Coast & Country Nov 2017

Tending the Amazing Iris Garden are Julia Crabtree, owner Wendy Begbie and Kerry Hunt.

Read the story of the rainbow flowers which grow there on pages 6-7. Photo Elaine Fisher.

Nectar of the Gods PAGE 9

Fishing Fun PAGE 19

Zespri Chief Executive PAGE 24-25

Maize PAGE 27-29

Feed Management PAGE 30-31

Rural Driver PAGE 44-45

Effluent Expo PAGE 54-57

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 2

Advocating on behalf of rural NZ The last few weeks of 2017 are going to be hectic for the new government, especially its ministers, as they come up to speed with their portfolios after nine years in opposition.

Brian Rogers Director/ Editor

Elaine Fisher Editor 07 928 3046

w w w . coa sta nd cou ntry new s. co. nz

Among those hoping to assist in that process will be the individuals and organisations who lobby on behalf of the primary sector and rural residents.

Katie Milne, Federated Farmers national president, has welcomed early signals from the Labour, New Zealand First and Greens government which include targeted spending in the regions.

She is also pleased that biosecurity will be boosted; that there’s increased spending on research and development and the government will honour existing Crown Irrigation investment commitments.

The Feds are concerned about if or when agriculture would be absorbed into the Emissions Trading Scheme and the financial impacts the rise in the minimum wage up to $20 by the year 2020 will have on small businesses, including farms.

HortNZ is also looking forward to the opportunity to talk to new ministers about the importance of its industry – see Mike Chapman’s column page 14.

While Labour appears to have moved away from a

water tax, HortNZ still has concerns it may not be completely off the agenda.

Forest Owners Association president Peter Clark says the priority put on new forest plantings by New Zealand First entering the coalition is very welcome – see page 21.

Rural Health Alliance of Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Michelle Thompson says the alliance needs to work with cabinet ministers for health and agriculture to identify rural health issues and come up with solutions. All three coalition parties have expressed a strong commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing services, she says.

New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Terry Copeland says the organisation is heartened that new Minister of Agriculture and Bio-security, Damien O’Connor, was a former NZ Young Farmer member.

“As a non-partisan organisation we work alongside all parties and we look forward to having discussions with the new team at the helm to see how we can both further the cause of the New Zealand primary sector.”

Damien is an example of the wider part the organisation plays in developing and training future leaders, Terry says.

Now, more than ever, primary industry and rural organisations funded by levies and subscriptions will be working hard to return benefits to their members by ensuring the new government understands the issues their sectors face.

Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Prolonged wet weather increases Psa-V concerns The exceptionally wet conditions of autumn, winter and spring are heightening concerns that there may be in increase in activity of the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V. Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Barry O'Neil says it is too early to judge what impacts Psa-V (Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae) infections will have on the 2018 kiwifruit season.

Those in the industry are hoping that New Zealand orchards don’t replicate what happened in France last season when wet weather through autumn, winter and spring resulted in an increase in Psa infections.

Isolated incidents

“We have been contacted by growers with orchards in the kinds of situations we would expect to be more prone to Psa – in colder, wetter areas such as Waihi, parts of the Waikato and Franklin, but so far these are isolated rather than general incidents.”

Younger vines are also more vulnerable to the disease than older, established vines which often have more tolerance to the disease.

One of the biggest issues for growers this winter has been the inability to get machinery into orchards because ground conditions are too wet.

“This has made it difficult for some to apply protective sprays. The continual wet weather has also made other tasks hard as working in orchards while vines are wet helps spread Psa. And when it hasn’t been raining, it’s been windy, preventing the application of sprays.

“Pre-flowering, growers have the opportunity to apply sprays, but what they can use and how often is more limited after Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Barry O’Neil. flowering. I really feel for growers trying “We are seeing some evidence in the gold G3 to get on top of orchard management this year.” variety but not at alarming levels. It is too early to Improve vine health say what is happening with green Hayward as that Improving drainage in orchards, reducing wind by variety is a few weeks behind gold in coming out of installing artificial shelter and improving vine health, dormancy.” including applying adequate fertiliser, are measures Barry says there was an increase in Psa-V evidence growers can also take to help control the disease. in G3 vines following the full moon in October.

“Don’t overly feed vines however, as that increases “That’s because the gravitational pull of the full vigour which can make Psa worse.” moon makes the sap flow stronger, making Psa In gold varieties Psa causes cane collapse but genercanker infections more obvious.”

Biological controls part of battle against vine disease New products to help kiwifruit growers in their constant battle against the vine disease Psa-V are likely to start being released next year, says Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Barry O'Neil.

Barry, who describes the first of these products as “exciting”, says they have been developed as part of the ongoing Psa research programme run by KVH in conjunction with Zespri Innovation into which $2 million of funding is invested each year.

The research programme was established in early 2011 and has enlisted the best scientific minds globally to provide solutions for

Psa-V. The results so far include a ‘toolbox’ for managing Psa-V, and significant progress in understanding plant physiology.

“The research has among its aims to discover what the triggers are for the disease and why we see it in some situations and not in others.

“We want to give growers more tools and more choices at a lower cost, and are also putting effort into finding biological applications. As an industry we don’t want to be overly reliant on copper and other sprays, but to move to more sustainable methods, including biological controls.

“Kiwifruit growers will probably always have some reliance on copper and other sprays but we

want to reduce their application.”

Among the promising and lowcost methods which has proved successful in green varieties is girdling the trunks 30 days before flowering.

“This method has been trialled in the past two seasons and has reduced the incidence levels of Psa flower infection by 50 to 70 per cent.”

The Zespri and Plant & Food breeding programme to find kiwifruit varieties which are even more tolerant of Psa is continuing too.

Barry says innovation is also coming from growers who are using their considerable knowledge and observation skills to come up with ways of managing the disease.

ally flowers are not infected. However, in the green varieties, Hayward, G14 and others, flowers can be infected, with leaf spotting the first sign of infection. This can affect both male and female flowers. If this occurs Barry says the use of artificial pollination will be beneficial.

The disease is usually most obvious in Hayward males as cankers with a red-coloured ooze and collapsed canes.

Risk model

KVH, which was established in December 2010 to lead the industry response to the Psa incursion, is now the lead organisation responsible

for managing biosecurity readiness, response, and operations on behalf of the kiwifruit industry.

Among its resources is the Psa-V Risk Model, an online, weather-based decision support tool to assist growers with orchard management in a Psa-V environment.

Actual weather station data and weather forecast information is combined to provide customised access to unique weather information, disease information and interpretations.

The tool and other Psa and industryrelated information can be found on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

Animal rights group may ‘have done sheep farmers a favour’ The animal rights activist group PETA may have done the New Zealand wool industry a favour with its latest campaign portraying woollen garments and fabrics as ‘unethical’ says Brent Mountfort, sheep farmer and chair of the Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers meat and fibre committee.

“These outrageous claims give sheep farmers and the wool industry the chance to highlight the benefits of wool and how ethical and sustainable

it is, especially when compared with synthetic fabrics.”

PETA’s latest campaign against wool claims shearing is cruel and that sheep are routinely abused and wounded during the process of removing fleece.

The international organisation has enlisted celebrities, including Pink, to speak out against the use of wool.

Its website features videos of sheep being abused in shearing sheds and suggests: “Use alternatives to wool, including cotton, cotton flannel, polyester fleece, synthetic shearing, and other cruelty-free fibres, as people with

Brent Mountfort is concerned that some people believe shearing sheep for wool is cruel and are boycotting wool in favour of synthetic fibres.

wool allergies have been doing for years. Vegan wool is easy to find, and it will keep you warm and cosy without contributing to cruelty”.

Brent says in New Zealand any shearer who wounds or treats sheep badly is quickly dismissed from the wool shed. “Farmers care about their animals and they are also their livelihood so farmers are not going to have them injured.

Hair cut for sheep

“Shearing is not unlike us having a haircut and is necessary for the health and welfare of the sheep.

Otherwise they’d be carrying up to five kilos of wool year round which would be pretty uncomfortable when it’s hot.”

Brent says from an environmental and sustainable viewpoint, wool wins every time over synthetic fabrics

AUCTION

which are made from petroleum products.

It takes about five times as much energy to produce one kilogramme of nylon and more than twice the amount of energy to produce one kilogramme of polyester as it does to produce one kilogramme of wool.

“Wool also sequests carbon. One kilogramme of clean wool stores about 1.8kg of carbon dioxide.”

The Australian wool industry claims that carbon makes up to half of wool's composition. If this is true, it would represent a carbon store of 64,000 tonnes from sheep in New Zealand.

Energy savings

The attributes of wool for clothing, fabrics and carpets are impressive too, says Brent. Wool is warm, ‘breathable’, biodegradable, fire-resistant and renewable. ...continued

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 5

Environmentally, wool wins over synthetic production continued...

It’s also naturally insulating and when used in carpets, curtains or as insulation in walls and ceilings, it saves on household energy costs.

“There’s also some research into how to turn wool into edible protein.”

However, much of the innovative research into new uses for wool in New Zealand has ground to a halt now there is no levy to fund it. Bruce says this is disappointing because many potentially exciting and lucrative research projects have not made it into commercial production.

Not killed for fleece

Most New Zealanders know sheep which are shorn for wool are returned to the paddock, but in some overseas countries people believe that sheep are killed to get their fleece.

“It’s hard to change that kind of misinformation

when people in cities have no contact with farming, but as an industry we must do that.”

The Mountfort family farm at Manawahe is a stunning example of sustainable and ethical sheep farming which is why in 2008 Brent’s parents Chris and Antoinette Mountfort won the supreme award in the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

The couple spent 40 years converting a scrubcovered block of land at Manawahe, just north of Matata, into what is described as “one of the most attractive, sustainable and productive farms in the Whakatane district”.

They bought the first 126ha block in 1966 and with a baby on the way (Brent), struggled through some difficult years. Today Brent manages the property alongside his father and the farm has increased to 280ha, of which 180ha are effective.

Brent has continued in the family tradition of retiring and fencing out waterways and gullies, planting up to 20,000 trees and carrying out ongoing pest control.

Production lifts

“By retiring marginal areas we have protected the environment, encouraged more bird life and even though we are effectively farming less land, the profits have increased.”

That’s because, says Brent, the protected areas were those which didn’t grow good grass so needed more fertiliser and weed control or were subject to erosion.

They were also areas where stock could fall into holes or be hard to move from.

“We are also more focused on our good pasture, and clover growth has increased largely because we have beehives which have improved pollination. Careful grazing ensures clover has the chance to grow and is not out-competed by other pasture species. We use very little nitrogen fertiliser” The farm’s average lamb weight of 15.5kg increased last season to 18.9 kg and lambing went to 150 per cent since switching to Coopworth sheep.

Elaine Fisher

Very much alive – ewes and lambs grazing on the Mountfort farm.

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Page 6

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Rainbow flowers named for Greek goddess

Tending the flowers at the Amazing Iris Garden are from left Julia Crabtree, owner Wendy Begbie and Kerry Hunt.

Wendy Begbie didn’t realise she had inherited her mother’s love of iris flowers until, as an adult, she saw a painting of her mother’s garden.

“My mother, Margaret Dodge, was a great gardener. I think she

had me out in the garden with her probably before I could walk,” says Wendy, owner of the Amazing Iris Garden and nursery near Katikati.

“I knew mum loved flowers but I didn’t know the names of what she grew. It wasn’t until I saw a painting my aunt had done that I realised mum grew lots of irises so I guess that’s where I got my love of the flowers from. Mum would have loved this iris garden,” says Wendy, who grew up at Rerewhakaaitu.

Unfortunately Margaret died 25 years ago but Wendy must have absorbed her passion for the ‘rainbow flowers’ by osmosis because from a home gardener’s interest in the flowers, she is now a commercial grower.

As well, Wendy and husband Dave are dairy farmers. “Iris flowers have been among my favourites. I just wanted to keep collecting them.

Every time I saw a new colour I wanted it.”

Iris gardens

Sixteen years ago Wendy decided to become a commercial grower and for several years grew the flowers on leased land. Around 10 years ago she and Dave bought a three-hectare property in Walford Rd, just south of Katikati and began contouring it for iris gardens.

That included cutting into a hillside to provide enough flat land for the tens of thousands of plants which now grow there.

The garden has around 1500 different varieties of iris, which takes its name from the Greek word

for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow.

Wendy reckon it’s appropriate because of the wide variety of colours found in the flowers. “There is more variety in iris colours than any other flowers.

Irises, however, do not come in reds as in roses, but there are burgundy and deeper tones.”

Louisiana irises

It’s these showy colours Wendy likes best. “The yellows and whites are nice but I love these kind of colour combinations,” she says, gently touching the flower of a Peaches and Wine Louisiana Iris. In 2006 'Peaches and Wine' was selected as the winner of The Mary Swords DeBaillon Medal which is the highest award for an iris bestowed by the Society for Louisiana Irises.

“Louisiana Iris doesn’t mind growing in damper conditions. The tall bearded iris, on the other hand, like hot, dry conditions.”

The gardens also grow median and dwarf varieties and day lilies too.

“The iris we grow are propagated from rhizomes. Lifting and dividing the plants is one of the biggest jobs in the garden, along with weeding.

“We dig our irises in December and February for delivery, as this is the best time in our area to move and divide bearded irises. The irises are transported bare-rooted and the plant is quite happy but it has to be planted shortly after our customers receive it.” ...continued

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7

Childhood days in garden with Mum inspired love of irises continued...

Nursery supervisor Jo Tidman with a catalogue of just some of the flowers in the Amazing Iris Garden collection.

This year’s exceptionally wet weather delayed the flowering of iris plants and just before Labour Weekend when the garden should have been a rainbow of colour, many blooms were yet to open. However, Wendy and the team of nursery supervisor Jo Tidman and staff Kerry Hunt and Julia Crabtree were philosophical.

“The flowers will open and we have until the first week in December for people to come and enjoy them,” says Wendy.

Flower enthusiasts

Improved facilities have been added this season to cater for the often large groups of flower enthusiasts from all over the country who visit the gardens.

“Most of our visitors are from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty but we do get groups from Wellington who make a special trip to see the gardens and enjoy other attractions in the area.”

New Zealand’s strict and costly biosecurity regulations mean Wendy hasn’t imported new varieties for around 10 years. “However, we can bring in seed and it takes about five years from planting the seed to having plants available for sale.”

Wendy, who has a full-time job away from the garden, hopes to find time in future to begin breeding her own varieties. Maybe she’ll name one for her mother Margaret.

The Amazing Iris Garden at 122 Walford Rd, just off Work Rd, South of Katikati, is open Thursday to Sunday from Labour Weekend to December, 9.30am-4pm and outside these times by appointment.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Organic ‘nectar of the gods’ wins award

On just one day each season, 30-yearold Muscat grapes normally reserved for wine-making are handpicked and pressed at Millton Vineyard near Gisborne to produce an award-winning grape juice whose name means ‘nectar of the gods’.

“We bottle Amrita Grape Juice in an old-fashioned glass ‘milk bottle’ which shows off the juice’s luminous golden colour,” says Sam Millton.

It was his father James Millton who decided to make a non-alcoholic beverage from the vineyard’s biodynamically-grown grapes.

“The idea was to export the juice to India but due to local popularity that hasn’t happened so far,” says Sam. Meanwhile, the grape juice has found favour in New Zealand with those keen to enjoy an alcohol-free beverage – to use as a mixer for cocktails, or in cooking.

It also won over judges in the 2017 Farmers’ Markets New Zealand Food Awards who awarded Millton Winery’s Amrita grape juice the title of winner in the ‘most delicious beverages’ section.

“That was a really nice section to win,” says Sam who sells the juice at the Gisborne Farmers Market where he enjoys demonstrating its versatility.

Called an elixir

“It’s great as a drink just as it is. The juice is full of goodness. We call it an elixir. Nothing is added. It’s all fruit, pressed one day, allowed to settle and then bottled.”

Amrita is described as “full-bodied flavours, deliciously sweet and intensely fragrant, it is the perfect refreshment whether served chilled on ice, mixed with mineral water or as your favourite cocktail mixer. 100 per cent pure grape juice, with no added colouring, flavouring or preservatives and abundantly packed with health-giving antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins, Amrita is a unique tasty treat”.

At winter farmers’ markets Sam gently warms the juice and adds a range of spices, turning it into a mulled drink. “When it’s warmer I make ‘mocktails’, adding ice and lime, lemon grass or cucumber to show how versatile it is.”

Jelly for desert

As well as sales at the market and through the winery’s website, the juice is also available from liquor stores and health food shops around New Zealand.

Restaurants order the juice too and many chefs use it to in their dishes, including as a jelly for desert, while bar staff use the juice in cocktails.

Page 9

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Millton Vineyard, New Zealand's first certified organic vineyard and winery, was established by James and Annie Millton on the banks of the Te Arai River near Manutuke in 1984.

Millton was the first producer in New Zealand to attain BioGro certification for organic wine production in 1989. Having practiced traditional methods of cultivation and production centred on biodynamic principles since inception, Millton was also the first winegrower in the Southern Hemisphere fi certification Demeter in to gain the biodynamic certifi 2009. The winery has won a series of national and international awards for its wines.

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Page 10

Trekking the great outdoors for charity What a journey!

Since its beginning in 2006 The Great NZ Trek has completed 12 successful stages covering New Zealand from Cape Reinga in the far North to Omakau in the deep South, equalling a total of 2262km.

Trustee Kitty Johnson says it’s not just the trekking that attracts people, but the camaraderie and friendships made.

“This is the perfect way to see the real New Zealand, gaining access to land not normally accessible to the public. The hot showers, flush toilets

The Great NZ Trek is described as the perfect way to see the real New Zealand.

and fabulous catering are just the icing on the cake.”

Horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers join together for a week each year.

The route is marked to allow people to travel at their own pace so you can trek in groups or on your own. There is no other event quite like this in New Zealand.

“The reason we do this is to raise funds for multiple sclerosis and we are proud to be associated with The Malaghan Institute which is able to explore new avenues of research with

the funds we have donated,” says Kitty.

To date The Great New Zealand Trek Trust has raised $348,900 and with two more years before the trek reaches Bluff, hopes to raise a grand total of $500,000.

“This couldn’t be done without a

hard-working team of volunteers.

It’s really great to see a lot of the same ones coming back each year. There is something special about this event that words can’t explain…you just have to come and experience it for yourself,” says Kitty.

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Page 12

EASTERN BOP FOCUS

Focusing on peak performance rather than cow numbers The term ‘peak cow’, referring to the national dairy herd, is gaining relevance for more farmers at an individual level as they turn from peak cow numbers to peak per-cow performance.

Bay of Plenty/Hawkes Bay/Central Plateau breeding consultant Will Blakeway says the re-focus is evident in calls he is receiving from a growing number of farmers.

“The rising price of land, combined with everincreasing environmental pressures, is resulting in more farmers looking to improve the quality of their herd so they can improve and increase their farm’s profitability with the same or less cows.”

Will, originally from South Africa, grew up on his family’s Kwa-Zulu Natal dairy, beef and sheep farm where he developed a fascination for the expression

Whakatane dairy farmer Graham Lyford and Will Blakeway of World Wide Sires. of genetics in animal conformation and production.

He emigrated with his young family to New Zealand a decade ago, gaining a sales and advisory role for LIC in the Bay of Plenty which he held for eight years.

Following a restructure, Will was approached by World Wide Sires to head the global marketing arm of the world’s largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Central Plateau.

Elite bulls

“It was a fantastic opportunity and one I jumped at because the company is in the business of producing cows which meet the production needs of farmers in more than 90 countries around the world, from grass-based to TMR systems.

XR190 Ad_Dealer Version Aug 2017.indd 2

XR190 Ad_Dealer Version Aug 2017.indd 2

“There isn’t another company in the world with the size and depth of their genetic database, providing me with a real tool to help my farmers address the conformation and health issues which are now becoming common on farms around the country.

This can only continue to improve as World Wide Sires have just increased their investment in producing the next generation of elite bulls, from US$8 million to over US$24 million per annum.”

Will says that he regularly speaks with farmers who are having to cull an unacceptably high percentage of their heifer replacements because they lack the physical fundamentals required of a commercial dairy cow.

Whakatane dairy farmer Graham Lyford says the level of inbreeding in his 180-cow herd caused him to move breeding companies to World Wide Sires.

In-breeding

“It wasn’t until I got a printout from the company I had been with, advising what bulls I shouldn’t put over certain cows, that I realised the extent of inbreeding in the herd. I was shocked to see how many of the bulls couldn’t be used on a lot of cows; it was annoying mucking around having three or four different bulls in the row I would mate during milking. When I tried to get an outcross bull they all still seemed to come from the same family,” Graham says.

“That was when I moved to World Wide Sires. We run an organic farm with once-a-day milking and are changing the breed composition to Jersey because they seem to handle OAD well.

23/08/17 3:08 PM

23/08/17 3:08 PM

EASTERN BOP FOCUS

Temperament a priority Whakatane dairy farmer Graham Lyford is pleased with the quality of these calves.

“I don’t really care about BW and PW, but I do want good producers. To me, milking speed, shed temperament, udder composition and capacity come ahead of the ‘so-called’ best bulls with unbelievably high BW. “I’m in the dairy every day so it’s important that the cows have great temperament and milk well. If they lack either of those traits, they go.”

In 2016, Graham and Sharon made the decision to go 100 per cent World Wide Sires. “We got Will Blakeway in to inspect the herd and he recommended bulls which would improve the overall type and production of the herd.” The result of those matings is now on the ground with calves which Graham’s father, Rob, says “look good considering the bloody hard winter and spring we are having.”

The real test, Graham says, is when these calves go into the herd in two years’ time. “Our goal is to maintain or improve production with the same or less cows and the way these calves look, behave and are growing makes me feel confident we’re on the right track.”

Conformation issues

About an hour east of Whakatane, Andrew Brown has also moved away from the New Zealand gene pool to address quality issues in his herd.

The Gabriels Gully 184-hectare farm milks 400 cows, predominantly Holstein/Friesian and Crossbred cows once a day, but inconsistencies in the size of the cows, coupled with conformation issues, led to Andrew reviewing the genetics he had been using.

“We’re getting inconsistencies across the herd – small, medium and large – which creates problems in a herringbone milking shed where the smaller cows get pushed around. Our goal is to gradually change the herd to moderate-sized Holstein/Friesians with high components and the udder support and capacity necessary to handle once-a-day milking. The farm is a mix of flats and hills so they also need to have strong legs and feet.

“The New Zealand-based breeding companies tend to have similar genes. It’s a narrow pool and we’ve been seeing the results in the quality – or lack of it – in our heifers. This year, for example, we have had to cull 20 per cent of our replacement heifers which is a horrendous figure.

“It is very frustrating to spend two years growing and caring for these young animals and then have them come into the herd with small, poorly-attached udders, sickle or cow hocks and narrow pin bones so there’s no room for a decent udder, poor teat placement and blind teats. It’s an experience we couldn’t afford to repeat, and

we won’t.” In 2016 the Browns moved 50 per cent of their mating plan to World Wide Sires to take advantage of their large gene pool with sires which will address the conformation and performance issues evident in the herd.

Compare calves

“Going 50 per cent meant we could compare the resulting calves with the breeding company we’d been using.” Based on the comparison, Andrew will this year put 95 per cent of the herd to World Wide Sires.

“There’s a visible difference between the width of the muzzles with the World Wide Sires’ calves and the others, which they need in order to graze efficiently.

There’s a lot more calf; they’re noticeably bigger and stronger and they calved easily. They hit the ground running and have been a breeze to rear.”

Andrew’s father, Jack who looks after calkf rearing says the difference between the “two crops of calves” is easily seen. “If they’re as good as heifers as they are as calves, we’ll achieve our aim, but only time will tell.”

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Page 13

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 14

Getting horticulture in front of the new government New Zealand now has a new government, led by the Labour Party, with New Zealand First and the Green Party.

Much has already been said about how unique this is – three parties with strong views banding together to govern New Zealand.

All of their policies point to wanting New Zealanders to do well and we believe access to healthy food will be an important part of the mix. So we now have a great opportunity to talk to the new ministers and their staff about our horticulture story – the opportunities and challenges.

Our number one issue is biosecurity. At Horticulture New Zealand we are expanding our biosecurity team from one to three experts so

we can assist the industry in being fully prepared and ready to meet the biosecurity challenges that, doubtless, are coming our way.

It is vital that the new government understands how important it is to maintain very high controls at our borders and continues to enhance the protections already in existence.

More importantly, the government must keep funding flowing into response preparation so that we can respond quickly and hopefully eradicate any new pest.

Stink bug

Number one on our list is the brown marmorated stink bug and our number one job – industry and government working together – is to prepare our response.

With our borders secure from biosecurity threats, the three key ingredients for successful growing

are land, water and labour. In each of these areas, in conjunction with the product groups, associations and companies that make up the horticultural industry, we have programmes running. We need to acquaint the new government with these programmes and seek their continued support.

Protecting high value land for growing fruit and vegetables is one of our very strong campaigns.

The point we are making is that New Zealand needs to be able to feed itself with fresh, locally-grown produce and not have to rely on imported produce.

There are some areas in New Zealand, such as Pukekohe, that are particularly well-suited to

growing. These areas need to be protected through government policy. What many people do not realise, for example, is that Pukekohe provides the spring vegetables that feed New Zealand.

If Pukekohe expands with 50,000 houses, as per the Auckland plan, that puts our ability to feed ourselves at risk. We cannot always rely on other countries to have food available for us at a reasonable price.

Water is also a critical – nothing grows without it. One of the key points for the incom- ing government is access to water, and not with a water tax. Access to water and the management of discharges are Resource Management Act issues. To effectively meet our obligations to the growers we represent and to deal with these issues, Horticulture New Zealand has also expanded our RMA team with the appointment of two expert planners, one based in Auckland and the other in Christchurch.

Water policy

We want to be much more proactive and develop national planning statements to assist our work with councils across the country.

Water policy is complex. No one pays for water in New Zealand. By law, urban New Zealand only pays for water treatment and infrastructure. There can

be confusion as councils charge on a volumetric basis, but urban dwellers are still not paying for the water itself.

Rural New Zealand also pays for water consents and the infrastructure required to irrigate. So we will be asking the new government to treat all New Zealand water users equally and to be very clear about the intentions of any new water-use policy, and very aware of the unintended impacts that may occur, such as increasing the price of healthy food.

We are preparing an evidence-based case against a water tax, including looking at how it might bump up the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables. While there is speculation the water tax is off the table for now, at the time of writing no policies had been confirmed.

Reliable labour

We think anything that discourages New Zealanders from eating healthy food needs careful consideration, given the prevalence of health problems related to poor diet. The downstream cost through the health budget is reason enough to spend time and effort on programmes to encourage healthy eating, which is another one of our election manifesto points we will be taking to the new government.

Finally, we need skilled and reliable labour. We need to attract talent to horticulture as we have incredible careers on offer. This is no easy task and as an industry we need to partner with government on this, including on getting training tailored to industry needs.

We are looking forward to making good progress on these issues in the coming months.

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 15

Council’s new plan provisions entirely predictable The Waikato District Council recently held an open day for stakeholders as an introduction to its thinking on the proposed District Plan.

It is now quite advanced, with notification due soon, although it still lacks much detail.

It couldn’t have been more predictable in my opinion. The council has long indicated that it would see the back of transferable titles (a means of subdividing rural properties) and this has been confirmed. There is no mention of them at all in the proposed rules. This technique was a ‘title-neutral’ concept that played out in the old Franklin District, effectively enabling titles to move from one place to another.

Lifestyle lots

With these gone it appears that council intends to provide ‘Franklin owners’ a path to subdivide small lifestyle lots from a larger title that hasn’t been divided recently. This

method of subdivision has been available to those in the south under the old Waikato District Plan for many years.

However, in bringing the two parts of the district together under one subdivision rule, it is clear that council will propose a much larger ‘parent lot’ size than the current 20ha. That means if your title qualifies on age, it will perhaps also need to be 40ha in size before you can subdivide, and I believe the regional council will see to that. The lifestyle block will likely be limited in size to something under two hectares. The current minimum ‘parent lot’ size is 20ha in the old area, with a new lifestyle limitation of 1.6ha to protect productive land.

This regime will have the effect of moving the lifestylers well out into the coun-

tryside where there will be an impact on roads and travel times, but council seem to accept this aspect.

In a rather bizarre twist council is proposing to reduce the benefits currently available to farmers protecting natural ecosystems in the subdivision process. They propose to reduce the number of lots available to a maximum of two, no matter how much bush or wetland you propose to protect.

on to your current rights.

It seems that the opportunity for transferable titles is all but history now, with these titles extremely hard to come by anyway, however if you have any interest in subdividing a title over 20ha in size in the old Waikato Rural Zone now is the time to move. The proposed new rules are imminent.

If you are interested to find out what opportunities for your land might potentially be lost, feel free to give me a call and discuss your situation without delay.

Environmental effort

At submission time I’m sure there will be pressure to make this rule more flexible in order to protect more native bush, while giving farmers some significant reward for their environmental effort.

The new rules will come around fast and you will have an opportunity to make submissions to them.

However, taking action now is by far the best approach and the only guarantee to hold

Leptospirosis vaccination of young Leptospirosis remains a serious threat to the health and livelihood of all people who either work with, or simply come into contact with animals on farm.

Leptospirosis is a known human health risk (aka zoonosis) with disease transfer well-recognised from a variety of animal species to people.

Those most at risk include farm workers, vets, meat workers and hunters.

While routine control of lepto in New Zealand dairy cattle has improved thanks to widespread vaccination, evidence remains that there is still room for improvement on all types of rural properties. Every year almost 100 cases of leptospirosis are reported in humans, and it is estimated that the numbers of unreported or undiagnosed cases are even higher.

Leptospirosis vaccination of young calves is important to protect those most vulnerable on-farm. It is also a formative part of evaluating risk factors on-farm and undertaking preventative measures to manage this easily transmissible disease. Current recommended precautions based on recent New Zealand studies include:

• Vaccinating all livestock under advice from your veterinarian. It is essential that calves are vaccinated and protected before they become infected as vaccination will not clear an established infection. For spring-calving herds, two doses of vaccine before Christmas are needed.

• Do not keep pigs on dairy farms or have unvaccinated pigs or their effluent in contact with other livestock.

• Control rodents and wildlife.

Seek advice on baiting and trapping, vermin-proof buildings and feed stores.

The emergence of Leptospira tarassovi and the presence of Leptospira ballum suggest that rodents may be involved in spreading infection to livestock.

• Minimise contact with animal urine through the use of personal protective equipment, good hygiene practices and taking care to avoid any other risky exposures eg effluent, aborted material, assisting calving, home kill, hunting.

• Be aware and share your awareness.

Remember others can be exposed when on your farm. If you have a ‘flu-like’ illness seek medical help early and raise the suspicion of lepto to your doctor.

For further information about early calf lepto vaccination and lepto control on your property, speak with your local vet clinic today.

Phone: 07 362 8433

FAMILY OWNED & RUN SINCE 1981

Page 16

RURAL WEDDINGS

Personal approach to floral designs ‘Flowers by Tami’ is a Bay of Plenty-based florist which specialises in wedding flowers.

Owner/operator Tami Hadfield has more than 20 years’ experience creating and designing with flowers.

She has owned her own business for six years and

flowers are her passion. “When I’m at ‘work’ it doesn’t feel like it. My point of difference is my personal approach to each and every customer. All my customers deserve outstanding customer service so I work hard at going the extra mile,” says Tami.

“One of my favourite things in the whole world

is creating wedding flower arrangements. From consultation to everything coming together on the big day – I love it all,” she says.

Tami loves to share the excitement of the planning and the delight in preparing and producing stunning wedding flowers. This includes meeting with the bride and groom and hearing their ideas and dreams and then creating the wedding flower arrangements to suit individual style and the wedding theme.

Flowers are a passion, says Tami Hadfield of Flowers

by Tami.

Tami always enjoys the on-site work of dressing the venue with florals and foliage for the wedding day.

“I create. But the ideas and aspirations come from each bride or couple.

You may have a whole book of ideas which I can help narrow down, or I can help you with ideas for something a bit different and informal, or choose flower arrangements that are more traditional and sophisticated.

“Flowers for your special day, designed just for you.”

Wedding arrangements are exciting but can also be stressful. To help you choose the right florist, take a look at the fantastic reviews and options on the Flowers by Tami website.

“I would love to talk wedding flowers with you. Feel free to get in touch for a free consultation.”

Wedding show has new venue The 2018 Grand Wedding Show in Auckland has a new venue – ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane.

“We are very excited to be launching our next show at the ASB Showgrounds which is the home of exhibitions and events and will be a fantastic set-up for the Grand Wedding Show,” says show

LakeRotorua

director Lisa Charteris. The show is happening on Sunday, April 22, 2018 which Lisa says is always a fantastic time of the year. “This first big wedding show of the year is for brides eager to see ideas and start planning their big day after Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day engagements.”

COUNTRY LIVING

Helping relieve joint pain Back in 2011, there was some interesting emerging research that suggested the traditional osteoarthritis supplements were perhaps targeting the wrong ingredient. Most supplements were heavily weighted towards glucosamine sulphate with a smaller amount of chondroitin sulphate commonly referred to as CS. As a result of this research I completely reformulated my joint supplement. I did two things. Firstly, I increased CS to 380mg per capsule and secondly, added a 95 per cent curcumin (turmeric) extract. This gave a maintenance dose of 760mg of CS. Almost immediately clients reported better results on the new formulation. These results were increased where we added one to two months on a double dose of four capsules daily, which delivered over 1500mg of CS. Over the past few years there has been still more quality research into the benefits of CS, especially with knee osteoarthritis. Just last year a study looked at even higher levels of CS – at 1200mg daily –and compared this with a leading COX-2 selective anti-

inflammatory arthritis medication.

The study was over two years and used MRI to establish the benefits. This was a high-quality, double-blind placebo controlled trial involving 200 people over 24 months. It concluded that while both groups had similar improvements in comfort, MRI analysis showed the CS group had much greater reduction in cartilage loss.

This finding was consistent with five other studies looking at the benefits of CS for knee osteoarthritis. While most of the studies have been with knee osteoarthritis, I have found that most joints affected by osteoarthritis can be helped.

While such studies are useful, it is really all about what happens to an individual with osteoarthritis. This is why I prefer to create a personalised programme which takes many factors such as age, weight, medications, diet and exercise into consideration.

For more information give me a call or email john@abundant.co.nz

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John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut. Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz Join his full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz

Abundant Health Bettaflex Super Joint Formula What is Bettaflex?

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Listening to teenagers Listening to teens' perspectives gave adolescents in two very different cultures - the US and Ghana - a stronger sense of self-worth, helped them avoid depression and made them more motivated and engaged, say US scientists.

However, allowing teens to make decisions about their lives only benefited the US kids and not the Ghanaians, which may be because US teens see themselves as independent, whereas Ghanaian teens think of themselves as part of a family unit, suggest the researchers.Those are the conclusions of a new study by researchers at Clark University that looked at approaches to parenting teenagers in the two countries. The study appears in the journal Child Development.

“In our study, helping adolescents feel that their perspective mattered was helpful to youths—in both Ghana and the United States—while the role of decision making and choice differed between the two cultures,” says Kristine N. Marbell- Pierre, head of guidance and counseling at Ghana International School, who was at Clark University when she led the study.

Page 17

How can Bettaflex help?

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• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.

• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.

• Curcumin from turmeric helps to balance joint immune function to support joint health • Research suggests chondroitin is effective only at levels of over 700mg daily.

John Arts comments:

“I formulated Bettaflex based on the latest research into natural compounds that can help with joint support and function. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend a double dose for the first 1-2 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

(John Arts, Founder Abundant Health Ltd)

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 18

Grooming cattle part of teenager’s ‘ideal’ holiday Singles from $699, King singles from $799

“If you’d offered Tayla a trip to Fiji to lie in the sun or to the Melbourne show where she had to work hard, she’d take the show experience every time,” says Tayla’s mum Brenda who accompanied her daughter to the show.

The opportunity to attend and help handle Speckle Park animals came when Jason Keays of Fish Creek Farm, South Gippsland, Victoria asked Tayla to be the handler for one of his Speckle Park heifers at the show.

He’d learned of Tayla’s talent for handling cattle when she won 2017 Royal Easter Show’s supreme Speckle Park bull trophy with M&M, the young bull she bought from John and Jan Bellamy, owners of Below Sea Level Speckle Park stud at Ruawai in Northland.

The Bellamys have since provided Tayla with a Speckle Park Heifer so she can begin a pure breed programme.

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Mucking out stalls, clipping the coats of cattle and gluing their tails might not sound like a teenage girl’s dream holiday – unless of course that girl is 13-year-old Tayla Hansen of Taupiri.

Tayla, who spent part of her school holidays grooming and showing Speckle Park cattle at the Melbourne Royal Show, loved every minute of the experience – even shovelling cow poo.

Australian adventure Tayla Hansen handling a reserve champion Speckle Park bull at the Melbourne Royal Show.

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“This was just the start of my Australian adventures with this amazing breed that I have grown to love.

I wouldn’t of had this experience without John and Jan Bellamy of Below Sea Level having their amazing stock and the belief and trust in me to buy M&M,” says Tayla.

“To all those who were a part of this experience with me I'm forever grateful. This trip was something I’ll never forget.

“It is pretty cool to know I am part of a breed with such a promising future in the beef industry.”

Speckle Park was the feature breed at the 2017 Melbourne show with around 90 animals taking part, significantly more than the 10 or so seen at a New Zealand show.

The cattle are a pure British breed which is a combination of Red Roan Shorthorn, Angus and White Park and have several colour patterns, the most distinctive of which include speckled features.

Most New Zealand breeders prepare and parade their animals themselves but at the Melbourne show professionals skilled in various aspects of grooming and handling carried out that role.

“Tayla got to work with a number of those people who took the time to show her how they prepare and show animals which was a wonderful opportunity,” says Brenda.

As well as showing a heifer called Victoria’s Secret for Fish Creek Farm, Tayla also helped with animals from AAA Speckle Park stud of New South Wales and Hanging Rock Speckle Park Stud from Victoria.

The cost of Tayla and Brenda’s trip to Melbourne was supported by generous donations including through a Givealittle page – something the family found heartening and for which they are very grateful. Tayla’s goal of pursuing a career in beef genetics has been reinforced by her Australian experience and she hopes to return to take part in a stock-handling camp in future.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 19

School holiday fishing trip fun A recent school holiday fishing trip saw two families get out to sea to enjoy themselves.

so moved on to some cleaner waters.

We found another spot in 50m full of tarakihi, which we loaded up on before making our way back in.

Skipper Tane Braithwaite says the Te Kuia has been having a makeover over the past few months.

In between some showers and mostly torrential rain and wind, we have been painting from bow to stern.

The inaugural trip was when group of keen anglers headed out to Tuhua and the deep fishing grounds for a spot of hapuka/bluenose fishing.

The weather was perfect for that type

We boarded the Ratahi and trundled off along the front of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, with the idea of working along the sand in the hopes of finding some snapper.

This was not to be the case as, while we travelled, we came across some reasonable fish sign and stopped for a nosey. After about 20 minutes they started biting and we managed to find a good feed of John Dory and tarakihi.

Most of the snapper were undersized and were returned to the ocean to grow up.

This did not deter the young anglers aboard as they were kept busy catching fish along with their parents. Even Grandad got in on the action with a nice John Dory.

Wednesday consisted of a private

A good day’s fishing – Tom Mayne with his catch.

Below: Fishermen with a trio of bluenose.

charter with a small family group originally from South Africa and now living in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.

Much the same as the previous day, we headed off along the front towards Papamoa looking for a feed of snapper.

By the change of the tide we had managed to catch up with them. Within an hour or two we gathered up a hearty

Above: Zac Mills enjoyed his fishing trip. bin of good-sized snapper. Very few throwbacks going over the side and a great day had by all, with a bit of kingi action thrown in, bringing some excitement for the younger anglers.

This crew returned home with their spoils for the day to show off to their wives with the hopes to be allowed to return another day.

Tom Mayne was the skipper for a charter made up of a few local boys and some from out of town.

The 10-15kt of breeze and a short 1-1.5m swell could not deter the old Ratahi from ploughing her way out to the fishing grounds. Having a heavy displacement hull is a winner when the swell starts picking up.

We tried a few different spots before we found ourselves in 60-70m of water somewhere around Pudney Rocks. On came the red snapper, tarakihi, and a few snapper. We had a bit Shane of Thompson trouble with with a the barracuda fish to be wrecking gear proud of. and tangling lines

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of trip with just enough wind to enable the boat to drift over the drop-offs.

The first drift produced three bluenose of reasonable size.

After that there was a regular stream of fish coming over the side. With just four rods down and fishing in nearly 500m the anglers were happy that those reels were of the electric variety.

More bluenose were caught along with a ling and a frost fish.

Some clay bird shooting added to the entertainment. A great day was had by all and it was a good start to the new season.

Page 20

COUNTRY LIVING

Actual wallaby footprint size

SMALL FEET. BIG PROBLEM. Dama wallabies are an unwanted pest devastating our native forests and farms.

Help protect our region by stopping them from spreading.

Wallaby footprints are distinctive due to their long narrow hind feet, large central and two smaller toes.

If you see a wallaby (dead or alive) or its footprints report it with our app at:

www.stoppests.co.nz

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 21

Wallabies may become as big a problem as possums Although small in size, dama wallabies have the potential to become a big problem.

This is why the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Department of Conservation and Waikato Regional Council are working together to stop them from spreading.

If they don’t, wallabies could become as big a problem as possums, impacting our economy and environment not just regionally but nationally.

Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know about wallabies.

It may be hard to believe that such a cute, shy little animal could be a problem but they are damaging our native forest and farmland. They eat plant seedlings and pasture, threatening the survival of our native bush and birds and causing costly losses for farmers.

Wallaby are native of Australia and since their release near Lake Okareka in 1912, wallabies have spread to occupy most of the area between Rotorua, Kawerau and Rainbow Mountain (around 180,000 hectares).

The regional councils and DOC are working to contain wallabies within this established range and are targeting populations outside it. In order to do this they need the public to report any wallaby sightings.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has developed

a web app for recording wallaby sightings. If you see a Okareka in 1912. Although it may be wallaby dead or alive you can report it at tempting to keep wallabies as pets, it stoppests.co.nz is an offence under the Biosecurity Act One of the smallest wallaby species, dama wallaby are also known as tammar, silver-grey or Kangaroo Island wallaby.

They stand up to half a metre tall. Adult females weigh around 5kg, while males can weigh up to 7kg.

They are grey-brown in colour with a paler grey underbelly. A thin white-silver stripe runs from under the eye to the nose. Mature animals may have a patch of reddish-brown colouring at the shoulder.

In areas of sand or soft soil, the long narrow hind feet and tail of wallaby leave a characteristic track. The footprint of a wallaby is a two-pronged print with a large central toe extending further than the outer toe.

Their faecal pellets are also comparatively distinctive, slightly larger than an individual deer pellet and often a tear-drop shape.

Formerly widespread in southern mainland Australia, dama wallaby are now restricted to south-western Western Australia and southern South Australia. Wallaby were first introduced to New Zealand around 1870 by Sir George Grey, when they were released onto Kawau Island. Dama wallaby, sourced from Kawau Island, were subsequently liberated near Lake

Protecting eaves from birds and rats get to the gutters, risking Birds nesting in gutters a fall,” Martin says. and eaves are a significant NZ Gutter Protecmaintenance problem for tion mesh is made from homeowners, says NZ heavy-duty polyethylene Gutter Protection owner/ and comes in a range operator Martin Smith. of colours to match any “Besides making a mess roof. It can be installed on and being a noise nuisance, any type of roof and has birds can contaminate a 15-year guarantee on water collected from the materials and workmanhouse’s roof for drinking. ship.

Rats getting in through the Martin does most of the eaves are often an issue as well,” he says.

NZ Gutter Protection owner/operator Martin Smith fitting himself so clients can rely on the continuity “Installing gutter protecfits the protection systems to homes and buildings. of working with the same tion eliminates these person from quote to completion of work on their problems and also keeps out leaves and other debris. It property. will even keep out hail which can cause a blockage in He has been installing gutter protection on homes, the gutters.” farm buildings and commercial properties since 2005 For many people, climbing on to the roof to clear and his service area covers the entire Waikato and Bay out gutters is risky or not practical. “Installing gutter of Plenty. protection means no more scrambling up a ladder to

(1993) to move or release live wallabies. If you want to learn more visit boprc.govt.nz/wallabies

AVOCADO

Page 22

Collaboration increases avocado sales in Korea Predictions are that the Bay of Plenty will produce 1.3 million trays of avocados during the 2017-2018 harvest season, which is now underway.

Jacob Darling from Darling Group GM Group sales and marketing says

fruit from Just Avocados suppliers is hitting high value markets in Australia and Asia.

Seeking high value opportunities in Asia is a focus for Darling Group and Just Avocados, while still maintaining a strong position in the Australian market. “Our current market split for volumes shipped to date is 50-50

JOIN THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS Leading technical advice Orchard management plans Flexible harvest options Top rating packing facility

to Asia and to Australia. The Australian market has continued to rise from September and is now significantly exceeding values seen this time last season.

“Values in Asia have remained strong despite the increased volume of New Zealand fruit that has been shipped.”

Korea remains a particular standout for avocados, with a growing popularity for the fruit supported by promotional activity.

“We are collaborating with a customer in Korea to share the ‘premium avocados from New Zealand’ story through tastings, recipe development and information shared through cooking and lifestyle magazines, in person and through online channels such as Instagram,” says Jacob.

are ahead of where they were at this time last year.

“Quality to date in Australia and Asia has been great and our in-market presence in Australia is continuing to add value to the excellent management of fruit through the supply chain,” says Jarrod.

Holding some crop until later in the season remains a priority.

“While values are strong at present we also know that the trading window in Australia from December onwards is going to be particularly strong and it’s important that we have supply through the December to February period.”

Maintaining tree health

Avocado trees are currently flowering, sending out the new spring vegetative flush, and holding the Good start to season current season’s crop. Just Avocados orchard productivity manager Erica Faber says Just Avocados GM operation and grower services, Jarrod Redwood, is pleased with how the season has tree health during this time is crucial. started. “Values, especially from markets in Asia, “Avocado trees Market values undergo a tremenfor avocados dous amount of are ahead of stress over this last year. period as it is the period of highest nutrient demand in the tree’s production cycle and the tree is also acclimatising to the changing of the season.”

Erica has been working with Just Avocados suppliers on a fl flower and foliar spray programme to support flowering and fertilisation, to optimise fruit set and to support the tree during this “high stress” period.

Nutritional status

Chat with our experienced team today about how we can help you reach your orchard goals.

Greg O’Carroll, Grower Services 027 268 0374

Iain McGillivray harvesting the crop for the 2017-18 avocado export season on his and wife Liz’s Katikati orchard.

Erica Faber, Orchard Productivity Manager 027 549 8229 John Emett, Grower Services 027 476 9087 @just_avocados

www.justavocados.co.nz

“It is important to look at your soil and leaf tests in order to monitor the nutritional status of the soil and trees and to adjust fertiliser programmes to address any nutritional deficiencies, excesses and imbalances before they adversely affect tree health, performance and production.”

Just Avocados recently held a field day on understanding how to use soil and leaf test results.

If you missed this, or have further questions about your own test, contact Greg O’Carroll 027 2680 374 or John Emett 027 476 9087.

AVOCADO

Page 23

Boaties reminded to have Look out for Myrtle rust summer safety checklist ticked Avoco is proudly supporting the Waihi Beach Coastguard with funding to keep a second rescue boat on the water over the busy summer period.

With temperatures rising, Waihi Beach Coastguard, with support from avocado export group Avoco, has a simple summer safety checklist boaties are encouraged to tick off before hitting the water.

Waihi Beach Coastguard spokesperson Jim Pooley says anyone taking advantage of warmer weather and longer daylight hours on the water needs to make safety a priority.

“There’s no time like the present to think about summer safety equipment to ensure everyone is safe on board a boat.

“A marine vessel requires maintenance throughout the year, but if you have neglected your boat over winter, it needs to be checked thoroughly before it’s launched.”

Five point safety checklist • Check the expiry dates on flares.

• Check the expiry dates on Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB).

• Ensure lifejackets are in good condition and the stitching is secure.

• Ensure inflatable lifejackets are in good condition and cylinders should be checked.

• The boat has a functioning VHF radio.

Jim also reminds boaties that EPIRBs also have a test function which most people aren’t aware of.

Lifejackets should be aired out as more often than not they have been left up the front of the boat during winter – away from fresh air and sunlight.

A test call to coastguard should be done on the VHF radio to make sure it is working and you have reception.

It is also recommended that skippers get boat

some common garden plants such as ramarama and lilly pilly.

Avocado growers are among those asked to look out for symptoms on native trees in their orchards or gardens for powdery, bright yellow or orange-yellow pustules on leaves, tips and stems.

If you think you have seen this fungal disease, please call MPI’s Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline - 0800 80 99 66.

engines serviced at least once a year. They should also check batteries, fuel lines, oil, propellers, water pumps and other hardware frequently.

Avoco Rescue

This season is the second in which Waihi Beach Coastguard has the benefit of its expanded fleet with the addition of ‘Avoco Rescue’, a 5.8m Naiaddesigned rigid hull inflatable boat powered by twin 115hp Yamaha outboards.

Sponsored by Avoco, New Zealand’s largest avocado export group, the vessel replaces ‘Search Two’ and is part of Avoco’s ongoing partnership, pledging an annual sponsorship contribution of $20,000 for three years.

This addition means Coastguard now has the capability to cover two completely different areas, with Gallagher Rescue overseeing the Bowentown Bar, one of the most notorious in New Zealand, and Avoco Rescue protecting the channels and shallow areas of the Northern Tauranga Harbour.

Secure and profitable

Between them, the rescue boats performed 200 rescues along this stretch of Western Bay of Plenty coastline in 2016. More than half involved people from the greater part of the North Island.

While Avoco operates to provide a sustainable, secure and profitable future for its growers, director Alistair Young says the company is also committed to supporting the Bay of Plenty community – on and off the water.

“We have a responsibility to our growers and the wider community to deliver leadership and contribute to their lives in a positive and measurable way.

“We’re pleased that Avoco’s sponsorship keeps everyone safer at sea to enjoy more of what the Bay of Plenty has to offer.”

Hey you!

Yes, you. I’m talking to you.

We’ve been working hard for you.

For your crop. For the avocado industry.

Like us, AVOCO growers are experiencing the benefits of collaboration. AVOCO’s focus is producing results – improved orchard health, knowledge growth and solid orchard gate returns you can rely on.

Talk to one of their team today and discover what all the buzz is about. www.avoco.co.nz

Nothing fl ashy.

Just good old-fashioned teamwork.

CC1017

Bay of Plenty boaties are being reminded preparation is the key to a successful and safe run at sea this 2017-18 summer season.

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a serious fungal disease which has been found in Northland, Waikato, Te Puke, and Taranaki. It is also widespread on Raoul Island in the Kermadec group north-east of Northland.

The fungus attacks plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family, also known as the myrtle family. Plants in this family include the iconic pohutukawa, manuka and rata as well as

Page 24

KIWIFRUIT

Dan’s enthusiasm for kiwifruit began in childhood As a child, Zespri’s new chief executive Dan Mathieson loved green kiwifruit so much he ate it skin and all. He also wanted to be a vet – until he discovered a love and talent for the Japanese language.

His subsequent degree from AUT and fluency in the language took him to Japan where he met his wife Reina and worked in Tokyo for Omron and NEC in corporate communications, international marketing and project management roles.

In 2003 Dan was able to combine both career and his love of kiwifruit when he joined Zespri Japan as a member of its operations team. In September this year he took up the role as company’s new chief executive.

Dan enjoys all kiwifruit, and especially Zespri Hayward Green. Reina and their three children Keanu, 12, Sean, 8, and Lanah, 6, prefer Zespri SunGold for its sweeter taste and the fact it’s always ready to eat.

Dan’s enthusiasm for Zespri kiwifruit is infectious and obvious as he speaks of the nutritional value of

the green and gold varieties, the exciting potential of a new red and the growth opportunities the international market place offers.

In his new role leading the company, he’s committed to the goal of doubling Zespri’s global sales to $4.5 billion by 2025.

“This is a very achievable target. Kiwifruit makes up just 0.22 per cent of the global fruit basket so there is obviously a huge opportunity for growth.”

Helping achieve that goal is the Zespri board’s decision to release even more licences to grow its varieties.

Accelerate supply

In October the board approved the additional release of 50 hectares a year of licence for Organic SunGold, specifically for greenfield plantings. It intends to release a total of 250 hectares of Organic SunGold over the next five years, subject to annual review.

The board has also announced the allocation of 700 hectares of SunGold licence in 2018, via a Closed Tender Bid.

Growers reminded - ‘only constant is change’ The theme for Andre Rochat’s chairman’s address to the Hume PacknCool Grower Entity Trust AGM was ‘change’, as climate change and the weather topped the list.

grower. Take ownership of it and don’t complain.

There is so much you can do to improve the situation.

Look at drainage, improve shelter and loadout areas, fill the gaps in your canopy, replace dead and struggling plants and so on.

“Some things are out of our hands, but there is “Between mid-February and mid-April this year plenty you can fi fix with a positive and motivated attithere has been 900mm of rain. Up to the tude. At the end of the day your orchard end of September we had already had is a high-paying piece of land, it is equal to our annual rainfall with still prime real estate, it’s like Eden three months to go. In 70 days Park – you want to sell every we recorded 54 days with rain,” seat in the stadium at an All Andre says.

Blacks test because that is Other factors affecting where the money is. growers are also always “So utilise your land changing, including better and maximise your GlobalGAP, GRASP, health production.” and safety, food safety, crop Andre says change can protection standards, and be good and bad, but the ‘Allowed Other Cominevitably it will happen pounds’ list. and the key is to turn “All this said, some changes it to your advantage. always go one way, and that’s “Embracing change makes up, including minimum wage, it a lot less scary and easier winter pruning, fertiliser prices, to deal with. harvest rates, packing rates, coun“The consumer eating our cil rates and even butter at $6/kg.” fruit will continually Andre says the weather demand change. We have Hume PacknCool Grower Entity Trust chairman no say in the matter – either cannot be fixed.

“But everything else is Andre Rochat (right) with daughter Natalie and we deliver or somebody your responsibility as a son Luc. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media else will.”

My Name is Neil Woodward.

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

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

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

My Name is Neil Woodward.

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

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

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

Our Atom combined three noz accuracy.

We also u applicatio

We hold complian

We look a your crop

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.

Ph E-ma

KIWIFRUIT

Page 25

Zespri extends SunGold licences to meet demand marketing hub in Singapore.

“I realise the huge importance of working closely with New Zealand growers and industry leaders and I will spend substantial time at Zespri’s head office in Mount Maunganui. A strong and empowered New Zealand executive

Dan Mathieson is Zespri’s new chief executive.

Zespri chairman Peter McBride says Zespri also intends to extend the release of SunGold licence out to 2022, meaning a total of 3500 hectares to be released over the next five years.

“It is clear from performance in the markets in recent seasons, and from our assessment of future demand that we need to accelerate supply growth of SunGold.

The gap to fill between the strong demand outlook and our current trajectory of supply growth presents a significant strategic opportunity.

“Demand forecasts support the release of 700 hectares per year. However, this is subject to an annual review that would consider any potential new risks to our current demand outlook.”

An increasing consumer preference for safe, nutritious fresh food will help fuel that growth in existing markets as well as in emerging markets including North America, South East Asia and India.

Unrelenting focus

Key, says Dan, is the Zespri brand name which is underpinned by “an unrelenting focus on quality. Our strong supplier and customer partnerships provide us with an outstanding opportunity to rapidly increase demand, increase supply and innovate to sustain and grow returns to growers and shareholders”.

The ongoing commitment of New Zealand growers

and post-harvest operators to high quality, taste and nutrition standards in the fruit are among the reasons for the international success of Zespri kiwifruit.

However, New Zealand fruit is available for only seven months of the year, which is why kiwifruit is now grown under licence to Zespri, and in accordance with its high-quality standards, in France, Italy, Korea and Japan. Trial plantings are underway in China and North America too.

Global brand

“Supplying premium-quality fruit all-year round helps us grow kiwifruit consumption around the world and meet the needs of our consumers who want Zespri-quality kiwifruit 12 months of the year. We want to ensure Zespri is the account manager of choice in the international kiwifruit category and by ensuring a year-round supply of consistently high-quality fruit we can achieve that,” says Dan. “Today Zespri is a truly global brand, among the most recognisable fruit brands in the world and this is something many Kiwis probably don’t realise.

“New Zealand is the heart of Zespri’s kiwifruit production and Zespri’s Singapore office is the heart beat of international sales and marketing.”

It’s for that reason Dan will spent time between the head office at Mount Maunganui and the sales and

will also play a key role in maintaining these vital industry relationships.”

Singapore is where Reina and the children live but they already make frequent trips to New Zealand and are well-used to Dan’s busy travel schedules.

Elaine Fisher

Page 26

HORTICULTURE

Cleaning water tanks avoids making visitors ill

Manuka Provenances

Kaitaia

Coromandel

Marlborough

East Cape

You may be immune to many of the bugs in your domestic water tank, but your visitors might not be, which is why it’s a good idea to have the tank cleaned before the summer holidays, says Aquavac Water Tank Cleaning owner/operator Roger Craig.

As well as getting them cleaned before visitors arrive, Roger says it’s also essential if home owners have to buy in water. “When the lovely clean water you pay for is pumped into the tank it will just stir up the sludge in the bottom and become contaminated with whatever is in there.”

Roger say tests of drinking water often indicate

“People often build up resistance to what’s in their water but friends and family who come to stay can end up with upset tummies which isn’t too pleasant.”

Roger says people are often horrified to see what comes out of the bottom of their water tanks when he cleans them. The sludge at the bottom can be up to five to six inches deep and is made up of dust, dirt, leaf litter, bird and rodent droppings and even dead rodents or birds.

“All these affect the quality of your water along with orchard sprays, ash and pollen which is a big issue as it sticks to the side of the tank and turns into a horrible slime from the water levels rising and falling in the tank.”

Clients are often surprised at how dirty the water Aquavac Water Tank Cleaning pumps out from the bottom of their water tanks is. there is e-coli present in the tank which means the water is very dangerous for your health and the tank needs to be emptied and cleaned.

Drop in pressure

Wairarapa

A drop in water pressure or the need to change filters more often are sure signs that tanks require cleaning.

Confined spaces

“We empty the tank and suck the sludge and any debris out, then waterblast the inside and vacuum until the tank is completely clean and looks like new.”

If people haven’t had their tanks cleaned in the past two years it needs to be done for the safety and wellbeing of the people drinking the water. Roger holds his ‘confi ‘confined spaces’ ticket which is a government requirement when entering a water tank and always has another person on the job with him for safety reasons.

Taranaki

r Get you aned tanks cle e h before t rrives family a ays! for holid

Call Aquavac today to ensu re the safety of your tank water

0800 426 822

MAIZE

Page 27

Late start to season not causing concern so if farmers want to be sure of getting the feed they need, they should make a commitment now to either plant a

A lift in the forecast dairy payout and Fonterra’s recommendations for a reduction in the use of palm kernel are among the reasons Guy Mason, sales manager for Corsons Maize Seed, is predicting a five-to-10 per cent increase in maize planting this season.

“With the dairy payout at around $6.50-$7 farmers can afford to increase supplements and maize silage has come back into favour, especially with Fonterra’s recommendations for a reduction in PKE use likely to become mandatory next season.”

Guy says maize silage is an excellent feed source for milking cows, as is maize grain which farmers often choose to mix with PKE. The start to the maize season has been challenging for growers because of wet conditions but most Corson clients have stuck to their ‘plan A’ when to comes to seed choice.

“Clients have been talking to their local Corson agronomists to make sure plan A is still ok. Maize is an amazing plant and even if a few days are lost at the start of the season, it generally doesn’t make any difference at maturity,” he says.

Solar radiation

Scott Shaw, product manager for Pacific Seeds, says growers who plant maize later than normal should avoid excessively high planting rates.

“Growers should be mindful of the effects of denser plantings on solar radiation interception for later flowering plants. To grow big cobs, maize needs a certain amount of sunlight, and planting too densely can affect the kernel set on the cobs.”

Scott says a few growers have changed their maize

orders and Pacific Seeds has a wide variety of hybrids for clients to choose from.

“The important thing with growing maize is not to cut corners or plant before conditions are right.”

Crop dry matter

Robin Billett, regional manager Bay of Plenty for Pioneer Maize, says around 30 per cent of spring planting was complete by mid/late-October, but in previous years up to 50 per cent would be in the ground by then.

“In recent years, huge advances have been made in breeding medium to short-maturity hybrids that require fewer days from planting to harvest but give excellent yields. Many growers have already made the transition to these hybrids because of their stable yield performance, relatively early harvest, more growth of the following grass crop and a much better overall fit with the whole farm system.

“In areas where longer season hybrids are more adaptable, changing to a shorter maturity may decrease potential yield. In most situations it might be best to stick with the higher yielding, longer maturity hybrid and then harvest it a bit earlier than normal, for example at 32 per cent instead of 36 per cent dry matter.

“Research shows that yield of a silage crop harvested at 32 per cent is not much lower than one harvested at 36 per cent. Sticking with the most adaptable hybrid is very likely to deliver greater yields.”

Robin believes that supplies of maize silage could be tight as some contractors are not planting as much as in previous seasons because of a shortage of available land caused by expansion of urban areas and increased horticultural development.

“Many contractors have pre-sold next season’s crops

paddock on-farm or buy from their preferred contractor/contract grower.”

Elaine Fisher

MAIZE

Page 28

Family land, family expectations, debt and suicide

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This is a big title and a big subject, but ... this seems to be a real issue where land has passed from one generation to the next.

I have seen grown men crying over their failure to hold family land for a number of reasons.

It seems to cause incredible pain (in the mind) and suffering where somebody has the expectation that they will hold it. Sometimes there is nobody in the family who is remotely interested in taking over the farm. Often nobody wants to milk or take on the hours and debt normally associated with succession and family land.

Sometimes they do, the debt lifts for various reasons, the bank puts pressure on to sell, then the anxiety really ramps up and suicide has been their choice because “what will Dad think if I fail?”.

One very sad story I recall is where a younger farmer was battling with overwork, lack of sleep and high debt. His banker mistakenly called him in the morning and apologised but by that afternoon he was gone. The real tragedy was that his wife was easily able to remedy the farm situation and retain it as an investment.

Another case many years ago was where a ‘salt-of-the-earth’ farmer hung on and hung on to his farm well into his 80s.

Forced to sell

He finally realised he could not manage it, his daughters did not want it, so he was faced with selling a third generation property.

He became depressed and died and what a mess there was to

clean up. When it is family land there is an inherent expectation handed from one generation to the next. How that is managed by the

incumbent is crucial to their physical and mental survival. I often hear noise like: • You can’t sell family land • Keep this in the family forever • Once it is gone you will never get it back • Saw my dad sell his farm, went to town and died! (Probably was old and ready to go anyway).

• What will the neighbours think if I sell?

It seems like we struggle to own the farm (family land or not), struggle to run it and pay it off, struggle to sell it for many reasons and struggle to retire happily. It feels like it is a Kiwi farming bloke thing.

There are far too many suicides in the rural sector for whatever reason. Maybe some research on what is really going on in the heads of our Kiwi farming blokes might help.

Awareness essential

Whatever way you look at it, it is around expectation, unrealised goals, family expectation, family land, often intermingled with debt and health and we have a recipe for disaster.

There appears to be a lot more

awareness and support out there. The rural GPs are more aware and better briefed; rural professionals are better briefed; Rural Support Trust is doing a great job; the issues are more out in the open, but it keeps on happening.

Solutions required

It is not a solution just to talk about it, become anaesthetised by the numbers and keep on going, there has to be a better way.

Maybe there needs to be a thinktank with interested and affected parties? Maybe we need some suitable experienced and qualified people to go and interview the family of a suicide? Maybe they should be looking for common threads?

These could include head injuries, family pressure, alcohol/ prescription drugs, debt ratios, relationship issues and the list goes on.

But maybe, just maybe, there is a thread. You will notice I put head injury as number one. I have a sneaking suspicion it may be one of the primary causes. Maybe we need to do things differently?

As a nation, we cannot afford to lose 50 of our great farming stock every year. I am sure there is a connection between family land, family expectation and debt around our shocking rural suicide statistics. We need to do more and look at it differently.

Disclaimer – These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought.

MAIZE

Page 29

‘Irish kangaroo’ story book hero

October’s Country Funny. young rainforest kangaroo, separated from his mother as a young joey.

Paddy is found and raised by an Irish family who live in the rainforest and help orphaned or

C

FU

N NIE

S

Lynn Pinkerton of Te Awamutu suggested "A fowl smell" while regular Coast & Country Funnies caption writer Sharron Ruiterman of Bombay wrote: "There's something fowl in there." or "What a poultry little nest.”

Christine Oates of Katikati thought the chicken was on to something. Her caption is “Where did that tasty weta go?"

Beryl Oppert of Pokeno had several suggestions including: “A new way to play chicken” and “Headless and heedless”.

Winner of the book prize ‘Little Truff and the Whales’ by Ann Russell, illustrated by Lara Frizzel, is P H Hill of Paeroa with captions: “Going by the smell, must be something tasty in here” and “I’m in boots and all”.

This month’s book prize is ‘Paddy O'Melon the Irish Kangaroo’ written by Julia Cooper and illustrated by Daryl Dickson.

It’s the endearing story of a

O U NT R

Y

Hens can be curious creatures and in last month’s Country Funnies the photo of one investigating a shoe had readers scratching for suitable captions.

injured animals.

But while Paddy loves his new human family, he's curious to find out what he really is.

So he sets out on a journey into the rainforest where he meets a range of other interesting animals – from musky rat-kangaroos to green tree frogs, from ringtail possums to flying-foxes.

But all he really wants is to be reunited with Caption this photo of a dog in the his mother and his own driving seat and you could win a kind. Perhaps the cassowary can book prize. Photo: Fiona Ludlow. tell this little red-legged pademelon who he really is and take Or put these details on the him safely home? back of an envelope and post to Julia Cooper's passion was for Country Funnies, PO Box 240, wildlife education and rehabilitaTauranga 3140 to arrive no later tion. than November 19.

Sadly, she passed away in 2011, but with the publication of this story her partner Martin Cohen hopes to keep her spirit and message alive.

Thanks to Exisle Publishing Coast & Country News has a copy of ‘Paddy O'Melon the Irish Kangaroo’ to give away.

To be in to win email captions (as many as you like) for the photo below and send with your name and address with Country Funnies as the subject line to ‘Paddy O’Melon the Irish Kangaroo’ is the elaine@thesun.co.nz book prize for November.

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FEED MANAGEMENT

Page 30

Finding balance often tricky It’s been a wet one all right – MetService is already describing 2017 as “the year it didn’t stop raining”, with Waikato rainfall at record levels for January to September.

That’s a legacy farmers are taking into spring as they prepare to fertilise paddocks in coming months with those saturated soils starting to warm up.

Generally speaking, getting the best bang for buck out of fertiliser while protecting economic and environmental bottom lines is a key goal for farmers.

Finding that balance can be tricky for farmers and requires advice from qualified farm consultants and nutrient management advisors.

There are a range of risks when applying fertiliser so I recommend all farmers have a nutrient budget and a nutrient management plan for their properties and discuss their situation with their fertiliser representative.

It’s also a requirement of our current regional plan to have such a budget and plan if nitrogen use exceeds 60 kilograms per hectare per year.

Nutrient budgeting is widely accepted as the appropriate first step in managing nutrient use and it’s also the preferred tool for evaluating the environmental impacts of farm management practices.

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Overseer, a computer decision support model, predicts what happens to the nutrients that are brought on to the farm in the form of fertilisers and supplementary feed in the same way that a financial budget can track money.

AgResearch recently released the new Overseer nutrient budget model version which can be downloaded from www.overseer.org.nz An important issue to consider is nitrate leaching.

Plants need N for healthy leaf growth.

But N is an extremely mobile nutrient. If more nitrogenous fertiliser is applied than plants can take up, most of the unused nitrogen ends up leaching down through the soil into groundwater.

Sometimes N will also be lost to waterways as runoff and some is always released back into the air as gas.

Bala Tikkisetty is a sustainable agriculture advisor at Waikato Regional Council.

The amount of N leaching from pastures can be reduced by: • timing fertiliser application to avoid periods when plant uptake of N will be low, such as when soils are saturated, during heavy rain, colder periods and times of low soil temperatures • applying N fertiliser in split dressings (as many split doses as possible) • irrigating farm dairy effluent to a large enough area • adjusting fertiliser policy for effluent irrigated areas to account for the nutrient value of effluent • using fenced wetlands and well-managed open drains as nutrient traps.

Reducing P run-off

The nutrient phosphorus behaves very differently to N because it binds with the soil and only dissolves slowly in water over time. This means it doesn’t readily leach to groundwater. But it can damage the health of waterways through soil erosion and surface run-off into water. Typically, 80 per cent of P loss can sometimes come from about 20 per cent of the farm area.

Farmers can reduce the amount of P run-off by keeping Olsen P to optimum agronomic levels. Other tips include: • following the NZ Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association Code of Practice for Nutrient Management • applying fertiliser when grass is in an active growing phase • leaving a grassed buffer strip between paddock and waterway – the strip filters the P before the run-off reaches the water • controlling run-off from tracks, races, feed and stand-off pads.

There is increasing pressure for farmers to improve their nutrient management because of the effects that N and P can have on water, and because improving nutrient use efficiency is equally important for farm profitability.

Bala Tikkisetty

FEED MANAGEMENT

Page 31

Crude protein levels not what they seem After a completely soggy winter, and a spring where the sun is only just getting around to shining, pasture growth levels got out of sync with calving and the start of the milking season.

Recently I was at a conference where the latest urea usage figures were being quoted at 800,000 tonnes, of which over 500,000 is being imported. And now we have enormous water quality problems from nitrate leaching, because most of it doesn’t get used by plants at all.

Understandably, given what the ‘experts’ keep on telling them, many farmers rushed to put on urea to ‘kick-start’ growth. So, when the ryegrass perked up and started growing madly, those same farmers were unaware of the overdose of nitrates in it, and assured themselves that the enhanced ‘crude protein’ levels were just what their cows needed.

Strangely, or ‘as usual’, the cows not only got ‘squirty bums’ but the dreaded mastitis and frequent lameness problems were also back. Well that’s what happens in spring, isn’t it?

In 1959 a Frenchman, Andre Voison, published a book titled ‘Grass Productivity’ which looked in depth at grazing practices and also at ‘the so-called proteins of grass’. He cited research into the feeding of livestock, which had concluded that ‘the nitrogen in the grass has been analysed and multiplied by a factor close to six’ and that this multiplied figure was now being considered to correspond to the ‘crude protein’.

For a country claiming to be ‘100 per cent pure’ we seem to be doing an awful lot wrong to our pastures and dairy industry. Before the ‘urea fad’ took hold we grew more grass/ha using white clover to do all the nitrogen work.

As I wade through the knee-high clover on my little place, I know no urea has been seen here in 20 years, but bless the lime, mycorrhizae and bacteria which get added in my annual fertiliser spread. In my early days here I could not possibly have grown enough summer pasture to make hay and had to buy 24 bales and feed it sparingly.

Now I hope, despite climate change, that I can harvest another 53 conventional bales of hay from one acre of it again this year. I dished it out generously all winter and most of the spring. I had no long-lasting puddles and my small tribe of animals flourished.

White clover

Sue Edmonds

Organic combinations

In fact, as several respected scientists from the US (Albrecht), Britain (Synge) and New Zealand (Melville – then director of Grassland Research Station, Palmerston North) pointed out at the time, this figure represented an ‘ensemble of diverse organic combinations of nitrogen’. Later research has shown that most of it is in the form of nitrate, which in the rumen converts to ammonia at levels which cannot be handled by the rumen, and then gets into the bloodstream, then the kidneys and then gets excreted in urine.

This process causes problems for the cow and animal health starts to decline. Cows lose weight, get tired, are susceptible to mastitis and sore feet, and are much less likely to be ready to get pregnant again.

More high empty rates.

On feedlots overseas they actually feed urea direct to cows, assuming that this will improve their protein intake. Here, we spread it on the pasture where what doesn’t get leached ends up in the grass, which our cows are eating, which already has high ‘crude protein’ (nitrate) levels in spring. And what doesn’t end up in cows goes off into the air as nitrous oxide and doesn’t do much for our somewhat imaginary climate change efforts.

So, the warnings were out in 1959, long before we set up our own urea plant in the 80s.

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Page 32

DAIRY

Fungi makes f lying safer It may seem hard to believe, but fungi in grasses are helping make air travel safer in New Zealand by reducing the incidence of bird strike.

That’s because scientists have shown that airport grasses inoculated with specific fungi reduce insect numbers, which in turn reduces the number of birds on the runways.

Phil Rolston, team leader AgResearch, who was involved in the research along with Chris Pennell, Chikato van Koten, David Hume and Stuart Card, says internationally, bird strikes cost the aviation industry an estimated $US1.5 billion.

It’s such a big problem that international conferences on bird strike are held annually.

Phil says birds are attracted to airports to feed on insects and seeds, especially annuals that invade areas damaged by insects.

Birds, including geese and shelducks, also feed on the “herbage” at airports and other birds arrive just to “loiter”. find a permanent In an effort to fi tool to help deter birds, a multidisciplinary approach was taken including mycologists, chemists, plant scientists, entomologists, agronomists, seed scientists and animal scientists.

The result was the development of a grass containing a special novel endophyte, known as AR601.

The endophyte is a natural fungus that grows between plant cells. It makes the grasses unpalatable to both insects and animals, deterring both insecteating and herbivorous birds such as ducks and geese. Trials at airports in New Zealand have shown that it can deter the number of birds from sown areas by 70 to 80 per cent.

Phil says trial work was “interesting” as researchers had

to work closely with airport secuflights rity between fl and keep in contact with the control tower.

However, once the endophyte-inoculated grasses were established, both bird and insect numbers dropped.

The research has attracted wide international interest and is also proving valuable for those who maintain sports turfs, where birds are also not welcome.

When it comes to clover, slugs eat everything If white clover’s resistance to pests is to be improved, new genetic material will need to be sourced from outside the current New Zealand cultivars, researchers say.

That was the conclusion of a report by Pip Gerard, Colin Ferguson and Sarah van Amsterdam of AgResearch, presented to the Plant Protection Conference in Tauranga.

The researchers say clovers, especially white clovers, are vulnerable to a diverse range of pests and do not compete well against ryegrasses that are protected by effective fungal endophytes which deter pests.

There has been relatively little research into clover pest resilience but plant breeders recognise that pest resistance is critical to improve vigour and persistence of clover plants.

Comparison between New Zealand and USA ecotypes showed that local adaptation of the plants is very important.

“Success is likely to come through introducing new genetic material into the best locally-adapted cultivars,” the report says.

Researchers set out to discover what pest resilience is already present in New Zealand’s clover cultivars.

Following consultation with the main seed breeding companies and AgResearch clover breeders, 19 cultivars were selected for initial screening. These plants were grown outside in pots for seven months before testing at Ruakura and Invermay.

The cultivars included both red and 10 white clovers.

The leaves were exposed, in a laboratory environment, to adult clover root weevil, clover flea, grey slug and porina larvae.

Freeze-dried foliage was also fed to leafroller.

The results showed the two specialist clover feeders (clover root weevil and clover flea) had very similar clover species preference, but slugs ate everything. The results reflect the co-evolution of specialist pests and clovers, researchers say.

Elaine Fisher

PK / SILAGE BUNKERS

DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

DAIRY

Page 33

Hayden urges farmers to enter awards

DAIRY DAIRY TECH TECH

The Dairy Industry awards have played a major role in the personal development of young Bay of Plenty farmer Hayden Goodall and presented him with opportunities for further growth and development within the industry.

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Entering for three consecutive years has given Hayden the chance to better himself and bring greater understanding to career choices in the future and Hayden says his self-confidence has grown enormously, as has his knowledge.

He entered his first Dairy Industry Awards competition with no real expectation of success; he had more of ‘I’ll give it a go’ attitude. Hayden did not place in any of the categories and won no prizes, however he did receive awesome feedback and the learning experience was exceptional. The second year Hayden won two merit awards and placed third overall in the regional final in the ‘Trainee’ category.

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Chelsea and Hayden Goodall with the 2017 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year trophy.

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The third and final year Hayden placed first in for meeting people within the industry, including the regional final and won some great prizes, includmeeting other young farmers at the same level. ing a trip to Auckland where he met up with the other trainee finalists from around the country, took Networking valuable part in a three-day study tour and competed in the “Also to network and exchange ideas, to gain insight national final. and knowledge from experienced farmers to better Since winning the Bay of Plenty Trainee category 4 0 Yjobs E Aand R been A Ngiven N I V E plan RSA R set Y future D R Egoals, A M and D EtoAtake L Son board and Hayden has been offered several • ROTARY 4• 0 HERRINGBONE Y E A R •AFERTILISER N N I VBINS E R•SCOVERED A R Y FEED D RPADS E A •MFARM D BRIDGES EALS • ROTARY • HERRINGBONE • FERTILISER BINS • COVERED FEED PADS • FARM BRIDGES constructive criticism and feedback and learn about the opportunity to take a leading role with the com• PRECAST SILO STANDS • PRECAST EFFLUENT SUMPS • TOP DOG • ELECTRIC GLANDS 40 E A RtheA N N I V E R S4ASILO 0R Y Y EDAR•REPRECAST AAM N NEFFLUENT DIEVAE LRSUMPS SS A R• TOP Y D R E• A M DGLANDS EALS • PRECAST STANDS DOG ELECTRIC the many and varied pathways that existYwithin mittee tasked with organising this year’s awards.

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DAIRY

Page 34

Change, big change, coming your way!

Professor Derrick Moot of Lincoln University made the following point in his recent lectures: nitrogen fertiliser has helped feed the world, however its environmental impact is such that its continued use is non-sustainable.

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He went as far as stating that, should we continue with our present system, a conversation around this country’s ability to continue pastoral farming was essential.

He also spoke of the new technology that allowed the manufacturing of cheap protein, which will be marketed as ‘clean’ protein, with the obvious inference for pasture-produced meat and milk.

He stated that this would split the protein market with the present commodity trade being replaced, at least in part, by manufactured protein. At this stage the impact is unclear.

Reduced costs

However, the current cost of production has dramatically reduced from its experimental stages and is markedly less than that of animal-derived protein.

It would be convenient and comforting to think that there will be a sufficiently lengthy lead-in time for the farming industry to make the necessary changes and all will be well. However, the indications are that within three years the shift will already be

having a marked impact.

When we factor in uncertain weather patterns and increasing interest rates, and a requirement for debt to be repaid, there’s good reason for farmers to ignore all news items and spend as much time as possible at the back of the farm – and some will take that option.

And I have a confession to make. We’ve recently purchased new carpet for our home and a high quality wool carpet was our preference.

Nylon carpet

The choice in wool was very limited and the cost substantially higher, so despite our best intent we bought nylon. And we were obviously not alone because the majority of the carpets on display were nylon.

A recently released report states that woollen carpets last longer and fade more slowly, so we’ll make a more determined effort with our next purchase. But when time is short it takes a morethan- heroic effort not to favour the here-and-now lower cost option.

Shifting from the production of commodity-traded meat and milk cannot be done overnight. It will take a three-year period to change nutrient inputs and grazing management, and in some cases animal

quality, in order to reach the standard necessary for markets where price is not a consideration.

Stringent standards

Those markets already exist and they are the only ones that will provide the financial returns required for pastoral farmers to survive.

From a pasture perspective the reliance on fertiliser nitrogen will have to go. The quality of meat and milk from those systems will not meet the increasingly stringent standards demanded by purchasers, and environmentally the foot print will be unacceptable.

Customers will ultimately set the standard and those who are willing and able to spend whatever it takes to purchase the very best will demand, and have a right to know, where their food has come from and how it has been grown.

On a more cheerful note, Professor Moot finished his presentation by saying that because we are clever and innovative we will be able to adapt to meet the challenge.

The necessary farming systems are already available, and choosing the best option is straightforward.

Any company worth considering will be able to provide sound long-term measures of permanent pasture growth, here in this country, without reliance on fertiliser nitrogen.

For more information contact Peter on 0800 843 809.

Steps for retaining silage quality Losses when making pasture silage occur as sugars and protein in the grass is broken down by enzymes and bacteria. This process starts as soon as the grass is cut.

• Cut in the morning of a sunny day for rapid wilting.

• Avoid wilting for any more than 24 hours.

• Compact the silage well. In a stack or pit, use the heaviest-wheeled vehicle available.

• Tractor wheels should not sink into the pile of pasture any further than the depth of rubber.

• For baled silage make sure that a high density baler is used.

• Seal the stack completely with a weighted, airtight cover. Wash old polythene before use to avoid contamination with the wrong bacteria.

• Don’t re-open a covered stack to add more pasture on another day.

Source www.dairynz.co.nz

Quality grass equals quality silage

GRUNDFOS ®

It is impossible to produce high-quality silage from low-quality pasture, no matter how good the fermentation is. Both the quality of the ensiled pasture and the quality of the fermentation must be considered.

Silage is pickled pasture. When pasture is ensiled, its sugars are converted into lactic acid by bacteria.

It is the lactic acid which pickles the pasture, allowing it to be preserved for a lot longer than it would have been if left in the open air.

With well-preserved silage, losses in feeding value during fermentation will be small, and the final silage will be only slightly lower in feeding value than the original pasture.

Minimum values for high quality silage are 10MJME/kgDM and 16 per cent crude protein.

Good quality pasture silage is a good source of energy and protein for a milking cow and can be used as a fibre source when feeding high-sugar or starch feeds. However, a poor-quality pasture silage (made from low-quality pasture, or ensiled with low-quality fermentation, or both) will not support high milk yield and will only be suitable for dry cows, or as a fibre source to reduce risk of acidosis.

For more information see Grass Silage – the preservation process (Farmfact 1-43). Source: www.dairynz.co.nz

DAIRY

Page 35

Plant based ‘milk’ among future challenges How rapidly things can change when it comes to soil conditions.

From wet and boggy and impossible to get machinery onto, within days the ground in some of our paddocks became almost too hard to disc up.

After almost constant rain since autumn, many farmers are now saying while they want some sunshine, they are hoping for rain too to keep grass and crops growing.

We’ve had a frustrating start to the maize season to say the least. Early on we had problems with sprayers getting stuck and having to tow out tractors, but despite a slow start we’ve managed to catch up with making grass silage and planting maize, and in some cases, are slightly ahead of where we were last year.

However, getting there has been one hell of battle.

It’s meant long, long hours, up as early as 3am checking the weather and getting machinery working early before forecast showers came through.

Planning crops

Demand for grass silage has now gone quiet, evidenced by not much movement of silage machinery along local roads. Contractors say there’s not a lot happening but demand is a bit better than last year, which was very challenging.

Now is the time for farmers to be planning ahead for summer and winter crops. Early December is the best time to plant sorghum if farmers are worried the weather might turn dry this summer and haven’t had any surplus to make into silage.

Seeds need soil temperatures around 19 degrees to germinate.

Currently soils are at about 15-16 degrees which is ideal for maize

but not warm enough for sorghum.

It appears there won’t be a peak in milk production this season with dairy companies down one to two per cent on production. This is probably a reflection of the wet winter and spring and now mating is underway, production is likely to drop off a little. Farmers trying to hold milk production as high as they can and keep cows cycling are feeding out supplements if they have any left.

Weather for weeds

Rising soil and air temperatures and plenty of rain has favoured weeds with buttercup, dock and almost every weed in creation appearing in pastures. These pests need to be controlled, especially in pastures and paddocks used for cropping.

The winter wet may have reduced numbers of black beetle but it remains to be seen what other insect pests have thrived and are ready to attack pasture and crops.

If all that is not enough of a challenge for dairy farmers, there are also threats from new innovations in food production. The latest I’ve read about is making ‘milk’ from peas. It’s said to be a good protein source and have a lower environmental footprint than milk from cows.

Almond milk

Plant-based ‘milks’ are obviously not new and almond milk is already very popular, especially among consumers who are lactose intolerant.

Farmers need to be aware of these innovations and market trends and be open to changing options because, of course, if you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got.

One way of meeting these challenges is to farm smarter and there’s some very useful technology available to make farming more efficient and cost-effective. We are using technology which enables the

accurate application of fertiliser so it goes exactly where it needs to and at the required rate,.

Such precision farming will result in a reduction in the use of nitrogen, and reduce leaching to waterways, which is obviously better for our environment.

The new three-party government may

face challenges in working together and the nation now waits to see how Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens will govern, but maybe it’s not a bad thing to have a change of direction in government.

Let’s hope it works out for all our sakes.

DAIRY

Page 36

Appeal to reduce use of nitrogen fertiliser Excessive use of nitrogen fertiliser is contributing to the pollution of waterways and killing dairy cows and beef cattle, believes John Laing of Tauranga.

“I have been shocked by the number of farmers throughout the North Island applying urea every time it rains, some increasing their rate to 100kg/ha or more,” says John, who has retired after 30 years of farming and many years as a farm advisory officer. He still takes an active interest in the industry.

“Nitrogen becomes a poison if it is used in the incorrect quantities. There are adequate levels of nitrogen in the soil which can be improved by growing clovers and using a sensible fertiliser programme.”

John learned the hard way that using nitrogen fertiliser can be dangerous for livestock. He was farming 175 acres at Reporoa, which he developed from a rundown three-paddock farm, and increased production – then measured in pounds – from 10,000 to 60,000 pounds of butter fat. “After 10 years I had a visit from a fertiliser company representative who informed me that I could grow more grass using their new product.

Drop in production

“I ordered enough to fertilise 30 acres and applied after rain and 10 days later placed the cows in the paddock where this fertiliser had been spread.

“That night when the cows passed their manure in the yard it looked like rope and the next morning the vat was only half full of milk.

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Midnight move

“If dairy farmers want to get back to increasing production and saving their cattle, then they need to shift their cows four times a day. They will start by putting the cows, after milking, into a paddock already used which will still have a reasonable amount of grass, until midday and then place them into a fresh paddock. Then after milking at night

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ST CHOICE

“Two years later the fertiliser company I was using convinced me that nitrogen was the answer and to use it, which I did. From then on I had masses of bloat and had to start drenching at night, and in the morning as well.

“One night the cows ended up with frothy bloat. I had to stab 43 cows and found there was no gas in the cows’ stomachs at all. What was there is best described as a starchy, gluey grass mixture.

I had to cut a large hole in their stomachs to get the grass mixture out. I lost one cow and most of the production.”

John urges farmers to stop using nitrogen, or at least dramatically reduce its application.

“Because of the high levels of potash and nitrates already in the soil, it may take some time to get less gastric or frothy bloat and eventually have no bloat, and no lost cows when your levels are corrected.” His suggestion on how to achieve this is rather drastic.

John Laing.

The dairy farm John Laing developed from a run-down property in Reporoa. place them into this paddock that has been half grazed. At midnight they need to be shifted again into another fresh paddock.”

John’s recommended programme consists of sulphur, 30kgs per hectare with the usual phosphate requirements, dolomite at the rate of 40kgs per hectare, and reducing potash from level 7 to 3.5-4.

“Potash depletes magnesium and kills thousands of head of cattle throughout New Zealand. So does too much nitrogen. Massey and Lincoln recommendations for nitrogen is 25kgs/ha.

Change your potash from murate of potash to sulphate of potash.”

Cutting out or reducing levels of nitrogen application, John believes, will help save New Zealand waterways and stop the deaths of cattle and milking cows.

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DAIRY

Page 37

High nitrates factor in bloat Attention Farmers Urea contributes nothing to soil fertility, but actually robs it of nutrients and accelerates the depletion of important organic matter – humus.

the early 1990s, where potassium levels were down to MAF QT of four on a farm in the northern King Country, showed a 40 per cent increase in overall pasture production from a capital application of potassium.

It lowers soil pH and, as the nitrates leach through the soil, they take with them important elements such as magnesium and calcium.

I find myself sympathetic to John Laing’s experience (see page 36) and advice regarding the use of artificial nitrogen fertiliser.

I have had clients who have not historically used urea tell me that when cows go into nitrogen-boosted pastures that they will walk out the gate bellowing, not liking the grass.

So many farmers today have been drawn into the nitrogen trap through bad advice, and consequently their cows are so used to eating this pasture that they know nothing else, so have got used to the taste of it.

As for nitrogen fertiliser causing bloat, John’s anecdotal experience concurs with a survey Ruakurabased scientist Vicky Carruthers did back in the early 1990s comparing farms which got a lot of bloat to those that didn’t.

Her research showed it was not potassium which was high and out of balance on bloat farms compared to non bloat farms, but high nitrates was the common factor.”

When bloat is a problem, some farmers have found that applying salt can help mitigate it. Massey University soil scientist Dr Max Turner found applying salt to pastures reduced ‘frothy’ bloat back in the 1980s, and more recent research at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom found the application of salt to ryegrass-based pastures increased the amount of soluble sugars in the grass, and we know that as sugar levels increase, the amount of nitrates decrease.

Out of balance

Difference of opinion

One of John’s recommendations which I do not agree with is reducing potash levels from MAF Quicktest 7 down to 3.5-4. Possibly on the raw pumice soils of Reporoa where John himself farmed it may be hard to maintain high potassium levels (seven or above), but on most soils potassium levels should be seven to 10 on the MAF QT scale.

I have found over the years a lot of farmers cannot grow much clover because they have let their potassium levels drop away. The biological optimum range of seven to 10 has been determined through a lot of trial work, and letting levels drop below this will affect overall pasture productivity.

An on-farm trial I was involved in measuring in

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Some farmers have cut back on potassium because it can negatively impact on animal health, but this is only when it is out of balance with other major cations in the soil – calcium, magnesium and sodium.

Most fertiliser reps do not understand or have not been taught the importance of balancing these elements. Just cutting back potassium levels down to 3.5-4 may result in less metabolic problems in cows, but it will also severely impact on clover productivity, and farmers will be forced to either reduce stocking rate accordingly or apply urea to their farms because the clovers aren’t doing the job they should be doing.

A farm doing 1000 kg/ha MS off pasture needs 70-80 kg/ha of K for maintenance purposes, and if levels are low, and extra 60 kg/ha of K (120 kg/ha Muriate of Potash) is required to lift the MAF QT by one unit.”

John also advocates when applying potash that farmers should use Sulphate of Potash know as SOP rather than Muriate of Potash – called MOP. SOP however has less overall elemental potassium (42 per cent) compared to MOP which is 50 per cent K, and is more than $1000/tonne compared to MOP at $560/tonne, so per unit of potassium SOP is twice the price.

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Animal health issues

There is however, anecdotal evidence that SOP does not cause as much bloat as MOP, and in biological farming circles MOP is frowned on because of its chloride content which they claim negatively impacts on soil micro-organisms.

If a farmer is happy to pay twice as much for the SOP, I will recommend it, but for the vast majority of my clients MOP works perfectly and does not cause animal health or soil health issues, as all other elements are also considered and applied to keep everything in the correct balance for healthy soil, healthy pastures, and healthy stock.

So do not cut back in potassium unless your levels are above the biological optimum levels of seven to 10. If they are below this level, then above maintenance potassium needs to be applied, and the return from applying K is a lot greater than N. “If you are having animal health issues, then identify where the imbalance in the soil is and look at the most cost-effective fertiliser materials out there to address this imbalance.

Robin Boom CPAg, Member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists, phone 027 444 8764.

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Page 38

FERTILISER

Urea use up but profits and animal health decline I watched the build-up to the election with particular focus on the environment with interest. Various views were expressed, one being by then Prime Minister Bill English who said: “It has taken five years for scientists to agree on the science.”

The golden rule is you do not involve those that have created the problem to solve the problem. Unfortunately our previous government appears to have done just that. While they funded the polluters, nothing would change except for the worse.

What is so hard about agreeing that too much water is being polluted by too much nitrogen? In 1979, 16,000 tonnes of urea was

imported into New Zealand.

In 2016 260,000t of urea was manufactured and 560,000t was imported. That’s 820,000t or a 50 times increase in 37 years. Has productivity increased 50 times?

Actually, profit and animal health have declined along with the quality of produce, milk in particular. Why do some of Kiwi Fertiliser’s farms produce around 20,000kgDM of pasture with no or minimal nitrogen inputs? This is 25 per cent more than those who apply urea.

Why do scientists fiddle with individual plants like plantain when the more multi-species the pastures are, the less nitrogen escapes? This is not a cow or a farm problem. It is a people problem.

Lots of little band-aids won’t solve systemic

This graph, from the OECD’s third Environmental Performance Review of New Zealand, compares this country’s nitrogen balance with that of other OECD countries. problems. What is so difficult about increasing carbon in the soil, rather than sending it into the atmosphere, which is what happens when we follow institutionalised and other shortsighted and, ultimately, expensive advice?

At the moment there are no winners in New Zealand. We are all losing.

It would need the majority of urea users to change their habits to turn us into winners.

That is, stop the flow of nitrogen into water, and reverse the loss of carbon into the atmosphere by sequestering it into the soil for increased production and environmental stability. It is very easy to achieve and far more profitable than the current system. Let us at Kiwi Fertiliser show you a much better way to improve production and profitability that includes superior pasture growth, animal health and a reduction in the use of chemical products.

Renewable energy revolution on way A revolution in renewable energy, the effects of climate change and its mitigations and novel food production processes look set to fundamentally change how we feed a growing population, says Craig Osborne, new president of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management, “It’s an exciting time for NZIPIM and the rural profession,” says Craig.

“As farming systems become increasingly complex, and we adapt to farming in a more sustainable way, the role of rural professionals in assisting and advising their farming clients will continue to grow in importance. NZIPIM has a vital role in building the capability and knowledge of our members to support the farming community at the scale and speed required in the future.

“We are also entering a period of unprecedented change and innovation in global food production with multiple competing trends at play. Global consumers are seeking better quality food choices while demanding lower social and environmental impacts. New Zealand agriculture stands at the intersection of these trends.

“Rural professionals play a key role in helping our primary industries anticipate and prepare for these changes.”

FERTILISER

Page 39

Challenging the ‘green revolution’ experts The status quo in pastoral management and fertilisation may be all you have been told, but there seems to be quite a few folk who are looking for something more productive and sustainable.

Around 200 people from all over the country turned up in Taupo recently for a day at the Great Lakes Centre with Arden Andersen who was in New Zealand from the US to talk about current farming practices and how these are steadily making things worse for our soils, our stock, and our health.

Arden has a PhD in biophysics, is a clinical doctor and public health expert, and an internationallyrenowned agricultural consultant, which gives him a pretty broad viewpoint.

It was the so-called ‘green revolution’ of the early 1950s which started the world believing that putting various chemicals onto soils (mainly NPK) would make plants grow fast.

Food was short at the time, after the hiatus in farming of WWII, and those chemicals did indeed save the day, at the time.

But it took a while for scientists and farmers to realise that those same chemicals rendered nature’s multi-faceted workforce either less effective, or wiped whole colonies out altogether.

So, while we got ‘quick grass’ we also wasted an awful lot of those chemi-

cals, which moved from soil to water and produced the sort of freshwater pollution everyone is moaning about now. And it seemed to take more and more chemicals to achieve the same results as time went on.

Nutritive percentages

Not just pollution, but time has proven that the nutritive percentages of our food plants have diminished by up to 38 per cent, and have led to an awful lot of people being basically undernourished and susceptible to a myriad of nasty diseases such as cancers and diabetes.

Arden refers to two types of farming these days. There is the ‘conventional’ mode which relies on nitrogen and potassium, but which leads to runoff, carbon loss, waste, disease, is degenerative and leads to dollar losses, and is based on “pseudo-science”.

And then there is the ‘sustainable’ mode which produces benefits such as calcium/carbon sequestration, is stable and efficient, recycles what it needs, is healthy, regenerative and profitable, and based on findings about soil and the workings of nature that science has come up with since the 1950s.

Miracle of photosynthesis

One of these is the small miracle of photosynthesis, where plants take in water and CO2 and make sugars.

These not only provide energy for the plant, but pass it down to the roots and the ‘underground forces’, who

pass their appreciation back up the line in the form of plant-available minerals, so necessary for growth.

Arden is a firm believer in the measurement of brix, where sugar levels are measured with a refractometer, and provide an estimate of fat, protein and carbohydrate levels in pasture. Trials have shown conventional pasture levels at about three, whereas sustainable pasture is around 12, meaning that animals need to eat less while producing more.

On the increasing use of herbicides and pesticides in farming, Arden produced a plethora of research stud-

Arden Andersen.

ies which demonstrate that insects and diseases only attack plants which are not truly healthy, and which have low immunity levels. So, if a crop is attacked it means that there was something deficient in the plant which caused it to be susceptible to attack.

Overall, a day listening to Dr Arden Andersen is a heartening experience.

There are ways we can improve our soils, our foods and our health, but we need to stop listening to the ‘green revolution’ chemical-based experts to achieve them. He has written a number of books, so try your library to find out for yourself.

Sue Edmonds

FERTILISER

Page 40

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Boosting production on hill country need not be a painful exercise where cost of product and application is the determining factor says Keith Jackson, general manager of Landco Fertiliser.

“The benefits of quality pasture contribute towards not only stock production and income, but also soil fertility and health, erosion prevention, plus stock health and well-being.

“Achieving this bundle does indeed come down to the type of fertiliser being applied in relation to your soil status, meaning a comprehensive soil audit (test) is the very best way to determine where things are at and what nutrients are in deficit and needed for ongoing pasture growth. Efficient quality products mean less on and therefore less transport and application cost.”

Farmers who are serious about maximising production on hill country and getting the very best return on investment should ask their Landco Fertiliser specialist to undertake soil tests, Keith says.

“Taking soil plugs and getting samples analysed is very cheap and incidental to the gains that can be made from the analysis. Basic soil

analysis is not adequate. If we are to get the best from the soil then we need to fully understand it and this means understanding both macro (N,P,K,S,Mg) and micro (trace elements).

“Many tests exclude trace elements, however they can be critical for stock health and in ensuring macro nutrient availability is maximised. In addition, several are required for stock health. Like Landco Fertiliser delivers its fertiliser in 500, most things in life, nutrients work 1000 or 1200 sized multi-use bulk bags. in balance and understanding this process is something we excel in.”

“Ensure the fertiliser being used is efficient Determine if lime is needed – again a good and effective and suited to the environsoil test will indicate if levels are in deficit. ment. There is no point in applying lots Lime (calcium carbonate CaCO3 being the of water-soluble phosphate in hill country key) is one of the most important items in when there are fertilisers that are considerthe equation of balancing soil nutrients. ably more efficient and effective over a “There is no point in applying lots of fert if longer period. Landco Fertiliser G-Phos is lime levels aren’t adequate. Once again, it’s one which also provides a valuable liming a balancing act and a process Landco Fertieffect.” liser’s philosophy revolves around.”

Landco Fertiliser also has standard blends Applying lime by air does not need to be for hill country that provide a valuable coma problem. There are lime products very bination of fertilisers to boost productivity. well-suited to air application. Keith suggests All are solid granular products, providing discussing options with Landco Fert. easy, consistent application with little dust.

Muzzle Station stories see RNZ reporter win top awards A Wellington-based Radio New Zealand journalist took out the top award for agricultural journalists at the 2017 awards night for the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.

Alexa Cook won the supreme award, the Ministry for Pri-

mary Industries Rongo Award, which recognises excellence in agricultural journalism. She won the award for coverage of a week-long mustering in Muzzle Station, the first after the Kaikoura earthquake.

Her items were featured on Morning Report, Checkpoint

and Insight programmes and on the Radio NZ website. Runnerup in the MPI Rongo Award was The Dairy Exporter team of NZ Farm Life Media for several features, particularly the Team Building feature.

Alexa took out four other awards, two by herself and two

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which she shared with another RNZ colleague, Carol Stiles from RNZ CountryLife.

All the awards for 2017 were announced at the Beef + Lamb NZ Awards Dinner in Wellington in October.

A total of 10 awards were presented, nine for journalism

...continued

FERTILISER

Page 41

Grab a cold one and visit your neighbour This is the longest period of wet and windy weather I can ever remember in my 47 years in aviation.

as well go shoot the bloody cows in the morning”, with a mumble about doing the same to himself.

Desperate farmer

I immediately picked up on this It has been extremely busy for and said “Whoa there, hang on a us aerial operators trying to keep bit, I am out your way tomorrow, up with the huge increase in the ring me at 10am.” The farmer we tonnage of nitrogenous fertilisers that farmers are applying, and has really put the pressure on us, especially from new clients who have traditionally used other means to apply their fertiliser.

In a lot of cases it has simply been too wet, and so a lot of farmers are a first-time user and are Alan Beck CEO chief pilot Beck Helicopters. therefore not on ‘the list’.

This year we are running about had scheduled was a regular client, 5-600 tonnes behind every week with a large fertiliser order, and a while still managing to apply very good client. about 100 tonnes a day, such is the I boldly tackled the subject at demand. hand with him and recounted my I had a farmer ring me late on phone conversation. Without hesia Sunday evening, asking me to tating this farmer said to let one apply some nitrogen “tomorrow,” truck and trailer unit go and help as his cows had nothing to eat, and this poor individual out, which we he was on once a day. did, much to the consternation of I explained the list and the fact neighbouring farmers who were we had, at that stage, 800 tonnes also booked. booked ahead, and these were What to do indeed? The desperate regular clients that relied on us farmer in question either tripped getting their fertiliser on, on time. or collapsed onto his knees as he His reply was to state that as “they approached the helicopter, tears in had nothing to eat anyway he may his eyes, to thank me for getting

his nitrogen on. It still affects me emotionally every time I think of the event, as this poor guy must have been in a very fragile state.

The hero here is the farmer who instantly sensed the situation and agreed to let his slot go to another farmer.

In the meantime we are keeping an eye on the situation, and are in touch with this guy to talk over his seemingly insurmountable problems. It’s not that bad if you can share it with others, especially someone that may be in a similar situation.

His other fear was that because he was an honourable farmer, and on once a day with bugger-all income, he wouldn’t be able to pay. I put that to rest straight away – as he is a farmer, and when things come right – she’ll be right.

to grab a couple of cold ones and call in and see the neighbours, and if it is bad for you too, let them know they are not the only ones. In the meantime

please keep taking down those dangerous wires that can easily kill your local ag-pilot.

By Alan Beck, Beck Helicopters Ltd

Helps to share it

I have been in that situation myself years ago when I couldn’t immediately pay for services, and all of my suppliers let me continue in business, and yes I paid every one of them, and no, not one charged interest.

That is what we in the farming world do. I tell you this harrowing story to ask that you all keep an eye on your neighbour out there because things are tough at the moment due to this extremely wet spring. Please take the time

CUT WASTE, REDUCE COSTS

Coast & Country News editor guild president continued...

and one for photography. The key objectives of the awards are the encouragement and recognition of excellence in agricultural journalism.

The awards dinner followed the guild’s annual meeting at which Coast & Country News editor Elaine Fisher was elected president, with Leigh Catley, general manager communication for Federated Farmers as vice president.

Members of the executive are: secretary Sue Miller (Wellington), treasurer, Mick Calder (Wellington), immediate past-president Ali Spencer (Wellington), Jackie Harrigan (Feilding), Sara Passmore (Wellington), Gerald Piddock (Hamilton), Cheyenne Nicholson (Foxton), Neal Wallace (Dunedin) and Sam Halstead (Wellington).

Other journalism awards presented on the night were: AgResearch Science Writers Award, Alexa Cook and Carol Stiles.

Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award, Sally Rae of Oamaru. Federated Farmers Broadcast Journalism Award, Carol Stiles and Alexa Cook.

DairyNZ Dairy Industry Journalism Award, Jackie Harrigan, The Dairy Exporter. Zespri Export Journalism Award, Fairfax Media’s Gerard Hutching.

The Alliance Group Ltd Red Meat Industry Journalism Award, Alexa Cook of RNZ Rural News.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand News Award, Nigel Stirling for articles in Farmers Weekly and NZX Agri’s Pulse. Federated Farmers Rural

Photography Award Des Williams of Shearing magazine.

Rural Women New Zealand Rural Connectivity Award, Alexa Cook.

The guild’s own award – the Agricultural Journalism Encouragement Award is designed to encourage and recognise excellence among journalists with three or less years reporting on agricultural issues.

This year it was won by Brittany Pickett of Invercargill for articles which appeared in NZ Farmer.

Entry numbers were slightly down in most of the awards on last year, but for many of the judges, making the final decisions between the top entries proved difficult.

Enrties can be viewed on the Guild website: www.nzgajc.org.nz/

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Page 42

FORESTRY

Links with Edmund’s invention Edmund Gunter may have been born 436 years ago, but the measuring device he invented still impacts modern life.

In the Te Aroha & District Museum is an example of Edmund’s surveyor’s chain – a distance-measuring device used for land survey.

It was designed and introduced in 1620 by the English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter (1581–1626) long before the development of the theodolite and other more sophisticated equipment, enabling plots of land to be accurately surveyed and plotted for legal and commercial purposes.

Edmund developed the measuring chain of 100 links. The chain measures 66 feet, or 22 yards.

The links are connected by two

rings, and furnished with a tally mark at the end of every 10 links.

There are 10 chains in a furlong, and 80 chains in one statute mile.

An acre is the area This surveyor’s the stumps. of 10 square chains. chain is on A job as a ‘chainIn the 19th and display at the Te man’ nowadays early 20th centuAroha Museum. falls under the broader ries minor roads career category of surveysurveyed in Australia and New ing technician.

Zealand were customarily one (Source Te Aroha & District chain wide.

Museum) Traditionally the Queen’s Chain The Te Aroha & District is a strip of public-access land Museum is located in the along coasts and waterways of up Cadman Bathhouse, The to 20 metres wide. The strip of Domain, Te Aroha land was originally one chain (66 It is open seven days a week. feet) wide.

From Labour weekend to Easter The chain measurement also weekend (March 30, 2018) opensurvives as the length of a cricket ing hours are 11am to 4pm. pitch, being the distance between

Coalition’s approach to forest ‘breath of fresh air’ The Forest Owners Association says the priority put on new forest plantings by New Zealand First entering the coalition presents an enormous challenge to the new government and industry alike.

Forest Owners president Peter Clark says issues such as diminishing log supply in Northland and road infrastructure stress in Poverty Bay and elsewhere need to be addressed by government and industry working together.

“We need to find solutions which will benefit all parts of the forest and processing chain, as well as local communities.

“I’m concerned about the recent rhetoric of the evils

of neo-liberalism, when most of these issues can be resolved around the table by the players with central and local government support and encouragement.

“We’ve lost valuable years when there should have been more trees planted out to provide another income option for pastoral agriculture on marginal land and to increase wood supply for sawmillers.

Agricultural emissions

“We’ve also had plenty of notice that trees are the only immediate lever the government has available to significantly offset industry and agriculture carbon emissions.

“The Ministry for the Environment Report painted a gloomy picture of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emission status. Getting back to more trees being planted than harvested is vital.

“So it’s a breath of fresh air, almost literally, to get a government expressing a priority on afforestation.”

Peter say both Maori land owners and farmers will play a key role in meeting afforestation targets.

“Federated Farmers has issued a statement supporting more trees for carbon absorption and wanting to get recognised for making this contribution right down to a small-scale woodlot. This is important, as is making sure farmers are well advised on silviculture so they can grow good trees and maximise the profits they will make at harvest time.”

Nurseries gear up

Peter says it will not be easy to get planting up to the levels the new government is thinking of.

“The nurseries will take time to gear up production and there is a chronic shortage of seasonal labour, especially in planting, in our sector already.

“The government has to make some critical decisions as to how to support the forest expansion they are promising. They could make a good start by getting some trees in on Crown land.”

FORESTRY

Page 43

Radiata pine genome breakthrough will benefit forestry’s future be in mitigating the effects of climate change and disease. As environments alter with the climate, diseases not previously found in New Zealand may

1g 1,00, Ab uni

Key

ig abase ( Gbase) is 000,000 base p airs. ase p air is a s ing le t of t he g en etic code.

Radia ta p in e h as 25 b il lio n b ase p air s.

The h uman g en ome is 1/ 8 th e s iz e o f th e radia ta p in e g en ome.

The r adia ta p in e gen ome h as 9 b il lio n more b ase p air s th an kauri - th at’ s 3 x th e human g en ome.

The radiata pine genome is eight times bigger than the human genome.

In a world first, Scion scientists have completed a draft assembly of the radiata pine genome.

This marks the beginning of a new era of precision forestry for a critically important species.

“The completion of the genome assembly means that we now have an instruction book for how a radiata tree grows. It’s the foundation we need to begin the task of deciphering what each of the base

pairs of DNA relates to in physical terms," says Dr Emily Telfer, who leads the project.

At 25 billion base pairs, the radiata pine genome is eight times bigger than the human genome.

Following assembly, the next steps are to understand each piece of the genome and the role it plays in tree growth and resilience.

The sheer size of the genome was a large challenge to researchers.

“This is not the kind of problem we could fix just by throwing resources at it. We had to come up

with a way to segment the genome, process it and put it back together again,” says Emily.

Armed with this knowledge, the forestry industry could breed trees with their desired characteristics – hastening the current method of selective breeding that can take decades to produce superior trees.

Once geneticists understand the genome better, that will all change.

“We could breed a whole range of different trees – from construction timber to biofuels.”

Another major advantage will

establish here and threaten our forests.

Emily says thanks to genomics we will be able to identify genes with drought and disease resistance.

RURAL DRIVER

Page 44

‘Lazy, dangerous’ driving habits More than a third of New Zealanders feel unsafe while driving and most don’t have confidence in the ability of other motorists.

An AA Driving School survey has found that within seven days of driving 85 per cent of survey respondents saw other motorists exceed the speed limit, 64 per cent saw motorists drift out of a lane or park inconsiderately and 63 per cent say they saw someone run a red light.

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AA members rated feeling safe on the road and being aware of other road users as the two most important factors when driving, ahead of getting to a destination on time or being courteous to other road users.

Considerate driving

“The survey also shows we need to do a lot more work when it comes to being courteous on the road.

We found that of the courtesies you can show while driving, motorists appreciate being thanked with a wave or similar gesture the most. The problem is not enough of us are doing it, or seeing it.”

Roger says a large part of improving driving on the road is to change the way we think about it.

“Driving is like any other skill, you need to put in the time and refresh your knowledge to ensure you’re not letting bad habits stick.

“We know experienced drivers struggle to consistently indicate, check blind spots, do their mirror checks, tailgate and avoid distraction from their phones – these are all bad habits that have crept into people’s driving routines.”

The only way to recognise your own bad habits is to have someone hold up a mirror and tell you, says Roger.

Simulated road test

“Often that ends up being young people doing professional lessons, who then go home to mum and dad and call them out on the things they’re doing wrong.

“A simulated on-road test, which replicates a driving test, or other types of professional driver training can also help motorists recognise and then work on the weaknesses in their skillset."

RURAL DRIVER

Kiwifruit grower takes out Bathurst title Matt Spratt of Te Puke won the 2017 ECB V8 Ute Racing Series at Mount Panorama in October.

His nickname is ‘Stinger’, and Matt Spratt really took the sting out of the opposition when he won the 2017 ECB V8 Ute Racing Series at Mount Panorama in October.

“It’s been a childhood dream to race at Mount Panorama let alone win, so I’m really rapt,” says Matt who is co-owner of several Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchards and director of the Te Puke-based orchard services company Primogrow Ltd. Ute racing is his hobby and for the Australian event he drove for Jake Stoneman who built the PorterGroup V8 Ute racer.

“The ute’s a rocket and a big credit to Jake who finished it just before the race. I couldn’t even make the test drive because it wasn’t quite finished.”

The first time Matt drove the Ford Falcon ute was in the race but he says it was perfect and ended the race not only in first place, but also virtually unscathed.

However it wasn’t easy. After a crash

involving Scotty Cameron, the safety car came out and on the restart Matt was passed at turn two by Blake Sciberras.

He held onto second, but when Blake made an error Matt moved up to first at Hell Corner.

“I knew I had a couple of corners where I could pick him off. He outbraked himself. I just turned into the apex and by the time I was down Conrod straight there was a two-second gap behind me.”

Matt was determined to race at Bathurst this year. It was his last chance to do so as the V8-powered utes won’t race at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 after 2017.

When he’s not racing Matt’s focus is on providing orchard services to growers, and the orchards from Te Puke to Opotiki which he and partners bought in 2011 when the vine disease Psa-V was killing gold kiwifruit vines.

“We took a risk that the industry could get through Psa-V. That was partly based on our experience of orchard spraying – but it was still a risk – which has paid off.”

Silver favoured but green safer Silver is the number one choice of car colour among New Zealand’s motorists insured with Youi, with close to a quarter (21.89 per cent) behind the wheel of a silver car.

However, Youi CEO Frank Costigan says the company’s accident frequency research showed green is the safest car colour, recording the lowest number of

accident claims across the nation.

The study found preference in terms of car colour varied according to gender and age. Most notably, black vehicles are most popular for drivers born between 1980-1990 and then become increasingly less popular outside of this age bracket, enjoying the least amount of popularity amongst those born prior to 1950.

Page 45

Page 46

POOLS & SURROUNDS

Changes to pool fencing rules to enhance child safety

As the pool owner you’re responsible for installing and maintaining pool fencing that is safe and effective and it’s important to know the rules about pool fencing.

The Building (Pools) Amendment Act took effect from January 1, 2017. It amended the Building Act 2004 and repealed the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987.

The changes are to enhance child safety around residential pools. Drowning is a major cause of accidental death or permanent injury of young children. Many of these drownings occur in private, unfenced or inadequately fenced pools.

Pool fencing rules will remain largely the same, however the new Act requires councils to inspect pool fencing at least once every three years.

Key changes include: • Three-yearly pool fence inspections by councils • Spas and hot tubs over 760mm high with a water surface area of less than 5m2 need lockable covers rather than fences • Garden pools and drainage ponds don’t need fences • Doors from a building that are not self-closing and self-latching must be alarmed • Some infinity pools and pools by a 1200mm cliff do not need four-sided fencing

Pools on display at Tauranga facility Pools Plus will be showcasing Barrier Reef pools when it opens a new pool yard in Tauranga’s Tauriko business district to the public on November 6.

That’s when owners Andrew and Jocelyn McGilllivray say people will have the chance see inside the pools “without getting wet”; view the actual size of the pool and get a feel for the depth and the space.

The new facility is at 120 Whakakake St and Andrew is encouraging people to pop in to chat about pool options with the on-site Pools Plus team and view the swimming pools.

Jocelyn says the network of Barrier Reef retailers has expanded throughout New Zealand.

Currently there are retailers based in Tauranga, Taupo, Whitianga, Waikato, Gisborne, Franklin, North Auckland, Central Auckland, Kerikeri, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and the South Island. Many of the retailers have been involved with Barrier Reef pools for a number of years.

Barrier Reef pools are sold and installed throughout New Zealand by retailers who appreciate the great reputation, fabulous designs and attention to workmanship of the Barrier Reef fibreglass pool and that includes the McGillivrays who have been importing the pools to New Zealand since 2008.

RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

Page 47

Versatile fencing and solar system for lifestyle blocks

Taragate’s Solar Fence Units and T Posts are ideal to protect vegetable gardens from pests while Taragate’s Timeless T Posts can be used to support and protect trees.

The Taragate system is also suitable for permanent electic fences errected to control livestock.

Taragate’s Timeless T Post and Solar Fence Units are ideal for lifestyle blocks and gardeners, says Kerry Powell of Taragate.

in upside down and run several strands of polywire, connect to Taragate Solar Fence Unit. The result: plenty of vegetables.”

Attractive in smooth white or brown colours and easy to use, this new PVC ‘T’ post is strong and fully insulated.

“Timeless posts suit many applications and it’s difficult to see who would not need some. They are ideal for permanent electric fences with high tensile wire, horse fences with tape or rope, and protection around trees, bales or gardens.”

Available in a range of heights from 1.2 metres to 1.8 metres, the post have pre-drilled holes to carry strands every 75mm.

“In the garden these posts make ideal tree stakes, supporting the tree while allowing it to bend, thus reducing damage. To protect your vegetable garden from rabbits and possums, drive this versatile post

Machinery Imports

Exempt from consent If you're planning to carry out building work you need to check whether a building consent is required. You can find a list of work that doesn't require building consent in Schedule 1 of the Building Act, in the ‘Guidance document’ and overview on the website www.building.govt.nz You don't need a building consent for building work listed in Part 1 of the Building Act's Schedule 1 as it is deemed ‘low-risk’ work. It has 32 exemptions and is split into five categories: general; existing buildings: additions and alterations; other structures; network utility operators or other similar organisations; and demolition. It is classified exempt work because it will not affect your building's structure or fire safety, and will not pose a risk to public safety. Though the work in Part 1 can be done by anyone, you should consider employing a tradesperson for some or all of your project.

You should always check with your local council to make sure your proposed building work does not have any district planning implications.

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RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

Some repairs are free of consents Repairs or the replacement of outbuildings may not require a resource consent according to the government website www.building.govt.nz This exemption allows you to repair or replace existing outbuildings that are not intended to be lived in such as carports, garages, greenhouses, machinery rooms, sheds, private swimming pools and farm buildings.

The building must be single-storey and not used by the public.

Windows and exterior doorways in existing dwellings and outbuildings also have an exemption which allows you to carry out any building work

in connection with a window (including a roof window, whether it is fixed or opening) or an exterior doorway if it is to an existing building.

If the door or window is older than 15 years and you are replacing it because it has rotted out, then this work will not require a building consent.

However, if you are replacing a window, roof window or door that has been installed within the past 15 years and it has failed (such as rotting), this work will require a building consent. Replacing a window or door that has failed its durability requirements with a similar window or door could result in the replacement also failing.

There is also an exemption for alteration to existing entrances or internal doorways to facilitate

access for people with disabilities. This exemption enables you to alter existing residential dwellings to improve access for people with disabilities.

Some common examples are: modifying doorways to allow better wheelchair access and installing access ramps.

Interior alterations to existing non-residential buildings may also be exempt. The exemption allows you to make internal alterations to non-residential buildings. It does not apply to residential buildings and communal residential buildings such as hotels, retirement villages, camping grounds, prisons or hospitals.

If your proposed building work either modifies or affects the primary structure of the building or any specified system (such as sprinklers, fire alarms or smoke detectors), then you will need a building consent. Your building work must not relate to a fire separation wall (firewall) or a masonry wall.

Page 49

Page 50

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 51

Versatile machines provide a lift on any job Every year since Jacks Machinery delivered its first Merlo Telehandler to a client in August 1997, the versatility and reliability of these machines has satisfied owners using them in a variety of applications.

Steve Jacks of Jacks Machinery says smaller machines have found favour with farmers and horticulturists shifting and stacking silage bales and fruit bins along

with a variety of other lifting jobs.

“Larger machines work in all kinds of industry including construction, engineering, drainage, energy and maintenance.”

Jacks Machinery has sold and serviced multiple machines to power companies and rigging companies along with many to other sectors.

“As well as the usual pallet forks, grabs and buckets, there are numerous other attachments to suit many jobs, including man-cages and crane gibs of different sizes.

“The Merlo hydrostatic transmission

allows precise manoeuvring and the chassis levelling and side-shifting gives accurate placement.”

Steve says Jacks Machinery has a team of trained Merlo technicians and all of the diagnostic service equipment and years of experience to keep the Merlos in top working condition.

Long-time customer Riteway Rigging has a fleet of Merlos up to six-ton lift and up to 17 metres height, with skilled and certified operators for contract work. Riteway owner Bob MacDonald has been operating Merlos

for 20 years and loves the capability and reliability of the machines.

“He’s happy to talk about Merlos so give Bob a call on 027 474-3821 to find out why.”

Steve says the hire Merlos are popular for those oneoff jobs and trained staff are available to demonstrate new or used Merlos for anyone wanting to see how they can handle their requirements.

The versatility of Merlo Telehandlers mean they are ideal for farmers, contractors and those in the construction, power and telecommunications industries.

The value of feeding supplements is seasonal The profitability of feeding supplement depends on milk response per unit of energy in the supplement.

The milk response decreases significantly when the cow is well-fed on pasture, that is when residuals are greater than 1500-1600kg DM/ha.

In spring, supplements will almost never be profitable when there is enough

pasture, as the pasture left behind, due to substitution, is going to be wasted and the quality of the pastures in future rounds will be reduced. In the autumn, supplements can be used to build cover and, in these cases, it can be profitable to feed supplements even when you have enough pasture.

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Page 52

RETIREMENT

Village - building companies form partnership In the bustling rural town of Te Kauwhata is a unique lifestyle retirement village, a couple of hundred metres up the road from the main street, on the northern aspect overlooking tranquil landscapes.

Aparangi Village operates as a registered charitable trust and all financial gains are injected back into the village for further development for the residents to benefit from.

“The village is a wonderful place to live. We arrived not knowing anyone and have been here for more than 10 years,” say residents Alan

and introducing new residents to the village.” and Daphne Foster. “The facilities available attracted Jackie Long, Aparangi general manager says “By us to the village, along with the countryside setting, and knowing that we can transition to assisted living or having a dedicated build partner working with Aparangi, we can focus on our core business and providing into the residential care unit should our circumstances quality services and facilities.” change is very comforting.”

Occupancy levels are high and properties are sought after at Aparangi, so it was timely to form a partnership with local building company Callavate Limited to build new homes on the sections available. The duplex units are currently the most popular.

These homes consist of 84-130m2 duplex units and 130-170m2 stand-alone villas. With the first duplex unit two weeks ahead of planned completion for end-October and the first stand-alone villa ready in November, things are well underway.

“The partnership gives the trust security in knowing who is going to be building in the village and the quality and professional standards they adhere to,” says Brian Dingle, chairman of the trust.

“It reassures the residents as the same contractors become familiar faces and are known to all, and it provides a fundamental solution for developing duplex options for incoming residents which we don’t have the Celebrating the Aparangi Village tools and resources to implement.” and Callavate partnership.

Callavate is owned and operated by locals Matt and Sheena Young, and Andrew and Melissa Savage.

Sheena says “Being local, we are passionate about giving back to our community. We have a love for business, people and property development, and being a part The team of local of ensuring sustained growth building company for ‘our town’ and the future of which ‘our families’ is very important Callavate Limited, hip rs ne rt pa a ed to us. has form ge to lla Vi gi an ar Ap “We feel very privileged to th wi ere. th es m work with Aparangi, and enjoy build new ho catching up with the residents daily during the build process,

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 53

All Blacks role model for cow nutrition To complete the skills needed for our consultancy we have encouraged participation from specialists in specific fields.

that game requires more than an 80-minute performance. This is no different to ruminant dairy nutrition. Our transition period is our vital warm-up; without a good transition plan we can’t expect our cows to perform to their potential.

A strong start sets the platform for a winning season.

Mark Dixon focuses on feed As far as purchasing genetic balancing and making the best potential goes, most farmers of the choices of feed available. are buying the Ritchie McCaws I have invited him to share for performance. his thoughts in this I haven’t met a column. farmer yet that has To maximise genetic not been extremely potential in dairy proud of the genetcows, having a solid ics in their herd, but game plan is crucial. when it comes to The game plan needs formulating a plan to begin at least 21 around unlocking days before calving.

Considering the the genetic potential farming season as a the conversation world cup rugby test always comes back match, history has to cents/kg/dm, or taught us that winning A ruminate example of balanced nutrition. residuals.

I am sure the All Blacks nutritionists don’t go and buy the cheapest nutrition on the market and monitor the residuals on the plate or bowl as a gauge of profitability and performance.

Unlocking your cow’s genetic potential requires planning and preparation around nutrition. Your cows are looking for this every day when you pull the feed cord in the shed, the bat latch drops to the feed pad or they make it to the paddock that you have chosen for their daily nutritional requirements.

Despite what you may have been told, pasture is not a complete diet but luckily it doesn’t take much to balance some of the shortfalls that limit production and health.

After experiencing one of the wettest springs in history this year, one would say the first half has been challenging and your cows may not have hit their peak. Don’t give up.

Holding cows at a reasonable production level once in-calf for most of the second half can make up for them not peaking where you would have liked.

How many times have we seen the All

Plans for rare breed society in Waikato The Rare Breeds Conservation Society, which aims to conserve and protect rare breeds of domestic animals, is holding a meeting in Hamilton in November to form a Waikato branch.

The meeting is being convened by Mairi Jay MacIntyre of Paeroa, who is a member of the New Zealand Rare Breeds Conservation Society.

“With encouragement from the committee members of the society, I have arranged for an inaugural meeting to be held on Sunday, November 19 from 2-4.30pm at the GoEco Environment Centre, 18-200 Commerce St, Frankton, Hamilton.

“The meeting is open to anyone interested in conserving or breeding rare domestic animals for the future.

“The Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand was formed to conserve, record and promote the survival of rare breeds with the particular aim of maintaining genetic diversity within our livestock species.”

Priority is given to breeds which are rare worldwide as well as New Zealand breeds and feral strains which are rare.

Breeds such as Clydesdale, Shire and

now valuable to many farmers who used Suffolk Punch horses and to shoot them as pests. Rare breeds Milking Shorthorn, often retain desirable characterisRed Poll and Lincoln tics that can be included in new, Red cows are rare improved breeds of livestock. worldwide and “Genetic engineering is revoNew Zealand can lutionising breeding work but provide refuge for it still needs the right genes on such breeds. which to draw. Rare and unuThere are sual breeds provide material distinctive New for research on the evolution Zealand breeds of domestic characteristics. which are rare as Feral types illustrate how animals well. But equally Kunekune pig. change when they run wild and in important for preservNew Zealand they illustrate aspects of ing genetic diversity are a our colonial history.” number of feral strains which For more information about the Waikato have survived and evolved in isolation meeting contact Mairi Jay phone 07 974 3730, email from human interference. Examples mairimacintyre@gmail.com include Arapawa and Auckland Island goats, Campbell Island and Enderby Island cattle, Kaimanawa horses, Enderby Island rabbits and Diggers Hill, Clarence Reserve, Hokonui, Raglan and Mohaka goats.

Mairi Jay says there are a variety of reasons it is worth holding on to the original breeds or feral strains.

“They may be out of fashion in today’s economic world, but they still represent unique ‘genetic packages’ for use again sometime in the future.

“Market fashions change. Lean sheep are now favoured over fat, and goats are

Agricultural, Horticultural & Landscape Irrigation.

Call Our Experts on 0800 130 905 www.irrigationexpress.co.nz

Blacks come from behind and win?

To do this we need to head to the changing sheds, have a rock-solid half-time discussion and formulate a total farm system approach to ensuring your cows have everything they need to come through the second half of the season on top and be profitable.

The All Blacks have never won a test match at half-time. It’s a game of two halves. If you want help formulating a successful game plan then please give us a call. Mark Dixon 027 546 2900.

Good bacteria that eat pond crust and sludge?

The immediate cause of your pond crust is pathogenic bacteria in the effluent. These bacteria separate the effluent fibres and the send them to the surface to form the crust.

How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally.

Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent nutrients into organic forms that are easily used by plants. In other words, they liquefy your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser.

NEW eco-friendly sanitiser Most farmers use Chlorine to clean their sheds. Problem is, Chlorine also kills the Slurry Bugs.

But now, there’s a new Chlorinefree sanitiser that kills pathogens 2.46x better than Chlorine but leaves these good Slurry Bugs alone! It’s called DX50. To fix your pond without expensive machinery, go to www.forwardfarming.co.nz to read more or call David Law on 027 490 9896.

SEE US AT THE EFFLUENT EXPO HALL B, Site 19

EFFLUENT EXPO FOLLOW UP

Page 54

Strong turnout is ‘great news for environment’ A strong attendance at this year’s Effluent Expo in Hamilton reflects how committed farmers are to improving management on-farm, says expo organiser and Waikato Regional Council senior resource officer Hamish Smith.

More than 500 farmers attended the October event, organised by the Waikato Regional Council with support from DairyNZ in October.

“Some of our 46 exhibitors have told us they got more business in one day than they did at this year’s Fieldays. This is great news for the environment, with farmers investing in key infrastructure as well as getting some useful information from the seminars,” says Hamish.

“I’d like to congratulate farmers and the

agricultural sector more widely for being fully engaged and there with the sole purpose of learning and comparing different systems and products. Despite being a busy time of the year, the turnout showed there’s a real commitment to improving on-farm management.

Next expo

“We’re yet to decide whether we’ll hold another similar event next year, but will spend the next few months considering what will best meet the changing needs of farmers working to improve their environmental Waikato Regional Council’s Scott Cantley highlights some of the impact.” compliance issues farm monitoring officers encounter during last There were a number of seminars month’s Effluent Expo at Claudelands in Hamilton. throughout the day which covered Waikato Regional Council monitoring, getting effluent storage volumes sorted, and extracting value out of farm dairy effluent.

Resource officer Scott Cantley highlighted some of the compliance issues the regional council farm monitoring officers encounter and how these impact offi overall farm compliance. The information he provided at the seminar aimed to help farmers prioritise their investment in key farm effluent infrastructure to achieve greater levels of compliance.

Improvements on farm

Visit our website for more on how the

“What’s really good to hear is that our monitoring officers are generally seeing an improvement in effluent infrastructure on farms right across the Waikato,” he also told attendees.

More than 500 farmers attended the 2017 Effluent Expo at Claudelands in Hamilton.

Farm Dairy Effluent Storage

DairyNZ environmental extension specialist Logan Bowler explained the three main inputs of the storage calculator that have the most impact on storage: the soil’s risk to run-off or preferential drainage, water use in the dairy shed and low application depths of effluent. He also showed the impacts of these on a ‘normal’ dairy farm in the Morrinsville area.

“Farmers need to take ownership of the storage calculation modelling. They need to understand any changes to their effluent system that a designer might have included in a calculation, and how this might impact on their day-to-day management. Don’t let the designer just give one volume calculation – farmers need to see all the options open to them,” Logan told audiences.

Value of nutrients

The value of nutrients was the focus of the seminar

by DairyNZ’s Nick Tait, an environmental extension specialist. He compared the value of nutrients to fertiliser prices and showed there was considerable nutrient and dollar value in effluent if well managed. He told farmers that getting effluent samples analysed for nutrient concentrations was cheap and easy and gives farmers valuable information.

Nick also talked about testing irrigator application depths to know how much farmers are applying each pass and how to use DairyNZ’s easy effluent spreading app to calculate spreading depths and loadings.

Slurry Bugs will eat your pond crust. And now, farmers don’t have to kill them!

Good bacteria that eat pond crust and sludge?

A new sanitiser that kills pathgoens, not good microbes!

The immediate cause of your pond crust is pathogenic bacteria in the effluent. These bacteria separate the effluent fibres and the send them to the surface to form the crust.

Most farmers use Chlorine to clean their sheds. The problem is, when Chlorine is washed into the effluent pond, it kills the good bacteria that are eating the crust.

How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally.

Now there’s a new Chlorine-free sanitiser that kills pathogens but leaves the good guys alone! It’s called DX50.

Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent nutrients into organic forms that are easily used by plants. In other words, they liquefy your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser. To fix your pond without expensive machinery, use Slurry Bugs. Go to www.slurrybugs.co.nz to find out more.

DX50TM is Chlorine Dioxide, an eco-friendly chemical engineered to be highly selective in its bacteria killing. DX50 kills 2.46 times better than Chlorine and kills a wider range of pathogens. But it doesn’t harm the good bacteria that eat your pond crust.

To read more, go to www.fowardfarming.co.nz

EFFLUENT EXPO FOLLOW UP

Fully-contained effluent way of future

Because the EcoBag is a fully-contained effluent system, there are no issues with rainfall infiltration or smell.

When you ask farmers what they hate most about their effluent pond or irrigation system there are likely to be a few words not worth repeating, but some things are generally always mentioned, says Harmen Heesen of TechniPharm.

These comments include: hate the crusting; it always rains when the pond is full; irrigation equipment or pumping blockages; the smell and inspections.

“Now you can add to this greenhouse gases. Yes, the open pond is one of the areas where most nitrogen simply evaporates to the atmosphere as greenhouse gas.

“If there was no rule coming towards us for making sure we reduce these gases in any way possible you go ‘ah well’ but this valuable N is actually just as good if not better than urea, so why buy urea while at the same time letting N evaporate from your pond ?

Makes no sense right?”

Bladder system

Harmen says this can be fixed by covered storage.

“The great thing is, it’s not new – the Europeans have been doing this for 20 years.”

One product which can provide this solution is the EcoBag Nutrient Capture effluent storage and management system. Designed under international standards, this is a Euro-Tier environmental award winner.

From the experience of initially covering open storage ponds and finding the wind would simply suck the floating covers off and blow them away, or they would sink into the effluent, the idea was born to create a fully-contained bladder system, says Harmen.

“Materials and manufacturing systems in the 70s and 80s had their limitations and most systems did not exceed 1000 Cube. In the past 10 years however, materials and technology allow fully-certified systems to be made containing up to 15,000 cubic metres.

Paris agreement

“TechniPharm was the first company in New Zealand to start talking about covered storage systems a few years back and now simply refuses to even sell their clients open pond system.

“Why would we when you know that eventually all ponds in New Zealand will be covered, just like in the EU? This country signed up for the environment Paris agreement right? Read the fine print on greenhouse gases.

“There are now EcoBag systems all over New Zealand installed by smart farmers who see, like us, the writing on the wall for open pond systems. But not just in agriculture, also the industrial sector has an interest in liquid storage.”

One such industry is Waste Management which installed 4000 Cubes of EcoBag to collect leachate from a large landfill in the lower North Island.

It contains the “devil’s cocktail” of liquid drained out of the landfill and is a far cry from dairy effluent.

A small cousin of the EcoBag is FlexiTank which is a round “roll-out and pump” storage bladder of 100 cube right up to 2000 cube – great for unstable grounds such as peat or for emergency or instant back up storage to a main pond system.

“As a matter of fact if you are on the limit of your storage system, you can have the FlexiTank sitting on a pallet in the shed ready to roll out when needed.

“Whatever your needs for storing liquids are, talk to TechniPharm first and last,” says Harmen.

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Page 55

Page 56

EFFLUENT EXPO FOLLOW UP

Opposing views on value of fencing waterways Fencing of waterways has proven very effective when it has been used to combat the risks of contamination from agriculture, AgResearch says.

AgResearch’s Professor Rich McDowell, the chief scientist for the ‘Our Land and Water National Science Challenge’, was speaking after the publication of a study looking at policies for fencing waterways on contamination loads in New Zealand waterways in the American Journal of Environmental Quality.

The Ministry for the Environment’s ‘Our Freshwater’ 2017 report indicates that urban waterways have the worst overall water quality in New Zealand, but much of the public focus in recent years has been on the impact of agriculture – particularly dairy farming – on waterways in rural areas.

Contaminant loads

“Fencing is very effective at reducing contaminant loads to waterways – by 10 to 90 per cent depending on the nature of the contaminants and local issues,” Rich says.

“Fencing works especially well for the likes of E. coli or phosphorus contamination that can result from animal waste or stream bank destabilisation. However, fencing all waterways in New Zealand is impractical and in some places other good management practices may be more cost-effective.

“A combination of better awareness of the issues and the use of good management practices (including fencing) in the right place is starting to reverse degrading trends in the likes of phosphorus and sediment in the water over the last decade.”

However, Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson says the research paper makes for sobering reading.

“This is an extremely important piece of research. We now have the science to show what we have long suspected – small waterways are crucially important to the environment and need to be properly protected from contamination,” he says.

The research also calls into question the dairy industry’s claim that it is fencing 90 per cent of the country’s waterways.

“Thanks to Dr McDowell’s research, this figure no longer stands close scrutiny. The dairy industry is only talking about 90 per cent of larger waterways which have to be fenced anyway – not the critically important smaller ones where most of the pollution is occurring.

“These smaller streams are vital to the environment – they flow into the bigger streams and rivers and Dr McDowell’s research shows that by the time they join up with bigger streams, much of the pollution has already occurred.”

Bryce says protecting these small steams need to be an urgent priority. “These smaller waterways are the capillaries of our lakes and rivers and provide essential habitat and breeding areas for a range of species.

Farm drains

“Yet, the current approach means they can be treated like farm drains for animal effluent and farm runoff.

“This has to change. If the farming sector is serious about reducing its impact on water quality and restoring rivers to be swimmable, then it has to exclude stock from all water bodies – regardless of size – and create more extensive riparian buffer zones.

“Farming leaders recently admitted the country’s rivers are not in good condition and promised to restore them so people could once

again swim in them.

"They now have the science showing what they need to do, so there is no need to wait any longer to act on that promise. New Zealanders are becoming increasingly upset by the decline in water quality and the impact that is having on their favourite rivers, lakes and streams.

They want waterways to be swimmable, fishable and safe for food gathering.”

Urgent, decisive action on the issue makes economic sense. “New Zealand’s wealth relies heavily on clean fresh water. The country’s two biggest income earners – tourism and agriculture – cannot survive without it,” says Bryce.

Rich says dairy farmers have invested in a major programme of fencing waterways to the equivalent of nearly 27,000km. They should continue to do so as it is effective at reducing waterway contamination.

Natural sources

“The fact that most of the contaminant load comes from areas not requiring fencing reflects the much greater number and areas occupied by small streams – potentially from steeper country where dairy farming is unlikely to be present. Other work also indicates that a substantial proportion of contaminant concentrations may be from natural sources.”

AgResearch research director Greg Murison says there is a big focus by his own organisation and others, including DairyNZ, to support farmers in developing management practices that reduce the risk of water contamination.

“The number of science programmes looking at these issues demonstrates how scientists are being responsive to what is important to New Zealanders.”

You can read the study at dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/ jeq/articles/46/5/1038

EFFLUENT EXPO FOLLOW UP

Dairy farm effluent open day Farmers will have the chance to see the latest in technology and systems when Presco Environmental Infrastructure co-hosts a dairy effluent open day with Waikorire Farms Ltd, Te Awamutu on November 15.

Presco’s contracts manager Oliver Prestidge says the open day, which will be held at Waikorire Farms (59 Kay Rd, Te Awamutu) will give dairy farmers a chance to learn how to plan and design their effluent system to get the most out of it. They will also get an opportunity to see a recently-built and sustainable effluent system up and running.

The day will include presentations from PumpN on how pump and irrigator technology can take labour cost out and reduce the storage requirement, Land Systems on how important knowing and quantifying your soil is

in assessing and designing your effluent system, and Presco’s own team on designing and building your effluent system right so you only have to do it once. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.

Waikorire Farms has recently upgraded its effluent system. In collaboration with Qubik, the farm’s consultants who will also be at the open day, and Presco, a system was designed that will keep the farm compliant and provide it with the best returns.

As part of the process of calculating the storage requirement, Land Systems was called in to map the farm’s soil types and locations. This process meant the system could be designed so that the storage requirement could be significantly reduced.

As a part of their upgrade, Waikorire installed a 1.6 million litre Prosump (Presco’s concrete effluent storage tanks) which comes with a 50-year minimum build-life guarantee. This

will also be a focus of the open day.

The day will begin at 10.30am with registration and morning tea and the presentations will start at 11am. A spit roast lunch will be provided free to finish off the day and give a further chance for farmers to talk to other farmers or the industry leaders about their questions.

If you are interested in attending the open day please RSVP (for catering purposes) to either phone 0800 773726 or email felicia@presco.co.nz

Page 57

‘Flexible’ bacteria aids research

An international research team co-led by a Monash biologist has shown that methane-oxidising bacteria – key organisms responsible for greenhouse gas mitigation – are more flexible and resilient than previously thought.

Soil bacteria that oxidise methane (methanotrophs) are globally important in capturing methane before it enters the atmosphere, and scientists now know that they can consume hydrogen gas to enhance their growth and survival.

This new research, published in the prestigious ‘International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal’, has major implications for greenhouse gas mitigation.

Industrial companies are using methanotrophs to convert methane gas emissions into useful products, for example liquid fuels and protein feeds.

“The findings of this research explain why methanotrophs are abundant in soil ecosystems,” says Dr Chris Greening from the Centre for Geometric Biology at Monash University.

“Methane is a challenging energy source to assimilate. By being able to use hydrogen as well, methanotrophs can grow better in a range of conditions.”

Methanotrophs can survive in environments when methane or oxygen are no longer available.

The open day at Waikorire Farms Ltd, Te Awamutu will include presentations on the latest in dairy effluent technology.

WAIKATO DAIRY EFFLUENT OPENDAY

Come along and catch up with the latest on designing a sustainable effluent management system that is compliant and will give you the best returns and see one in operation.

•

Presentations from industry leaders on getting the best from your effluent management system, including a Q & A discussion

•

Tour of Waikorire Farms Ltd new effluent system (including their Prosump)

•

FREE Spit roast lunch!

15 NOVEMBER 2017 59 KAY ROAD, ROTOORANGI, DAIRY #73849

Register online at www.prescoinfrastructure.co.nz or give us a call for more info on 0800 773 726

CLASSIFIEDS

Page 58

classified listings accommodation

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION Romantic, separate, selfcontained accommodation with a touch of luxury. Rural location 5 minutes from Hobbiton. Sleeps up to four. Continental breakfast included. Phone 021 0595 185

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NEED A C.V? A C.V. For You can provide you with the professional touch. From scratch or alterations.

“Get the interview….Land the job” Contact via www.facebook.com/ acvforyou or 0204 037 6034

for sale

PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

your advertising

REACH OVER 31,000 HOMES For only $20 you can have your listing here. You recieve up to 20 words. Whether it is something to sell, or promoting your product/ service. Email us today with your listing you would like, along with your credit card details to be in the next issue! Or feel free to call 07 928 3053 kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

trades & services download your free App today

LIST YOUR RURAL EVENT HERE! email your listing to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

(take-home kit valued at $255). Registration essential.

See tinyurl.com/hgetab6

Free Home Composting Workshop, noon-1pm,

Gisborne (take home a free compost bin, one per household). Register with Tairawhiti Environment Centre, ph 06 867 4708.

Hamilton Gardens, 10am5pm daily. See tinyurl.com/ yc8s4k7w

Campbell Hall, Canada St, Morrinsville, gold coin entry.

$85. See tinyurl.com/jxwolwf

November 10-12

Plant Sale, 10am-4pm,

$30. See www.rotoruagardens. org.nz

November 5

A Floral Affair Open Day,

Garden Design, 9am-3pm, Rose Show, 11.30am-3.30pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, Breakfast with the Birds,

Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre, near Katikati. $40 includes accommodation, supper, breakfast and a guided walk. Book by email events@ aongateteforest.org

Farm to Table Dinner, farm

tour at 5.30pm, dinner at 7pm, Pakaraka Farm, Thames, $100.

See tinyurl.com/y98bqwxp

November 4-5

Hamilton Gardens.

Rotorua Festival of Gardens,

November 11

Guided tour of Koanga Institute, 1-4pm, Wairoa,

10am-2pm, 71 Walter Henry Drive, Lower Kaimais, Tauranga, $10. Floral art demonstrations by Francine Thomas at 11am and 1pm.

RSVP 07 543 2711.

November 5-10

Katikati Rotary Garden Ramble, $20. Self-drive tour,

Altrusa Garden Ramble, Te

Awamutu, $25. Tickets from the Te Awamutu iSite, ph 07 871 3259.

November 3-4

$25 (includes afternoon tea).

Details at tinyurl.com/yapxjglk

November 11-12

East Cape trip, ph Tim 0800 884 881 ext 6010 (o) or 07 315 7371.

Living with the Land, Tirau,

will be held wet or fine 9am to 5pm. Tickets from Katikati Information Centre, or gardens on the day.

Ph 07 549 1658.

Rotorua Botanical Society,

11am-4pm, Greerton Hall, Tauranga, $3.

including production, crop storage and maintenance, $750. See www.lals.nz

November 7

Dairy Women’s Network

free Coaching Conversations

Worm Composting Workshop, workshop. Stop being the 1-3pm, Katikati, $34.50

NT ME AT

PEPP ER

Pacific Rosebowl Festival,

November 4 & 11

BOP Rose Society Show,

S

November 9-12

November 3

November 4

BER TR TIM E

get more out of individuals by supporting them to find their own solutions. Learn skills for every-day conversations. Lunch provided. Please register at www.dwn.co.nz/events

go-to problem solver and

Waikato Rose Show noon-5pm Saturday; 10am-4.30pm Sunday, Hamilton Gardens, $5.

November 12

Best and Worst of the Kaimai Forest, 10am-

3pm, walk led by Basil Graeme, meet Aongatete Forest Education Centre near Katikati. See www. aongateteforest.org

BOP Iris Show,

10am-4pm, Armitage Hotel, Willow St, Tauranga, $3 adults.

Plant display, plants for sale, growing advice. Ph Christina, 07 543 1128.

St, Frankton. Hamilton.

Contact Mairi Jay, ph 07 974 3730, email mairimacintyre@ gmail.com

November 23

Waikato Horticultural Society: Irises, 7.30pm,

Hamilton Gardens, Gate 2. Visitors $5. The talk is preceded by a short AGM. Ph Carmel 07 859 0158.

November 25

Garden Design and Permaculture, Plenty

Quarryfest, Te Puna Quarry

Permaculture, Whakamarama, near Tauranga, $120.

November 17-18

Pakaraka Permaculture Market Garden Tour,

Park near Tauranga, 10am-4pm.

December 2

Gardens, Flowers & All That Jazz, Taupo, includes Garden

4-5.30pm, Thames. Entry by koha but registration essential.

December 2-3: Plant Sale, 10am-4pm, Hamilton Gardens.

Walks, $50. See tinyurl.com/ y8lw6r6b

November 18

Bromeliad Display and Sale,

December 3

8am-noon, Matua Hall, Levers Rd, Tauranga. Buy from local growers. Ph 07 576 7711.

Waikato and Rotorua Botanical Societies Field Trip, 9.30am-5pm, Te

Rare Breeds Conservation Society inaugural meeting for

Guided Tour of Koanga Institute, 1-4pm, Wairoa,

November 19

a Waikato branch, 2-4.30pm at the Go Eco Environment Centre, 188-200 Commerce

Aroha area. See tinyurl.com/ y9lv6zm4

$25 (includes afternoon tea). Details at tinyurl.com/ y89ysfku

Questions to ask when purchasing home It’s easy to get carried away when you’re searching through property listings for the house of your dreams.

But if you’re not careful, home-buying can become a nightmare.

“Buying a property is a complex and potentially stressful process, not least because it involves such a scary amount of money,” says Kevin Lampen-Smith, chief executive of the Real Estate Agents Authority.

“It’s smart to do as much as you can to reduce the risk of unwelcome surprises or unexpected costs further down the line.”

In the first instance, Kevin recommends drawing up a list of questions to ask about properties you’re interested in.

“Remember that you can ask the real estate agent anything you like about the property,” he says. “They are also required to tell you everything they know and not withhold any details.”

If you’re not sure what to ask, here’s a handy list of questions. Open homes can be busy, so ask the agent if you can talk on the phone, or send questions via email.

Have there been any issues with the property, such as earthquake damage or water-tightness?

Are there any offers on the property, or have any contracts been cancelled by potential buyers?

How long has it been on the market? What is the seller’s preferred settlement date?

What maintenance, repairs or improvements have been carried out?

Do these have permits?

Is there a Land Information Memorandum available or a building report prepared by an accred-

ited property surveyor?

Is the property well-maintained? What condition are the roof, piles, wiring, and plumbing in?

Is the property insulated? If so, to what degree (e.g. walls, underfloor, ceiling)?

Is there any risk of methamphetamine (P) contamination?

If there is a body corporate (usually for apartments), what does that entail?

Are there any issues with neighbours or planned developments?

“If you are seriously considering making an offer you will need to do your own research and seek professional advice. It may well become your home, so you need to know as much about it as possible to save unhappy surprises later.

Knowing the right questions to ask is a good starting point,” says Kevin.

For more advice on buying a property in New Zealand, or to download a free Home Buyers’ Guide, visit: buyingahome.reaa.govt.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 59

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 60

Grandchildren Darcey, 4, Freya, 2, and Aiden Simm, 12 months, are help their "Grumpy" feed out at Welcome Bay.

Cooper making friends on the farm, Te Kuiti.

Anneka Forlong, Becky Jopson, Aston Milha and Olivia Taylor at the Kaimai School Calf Club day.

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the Braden, 2-years-old, getting and m mu g stakes sorted and helpin le. svil rrin Mo in m dad on their far

River, 3-years-old, helping mum pick up bale wraps in Tauranga.