If we’d waited until now to do samples, it could have taken a couple of months for the lime to work and our new plants could have suffered.

Native moth

So far the winter has been quite mild and while the grass is growing, conditions might also favour pests and diseases normally killed by the cold.

In Northland there are reports of up to 90 per cent of plantain crops being destroyed by a native moth epyaxa rosearia.

For more information on what is called a carpet, or plantain moth, go to: www.agresearch.co.nz The mild autumn saw our turnip crops hard hit by army caterpillar and there may be other nasties lurching out there to sneak up on us, and on farmers – so keeping a close eye on crops and pasture is best practice.

MAIZE

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How to get more starch in maize silage While New Zealand research shows most dairy farmers will maximise their returns by planting the highest-yielding maize silage hybrid, a number of farmers are looking for high starch maize silage to drive per-cow production.

There are a number of factors that will influence the grain and therefore starch content of maize silage.

These include climatic factors – for example, heat, moisture and sunlight – along with soil fertility, choice of maize silage hybrid and the time of harvest.

To maximise the grain content of your maize silage crop: 1. Apply adequate nutrients. Always soil test and apply nutrients so crop nutrient requirements are met. While it’s important all key nutrients are present in adequate amounts, nitrogen is particularly important since crop nitrogen status will have a significant impact on grain yield.

2. Plant a hybrid that delivers a high starch content. Maize cob size isn’t a good indicator of starch yield since kernel density, the diameter of the central core and how well kernels are packed onto the cob, will vary between hybrids.

Always use laboratory starch analysis results to help you select a maize silage hybrid that will deliver a high starch content.

In most cases it takes a minimum of 15-20 nutritional analyses to show the starch difference is due to hybrid genetics rather than environmental factors.

3. Delay silage harvest to 35-38 per cent dry matter. Grain is the last component

of yield laid down by the maize plant.

Delaying silage harvest to 35-38 per cent dry matter will increase maize silage grain, and therefore starch content.

4. Consider lifting the cutter bar. Lifting the silage harvester cutter bar decreases the total dry matter level but increases the level of starch and energy in maize silage.

Ensuring the starch in maize grain is available to the animal is also important.

Research shows while vitreousness – or kernel hardness – can impact digestibility of dried maize grain, it has little, if any, effect on the digestibility of starch at silage harvest time.

There are two ways farmers can improve the starch digestibility of maize silage. Good kernel processing increases starch availability in maize silage.

It does this by breaking down the maize kernels and their dense outer shell, allowing firstly fermentation microbes in the silage stack, and secondly micro-organisms in the rumen, better access to the starch in the endosperm.

The starch digestibility of stored maize silage increases as a result of the fermentation process.

Allowing maize silage to ferment one-two months before feeding will result in higher starch availability than feeding a freshly ensiled crop. Most farmers will maximise the return from maize silage by maximising yield.

If you are chasing high per-cow production, then using laboratory results to select a high starch percentage silage hybrid, following good crop management and harvesting practices, and storing maize silage for one-two months prior to feeding will ensure you maximise both starch content and availability.

By Robin Billett, Pioneer’s Bay of Plenty regional manager

Sources: Kolver et al, 2003. Ranking maize hybrids for silage quality and milk production in pasture-based dairying.

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 63: 101-1061; Mahanna, W. 2009. Digestibility of corn starch revisited: Part 2. Feedstuffs Vol 81. No 10; Johnson, L, Harrison, J.H, Hunt, C, Shinners, K, Doggett, C.G, Sapienza, D. 1999. Nutritive

value of corn silage as affected by maturity and mechanical processing: a contemporary review; Journal Dairy Science 82:2813-2825; Jensen, C, Weisbjerg, M.R, Norgaard, P, Hvelplund, T. 2005. Effect of maize silage maturity on site of starch and NDF digestion in lactating dairy cows. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 118: 279-294.

Background photo: Farmers are looking for high starch maize silage to drive per-cow production.

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PIONEER.co.nz *Source: Pioneer, New Zealand Research Programme. See www.pioneer.co.nz for more details.

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase, which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM, Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

MAIZE

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Feeding maize silage can lift profits Pasture is the major component of the New Zealand dairy cow’s diet.

However, opportunities exist to improve profit through the strategic use of maize silage.

The pastoral dairy farm is a balance between pasture supply and cow demand, which must be maintained to achieve efficient conversion of feed into milk and profit.

Unless well integrated with pasture supply and feed demand, extra feeds such as maize silage, will produce extra milk, but not always extra profit.

To use maize silage profitably, farmers must identify what they are trying to achieve through its use. This requires working out the key limiting factors for running an efficient and profitable grass-based system, and whether changes are in line with their goals. This can be done in conjunction with a farm consultant or forage specialist.

A key driver of response to additional feed is energy deficit, the difference between energy demand and the actual energy supplied. Cows of high breeding worth, at high stocking rates and with lactations longer

than 260 days, are more likely to be in energy deficit, and will be more responsive to additional feeds such as maize silage.

Cows respond best to extra feed if the farm has a genuine feed deficit, created through calving earlier, more days in milk or carrying more cows per hectare.

Energy

If all of the additional energy provided by supplement is converted into milk, the maximum possible response is 13g MS/MJ metabolisable energy. This is equivalent to 137g MS/kg DM maize silage (assuming maize silage is 10.5 MJ ME/kg DM).

In practice, responses are usually much lower than this due to feed losses in transport, storage and feeding, the substitution of supplement for pasture, the partitioning of energy into live weight gain or the maintenance of extra cows.

Trials in New Zealand have found production responses to maize silage between 32g MS/kg DM and 178g MS/kg DM. The highest response came from more days in milk created by feeding maize silage in a year affected by a dry summer.

Analysis of more than 600 New Zealand dairy farms found on average, that supple-

ments fed added only 50g MS/kg DM to annual milk solids per cow, and 96g MS/kg DM to annual milk solids/ha.

With such a variation in response possible, attention to detail is required in order to turn additional feed into additional profit.

Maize cost can vary depending on where and how it is grown. If maize is grown on the dairy platform in an effluent paddock, the cost could be low. But maize purchased off-farm is generally more expensive.

However, allowance needs to be made for the value of the extra nutrients bought in with the maize and a reduction of risk due to maize being grown off the dairy platform.

Variance

On-farm management of feed potentially causes the greatest variation in feed costs.

For example, a poorly managed stack can cause wastage amounting to a 30 per cent increase in feed costs. Also, grass wasted through feeding maize silage at the wrong time can result in reduced profitability.

(Source: the Foundation for Arable Research publication ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’. A free copy of the book is available by emailing: far@far.org.nz or phoning 03 345 5783. Or go to: www.far.org.nz/index.php/ far-publications/entry/best-management-practices-for-growingmaize-on-dairy-farms

Maize pests and diseases Maize is a relatively hardy plant but is nonetheless affected by a number of pests and diseases.

The main diseases include northern leaf blight (Setosphaeria turcica) and eyespot (Aurebasidium zeae), stalk and ear rots (Diplodia maydis, Gibberella and Fusarium spp.), root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and common rust (Puccinia sorghi).

Insects can affect maize and also transmit diseases and these include aphids, which suck sap, slugs and snails, which are a threat to seedlings and young plants, nematodes, African black beetles and Argentine stem weevils, which can damage to young maize plants; greasy cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon), which severs young maize shoots at the base of the plant and wheat bugs (Nysius huttoni), which infests a range of crops.

Most pests and disease are controlled by fungicides and insecticides but increasingly biological controls employing beneficial insects are being used along with more resistant plants, crop rotation and even a change in planting dates.(Source: www.teara.govt.nz/)

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nd meet the team and check out our new innovative products

MAIZE

Page 29

Seed tried, tested, proven

All Pacific Seeds hybrids undergo extensive trialling before commercial release to NZ growers.

Before a single Pacific Seeds hybrid makes it “We’re into our fourth season with this hybrid and through to commercial New Zealand release, it’s has been a really consistent performer for us, with the yields always up around the top end. the company really puts it to the test.

“Best of all, it is always about two per cent dryer Pacific Seeds’ territory manager Barry Smallridge says an international selection process that spans the globe is followed by at least three years of demanding and closely-monitored trials within the New Zealand environment.

“So if they are on our commercial hybrid list – you know they’ll deliver,” says Barry. Pacific Seeds maize hybrids are bred to deliver strong performance across the following categories: dry matter yields and grain yield/quality; yield stability, across environments and seasons; and agronomic traits, including ‘standability’, drought and disease resistance.

“That’s why hybrids like PAC 624, PAC 606, PAC 456 and DKC57-83, which are ideal for Waikato/ BOP, have performed so well over the last few seasons,” says Barry.

than the next best hybrid we grow,” says Jeff.

Pacific Seeds’ commitment to NZ growers ensures they’re provided with hybrids well-suited to meet their specific performance requirements – and this season’s range is no exception, with proven maize hybrids across all maturities.

“So regardless of where you’re located, if you’re looking for hybrids that consistently deliver, Pacific Seeds has got you covered,” says Barry.

Silage quality

“The first two are silage-only hybrids and each has had exceptional endorsement from our growers – both in regard to yield and silage quality.” PAC 624 is a high-yielding, full-season hybrid that produces a soft, starchy, easily digestible grain with recorded ME consistently in the 12-13 per cent range. During the last season some Northland growers reported yields exceeding 30 tonnes/ha with PAC 624.

PAC 606 is a medium to tall, full-season hybrid with medium plant bulk, huge cobs and very good stay-green. Ngatea dairy farmer Ross Carter has grown this hybrid for a number of seasons.

“Our experience with PAC 606 and PAC 624 has been really positive,” says Ross.

“We need a hybrid that can stand up to the winds that roar in off the Firth of Thames and these two handle it better than anything else we’ve grown here in the past.”

“If you’re looking for maize hybrids that consistently deliver - whatever the conditions Pacific Seeds has got you covered.”

High yield

“They have also been really consistent high yielders for us with 25 tonnes/ha being the norm and ME levels in excess of 11 per cent,” says Ross.

Barry says PAC 456 also recorded high yields last season. “Growers were also impressed by this hybrid’s silage quality, stainability and long harvest window.”

DKC57-83 is a full, season grain preferred hybrid, with features of fast dry-down and ease of harvest.

It’s become a firm favorite with the region’s growers, like Jeff Gorringe of Gorringe Brothers Ltd in Katikati.

Ross Carter

We’ve grown Pacific Seeds hybrids for a number of seasons now and they have always performed really well, with high yields, big well filled cobs and ME levels that are always in excess of 11%.

‘She’ll be right’ challenged

TRIED, TESTED, PROVEN: Pacific Seeds maize hybrids are bred to deliver strong performance across the following:

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Dry matter yields and grain yield/quality.

Yield stability across environments and seasons.

Standability, drought and disease resistance.

FULL SEASON PACIFIC SEEDS HYBRID OPTIONS SUITABLE FOR NORTHLAND, WAIKATO/BOP REGIONS. PAC 624

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PAC 606

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DKC57-83

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For our full hybrid range visit www.pacificseeds.co.nz

PAC0643-CC-RC

The Environmental Protection Authority, in partnership with Agcarm and WorkSafe New Zealand, is launching a campaign to increase awareness about the importance of wearing the right safety gear when using farm chemicals.

The campaign directly addresses the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude toward using safety gear.

Agcarm distributor members across New Zealand will display posters and distribute flyers with practical tips about safety gear.

More than 260 stores will be participating in the campaign, including PGG Wrightson, Farmlands, RD1, ATS and nine independent stores. In addition to the posters and flyers, articles and advertisements based on the posters will appear in the stores’ marketing and trade publications.

HortNZ, Federated Farmers, Rural Contractors and WorkSafe NZ are also distributing campaign materials through their Safer Farms programme.

More than 150,000 flyers will be passed out during the campaign.

The campaign runs from July 2014 to coincide with the start of the peak sale of agrichemicals - from late winter to spring.

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Barry Smallridge

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• Northland • Waikato • Bay of Plenty • Poverty Bay • South Island

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www.pacificseeds.co.nz | 0800 PACMAIZE

Page 30

Code of practice to help maize trading Developed by contractors and industry groups the ‘Maize Forage Trading Code of Practice’ has been designed to safeguard both buyers and sellers of maize.

The code outlines best practice for trading maize forage on a dry weight basis – for example, per kilogram of dry matter.

To ensure fair trading, the following information is required: • Accurate weight of each truckload • Representative samples of forage from either trucks or the stack • Accurate analysis of DM content (as a percentage) of the samples.

Even for farmers who aren’t trading, using the sampling protocols to

determine the total DM yield in the stack will be useful for feed budgeting purposes.

As well as DM percentage, the samples can also be tested for feed quality or nutrient content.

A recent addition to the code is a standard purchase contract that can be used for trading, and a signed contract will allow parties to legally formalise their agreement.

The complete code, good practice guide and purchase contract are all available from the Foundation for Arable Research.

While the code is focused on maize forage, the same principles apply to other forages such as pasture or cereal silages.

For information, visit: www.far.org.nz

MAIZE

New genetics bring diversity to maize Corson Maize Seed sales agronomist Pieter van der Westhuizen, next to a crop of CX7-S8.

One of Corson Maize Seeds’ newly developed hybrids – called CX7-S8 – which has been grown in trials on a number of farms in Northland and the Waikato has delivered amazing results this season.

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The crop delivered impressive performance. The one shown on this page measured more than 4.1 metres in height – dwarfing Corson Maize Seed sales agronomist Pieter van der Westhuizen, who stands at 1.85m tall.

CX7-S8’s genetics are new to New Zealand, and to date it has been a stand-out performer.

The hybrid will be continuing its product development phase throughout 2014 with ongoing evaluation of its agronomic characteristics and regional suitability.

CX7-S8 is just one of a range of hybrids Corson Maize Seed is excited about introducing to New Zealand maize growers; and it has come about because of the diversity of maize genetics that the company is able to access.

Having a wide range of international breeding partners enables Corson Maize Seed to evaluate hybrids from a wide variety of germplasm.

Corson Maize Seed sales manager Guy Mason says his company is adding hybrids, with features and characteristics never before seen in New Zealand, to its current range of high-performing silage and grain hybrids.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from growers about the new hybrids released over recent seasons, and we are looking forward to continuing to introduce new hybrids.”

Starting with a broad testing base, the company undertakes a multi-year research and development programme.

This produces commercial hybrids that are rigorously tested for yield performance, yield consistency and agronomic characteristics such as stay-green, lodging and disease tolerance to name a few.

Following initial testing and evaluation programmes, hybrids enter a pre-commercial phase where they’re planted on-farm as test paddocks, proxy packs (test areas) or grain strips to provide a broader range of environmental testing.

Products continue to be evaluated in Corson Maize Seed’s research and development programmes during this product development phase, in order to add to the overall database of information collected on a hybrid.

Having a strong focus on trialling and testing ensures new genetic material brought to New Zealand is fully assessed in a wide range of environments and conditions before being released to growers.

AVOCADOS

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Avocado, lime and coconut cheesecake Base 140g ground almonds ¾ cup desiccated coconut 8 large medjool dates (pitted) 5 Tbsp melted coconut oil

Filling Flesh from 5 medium firm ripe avocados 1 cup lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed) Finely grated zest of 2 limes 1 cup coconut cream 2 tsp vanilla essence or vanilla paste 1 cup maple syrup 2 Tbsp gelatine powder 2 Tbsp cold water 3 Tbsp boiling water To serve 2 punnets fresh raspberries Method: Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius.

1. Place all base ingredients in a food processor and blitz until well combined and

Avocado, lime and coconut cheesecake. Photo by Tamsin West.

crumbly. The mixture should hold together well when pinched together.

2. Lightly grease and line the base and sides of an 18cm round spring-form cake tin with baking-paper and tip in the base mixture. Press mixture down firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned, then set aside to cool completely in the fridge.

3. To make the filling, place all the ingredients, except the gelatine and water, in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth.

Taste the mixture and add more maple syrup, lime juice or zest or vanilla to your taste buds if necessary.

4. Mix gelatine powder with cold water and leave to swell for a few minutes.

Add boiling water and mix well to completely dissolve the gelatine.

New answer for avocado fruit rot Spotless is now registered for anthracnose control in avocados, according to Omnia national sales manager Bruce Gemmell.

“Spotless is a unique blend of fungicides, a bactericide and a proven plant elicitor – all combining to work hard against difficult to control diseases in several important crops including apples, kiwifruit and olives.

“Spotless is a cost effective anthracnose control in avocados with reduced copper use,” says Bruce.

Anthracnose is a major disease of avocados and its control is important to all growers wishing to maximise orchard returns.

These postharvest rots are

considered to be an important problem. Fruit rot of avocado is caused by two closely related fungi, namely colleotrichum acutatum and colleotrichum gloeosporioides, commonly known as anthracnose fungi.

Each of these fungi can cause stem end rots and anthracnose becomes symptomatic after harvest, despite use of optimised storage and ripening techniques.

These fungi are principally saprophytes and live in orchards colonising dead twigs and fallen fruit, says Bruce.

Control is based on strategies to reduce the amount of inoculum present by: opening up the orchard to wind flow to dry out the understory, removing rotten fruit and dead twigs, and regular application of foliar disease control sprays.

“Trial work carried out over the

ATP

past few seasons has identified if Spotless is used in an alternating programme with copper fungicides, disease control is equal to or better than using copper alone,” says Bruce.

“Spotless has a 90-day export withholding period, so growers need to work with their spray calendars to time the alternating programme so the last two-monthly applications are copper-based.”

Spotless provides growers with a valuable chemistry variation for disease control, helping to reduce any build-up of resistant fungi and bacteria.

Spotless also contains powerful plant elicitors, acting as disease response agents to further stimulate plants defences, says Bruce.

To read more, go to www.omnia.net.nz

Add dissolved gelatine mixture to the food processor and blend with avocado mixture until smooth and well incorporated.

5. Remove cake tin from fridge and pour filling over the base. Cover with a plate or cling film, and return to the fridge to set for at least

four- five hours or overnight.

To serve, carefully run a knife between the tin and the cake to loosen, then push base of tin up and carefully transfer cheesecake to a plate. Serve garnished with fresh raspberries.

Nadia Lim

AVOCADOS

Page 32

Growing avocado in the Waikato Robert Litchwark is probably the only commercial avocado grower in the Waikato.

Waikato orchardist Robert Litchwark blames his aunt Margaret for the fact he’s an avocado orchardist.

By Elaine Fisher

“My aunt used to put avocado stones in milk bottles to grow seedlings and then give them to me.

“Of course they were no good for commercial trees and at the time I didn’t even like the taste of the fruit,” says Robert, who is probably the Waikato’s only commercial avocado grower.

Now he’s also a committed fan of the trees and the fruit.

Aside from his aunt’s home-grown seedlings, his interest in avocados was sparked when he heard Bill Fletcher of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research talking on National Radio about growing the trees commercially.

The industry was still in its infancy but the tree which grew on Robert’s front lawn appeared to be producing well so he decided to investigate establishing an orchard.

Robert got a copy of Bill’s book and following his recommendations, began planting trees on a sheltered two hectares of land near Maungatautari 17 years ago.

In a move which was ahead of his time, Robert also planted zutano avocado as pollinators.

“Bill [Fletcher] recommended doing that and initially I planted them at a centre of nine trees but that ratio has changed as I’ve planted more trees.

“I think it would be possible, because of their upright growth, to plant and trim zutano as shelter as well as pollinator trees,” says Robert.

Colin Partridge, who now works for Southern Produce, was another source of advice and information – and Robert drew on his own background in the forestry industry as a young man to plan and establish the orchard.

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Withstands frosts

As the orchard matured, Robert went looking for packhouses to handle his fruit and invited Hugh and Dorothy Moore of KauriPak to visit the orchard.

“Hugh seemed impressed and said I should join Team Avocado, so I did.”

While it may appear the Waikato winters are too cold for growing avocado, Robert says his trees do withstand frosts and produce well.

Last year he achieved a 70 per cent pack out, which was slightly above the industry average for fruit quality. The orchard has 100-year-old casuarina shelter

trees, which made establishing the orchard possible. It also has free-draining ash soils, which are favoured by avocado.

“Avocado don’t like wet feet and they don’t like clay soils either.”

Robert applies FruitFed Avocado Fertiliser mix by hand to each tree once a month.

“I don’t apply nitrogen during winter. I let the trees have a winter, as I don’t want to promote new growth which can get frosted.”

Monitor pests

Phytophthora disease is controlled by regular injection using the Aongatate system once a year and Robert carries out most of the pruning work himself.

He’s also recently learned to monitor pests under the AvoGreen programme, and with his own tractordriven sprayer applies sprays when needed.

Like most others, Robert’s orchard is affected by irregular bearing, but some trees produce consistently – year after year. “I’ve tried to find out why, but so far can’t see a pattern,” says Robert.

Harvesting all fruit before January does have an influence on crops for the next two seasons, he believes. “I sincerely hope all my fruit is picked well before then this season.”

Robert also hopes exporters will carefully manage this coming season’s record five million tray crop to protect grower returns.

“Last time the industry had a big crop exporters flooded the Australian market and prices crashed. I think all exporters will be closely watched by growers this season.”

Takahe and kiwi

Robert grew up on a dairy farm close to his current home but began his working career with the New Zealand Forest Service, which suited his love of trees, the outdoors and hunting.

He returned to dairying but says it wasn’t for him.

“To be a successful dairy farmer you have to enjoy what you are doing and when I stopped enjoying it, it was time to do something else.”

Today Robert runs his own avocado orchard, works on a neighbouring gold kiwifruit orchard, and spends considerable time as a volunteer at Maungatautari Ecological Island.

Always keen on the bush and birdlife, Robert says he’d never thought he’s hold a takahe or hunt and capture kiwi – but that’s among his experiences since joining the group operating the inland ‘island’ protected by a 47 kilometre predator-proof fence.

AVOCADOS

Page 33

Operating safely and efficiently in orchards For nearly 40 years the Hydralada Company has worked with avocado growers to design and develop self-propelled, elevating work platforms suited to their particular requirements.

Today Hydralada, which was established in 1975, offers a wide range of models, starting with small threemetre machines through to larger 10m four-wheeldrive models with telescoping booms.

Traditionally, Hydralada has focussed on single-boom lift designs with independent wheel drives, which give the greatest manoeuvrability and best access within the trees, says Hydralada sales director Jason Smith.

This system coupled with the Hydralada Three Pedal Foot Control means the operator can drive the

wheels on each side of the machine in opposite directions to counterturn on the spot, a technique which has proved extremely efficient.

“The Hydralada becomes simply an extension of the operator, meaning repositioning and manoeuvring when fully elevated quickly becomes a natural action – even on difficult sloping ground.

“Growers report that the output of one person on a Hydralada picking fruit, as well as pruning during the winter months, is very high compared to the other types of platforms which are available,” says Jason.

During the years new innovative developments have evolved, which have further enhanced the productivity of these machines.

Tandem four-wheel-drive systems, failsafe braking, and hydraulic outlets in the platform to power chainsaws, have further enhanced the design and made Hydralada recognised as an essential piece of equipment on almost every avocado orchard.

Steep terrain

“With many avocado orchards now being grown on steep, often uneven terrain, growers are recognising the need for machines which can operate safely and efficiently in these work environments,” says Jason.

“Now Hydralada company has responded to this development, by releasing a new range of machines known as their SB Series.

“This all-new design features a number of new innovations like dynamic self-levelling, a powerful four-wheel-drive, which includes

traction control, and two-piece articulated 340 degree slew boom.

“Powered by a quiet four-cylinder Perkins Diesel Engine, this machine has four powerful reduction wheel drives and large tractor grip tyres.”

Jason says the Hydralada SB-8 model has inbuilt inclinometers (slope detecting equipment), which prevent the operator from moving beyond the machine’s safe working parameters meaning the SB-8 Hydralada can operate on slopes of up to 20 degrees.

“It does this using an automatic levelling system, which maintains the machines chassis to a maximum inclination of only three to four degrees in both the transverse and longitudinal axis.”

For difficult orchards with steep terrain, where other machines just won’t operate, the SB-8 Hydralada will drive into position from where the

operator has a large working envelope using the articulated two-piece boom with slew headstock.

This capability means the operator can pick a large area of the tree with minimal chassis movement, further increasing the safety margins.

This drive combination means there are very few places that fall outside the capability of the SB-8 Hydralada.

AVOCADOS

Page 34

Growers bounce back from polar blast Two neighbouring Te Puke avocado orchardists whose export crops were wiped out three years ago have bounced back to claim Top Grower of the Year honours for 2013/2014.

The awards’ announcement at AVOCO’s inaugural grower conference in Auckland saw 200 growers gather to hear how collaboration and exporting a seamless supply of fruit would be critical to overcoming a challenging season ahead, due to bumper harvests predicted for both New Zealand and Western Australia.

AVOCO director Alistair Young says for the first time, the Avocado Exporters’ Council had agreed for exporters to share their flow plans for Australia.

This would help exporters avoid valuelimiting oversupply periods in the Australian market.

“The demand for New Zealand avocados remains strong but as exporters we must work to ensure the flow of volumes into Australia is managed well. The decision by AVEC will help us achieve that.”

The conference was an opportunity for growers to hear AVOCO’s marketing plan for the 2014/2015 season and from technical experts, including avocado researcher professor Neena Mitter from the University of Queens-

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Ashby and Linda Whitehead, who won the Team Avocado Grower of the Year awards, pictured with (left) AVOCO director Alistair Young. land. The company’s top growers were honoured as well.

Orchardists Robbie and Julene Moore, and Ashby and Linda Whitehead – both of Gridley Rd in Te Puke – won the Grower of the Year trophies for Primor and Team Avocado respectively. The Moores, who have a 3.9ha block of mature Hass avocado trees, also clinched the inaugural supreme trophy – AVOCO Grower of the Year.

Grower accuracy

Judges from the two exporter groups which make up AVOCO – Primor and Southern Produce – took into account production figures, export pack out

“I “Ihave haveobserved observedthe thebenefits benefitsofofannual annualGypsum Gypsumapplications applicationsover over many manyyears yearsin inaarange rangeof ofsoil soiltypes typesand andI Iwill willcontinue continuetotorecommend recommend Gypsum Gypsumin infertiliser fertiliserprogrammes programmesfor forAvocados” Avocados” Lindsay LindsayHeard, Heard,Brenmark BrenmarkHorticultural HorticulturalConsultants Consultants Gypsum improves Soil Structure by Gypsum improves Soil adding calcium which is Structure needed to by adding calcium which needed to soil. flocculate clays in acid is and alkaline

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

Gypsum Helps Reclaim Sodic Soils Gypsum Helpsexchangeable Reclaim Sodic Soils by decreasing sodium percentage (ESP) for soil improvement by decreasing exchangeable sodium and better crop growth.

The calcium percentage (ESP) for soil improvement replaces thecrop sodium in clay-binding and better growth.

The calciumsites which canthe then be leached from the soil replaces sodium in clay-binding sites as sodium sulphate. Without Gypsum, the which can then be leached from the soil soil would not be leachable.

Gypsum Decreases Swelling Clays Gypsum Decreases Swelling Clays and the cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodiumwith on the and the cracking associated montmorillonite-type clays.

Lesson swelling levels of exchangeable sodium the means less clogging ofclays. the pore spaces montmorillonite-type Less swelling through air, water andpore rootsspaces move. means which less clogging of the

leachable salts which can inhibitIrrigation Gypsum Improves Low-Solute penetration soilthat or causes soilcontain Water frominto rivers no longer particles to degrade. The problem can be leachable salts which can inhibit corrected with surface applied gypsum or penetrationtointo or causes soil application thesoil irrigation water.

efficiency.

25%storage –100% in more better water the water soil allisleading available inrooting gypsumand treated soils than in to deeper better water-use non-treated soils, important in areas and efficiency. 25% –100% more water is times of drought.

flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

achieved, fruit size profiles and growers’ accuracy and timeliness with administrative issues.

The Moores, who exported 32.8 tonnes per hectare, are no strangers to awards. They picked up Team Avocado Grower of the Year titles in 2005/2006 and 2007/2008.

But Robbie, a former Rotorua sharemilker, says this year’s win is extra special.

“This is the first season under our belts as AVOCO growers and many other growers had a great season, so to be the first recipient of the supreme trophy is quite an honour.”

The win also recognises the effort that went into recovering from a disastrous 2012/2013 season as result of a polar blast sweeping through Te Puke in August 2011. That single weather event saw overnight temperatures plummet to minus five degrees Celsius, which burnt flower buds and split fragile stems on trees, wiping out any chance either the Moores or Whiteheads had to produce an export crop the following year.

Bumper harvest

TO IMPROVE IMPROVE YOUR YOUR SOIL SOIL TO STRUCTURE AND AND DRAINAGE DRAINAGE STRUCTURE DURING THE THE WINTER WINTERMONTHS MONTHS DURING

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Gypsum of Soil throughPrevents which air,Waterlogging water and roots move. a combination of high sodium, as sodium sulphate. Without Gypsum, the where Gypsumclay Prevents Waterlogging of Soil swelling and excess water result in Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & soil would not be leachable. where a issues. combination of high sodium, drainage Aids Seed Emergence resulting from swelling clay and excess water result in Gypsum Prevents Crustingirrigation of Soil & raindrops or from sprinkler Gypsum Increases Water-Use Efficiency drainage issues.

Aids Seed Emergence resulting from on unstable soil. Gypsum and lime can of crops with improved water infiltration raindrops or from sprinkler prevent crusting that forms inirrigation acid soils. rates, hydraulic conductivity of soil and Gypsum Increases Water-Use Efficiency on unstable soil. Gypsum and lime can better water in the soil infiltration all leading Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation of crops withstorage improved water prevent crusting in acid soils. torates, deeper rootingconductivity and better water-use Water from riversthat thatforms no longer contain hydraulic of soil and

available in gypsum treated soils than in as a Fertiliser CaSO4in -2H 2O is and non-treated soils, important areas particles to degrade. The problem can be Gypsum Gypsum Multiplies the Value ofgypsum Other or atimes pH neutral source of readily available of drought. corrected with surface applied Inputs including calcium and sulphur. application to thefertilizers. irrigation water.

Gypsum as a Fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other a pH neutral source of readily available Inputs including fertilizers. calcium and sulphur.

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Te Puke avocado growers Robbie Moore (left) and his wife Julene Moore won two awards, including AVOCO Grower of the Year. They are pictured with directors John Carroll and Alistair Young (right).

Ashby, who is also chairman of the Avocado Industry Council, exported 31.8 tonnes per hectare last season. And like most Bay of Plenty growers, he’s expecting a bumper harvest in 2014/2015.

“As long as the flow of fruit is managed well then as growers, we can have faith the returns will hold up.”

New Zealand exported 3.1 million avocado trays last season and is on track to export five million trays this coming season – 3.2 million through AVOCO. Up to 62 per cent of the fruit will be sent to Australia but AVOCO is also planning to channel, through its marketing partnership in AVANZA, about 19 per cent of its export trays to the US and a further 10 per cent to Japan. Emerging Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore and India, will take the remainder.

Global demand

AVOCO director John Carroll says the growing global demand for avocados is outstripping supply and developing international markets outside Australia is a key strategy for AVOCO and AVANZA in the future.

John says harvesting started in the Far North in late-July and AVOCO will be packing for up to 11 different markets seven days every week. The sharing and monitoring of flow plans would be critical to the season’s success.

“Growers will need to do their part by picking fruit to the flow plans we provide and ensuring they make the right spray choices to keep them open for all markets.

“This season will be a huge logistical exercise, but we’re confident we have the team and experience to make it work.”

AVOCADOS

Page 35

Size crop, sustain tree health, set up for spring There are some important things to consider now that will influence the revenue from your current crop, the overall health of your orchard, and how well set up it will be for spring flowering and fruit set.

Normal practice among many growers has been to do very little during winter, with perhaps some light maintenance dressings of an NPK avo mix, and maybe capital dressings of lime.

Clearly it’s not a time to stimulate growth, which any heavier applications could instigate, but there’s a huge opportunity to

size your crop, improve orchard health and set up your trees for spring by using a biological slow release organic fertiliser.

Revital 30 is just the thing to help achieve the three S’s: Size your crop, Sustain tree health, and Set up for spring.

Nutrients are immobilised by the organic matter so therefore won’t leach away during the high rainfall period of winter.

The nutrients remain plantavailable, allowing the tree to pull what it needs rather than

having nutrients pushed into it, which would be the result using an NPK granular fertiliser.

The input of a ‘living fertiliser’ with all the biology available from vermicast, chicken manure and high quality compost, revitalises the soil and helps tip the balance between good bugs and bad.

We can blend any fine and powdery base dressings that may be required, including lime flour, lime, gypsum, magnesium oxide, boron and phosphate – all of which have a tendency to blow everywhere in the wind –

Choose contractors who work safe Safety in the workplace is taking an increasingly high profile and it’s becoming more imperative for growers and orchardists to actively assess their contractors’ operational policies and procedures, says Aongatete Avocados Ltd grower services manager Toni Morrison.

“The risk of noncompliance and the cost of getting it wrong could potentially be crippling for an individual, grower or a company – and these costs are increasing with the imminent changes to NZ laws.”

Selecting industry leading contractors, who are independently audited with programmes such as NZ Good Agricultural Practices, significantly reduces the risk to growers and orchardists.

“At AAL our attitude towards safety is paramount. We are proud of our company’s reputation within the compliance industry and leadership in staff training, on the job training and day to day compliance with health and safety practices and procedures,” says Toni.

“We invest in the appropriate machinery, not the cheapest, to reduce risk and get the job done quickly and efficiently.

“Our large, varied fleet is maintained to a high level by our industry approved workshop. Our onsite Hydralada mechanic keeps our machines in the best condition possible and is ready to attend an unforeseen breakdown in a timely manner,” says Toni.

When it comes to working at heights, getting the right people highly trained for the jobs is essential.

“Another investment we consider critical to our continued success is our staff training. With the spotlight on the high occurrence of injury to the NZ workforce, in particular working at heights, we put a great deal of emphasis on getting the right people highly trained into the right jobs.

“We review our needs regularly and retrain all our staff at least annually. Having the correct personal protection gear available and issued is also important.

“Our aim at AAL is to minimise risk to protect our staff and avoid penalties for all the parties taking part in the orchard to export avocado consumer supply chain.

“Our ongoing monitoring and risk management keeps our harvesting, leasing and orchard management operations on track with the requirements of NZ GAP, food safety and health and safety.”

which can be added to the blend.

Everything goes on together and you only need to put the fertiliser spreader round once. Apply Revital 30 in spring between late-August and late-October.

There are some huge crops hanging in the orchards this season, and as always size matters when it comes to export returns.

Also carrying a heavy crop into spring challenges your trees’ ability to be ready for the next flowering event. So by using a slow release product like Revital 30, you’re giving your orchard the nutrients and biology it needs to do the best job it can for you.

Frost Protection

HORTICULTURE

Page 36

Organics course changes lives Growing labour to cope

with future fruit quantities

Taking part in an Agriculture New Zealand Go Organic course has proved lifechanging for at least two of its students.

Geoff Leong of Te Puke Go Organic students attends a class field trip to the native plant and Jo van Kooten of Camnursery at Waihi College. bridge are each pursuing in which it is taught, and the support of tutors and new career paths after being inspired by taking the fellow students, meant it wasn’t beyond her ability. courses.

Go Organic programme coordinator and tutor Geoff, who has been involved in retail nearly all his Micky Cunningham says people from all walks of life working life, was challenged by his wife to join the Go and experiences attend the part-time courses, held in Organic course to find out if growing things was what several locations throughout New Zealand. he wanted to do.

Courses in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region are Turns out it was. scheduled to start in August in Hamilton, Pukekohe, “I was probably the most inexperienced member of Waihi, Raglan and Rotorua. the group but not long after beginning the course we Go Organic courses take a practical, science-based started looking for an organic property to buy,” says approach to separate myth from fact, while exploring a Geoff. wide range of organic techniques and methods.

Today the couple own a 7.6 hectare mixed orchard Students are introduced to a variety of design and growing avocados, walnuts, macadamia nuts and a management systems providing useful guidelines and large home garden – and they’re loving the lifestyle tools for ongoing planning, management and diagnochange. sis – whether applied to an existing property or a new Jo, who is a chef, joined the Go Organic course to production venture. pursue her other interest – growing food.

The course is great value for keen gardeners, plant While still studying, she approached the owners of growers, landscapers, lifestyle block owners, permaculLocavore near Cambridge, a company which grows ture planners, habitat-restoration workers, orchardists and promotes buying local produce, with a request to wishing to convert to organic systems, as well as those work one day a week for free to learn more. seeking a healthier alternative to conventional food “That led to a part-time job, which I just love,” says production.

Jo. “I didn’t know much about organics when I joined Each course typically runs during 10 months with stuthe course, which went above and beyond my expectadents attending weekly tutorials, workshops or fieldtrips tions in what it taught.” either during school hours or evenings and weekends.

Jo says she found the course challenging but the way

Go Organic Part-time courses starting soon - call now!

Explore the latest trends in sustainable farming through a science-based approach to a wide range of organic techniques and systems.

Ideal for lifestyle block owners, home gardeners and/or commercial growers, this course will provide key knowledge and skills required for organic growing.

Learn to build ecosystems, promote biodiversity and increase soil and plant health, instead of relying on artificial fertilisers and poisonous sprays.

Topics covered include organic philosophies, certification, soil management, soil food webs, composting, companion planting, crop rotation, green manures, weed control, pest and disease management, plant knowledge and an introduction to permaculture.

This knowledge can be applied not only to food crops, but to the cultivation of any plants – from suburban gardens to pastures, orchards, shelter belts and woodlots.

In addition to attending tutorials and workshops or field trips, students will need to complete practical and theory assignments in their own time.

Some prior knowledge of horticulture and growing plants is recommended although keen beginners are invited to apply.

Although this programme has a horticultural bias, pastoral farmers wishing to get an understanding of what organic farming is all about will also find this course of value.

On successful completion you will be awarded a Certificate in Organic Horticulture (Level 3). Networking between organic growing enthusiasts is an added bonus to joining this course.

Note: Minimum numbers required for course to commence.

For more information or to apply, contact us now!

COURSE DETAILS:

Hamilton, Raglan, Waihi and Pukekohe Cost: $260.00 INFORMATION SESSION:

To be held in each location during August

Freephone 0800 475 455 www.agnz.co.nz

Helping grow the country

The kiwifruit industry is recovering from Psa-V, the bacterial disease capable of killing kiwifruit vines, by learning how to better manage it.

As the industry progressively recovers from Psa the demand for skilled and reliable labour is also increasing.

The total kiwifruit industry employs about 10,000 permanent employees and about 8000 seasonal employees at the peak of harvest.

During the next four years, it’s estimated the industry’s recovery will create the need for another 2000 permanent employees and 4000 seasonal employees.

The shortage of skilled workers is already being felt and will only get worse as the volumes of fruit increase – during the next four years kiwifruit volumes are expected to increase by 40 per cent.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated has developed a plan to source new workers the industry requires.

It has three key aspects to it: promoting horticulture as a career; retaining industry talent; and growing the industry’s seasonal labour resource.

Our key focus is getting New Zealanders into work. According to the Government, in the Bay of Plenty region there are a little more than 11,000 people available for work through Work and Income.

As an industry, our goal is to get as many of these people into work as possible.

To do this we’re partnering with the Government to identify people who are suitable for kiwifruit work; and also training them with basic skills to prepare them for work in the kiwifruit industry.

One of the issues we’ve faced as an industry is selecting the right person for the job; and then most importantly, keeping that person employed and working.

There are many reasons why people don’t stay in jobs and we’re looking at ways to remedy this problem.

To do this we need programmes flexible enough to meet the needs of workers, employers and regions.

But most importantly we need a mutual commitment to stick with the job. This is not just the employee’s responsibility.

It also requires a high degree of commitment from both the employer and the government agencies involved in placement of the worker.

This commitment from all parties will see the programme succeed in the long term, support kiwifruit business and provide personal growth for workers.

To help achieve these goals NZKGI has employed a dedicated Kiwifruit Employment Development Manager for the purposes of: • Working with orchard owners, growers, contractors and iwi to develop full-time employment options in the kiwifruit industry for employees and potential employees.

• Assisting kiwifruit industry employers to be good employers, who are able to attract and retain valued employees.

• Facilitating skills-based training, relevant to the kiwifruit industry, for industry employees and potential employees.

• Supporting and mentoring Work and Income clients transition to employment into the kiwifruit industry.

• Assisting NZKGI to promote the industry as an employment choice and implement the kiwifruit industry career path.

• Leading development of the industry compliance strategy.

The above outlines steps the kiwifruit grower organisation is taking.

All of the industry’s employers have their own programmes to increase the number of skilled and reliable workers.

Together we aim to meet the industry’s need for increased workers and subsequently accommodate the increased volumes of kiwifruit.

The winners in this will be the regions in which kiwifruit is grown, as more jobs are being created and more money will be earned from the sale of kiwifruit overseas and returned to the regions.

What old cars and urea have in common My love of cars and enjoyment of driving stems from the exquisite sense of freedom achieved as a result of purchasing my own vehicle as a teenager.

Summers of picking up hay provided sufficient money for the restrictions of push bikes and unreliable bus services to be overcome.

At that time a new car entering the neighbourhood was a special event – but it was the smell that indelibly etched itself into the memory.

New cars of 50 years ago had a unique pungency of fresh polish, new rubber, and hot oil, quite unlike any today.

As a result I’ve never wanted to accept oil is a finite resource and my support of offshore drilling is purely emotive and selfish. Logic provides a different perspective but emotion always wins.

Emotion is at the base of every action, logic is simply the tool used to justify the decision; and so it is with the use of fertiliser nitrogen.

The best long-term data shows annual pasture production was significantly higher in the years prior to the widespread regular applications of nitrogen, est and particularly urea.

However, there is now a second generation of farmers who believe their ability to grow sufficient pasture ome.

ONE relies on its regular application. store and Recently, a farmer becoming increasingly concerned at where the discussion on its use was heading tried to end the session by saying he didn’t care what the quesarranty tion was, the answer was “more nitrogen”. urers But what if the answer to generating more pasture is “less nitrogen” and ultimately “no nitrogen”?

The measures from properties using CalciZest/ z.

DoloZest based total nutrient programmes during the last 10 years clearly EPDM show moreliner pasture is grown than on properties using comparative conventional fertiliser nitrogen-driven programme.

The cost is less and the increase has always been immediate. The growth is equally dependent on nitrogen, but it’s now fixed direct from the atmosphere mostly via clovers and stored in humus ready for use as required.

Because feed quality is higher, fewer kilograms of dry matter are required to produce a kilogram of milksolids. Fewer animals are required to achieve targeted AND WATER STORAGE production, reducing the pressure on people, cow sheds, races and water systems.

EPDM pond Animal health costs are markedly lower, and there ural irrigation, are numerous properties now where empty rates are 10 e, effluentper cent or lower and intervention with penicillin is s. seldom required. stone Warranty With greatly reduced stress on operators family installations.

See us more at the times become relaxed. Clients spoken to recently NZ Agricultural Fieldays that cited knowledge that they already had the ability Mystery Creek or nationwide to farmPavilion under the pending site PB30 nitrogen regulations is a genuine positive.

These Overseer-based regulations are designed to Email : sales@cosio.co.nz reduce animal numbers as cow urine is considered to Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz be the greatest contributor to excess Nitrate-N leaking below the root zone of plants; and less cows means less urine.

The model will doubtless be refined over time as data that shows the concentration of urea in urine can be markedly influenced by the diet of the animal.

However, in the short term reducing animal numbers will help balance the equation.

There’s profit to be made from producing a genuine 1000kgMS/ha from pasture alone.

An increasing number of ESI clients are achieving this and with per cow production about 500kgMS nd forget recovering for up to 5 years a high level of per hectare production is achievable h EVAwithin forthelonger life regulations.

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 38

Ozone new tool in Psa-V battle Ozone gas is a powerful new tool in the fight against the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V believes Allan Dawson, managing director of Aongatete.

“It’s not a cure for Psa but it is a powerful tool in controlling it and also appears to improve plant health too,” says Allan.

With the help of Roger Cherry and Jaspon Costello of Mount

Maunganui company Biofume, Allan trialled the use of the gas on a two-hectare Psa-infected Hort16A orchard from just after bud break through to harvest. The results, Allan says, are impressive.

“We had used some copper on the orchard previously but within a month of applying the ozone, relative to the previous season, the leaves looked magnificent – it was like chalk and cheese.”

The orchard went on to produce more than 13,000 trays per hectare with an average size of 29 and a TZG (taste measure) of 0.8.

That was to have been the last season for the vines, which were due to be cut out and re-grafted with the new gold G3 (Sungold).

However, the results apparently achieved by using ozone are so impressive Zespri and Kiwifruit Vine Health have agreed to underwrite the orchard for another season, continuing the trial to see if those results can be replicated.

“The orchard was tending to be sick, but probably not overly so, but we have cut out quite a lot of Psa-infected material,” says Allan, who is happy to continue the trial in the hope it will provide evidence to support the wider use of ozone in the industry.

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Above – the ozone generating equipment is housed in a small shed on the orchard.

Roger Cherry of Biofume (left) and Allan Dawson of Aongetete Coolstores in the Hort16A orchard on which ozone treatment for Psa-V will be trialled Insect control for another season.

“At $10,000 to $15,000 per hectare, including set-up won’t, says Roger, do anything to enhance the earth’s costs, it’s a relatively cheap Psa control – and especially ozone layer, under threat from carbon emissions. when compared with a canopy cover at a cost of up to On Allan’s orchard, the ozonised water was applied $200,000 per hectare, it’s not bad,” says Allan, who for 10 to 30 minutes every three-four days day when sees other benefits from the use of the gas. the leaves were small and this increased to about one “It appears to control insect pests and it leaves no hour daily as the canopy developed. It is also used after residues, which is so important when you are growing weather events such as cold, wet conditions which and exporting fruit.” favour Psa. Roger Cherry of Biofume says setting up a system Allan also applied copper before bud break and one which would deliver ozone to plants in an open chelated copper spray after bud break along with orchard posed a challenge for the three-year-old comActiguard. He’s used a standard copper and Actigard pany. programme after picking in late-autumn and into Ozone is a gas which can’t be stored and must be cre- winter. ated on-site.

However, Allan says he has concerns about the The company designs and produces ozone generators impacts on plants and soil of prolonged use of copper, for use in coolstores – including at Aongatete – in place and will be pleased if ozone can reduce the number of of ethylene scrubbers to control fungus and mould applications. growth on fruit.

“Ozone is not the total answer to Psa control and we It is also trialling the use of the gas sprayed on will still need to use other tools, including copper.” carcasses in meat works to control bacteria. Ozone is also used in glass houses to control pests and diseases, Plant health to control bacteria in bottled water, in meat and fish As well as controlling the Psa bacteria, Allan believes processing plants, as well as in domestic homes and rest ozone is having an impact on plant health; though homes to purify air. even with his science background, he’s not sure why.

However, as far as Roger knows, Allan’s is the first “It could be that it is stimulating or eliciting a kiwifruit orchard to have ozone delivered into an openresponse in the plant which is helping it protect itself air environment. from disease, or it could be that the elimination or Adding ozone to water appeared to be the best control of disease is allowing the plant to more fully form of delivery, so the Biofume team designed and express itself. I haven’t got the answer but it does produced a prototype system to add ozone to water appear to have a positive effect on vine health.” sprayed on the vines by the existing irrigation system.

Roger agrees plant growth appears to be stimulated, but he too is not sure why. “It could be the reduction Breaks down of attack by disease and insects is a factor.”

Although it can be tasted and measured in the water, Ozone doesn’t kill insects, but Roger says when and smelt in the orchard, ozone is delivered at a rate sprayed into an orchard, it creates an environment they of just two millilitres per 2000 litres of water and has don’t find friendly. a half-life of about 20 minutes, after which it breaks Ozone sounds almost too good to be true – are there down into oxygen. any downsides? “So far we haven’t found any, but we’re Ozone is an inorganic molecule with three oxygen keeping an open mind,” says Roger. molecules joined together. Because it breaks down

By Elaine Fisher so quickly, its use in orchards or industrial situations

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 39

New business and Zespri’s graduate scheme lifestyle opportunities Zespri is launching a new graduate recruitment scheme to attract top young talent into the kiwifruit industry.

Two positions are available to recent graduates, offering 18 months working across Zespri’s business, including six months offshore, says Zespri global sourcing partner Bernadette RyanHopkins.

Applications are welcome from graduates from all disciplines.

Skills in languages, horticulture, marketing, IT and finance are particularly relevant but Bernadette says having the right attitude is the most important of all.

“The successful applicants will also have a senior executive mentor for their time at Zespri – an excellent opportunity to get advice from someone who’s worked their way through the business,” says Bernadette.

Applications are open until

August 25. Applicants must be New Zealand residents and have graduated within the last 12 months. For more details and to apply online, visit www.zespri.com

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.

Orchard manager Piet Weller and client relationship manager Joe Brophy at the harvest of a Seeka-managed crop.

Kiwifruit growers have every reason to feel more enthusiastic about the coming seasons.

Even though the Psa-V threat hasn’t gone away, modern management systems and controls means growers are more confident of economic production and reliable income.

As result, land values are returning and growers are being presented with new opportunities and choices. There is renewed interest in the kiwifruit growing business from investors keen to be involved but lacking expertise to manage orchards on their own.

Recognising these new opportunities for growers and landowners, Seeka has prepared real options for orchard management.

Seeka’s orchard division manages more than 900 hectares of orchards located from the Eastern Bay of Plenty through Te Puke, Tauranga and Katikati and up into the Coromandel Peninsula.

During the last two years the division has spread its management services to the Kerikeri region in the Far North.

Expert and professional orchard managers are dedicated to properties, and are supported by Seeka’s technical and administrative staff.

The orchard division has a proven track record – in 2014 it averaged 10,241 trays per hectare on its wide

catchment of managed Hayward orchards.

Seeka offers two simple and transparent solutions to growers.

Orchard management contracts can be tailor-made to suit particular grower requirements, ranging from full management to vine husbandry only.

Detailed budgets and management plans are drawn up and agreed with the growers, who are kept fully informed with progress reports during the season.

A simple and competitive management fee is charged to the grower, and all seasonal costs are invoiced monthly.

The Valueplus lease offers a rental income and then profit share after costs are recovered. This is a hasslefree option for landowners to fully capitalise on their orchard investment without becoming expert growers themselves.

Detailed budgets, yield-driven management plans and regular financial reporting keeps landowners fully informed. There are no hidden costs and reporting is timely, transparent and accurate.

Once all costs are recovered, a profit sharing schedule ensures landowners benefit from increasing orchard gate returns.

Seeka’s orchard management and leasing options cover all kiwifruit varieties as well as for avocado and kiwiberry.

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 Atom combined three noz accuracy

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

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

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

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

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RURAL DRIVER

Page 40

Could this be the It’s been many years since my dear old Subaru wagon and I parted ways, so it was quite a shock to find the new Forester has reignited some passion.

And for anyone who drives out-of-town, it’s important to know you can trust a vehicle when you head beyond the tarseal.

Whether farm track, snowy mountain or slimy boat ramp.

As rural drivers appreciate, Subaru lead the way in all wheel drive. They wrote the book. Basically, the car is clever enough to sense loss of traction in any wheel, and instantly transfers more power to those that do have traction. It is so subtle, you can’t even tell it’s happening.

In a country as rugged as ours, they could well be right in claiming the Subaru is the perfect car for New Zealand.

The 2.5i Premium is zippy, it is nippy – and very clever. The Forester despite being technically Japanese, has a Kiwi attitude of can-do; it’s nimble and willing.

It is perky, in a way that only middle-aged

men can appreciate, we can respect and disrespect in the same breath.

I have fallen, in a driving sense, for the Forester.

Straight off the line, the non-turbo Forester goes without hesitation. After that, it’s not remarkably grunty in that second-third range but consistent.

Above tootling around town speed, the torquey boxer engine gets feisty. You can feel it and hear it. Open her up on the highway and hear that growl; that iconic boxer grrrr, is the only way to describe it.

And that translates to a confident, powerful powerband in the mid range. You know that there’s a sexy touch of power in reserve for that emphatic and confident passing manoeuvre.

Clever car

Teamed up with the boxer engine, the horizontally opposed piston arrangement help lower the centre of gravity.

But most important, it sounds cool.

There’s nothing quite like unleashing that boxer growl.

It drives through a six-stage auto, with

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manual mode. This allows driving like a boy racer sports car with the flappy paddles arrangement on the steering wheel. Or you can simply amble in auto like an old codger.

The technology on some of these modern cars is astounding. And the Subaru is right up there. One of the most interesting aspects of the Forester is the ‘driver assist system’ which basically helps you watch the road ahead. A camera system mounted high behind the windscreen monitors potential hazards and recognises danger points. Not only does it alert the driver, but will also apply automatic braking to intervene when necessary, or reduce the prospects or severity of a frontal collision.

This feature really had me intrigued. I probably spent too much of the weekend pondering this piece of wizardry, to pay full attention to the many other clever innovations in the Forester.

Such as lane departure warning. This announces when the vehicle strays on the road, crossing the sidelines or the centre or other lane markings.

RURAL DRIVER

Page 41

perfect car for the country?

Subaru Forester

2.5i Premium Engine: 2.5 litre horizon tallyopposed Boxer engine Transmission: Lineartronic CVT with manual mode Special features: Driver assist system, X-Mode, Memory function, Reversing Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, Five Star Safety System I actually found it a bit ‘nanny-state’ and at times, and deactivated it, which is as easy as pushing the off button.

However if you’ve been a bad, bad boy, in the habit of straying all over the road and need a dominatrix reminder, this is the system for you.

Surface adjustment

A much more useful feature is ‘X Mode’ which sounds like something Team NZ has invented.

Essentially it adjusts performance for loose surfaces, including a hill descent control which we found added a lot of surety to those dodgy downhill sections.

The powered rear gate is a great innovation, opened remotely from the key tab, or a switch on the dash or by a good old fashioned handle on the rear, that is power-assisted to open and close.

It includes a memory function for avoiding those low ceiling garages, or as we found out during our photo session, to stop it short of nudging an overhanging boat on the roof rack.

There’s an option for locking with either the key tab buttons or a tap on the door handle, while in proximity. I couldn’t quite master that one, probably too busy trying to think my way through the incredible eye spy system.

The premium model interior has leather

Available for a limited time only.

So put your foot down.

off-road confirmed it is highly capable as a throughout and the full monty of equipment, including a huge backing camera/GPS map, versatile SUV and incredible controllable with dual climate controls and even some simple but the ‘X Mode’ engaged. pleasing additions, such as under-door outside The fact remains: This car swept me off my lighting. feet.

Of course Bluetooth is everywhere these days, AWD It’s a caring partner too, with a five-star safety so you can connect anything rating as do all the Subaru range. from with anything. I found the seat perhapsonly a bit too firm, but then On the cusp * of a car-change, I can say the deposit hadn’t really got around to trying all the adjustForester has blown me away. ments on the eight-way powered seat, so not A suitor out of left field and it definitely surprising. There was too much other fascinating joined the short list. ¹/4 DEPOSIT stuff to find.

It is an intelligent, intuitive and willing 4 12 MONTHS On the road, the Forester proved a joy, a ¹/ great partner to your driving experience. It exudes ¹/4 24 MONTHS combination of height and vision; space and reliability and trustworthiness with good looks ¹/4 36 MONTHS INTEREST agility; and delightful handling.

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engine, delivers a drivingRRP. experience any deposit, other. one quarter in 12 months, one quarter in 24 months and one quarter in 36 months with 0% interest. Offer valid on NZ new Subaru Forester orester 2.0iitmanual at $39,990 Simply payunlike one quarter deposit based on Foresterwith 2.0iany manual $39,990 RRP. Simply pay one offer. quarter deposit, one quarter in 12 months, oneapplies. quarter in 24 months and one quarter in 36 months with 0% interest. Offer valid on NZ new Subaru Forester d at RRP $9,997 and is not available in conjunction otheratspecial, discount or promotional Normal finance company lending criteria

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Polaris celebrates 60th anniversary In 1954 a rural farm equipment shop in the small town of Roseau in Minnesota, USA, discovered it had the creativity and passion to produce “snow machines.”

Sixty years later Polaris Industries has become the leader in the off-road vehicle industry by continually improving its off-road product offerings.

In staying true to its 60-year heritage Polaris, now a $3.8 billion dollar a year company, celebrated its anniversary milestone in Minnesota in the best way they know how – with the release of a host of new 2015 models and updates to the existing range of class leading off-road vehicles.

More than 7000 people comprising of Polaris dealers, distributors and subsidiaries from around the globe travelled to the United States to celebrate the anniversary at the company’s birthplace in Minnesota.

In anticipation for the Model Year 2015 product launch and testimony to the growth of the brand, the New York Stock Exchange listed company has increased its stock price by a record 965 per cent since 2009 and the Polaris stock price rose by a further 9.3 per cent to USD $145.52 in late July.

These figures have seen the brand take a huge lead as the number one off-road vehicle brand, both worldwide and in North America, the world’s largest market.

Polaris off-road division vice president David Longren says the company sets the bar for industry innovation in off-road vehicles and introduces new products that are relevant to our customers’ needs.

“From first-time users to recreationalists to those who rely on their vehicles for work, Polaris offers the most-complete, off-road vehicle lines on the market.”

Polaris’ heritage begins in 1954, where employees of a small shop called Hetteen Hoist & Derrick in Roseau, owned by Edgar Hetteen, decided to create a vehicle that could travel through snow.

The employees worked overtime to finish their concept in 1954, but after completing it Hetteen was sceptical in its value and sold the machine to cover the shop’s payroll.

On July 21, 1954, Hetteen Hoist & Derrick was renamed Polaris Industries Inc and not being easily deterred, employees David Johnson, Paul Knochenmus and Orlen Johnson continued to explore the concept and built a second snow machine called the Polaris Snow Traveler.

The first production model rolled off the assembly line in Minnesota in 1956.

After decades of perfecting the Snow Mobile, Polaris set about to expand their product offerings.

In 1984 Polaris produced its first ATV, which would be the first ATV made in the United States – the Polaris Trailboss.

The Trailboss went to market in 1985 and for the first time Polaris dealers had product to sell year-round for warm and cold weather use.

In the 1990s Polaris introduced three new product lines including Ranger SXS side-by-side vehicles, Victory Motorcycles and Polaris Watercraft.

Sixty years later Polaris boasts product lines including off-road vehicles comprising Ranger, RZR and ATV, on-road vehicles including Victory and Indian

Motorcycles and the all-new Polaris Slingshot, Polaris Defence products for military applications and electric vehicles with the GEM and Goupil brands.

Roseau is proudly still home to Polaris facilities that handle Snowmobile, ATV, Ranger and RZR production, plastics manufacturing, aspects of engineering and product testing.

Minnesota has been the birthplace of many ATV and SXS side-by-side firsts in the United States including The Model Year 2015 line-up.

Page 44

RURAL DRIVER

RURAL DRIVER

Page 45

Skill, planning required for winter driving For road travellers, winter (usually between June and August) can be the most dangerous time of year.

Motor vehicle accidents involving wet weather, fog, ice and snow can have serious consequences, and these conditions can hit anywhere at any time during winter.

Snow can be unpredictable, occurring suddenly in areas like the central North Island and alpine passes in the South Island. It only takes a little bit of snow in mild climates to make roads treacherous.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has the following winter driving tips to help you stay safe on the road.

What to consider

• Plan your journey.

• Consider if you really need to travel, especially if the weather is poor.

• Always check the weather forecast and road conditions.

• Think about where you’re going and what route you should take – choose safety over convenience.

If you need an updated road report or additional information, call 0800 44 44 49 or www.highwayinfo.govt.nz If travel can’t be put off, allow extra time for your journey. Plan to drive in the middle of the day or in daylight hours, when visibility is better and ice and snow are less likely to be on the road. Avoid driving at night when hazards rapidly multiply.

If travelling long distances, make sure you are well rested and plan where to have a break. Share the driving if possible or allow for stops every two hours.

Dress for the conditions, carry warm clothes and keep a survival kit in your vehicle in case you do get stuck. Ensure your car is roadworthy and keep at least half a tank of petrol in your vehicle in case you get diverted onto another route.

Be prepared for snow and carry tyre chains that you know how to use and fit.

Drive slower

Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions. Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.

Accelerate smoothly and brake gently, and use

your highest gear when travelling uphill and your lowest downhill.

For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, pump the brake pedal in short rapid bursts rather than pressing long and hard to avoid skidding or sliding.

Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads. In winter, especially in poor weather, double the two-second rule and leave a safe distance between you and the car you’re following.

When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped for increased safety.

New Honda Pioneer 500 debuts at Fieldays Earlier this year Honda launched its brand new series of farm side-by-side vehicles.

The Pioneer Series has been a tremendous hit with New Zealand farmers, with the model in very high demand, says Blue Wing Honda brand manager Damien Smyth.

Damien says it will provide the perfect option for customers looking to move to a side-by-side vehicle, but who don’t need or want a full size side-by-side.

The model will still have offer an increased load capacity over ATVs, full 4x4 capability, and twoperson seating capacity. Price is to be confirmed, however is expected to be very competitive in the market.

“The vehicle is narrower and has “These models have a shorter been lauded for their wheelbase extreme off-road capathan the bility, as well as their full-size versatility on-farm and side-by-sides, also their tremendous allowing it load-carrying and to be driven towing capacity. through “The range currently narrow gates comprises the Pioand accessneer 700 2p and the ways, meaning 700 4p. These two the unit can models are powered work in areas by awesome 700cc that would be power-plants and offer the option of unreachable in a either two-person full-size vehicle.”

The added capacity and safety features of Honda seating or four-person The side-by-side side-by-side vehicles are appealing to many farmers. seating. segment has seen “Later this year we will see the New Zealand release impressive growth with the added capacity and safety of the new 500cc family member.” features appealing to many farmers. The vehicles are This model was previewed at the National Fieldays also very easy to operate with very little driver fatigue at Mystery Creek, with a sample unit on display on experienced. the Honda stand.

Check out Hondapioneer.co.nz to find out more The model will sit between the current ATV range about the Honda Pioneer Series and to register interand the Pioneer 700 range. est in testing one of these new machines.

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FORESTRY

Page 46

Safety first for forestry Health, safety, environmental protection and quality are the focus of new forestry training qualifications being developed by industry training organisation Competenz.

Waiapu catchment restoration A collaborative partnership to restore the Waiapu catchment in the Gisborne District has been announced by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Associate Minister Jo Goodhew.

“The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MPI, Te Runanganui O Ngati Porou and Gisborne District Council demonstrates a long-term commitment to work together and with landowners to address the erosion control problems in the catchment,” says Nathan.

“The Waiapu River has the highest suspended sediment yield of any river in New Zealand and one of the highest in the world. If nothing is done, erosion and sedimentation could double by 2050.

“This is a great example of this Government working together with iwi and local councils to invest in and develop our regions. This long-term partnership will create significant environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits for iwi and the local community,” says Nathan.

Associate Minister Jo Goodhew says the Government recognises landowners need as much support as possible to treat erosion on their land, particularly in gullies where much soil loss and sedimentation occurs.

“That is why we recently consulted on operational improvements to the East Coast Forestry Project – a funding programme to assist landowners with their treatment of land to prevent soil erosion, through planting trees or indigenous regeneration.”

To date, about 42,000ha have been covered by erosion control treatments under the East Coast Forestry Project.

About 60,000ha of untreated land are eligible for ECFP funding across the Gisborne District, of which about 25,000ha is in the Waiapu catchment.

The East Coast Forestry Project has $26m available for new soil erosion projects until 2020.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who made a submission on the operational improvements to the ECFP,” says Jo. The shared vision for the restoration of the Waiapu Catchment by 2113 is: ‘Ko te mana ko te hauora o te whenua; ko te hauora o nga awa; ko te hauora o te iwi – Healthy land, healthy rivers, healthy people’.

Review being undertaken by the forestry industry, Competenz expects the changes will contribute to the sector’s focus on quality and safety while lifting productivity.

The Competenz qualification review was conducted during 24 months and consisted of focus groups and industry meetings to assess the The New Zealand cerrequirements of forestry’s tificates, to be launched competitive and changlater this year, will give ing environment. more weight to essential “Industry feedback is knowledge like health key to everything we do. and safety and quality.

During the next year They also increase the we’ll continue to assess focus on supervisory the training needs. and crew management “Looking long-term, skills, says Competenz’s we know by 2025 the newly-appointed national forest industry will need manager, Mark Preece. an additional 25,900 Mark says the trained workers to organisation has closely replace the natural attricollaborated with contion of workers within tractors, workers, forest the industry – that’s a owners, trainers and Competenz’s newlynet increase of 5300 assessors throughout the appointed national workers compared to country to develop the manager, Mark Preece.

2012,” says Mark. new qualifications.

“Improving the skill level of the “The industry’s feedback has led to workforce is a critical requirement for improvements which are better suited achieving the industry’s targets, and to building the skills of the current and we’re committed to helping deliver the future needs of the 2573 trainees who results.” are currently working towards a forestry Competenz is the ITO for New qualification.

Zealand’s forest industry. In May 2013 “We now have dedicated managers in the organisation merged with the every region with heavy forestry activForest Industry Training and Education ity. And we’ve upped the number of Council. contract assessors who support forestry Competenz has contributed to the learners across the country, by 15,” says terms of reference for the IndependMark.

Competenz plans to back up these new ent Forestry Safety Review and will continue to play an active part in the qualifications in the coming year with current review. They are also contributworkshops to help forestry assessors ing to WorkSafe’s Approved Code of build and refresh their skills and more Practice. support to help companies build their As result of industry feedback, Comtraining resources in breaking out, tree petenz has set up a dedicated national felling and mechanical harvesting. manager role to support the forest Tokoroa contract assessor Mark industry, which Mark Preece has been Lefebre says he’s looking forward to the appointed to. opportunity to refresh his skills.

Mark has 26 years’ experience in the “As an assessor you do need to be able forestry industry, covering logistics, to jump on the tools from time to time managing harvesting and contracting and show the guys how to use a chainoperations, and developing qualificasaw properly and safely. The assessor tions to help forestry employees build workshops will be useful – a chance to their skills. upskill,” says Mark.

Mark has been working with FITEC, While the ITO’s improvements stand now Competenz, for six years. outside the Independent Forestry Safety

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RTA Studio and Irving Smith Jack Architects have been chosen by Scion to design an innovation centre at its Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park.

The centre’s purpose is to foster innovation in forestry and wood processing industries, and it was the conceptual design innovation that gave the architects the edge over three short-listed submissions.

In April the Rotorua-based Crown research institute was allocated up to $2.5m through the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Regional Infrastructure Fund towards the construction of a proposed innovation centre for forestry and wood processing-related businesses.

Scion Chief Financial Officer Rob Trass says the innovation centre is part of wider efforts to establish Rotorua as a forestry and wood processing industry centre of excellence.

“The architects we have selected demonstrated the type of innovation we are seeking for a building that will be an inspirational showcase of new wood products and building techniques. Novel thinking will be employed in the design concept, taking the best properties of wood to create an affordable, building of high structural integrity,” he says.

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 47

Hovering mangrove mower on way to BOP A first of its kind, unique hovercraft mangrove-mower is on order to combat Tauranga Harbour’s overgrowing mangroves.

The innovative, custom-built craft can cut about 600 hectares of seedlings annually while causing minimal environmental damage.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s general manager of environmental delivery Warwick Murray says the hovercraft offers advantages over other designs.

“The more we looked at it, the more we were attracted to it because of its really light footprint,” says Warwick.

“It will leave no footprint, have negligible effect on the benthic community and also has some advantages in it can move between estuaries, cover ground more readily and move a bit faster so operating costs will be less.

“It’s still unproven as a technique, so we are trying to be innovative – trying adaptive ways of dealing with this – but it’s a pretty exciting possibility really.”

The hovercraft with mower blades attached, is intended to prevent the further encroach-

ment of mangroves by cutting down mangrove seedlings. It’s not intended to tackle mature growth, says Warwick.

“Basically it’s going to have exposed mower blades out front. All it needs to do is nick off the head of the mangrove seedling. Once you take the leaves off, then it won’t grow again.

“It’s a bit like a Flymo – a New Zealanddesigned hovering lawnmover popular in the 1980s – but with the blades on the outside.”

The regional council ran trials using a tracked vehicle, which worked okay, but it left tracks. The hovercraft proposal turned up when the job was put out to tender, says Warwick.

In her SunMedia column, BOPRC deputy chair Jane Nees says mangroves in Tauranga Harbour

A schematic of the hovering mangrove mower.

Recycling wrap Plasback recently passed the 3000 tonne mark recycling silage wrap, pit covers, polypropylene bags and twine and will add another 1000 tonne to its total this year.

It’s a nationwide “on farm” collection based on the bin and liner system for farmers and growers and is an accredited part of the Product Stewardship scheme.

“Recycling is not a flash-in-the-pan fad but a real, committed programme that Kiwi farmers support.

We have an excellent network of professional contractors in place to collect silage wrap and a range of other plastic waste from farms, and we are looking at acquiring more balers to handle our increased volumes,” says Plasback manager Chris Hartshorne.

Plasback Bins and Liners are available from the rural retail chain or online at www.plasback.co.nz or call 0508 338 240.

Agrecovery has withdrawn from silage plastic recycling but bags booked prior to June 30, 2014 will be collected but no new bookings are being taken.

have expanded exponentially during the last 50 years, and there are now more than 900 hectares of mangroves fringing Tauranga’s waterfront.

The expansion is blamed on increased levels of sedimentation in the harbour and a reduction in the frequency of hard frosts.

Mangroves spread via propagules, germinated seed pods, from mature plants which are dispersed by tides and currents to establish in open, sandy flat areas.

The more mangrove plants there are, the more mangrove propogules are produced – and the faster mangroves spread.

“If we don’t want to lose a lot more of our sandy flat and salt marsh coastal fringe to mangrove coverage, we have to address these spreading mangrove seedlings,” says Jane.

“The good news is once mangrove seedlings are cut above the roots, they don’t regrow, so ‘cutting/mowing’ is a good option for control.”

Pulling out mangrove seedlings by hand is a permitted activity under the BOPRC’s Regional Policy Statement and Proposed Regional Coastal Environment Plan, but keeping up with the mangroves will take a lot of man-hours.

The regional

council has obtained a consent to allow it to use a machine to ‘mow’ seedling-infested areas, providing environmental impacts are minimised.

Tenders for a suitable machine were sought and council chose the innovative hovercraft solution, which can cut about 600ha seedlings annually while causing minimal environmental damage.

The hovercraft should leave no discernable footprint on the estuary surface and provide minimal disturbance to birds and benthic animals.

The hovercraft is under construction and is hoped to be trialled before the upcoming bird breeding season, says Jane.

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Page 48

WAIKATO

Possible payout drop hits dairy farm sales A significant drop in dairy farm sales has been felt during the last three months, according to Real Estate Institute of NZ, which report most activity has happened in the Waikato and Southland.

For the three months to May 2014 the median sales price per hectare for dairy farms was $33,543

from 69 properties, The average was the same; $33,543 from 95 properties for the three months to May 2013, and $29,555 from 66 properties for the three months to June 2013.

The median dairy farm size for the three months to June 2014 was 125 hectares.

Included in sales for the month of June were 15 dairy farms at a median sale value of $45,007 per hectare.

The median farm size was 111ha with a range of 34ha in the Waikato region to 521ha in Canterbury.

The median production per hectare across all dairy farms sold in June 2014 was 1130kg/ms.

REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke says as expected for the cross-over period from one season to the next, current activity is reported as being reasonably quiet.

“Farmers and market observers alike are cautiously gauging the potential impact on the forthcoming sales season as a result of clear signals regarding a possible reduction in incomes from the mix of lower product prices, rising interest rates and the very strong New Zealand dollar,” says Brian.

Grazing properties accounted for the largest number of sales with a 43.4 per cent share of all sales during the three months to June.

Finishing properties accounted for 21.1 per cent, dairy properties accounted for 12.7 per cent and horticulture properties accounted for 10.5 per cent of all sales.

These four property types accounted for 87.7 per cent of all sales during the three months.

The median sales price per hectare for grazing farms for the same period was $15,833, from 236 properties.

The lifestyle property market saw a 10.8 per cent fall, or minus 191 sales, in sales volume in the three months to June 2014 when compared to June 2013.

Strip tillage benefits soil A strip tillage cultivation trial in the last two seasons generally tended to produce higher yields.

Strip tillage cultivation is not a new concept, but a well-used practice in many part of the world – and this season Blue Grass Contracting is promoting maize cultivation as row tillage cultivation, instead of whole paddock cultivation.

“We have used strip tillage for the last two seasons on about 25 per cent of our maize crops,” says John Nettleton of Blue Grass Contracting.

“This has not been carried out on 25 per cent of a paddock to compare ‘apples with apples’ as would be ideal, but about 25 per cent of the total area planted,” says John.

“However, we do believe generally the strip tillage tended to be of a higher yield.

“This may be for many reasons but the reason we believe most likely during two drought seasons is that strip tillage also bands fertiliser to a depth that attempts to always be in the

moisture zone, encouraging roots to that zone. Fertiliser is only available to root systems when it is in solution.”

John says the strip tillage practice can be considered to be very beneficial to the soil structure, organic matter and soil organisms by disturbing as little as possible of the land.

The operation clears a strip of about 150mm wide of grass foliage, rips to a depth of 150-500mm, then cultivates the top 50-75mm, applies fertiliser at a desired depth, at up to 300 kg/ha, and finally crumble rolls – all in a one-pass operation.

“As you would image this takes significant time and horsepower. It requires good GPS systems and reasonable contour and paddock shapes.

These one-pass implements are not designed to go round corners.”

John says Blue Grass Contracting Ltd is offering maize strip tillage and planting for $350/ha this season, with the following conditions: easy contour with a maximum of four corners per paddock, minimum paddock size of four ha and minimum job size of 10 ha.

WAIKATO

Page 49

Pasture ‘just wouldn’t grow’

Good condition – Alan Macky’s herd when the last drought had finished.

These days the pasture on the Pirongia farm Alan Macky took over eight seasons ago isn’t only long and lush when it rains, but also survives the droughts in good shape.

That’s a far cry from the way it was.

“The pasture just wouldn’t grow,” says Alan, who believes the land had formerly been leased to a contractor who grew maize season after season.

“When the soil revitalisation process was begun, the soil was packed hard with little crumb and few worms.”

The soil is now teeming with worms, friable, and with roots well below spade depth.

Average milk solids production has been 1000kg/ms per hectare from pasture alone for the last three years.

Alan is farming as a 50:50 sharemilker on a farm now owned by his father.

Another relative had tried using conventional super and urea at high rates, but had given up and gone elsewhere when nothing seemed to improve things. There was a lot of milk fever, scours and facial eczema in the herd.

In November 2007 Alan opted to change his fertiliser regime and began to work with Peter Burton of EcoLogic Soil Improvement Ltd, using CalciZest, MAP, Boron and some cobalt sulphate.

This provided a small amount of soluble nitrogen and some phosphate, with a hefty dose of calcium along with a wide range of selected beneficial fungi and bacteria.

In the first autumn they used DoloZest, which includes a magnesium component and boron, but no further N. Since then the trend has been everupward, using regular soil tests to

calculate the best mixtures of CalciZest and DoloZest – both of which are enriched with biological additives compatible with the soil life present at the time of application, with additional trace elements added as needed.

The only N applied during this time was in 2012, when 5kg/ha was supplied using MAP. The fungi and bacteria in CalciZest and DoloZest have been selected for their ability to speed nutrient cycling and the formation of humus, with the latter providing long-term grunt for continued growth.

The farm is 62ha, and Alan has reduced the stocking rate during time from the original 3.3/ha down to just 150 cows. And apart from the effects of two droughts in a row, his production per cow has continued to increase year on year.

Alan ensures his cows calve at BCS 5.0, and are in good condition for mating. He uses AB for three weeks, achieving 91 per cent submissions during that time After three weeks he puts out two Angus bulls for a further seven weeks.

Six weeks into mating his empty rate is three per cent.

But Alan considers the best advantage he’s gained is the huge reduction in cow health costs, which he now quotes at about $2/cow/year.

He can count only three ‘slips’ in the last five years. No zinc has been used for four years, and he’s had no eczema in three years.

He doesn’t dust calcium and magnesium, or do magnesium drenching, and expects no more than 10 cows to have any form of milk fever requiring calcium, and has none fall over with it.

Calves are left on their mothers for a full 24 hours, which means they get a really good start. And calving is easy, with a vitamin E boost of cod liver oil

prior to calving, and no retained membranes.

Replacements come from 30 heifers being grazed off farm on carefully selected sites, and come back as two-year-olds. The herd remains on-farm all year.

Alan is proud of his farm, with its excellent production, healthy animals and low on-farm costs. And we haven’t mentioned the very low leaching of N and P.

Hang up on scammers

If it looks too good to be true, beware – that’s the warning from Federated Farmers following reports of an increase in the number of scam phone calls farmers are receiving.

The calls include those describing problems with computers, even if they are turned off, calls with a recorded message saying the phone owner has a $999 credit on a holiday, calls if the recipient is 30-plus years old and has a credit card, and calls offering a holiday accommodation deal, no airfares included, referring to a website to give the story credibility.

Federated Farmers’ lawyers at DLA Phillips Fox advise the first line of defence is to hang up.

They also advise reporting the scam to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Internal Affairs and in serious cases, contact the police.

To find out more contact your lawyer about your potential rights under New Zealand consumer law.

Useful websites to check for scams include consumeraffairs.govt.nz, consumer.org.nz or scambusters.co.nz (for TradeMe-related scams).

By Sue Edmonds

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WAIKATO

Page 50

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WAIKATO

Page 51

Mystery items are back thanks to Morrinsville museum Coast & Country’s popular Mystery Item feature is back, thanks to the Morrinsville Heritage Centre.

The source of our previous mystery items, the Katikati Heritage Museum, is closed temporarily, but should re-open by the end of the year in the old fire station in the Western Bay town’s main street.

Meanwhile Morrinsville Heritage Centre manager Barbara Dalziel has

agreed to supply photographs each month for readers to identify – and winners will receive a free ‘admission for two’ to the museum.

Features of the museum include the McDonald cottage, displays of Maori tools, school items, childhood toys and dairy farm items.

Also, the 25-minute film ‘The Green Circle’ is played on request.

The museum archives hold an extensive collection of Morrinsville material, including photographs, which are available for viewing on

request. This month’s mystery item is called ‘The Servant’s Friend’. If you think you know what it is or have a story to tell about using such a device, or seeing one used we love to hear from you – and you could be in to win a visit for two to the Morrinsville Heritage Centre.

Send your entry to: elaine@thesun.co.nz or

post to: Mystery Item, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than August 17.

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

The museum at 41 Canada St, Morrinsville, and is open This device is called ‘The Servant’s Friend’.

Country Funnies captions wanted

Caption this and be in to win.

Animals often get into mischief or mishaps, and sometimes they – like these cows – are caught on camera.

Coast & Country is looking for the funniest or cleverest caption for this month’s ‘Country Funnies’ photo.

The winner will receive a copy of ‘More than the Odd Round Mate’ by Chris Phillips, published by the Halcyon Press.

It’s the story of a young man who couldn’t wait to leave school and go bush, of his years as a shooter with rifle and dogs and most recently working on endangered species programmes in wild parts of New Zealand.

It’s about his personal journey through life and introducing his children to the great outdoors while instilling an ethical attitude

to the game they hunt.

To be in to win ‘More than the Odd Round Mate’, email your suggested caption for the photo above, along with your name and address, and with Country Funnies as the subject, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Country Funnies, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than August 17.

The winning caption will be published in Coast & Country’s September issue.

If you have a ‘Country Funnies’ photo we’d love the chance to publish it and invite readers for their caption suggestions.

Post you photos to Country Funnies, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110 or email elaine@thesun.co.nz with ‘Country Funnies’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your name, address and phone number.

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RURAL WEDDINGS

Page 52

Wedding show at Sky City Auckland The Grand Wedding Show in Auckland in September brings together wedding professionals from all areas of the wedding planning process, at one venue, for one day.

The Sky City Convention Centre is the location for the show on Sunday, September 28, which runs from 9am-4pm, with door sales only. Tickets cost $18, those aged under 16 can enter free of charge.

Participating professionals include photographers, venues, cakes, florists, wedding

planners, videographers, suit hire and celebrants.

There’s bridal wear, jewellers, hair stylists, make-up artists, entertainers, catering companies, shoes, gift registry and invitation companies too.

Wedding favours, decoration and theme companies, ceremony venues, honeymoon agencies and wedding transportation specialists will be there.

There there’s spa packages, hen and stag party ideas, beauty therapy, weight management, tanning companies and much more.

There are fashion shows at 11am and 2pm, where future brides can see just how

good the gowns look in real life on the catwalk.

Tickets give exclusive access to the wedding seminar series, which are the opportunity to hear directly from some of the best wedding professionals in the industry sharing all their tips, tricks and advice from their many years of experience.

Meet some of the best in the industry to come away with new ideas and inspiration for your wedding.

Park your car in the Sky City car park, use the elevators to go to level L3, then take the air bridge over Federal St. For more information, go to: www.weddingshow.co.nz

Exquisite Tents from Raj Tent Club.

Contact The Cheesecake shop for delicious cakes for your big day.

Check out the dynamic duo - photographer and celebrant, Jackie and Steve Brown Visit www.bayofplentyweddings.co.nz Have you thought about catering?

Visit www.thecateringco.co.nz for a wide range of menus.

Sound and light is an important part at a ceremony and the reception, contact Groove Djs to discuss your options.

Epitome of sophistication Wedding

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The famous Spanish Mission-style Blue Baths has been hosting weddings since first opening in 1933.

The epitome of sophistication, style and romance the heritage-listed blue baths are where elegance and tradition meet meticulous planning and fresh, innovative style.

At Spanish Mission-style Blue Baths, sensational menus are planned to clients’ utmost specifications and an exquisite in-house array of gorgeous table settings, fine linen, chair-covers and unique centrepieces are on hand to custom-style each event.

The diversity of architectural styles within the grand heritage building offers a variety of unique settings for stylish receptions and candlelit dinners.

For those planning a large gala affair, the Lido Lounge is the perfect venue. For an intimate celebration, the charming ambience of the upstairs Tearoom, with its potted palms and French doors opening to glamourous garden views, is ideal.

The neighbouring Bathhouse Pump Room at Rotorua Museum has high ceilings, detailed plaster mouldings, finely-crafted native timber fixtures and

commanding views over the Government Gardens, providing yet another spectacular option.

Or consider a reception under the all-weather sail set amongst the towering redwoods at Whakarewarewa Forest. The blue baths also offer catering at exclusive lakeside marquee locations and other alfresco settings.

Favourite locations for stunning photos include the sprightly Victorian panache of the Band Rotunda, Klamath Falls Rose Gardens, or the gracious oldworld style of the historic Te Runanga Tearoom; while statues, pools, park benches, fountains, a gardener’s cottage and the Rotorua Museum provide even more creative scope for rich photogenic backdrops.

The Blue Baths’ depth of experience in the local wedding industry means they recommend and collaborate with only the most reputable of regional florists, photographers, cake-makers, celebrants, hoteliers, entertainers, car-hire and decor providers.

Assured every last detail is impeccably attended to, couples are able to relax and let the elegance of art deco arches and the romance of sapphire pools provide the perfect backdrop to their perfect day.

RURAL WEDDINGS

Charming Clydesdale transport If you’re looking for a peaceful, intimate location for your country wedding, why not consider Pirongia Clydesdales and newlyopened Coach House Cafe?

Pirongia Clydesdales is excited to announce the opening of the Coach House Cafe and Function Centre, located on-site at their picturesque farm and working stables.

The cafe is an extension of the already popular barninspired function centre, where visitors can enjoy top quality country-style food and award-winning Bionic coffee.

Set amid peaceful farm surroundings and a nostalgic, rural ambience, the cafe also exists as the perfect location for the smaller, intimate wedding or corporate outing.

With the famous clydesdale horses, carriages and farming

memorabilia on-site, this is the perfect location if you’re looking for a unique wedding setting, and the bride can even be delivered with one of the company’s world class horsedrawn carriages.

The cafe seats up to 70 people and the team will happily design a full wedding menu to suit your requirements. Bar facilities are on-site and there is the option of live music for guests dance the night away to.

Situated on State Highway 39, at the south edge of Pirongia village, Pirongia Clydesdales and the Coach House Cafe is an easy day trip from greater Waikato towns, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

To celebrate the launch of the new cafe venture, there will be an open day on Saturday, August 16. Head along to experience the new cafe and enjoy clydesdale wagon rides, country art, local crafts, wine tasting and live music.

For more information about Pirongia Clydesdales and the Coach House Cafe, visit www.clydesdales.co.nz

Pirongia Clydesdales are not only a great form of wedding transport – they are also very photogenic.

Looking sharp for the big day

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Men have always valued knowledge, experience and honest feedback as the Van Meer team make the “suit fitting experience” easy and painless.

The suits at Van Meer Suit Hire are constantly being updated to give you the best styling and quality available.

You can choose from their extensive range of quality suits, shirts and ties – and the outfit can also be completed with a selection of waistcoats, cuff links, shoes, belts and custommade ties.

Remember: if you look good, you will feel great. Book your summer wedding suits now.

Van Meer Suits are available from selected stores throughout the North Island. Visit the website www.vanmeer.co.nz to check out the range and to find your nearest stockist.

Page 53

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 54

Company aims to trap the rural market With many people experiencing high levels of rats and mice this winter, a new piece of Kiwi technology has arrived on the scene to deal to the problem.

traps to rural New Zealand.

Powered by pressurised CO2, the traps automatically reset to perform multiple kills.

Having developed the trapping systems initially for the Department of Conservation, director Stu Barr says the company saw demand for them in rural areas.

“With over half of our online orders being sent to rural delivery addresses, we thought we need a rural partner and Farmlands was a good match for us.”

After success with the conservation estate, Wellington company Goodnature has partnered with Farmlands to retail its A24 Rat/Stoat and A12 Possum

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Otaki lifestyle farmer Stephen Forsyth found one morning his Hilux truck wouldn’t start.

“I looked under the bonnet and a rat had chewed through the wiring. It was going to cost me a fortune to fix and so it was war.”

He bought a Goodnature A24 from his local Farmlands and on his first night had a decisive victory. “I was gobsmacked. I found five dead rats beneath the trap the first morning.”

Ironically, Stu says the multi-kill trap’s intended success can cut both ways.

“The trap is designed to drop the dead pest out once it’s killed, which means there’s quite a high chance of the dead being scavenged.

“Customers will often not see everything that’s been killed – and sometimes even nothing.”

Stu says a trapping trial is underway on Wellington’s South Coast where blue penguins are currently nesting.

“We have eight rat traps along 600 metres and each trap has a strike counter.

“We’ve clocked up over 80 kills, yet seen less than 40 dead animals – and most of those ones seen disappear in a few days.

“So we set up cameras and sure enough the local cat population are happily patrolling the line for free dinners.”

Goodnature see wide benefits of the traps for ruralusers.

For instance, beyond keeping the “home-nest” free of rodents many farmers and communities want to keep the nests of ducks, game birds and native birds free from stoats and rats through the spring.

Also calf-rearers see an upside to dealing to feed-loss with a non-toxic method; and on the poison-front the trapping system is a good means to preventing the costly vet bill for saving dogs and cats which have eaten poisoned vermin.

While vet bills can sting, but spare a thought for a woman in Stephen Forsyth’s area, whose new Land-

A12 Possum Trap

cruiser suffered a similar fate to his Hilux.

“The Toyota people told me rats had got in behind the dashboard and that cost $22,000 to fix,” says Stephen.

“They’re a brilliant trap,” says Stephen.

“And what’s also handy is you can buy separate mounting brackets so you can move traps around your property. I’m going to use the trap to see if I can deal to stoats I’ve been seeing.”

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 55

Cladding rejuvenates rural homes Before

After

(pic to come)

Fruitful results from Kiwi poll One-quarter of all Kiwis have picked apples as their favourite seasonal winter fruit, followed by avocado with 15 per cent and mandarins gaining 14 per cent of favour in a recent 5+ A Day survey.

5+ A Day nutritionist Bronwen Anderson says apples are an economical option for Kiwi households, especially when in season during winter.

“From a nutritional perspective apples are an excellent source of fibre, which helps you feel fuller for longer without costing you a lot of calories,” says Bronwen.

“Apples are also a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C, which is important for the growth and repair of all body tissues. Vitamin C also helps to heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy.”

New Zealand grows a variety of apples suitable for eating and cooking, which make them a very versatile fruit, says Bronwen.

“Apples are a great snack as not only do they satisfy your hunger, they also quench your thirst due to their high water content. They can be used in a variety of different recipes.”

As Kiwis head into cooler months, colour is key to getting all of the micronutrients you need to boost your immune system, says Bronwen.

“Other seasonal winter produce to look out for are oranges, kiwifruit, nashi pear, mandarins, pears and persimmon, parsnips, leeks, broccoli, kumara and cauliflower. Select produce that is bright in colour, as this indicates it is nutrient-rich.”

The results of the 5+ A Day poll are from a survey of 700 people nationwide, conducted by Nielsen in March.

It forms part of 5+ A Day’s ongoing consumer research into the fresh produce industry and eating habits of New Zealanders, when it comes to fruit and vegetables.

For more tips and recipes go to: www.5aday.co.nz or Facebook at: facebook.com/5adayNZ or: Fredge_5Aday on Twitter.

Enhancing the appearance and extending the life of tiredlooking rural cottages is what the team at Masada does well.

Roly Bolton of Masada says the cladding system which comes with a 25-year guarantee is a cost-effective rejuvenation for farm and orchard homes – and best of all, the cladding will never need painting.

“We can re-clad a house for around twice the cost of having it commercially painted and the only maintenance it will ever need is washing once a year.”

Masada cladding is strong, yet light.

It makes a home warm in winter, yet cool in summer, thanks to the extra pocket of air between the outer and inner walls adding an extra layer of protection, ensuring the home is

quieter, warmer and drier.

Warm, comfortable accommodation is key to retaining good staff and if a home is in need of an extensive upgrade, because Masada is a building company, the team can provide a full makeover service.

“We can re-clad an average-size home in around eight days, while the occupants continue to live in it,” says Roly.

“We can also install Snew doubleolid Food for Soils glazed windows, ranch sliders, decks, replace the spouting; whatever needs doing. So long as the bones of the building are good, we can give it a new look at a cost-effective price.”

If existing weather boards are in reasonable condition, the cladding will be applied over the top of them. But in cases of dry rot or Ddecaying o l o Z e s ttimber, the old boards will be removed and Masada cladding installed. C a l c i Z e s t There are six Masada 0800 colours to809 843 362 7288team or go to choose from and the07Masada www.esi.org.nz

Eco-Logic Soil Improvement

undertakes installations throughout the country.

Masada is used as cladding on new homes too.

“Masada has been around for 30 years and people who have had it installed say it’s the best thing they ever did for their homes,” says Roly.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Sainsbury’s helps lift NZ lamb profits Discussing the FECPAKG2 system are from left: stock manager Lawrence Woodrow, Greg Mirams from Techion, farmer Warren Leslie, Kevin Brown from Randall Parker Foods and Sainsbury’s Phil Hambling.

British supermarket Sainsbury’s is teaming up with New Zealand’s Techion Group to run a cutting edge technology project.

The two-year international research and development project will roll out on-farm technology to effectively manage parasites, increasing product quality and profits for farmers.

Sainsbury’s will support the cost of implementing Techion’s technology, the FECPAKG2 system, both in New Zealand and the UK. The project team includes meat processors Alliance Group from New Zealand, and the UK’s Dunbia and Randall Parker Foods.

Sainsbury’s is funding 50 per cent of the hardware – a FECPAKG2 unit with a total cost of NZ$800 – and 50 per cent of the monthly subscription cost for two years.

A standard subscription is NZ$70 per month, so a Sainsbury’s supplier will only pay NZ$35 per month.

Greg Mirams, founder and managing director of the animal parasite diagnostics company, Techion, is at the centre of the project.

He’s confident it will have a significant impact on farmers’ profit and efficiency here and in the UK.

Better decisions

“How well livestock perform is heavily impacted by parasites – they’re the largest influencing factor on animal performance, after nutrition,” says Greg.

“The problem of increasing drug resistance by parasites to the drenches designed to kill them means we have to be smarter on how and when we use them – so it’s important for farmers to make use of new technologies to make better decisions.”

By linking veterinary and technical expertise with information generated straight from the paddock, the FECPAKG2 system will give farmers data to make informed parasite management decisions, increasing farm profits, lamb performance and reducing treatment costs.

Balancing all the challenges farmers face isn’t easy, says Greg.

“They want to maximise animal performance, minimise drenching and labour costs while ensuring their totalfarm approach is sustainable, and they are producing a quality product for their customers,” says Greg.

“FECPAKG2 is a new generation, online system to help farmers get that balance right. Informed farmers make smarter decisions which deliver better results for the whole supply chain.”

Human error

Canterbury farmer Tony Plunket, whose property is already signed up to take part in the project, says it’s certainly an exciting concept.

“Testing the old way meant there was too much human error and it was taking too long. We’re using smart technology

much more these days.

“Techion’s system is user-friendly and puts accurate information at our fingertips so we can make a decision on the day whether we need to drench or not.”

Another farmer participating in the research, Warren Leslie agrees. “Animal health is a big expense to me – $6 a stock unit annually – and I want to make sure its money spent wisely, in a sustainable way.

Warren says as with any business, keeping your attention on bottom line benefits of every dollar spent is what counts.

Good sense

“Sainsbury’s and Alliance supporting this opportunity for us to use Techion technology makes good sense, as there are no better trials than those I can do on my own property.

“Getting information and research on available technologies is good, but it’s often a challenge to know 100 per cent whether they work, until they work on your own farm system,” says Warren.

A Sainsbury’s statement says the supermarket chain is very pleased to support and encourage the rollout of this new technology for sheep farmers in Sainsbury’s Producer Group. It is part of a wider programme of initiatives to support efficient, sustainable production as well as protecting and improving animal welfare in the lamb sector.

Sainsbury’s is committed to the view that frequent, accurate and reliable faecal egg counting on-farm, with veterinary support, will help encourage smarter, targeted use of anthelmintics and management strategies.

By working together with their own sheep farmers and leading technical experts, Sainsbury’s is adding value in the areas of monitoring and combating resistance.

The initiative is building on an already proven track-record of success. In a three-year EU Parasol Project, started in 2006, Techion’s original FECPAK system demonstrated what farmers can achieve.

The project saw 74 per cent of users reduce the number of drench treatments in lambs while not negatively impacting animal performance.

The latest release FECPAKG2 system looks set to achieve even greater results.

It removes many of the challenges of sending biological samples to a lab, or undertaking tests on-farm and has already undergone evaluation in the UK under the guidance of Dr Eric Morgan from Bristol University.

“It is encouraging that our work with the system has shown that FECPAKG2 is highly repeatable in the hands of different farmers in the field” says Eric.

Murray Beherent, general manager of Alliance Group – a key partner in Sainsbury’s New Zealand Producer Group – is also confident farmers will find the system beneficial and easy to use.

“It is high-tech, but Techion has made it simple to get actionable results on a computer, no matter where the farmers are, in a short-time frame,” says Murray.

COUNTRY LIVING

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Anthony – artist in residence at historic dairy factory Old New Zealand dairy factories have either disappeared or been given new life as something completely different. One of the more enduring and interesting transformations is just south of Katikati.

Part of the building began life as a butter factory built in 1902 but for more than 40 years it’s been home to the quirky and atmospheric Spanish-style Forta Leza Restaurant. And for two decades its doubled as a gallery for resident artist Anthony Warnes.

Anthony has lived in the ‘House Above the Brook’ next to the inn and displayed his paintings there on and off for 24 years.

The self-taught artist has a loyal following of art lovers in New Zealand and around the world, including many who own several of his impressionist style paintings.

Anthony’s art is also displayed in New Zealand galleries and he’s had exhibitions in the Auckland City Art Gallery and Te Papa.

Anthony is a somewhat shy artist, more keen to express himself through his work than talk about it.

He grew up in Tauranga and from about the age of five displayed such talent for drawing cartoon figures, his grandmother sent a portfolio off to Walt Disney in the USA. “I got a letter back saying not to stop drawing,” says Anthony.

Anthony Warnes, with one of his latest works: ‘Enchanted Garden’.

‘Picasso’s Attic’, by Anthony Warnes, on display at Forta Leza.

Artist Anthony Warnes has a talent for capturing light in his paintings.

Cats in hats

He took that advice and continued to draw what he calls “mad characters, such as cats with top hats” throughout his school years.

When he was in his early teens Anthony served as deckhand on a fishing charter boat operating out of Tauranga.

“On one occasion I was at the helm and not really paying attention. The skipper reckons I nearly hit a buoy. He banned me from the wheelhouse from then on, because he reckoned I could have sunk the boat.”

Anthony enjoyed his time at sea so much that fish, boats and the ocean feature strongly in his paintings. Gardening is another strong influence. “I like gardening, always have,” he says.

Anthony describes his distinctive and whimsical figurative works as a manifestation of his early cartoon drawings.

However, his landscapes are inspired by the great masters and early 19th Century New Zealand painters.

Enchanted Garden

Highly critical of his own work, Anthony says he’d like to re-work many paintings now in private ownership.

Among them in ‘Picasso’s Attic’, on display at Forta Leza. “I’d change that orange curtain if I could, but it’s not my painting any more so I can’t,” says Anthony.

One painting he’s happy with is a recent work called ‘Enchanted Garden’. It’s a large painting featuring stylised lilies. “I’m happy with this one. I think it’s one of the best I’ve done.”

Anthony’s techniques include pencil-thin brush strokes, textured effects achieved through the use of thickly applied paint, and striking use of light to highlight subjects. “I use brushes of all sizes, and my fingers at times.”

Forta Leza has many of Anthony’s works on display and for sale, and he’s often on hand to talk to visitors too.

By Elaine Fisher

COUNTRY LIVING

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Never underestimate the power of a garden In an instant, a garden can touch your heart, capture a mood, and soothe the soul.

Gardens are a moment in time. Yet creating that moment can be years in the making – or is it?

Mark and Debbie Osmond, owners and operators

and the team of Instant Effect Garden Nursery at Papamoa, help clients create a stunning garden today which will continue to evolve during time.

The couple purchased the property on which Instant Effect Garden Nursery is built 12 years ago and during this time have grown the business from

Customers are impressed with the quality and range of plants at Instant Effect Garden Nursery.

   

EMILIO’S TIMBERS EST1981

just buxus and topiary to now offering the total package, from the plants to design to full landscaping services.

“We opened retail shop seven years ago and constantly receive comments from customers on how impressed they are with the quality and range of plants on offer and the size of the centre,” says Mark.

That reaction reflects their aim to have the “variety to impress and knowledge to inspire”.

As well as plants, trees and shrubs, Instant Effect Garden Nursery offers on-site consultations, landscape design, landscape installation and construction and garden maintenance.

The garden nursery has a wide choice of plants including roses, camellia, fruit

trees, conifers, shrubs, New Zealand natives, palms, standards, topiary and evergreen, deciduous and flowering trees.

In addition to well-known examples, Instant Effect also has some more unusual and interesting plants and dwarf varieties too.

The centre has pots and landscape supplies to help complete the garden picture.

“Never underestimate the power of a garden – or its effect on your life.”

Instant Effect Garden Nursery is a friendly, family-owned business and Debbie says “some of our customers pop in just to see our two kune kune pigs at the nursery”.

Everything horsey available

The right gear for horse and rider is essential for an enjoyable hunt season.

Hoofcamp Saddlery is now into its sixth year of business and is still increasing its range of products.

New supplies continue to come onboard to enhance the wide range of gear, equipment, products and supplements for customers.

“We stock the new Cavallino ultra grip breeches – a great design for the hunt season,” says Hoofcamp co-owner Kathryn Dick.

“This range includes a men’s breech and three colour shades. If you want a good grip in your saddle on the hunt field, don’t miss out on your chance to wear this great new style. We have jackets, hunt stocks and pins, hip flasks and boots.”

The large second-hand corner with saddles and ‘everything else equestrian’ has reached more than 2000 items.

This service takes all of the hassle out of dealing with buyers for the private person selling gear.

Hoofcamp deal with questions and makes the sale for you. You just collect

your payment after the item is sold.

“We have some top quality secondhand saddles including Heritage Dressage, Anky Pessoa Dressage, Wintec General Purpose, Stubben Jump Saddle, CDT General Purpose saddle, FreeMax treeless, Western Saddle, made in Queensland, and stock saddles among many others. Some leather general purpose saddles cost from as little as $50.

“We also have an extra second-hand clearance area with some very low prices on items, including several racing bits and bridles that just need to go,” says Kathryn.

Hoofcamp’s workshop is busier than ever with everything imaginable coming in for repairs. Anything that needs a heavy duty machine, stitching, rivets, domes, clips, buckles or zips, they can do. Horse cover repairs are their specialty.

Get all your covers in now for a reproof and keep your horse warm and dry during winter.

COUNTRY LIVING

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Council change may impact rates Bay of Plenty ratepayers could lose control of the way dividends from Port of Tauranga shares are distributed if local body re-organisation is not well considered, warns Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder.

Doug made the statements in relation to talk of amalgamation of BOP local government bodies.

“If Local Government New Zealand gets a request to consider amalgamation of Bay of Plenty local bodies, it could take the opportunity to look at Quayside Holdings and the Port of Tauranga shares – and council could lose control of the process,” says Doug.

Quayside Holdings Limited currently provides $15.8 million a year in dividends to Bay of Plenty Regional Council to offset regional rates.

Since its establishment in 1991 it has paid more than $139 million to council and provides ongoing regional income from more than $700 million of investment assets.

In effect, through Quayside Holdings, the Port of Tauranga subsidises about one-third of rates paid to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council by ratepayers. Another third comes from funds council has invested, says Doug.

“The average rate paid to the regional council by ratepayers in the Western Bay of Plenty is around $166 and in Tauranga $196, compared to between $500 and $600 paid annually by ratepayers in the

Wellington region to their council.”

The Tauranga rate includes a targeted rate for public transport.

“The Bay of Plenty Regional Council, thanks to its port shares, is considered well off compared with others in the country.”

There are many individuals and organisations that believe they have a better idea of how to spend the port income than the regional council, says Doug.

It’s for this reason he’s encouraging ratepayers to get involved in council’s consultation processes.

“Council has statutory obligations to look after land, water and air. Everything else we do is elective and we need ratepayers to tell us what it is they want us to do with their money.”

In 2008, thanks to an agreement between the Inland Revenue Department and the Labour Minister of Finance Michael Cullen, Quayside was able to issue $200 million of Perpetual Preference Shares.

“The PPS allows the region to leverage its investment in the Port of Tauranga to a greater degree than would have otherwise been possible,” says Doug, who believes it’s a structure which would be unlikely to gain approval today.

The shares, held by more than 3500

shareholders, are tradable on the New Solid Food for Soils Zealand Exchanges NZDX market. The proceeds from the issue of these non-voting units provides the basis for the regional council’s $200m Infrastructure Fund, used for some of the region’s infrastructure development.

The way the Port of Tauranga is structured also means the port and its operations haven’t becomeDthe o l o“political Zest football” other ports, including the Port of Auckland, have.

CalciZest Quayside Holdings is a Council 0800 Con843 809 trolled Organisation established initially 07 362 7288 or goto to www.esi.org.nz acquire and manage the commercial investEco-Logic Soil Improvement ment of the council, which is its majority interest in the Port of Tauranga, which it holds through a subsidiary company.

Quayside’s benefits to the region include majority ownership of New Zealand’s most profitable and productive port, the Port of Tauranga Limited; $200 million of infrastructure funds raised for council through the PPS issue; $139 million plus in dividends paid to Bay of Plenty Regional Council to offset regional rates; and ongoing regional income from more than $700 million of investment assets.

Employment Law Services

By Elaine Fisher

Kiwifruit contractors breach employment laws Eighteen kiwifruit contractors have recently had enforcement action taken against them following an operation by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

MBIE undertook field visits, home and office visits, visits to self-pick orchards and visits to pack-houses. Thirty-five contractors were visited by the MBIE staff and 22 improvement notices were issued by MBIE. Immigration NZ identified eight illegal workers.

It is disappointing that the MBIE found more than half the contractors visited were in breach of their legal requirements.

Of particular concern during the visits was the lack

of acceptable time records.

The Employment Relations and the Holidays Act require employers to maintain wage, time, holiday and leave records, for their employees. Employee records must be made available to employees, their unions and the MBIE Labour Inspectors, if they ask for them.

Records can be kept in electronic or paper files and must be kept for six years. Free information and copies of template forms are available at www.dol.govt.nz/er or by calling 0800 20 90 20.

The MBIE has put employers on notice, especially kiwifruit contractors, that failure to maintain accurate time, wage and leave records is a key focus for the Labour Inspectorate.

If you are an employer, it is time to check your practices to ensure you are compliant with legislation.

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.

Spot the difference?

Skin Cancer is by far the most common cancer in New Zealand and the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise each year.

Skin Cancer can be life threatening, specifically melanoma if not treated early, so ensure you receive the right analysis and treatment at an early stage.

Call the Skin Centre today to arrange an examination.

Skin Cancer EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

171 Cameron Road, Tauranga Freephone: 0508 578 578 www.skincentre.com

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COAST & COUNTRY

Family-driven community in rural heartland “Why select Aparangi Village as your lifestyle choice?” asks general manager Jackie Long.

“For us here it’s simple. Built with passion and love for the people of our district we exist today as a large, integrated familydriven community to provide a safe and secure place to live for our older members of society.

“We not only offer care and companionship but a place where you can truly call home. Our rural community has many things to offer you despite its location.

“We have heart. Think of us not as a place for older people but a lifestyle choice. We would love to show you around Aparangi,” says Jackie.

Aparangi Village is in the rural township of Te Kauwhata, North Waikato, about 80 kilometres south of Auckland and 48 kilometres north of Hamilton.

Located on a picturesque 14.5 hectare location, Aparangi provides residents with an outstanding opportunity for a healthy, active lifestyle and provides a wide range of accommodation and residential care options with something to suit everyone, says Jackie.

As a registered charitable trust, under the auspices of the Te Kauwhata Retirement Trust Board, it has been an asset to the community since its inception in 1972.

The Te Kauwhata Bowling Club is sited adjacent to the village; and both a fitness centre and swimming pool are only short distances

Aparangi care unit manager Juliet Towers takes a golf cart, which is provided for use by residents, for a spin. away, as well as the renowned Waikere Golf Club.

As a resident becomes more dependent, it’s possible for them to move into the residential care unit, which is the heart of Aparangi, says Jackie.

“It is a group of 45 rooms with a choice of style and comfort.”

Residents, on the whole stay, in their own home, as they may progress through the care stages of rest home and hospital levels of care.

The essay

The blonde college girl was supposed to write a short story in as few words as possible for her English class. The instructions were it had to include religion, sexuality and mystery.

She was the only one who received an A+ and this is what she wrote: “Good God! I’m pregnant, I wonder who did it?”

RETIREMENT

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Sorted on retirement villages Moving into a retirement village is different from buying a house.

The financial arrangements are more complex and villages vary in their accommodation and facilities, services, support and care, legal and financial structures, philosophy and management.

A decision to move into a village is important as it has long-term personal and financial consequences.

The most common form of legal title with retire-

The Meridian Centre is a favourite place for residents to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Enduring ‘wow’ factor The newly opened Meridian Centre at Copper Crest Village Tauranga, not only provides a range of facilities for residents, it has “the wow factor” too.

The 1300m2 centre includes a gymnasium, two multi-function room, a library and cinema. There are two lounges.

One lounge is raised, with a fireplace and small kitchen, and a deck with unobstructed views of Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and the Kaimai Ranges.

The second lounge 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 indoor and outdoor bowling facilities, which include a six-lane bowling green.

There’s also a men’s hobby room too.

Fifteen new villa are about to be built in the village and Astrid says interest is so strong, some are already sold.

“The brief for our interior designer was to create a five star atmosphere with a wow factor, which will endure – and she’s more than achieved that,” says Copper Crest Village Estates village manager Astrid Martin.

“The centre is the most beautiful, stunning and vibrant facility, which residents love being in, using and sharing with friends and family.”

The public will have the opportunity to view the Meridian Centre during special open days on Sunday, September 21, and Monday, September 22.

“We will have a full programme of activities, including floral art and cooking demonstrations and dancing, and a lawyer will be on hand to explain the legal side of buying into the village,” says Astrid.

The centre is warm and cosy this time of year thanks to under-floor heating provided by a geothermal bore, with its water also passing The Meridian Centre at Copper Crest has through a heat exchanger to warm a heated indoor swimming pool. the indoor swimming pool and spa.

ment villages is a ‘licence to occupy’.

This gives residents the right to live in the unit but they don’t own the actual unit – often this means it’s not possible to borrow against the unit.

In many cases, residents do not share in any capital gain when they leave or transfer within the village.

There is useful information about retirement villages and other retirement options to be found on the website www.sorted.org.nz

COAST & COUNTRY

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trades & services

PHONE 0800 495 777

www.nativeawa.com

BER TR TIM E

public notice

personal

Keep your cows in milk over summer Plan your summer crops now • Pasture Sprayout

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Cultivation & Seeding

C908tbGorringe

Intensive native planting and floating wetlands

www.gorringebros.co.nz

Card

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NT ME AT

PEPP ER

FRE QUOTEE S!

e We servic of s e k a m ll a s p pum

Wednesday, August 20:

Direct Drilling

Animal Breeding Block Course

We do the complete job.

Book early—Call us on 07 549 1075

To be held at Taupo on August 20-22. Primary ITO offers agriculture training in all aspects of sheep and beef cattle farming. The three-day block course ideal for those new to farming, such as young shepherds. Cost $380. For information or to discuss your agri-training needs, call Primary ITO 0800 20 80 20.

cars wanted WE ALWAYS PAY MORE!

$1000 CASH per week

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of whole trees Removal• Removal / chipping/ ofchipping whole trees On site for chipping for pads stand off pads On site •chipping stand off • Wood chip for sale fishing charters Wood chip for sale Orchardremoval shelter removal Orchard• shelter • Stump removal Stump removal Woodlot marketing all tree species Woodlot• marketing of all tree of species

Dairy Womens’ Network Regional Group – East Waikato

Hose off your gumboots and put on a clean shirt and join us for a casual catch-up over lunch. Meet at Top Pub Morrinsville 11.30am-1.30pm.

A chance to chat to farming women who are just as glad for time away from the farm during this busy time. All welcome. Call Tania on 027 499 6510 with any questions.

Saturday, August 30:

Rotorua Kennel Assn Annual Conformation Dog Show

To be held on August 30-31 at Rotorua International Stadium, Devon Street West, Rotorua from 8.30am-4pm.

This is an excellent opportunity for people interested in breeds and potential buyers to come along and chat about their breeds, learn about pros and cons of each breed and whether they would fit into your lifestyle and home before making any decisions.

Please don’t bring pooches along, as refusal of entry may offend. Gate entry fee is a gold coin donation.

To list your rural event, for free please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

runon listings for sale

PULLETS Hy-line Brown, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com ONLY $20+gst for 20 words. Ph Aimee-Leigh 07 928 3042 today.

work wanted

GARDENER with weed eater, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, all tools seeks work. Will barter. Ph 07 5700 539

COAST & COUNTRY

feature properties & auctions ADVANTAGE REALTY LTD MREINZ

Page 63

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

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“her” Five-year-old Yana with abe McC ina Gal by in Sent calf.

Mikayla, 11, with her Kaimanawa pony ‘Lark’ and her kitten ‘Cruz’ enjoying the sunshine in the school holidays.

WINNER! Dinner time at Pomare racing stables: speechless.

Sent in by Leon Pomare.

Background Image: Snow on the Kaimai Ranges, Katikati.

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.

Our ninemonth-old son Maximus Martin and his new friend.

Sent in by Olivia Martin.

Amelia and Abi going on an adventure in notso-great weather.

Sent in by Rachel Stairmand.