Coast and Country February 2017 by Sun Media

Clydesdales on the orchard Bruce Polley of Katikati is always keen to ﬁnd work for Royal (left) and Hamish on the avocado orchard. Even if it’s just taking him for a ride, it helps hone the skills of the horses and their driver. See story pages 4-5 Photo by Elaine Fisher.

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Dairying PAGE 27-31

Horse of the Year PAGE 52-53

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Zorion Longhorn in letterbox scare I recently had a close encounter with a Zorion Longhorn – though I didn’t know what it was called at the time. It did however, cause me concern – not for its size – it isn’t some exotic large breed of cattle as the name might suggest – but a tiny blue ant-like insect with very long antlers – well long in proportion to its size. I found it sitting on our letterbox minutes after the rural delivery driver had deposited the mail. It looked like a largerthan-normal ant but it was its metallic blue body and bright copper-coloured band on its abdomen which got my interest. ‘This looks far too exotic to be a native ant’ I thought, so I scooped it up in a tissue, took it inside and shook it into a plastic container with The exotic-looking a lid for safe keeping while I Zorion Longhorn Googled “blue ant”. is a native to Nothing remotely like my New Zealand. captive appeared so I called Photo: Andrew Broome – Source: www.terrain.net.nz the Ministry for Primary Industries’ biosecurity number – 0800 80 99 66. One of the ﬁrst questions the call centre asked was if I had taken delivery of any goods from overseas.

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I hadn’t but I did wonder what might have been in the rural delivery van – given how popular buying online has become. A while later I received a phone

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call from Bede McCarthy, of entomology, the Investigation and Diagnostic Centres and Response, Operations Branch of MPI, who asked me to send him a photograph. Bede told me that from my description he thought the insect could be a Zorion Longhorn so I checked it out online and sure enough he was right. Shortly afterwards Bede conﬁrmed that’s exactly what it was, saying the Zorion Longhorn is not an ant but a native insect, also known as the ﬂower longhorn because it feeds on pollen and nectar.

Foreign invaders

I was much relieved to hear that news. I’d had visions of the rural delivery van, and maybe the driver, in quarantine and biosecurity personnel descending on Tanners Point, setting up traps and inspecting gardens and houses for a foreign invader, much as they did with the fruit fly find in Grey Lynn in Auckland. After some time in captivity I released the exotic-looking Zorion Longhorn onto a pollenfilled flower, wishing it well. Since then I’ve seen others in the garden – can’t image how I’ve missed them before. However, the encounter demonstrated for me how effective the 0800 biosecurity call system is and even though this was an innocent local, had it been a unwanted invader like the brown marmorated stink bug or fruit fly, prompt action could have helped contain and eradicate a potential threat to our horticultural industries and environment. For more on the stink bug and fruit fly and what to do if you find them, see Mike Chapman’s column on page 42. Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Sub-catchment water quality approach proposed Farmers working together in subcatchments would be the most effective approach to improve water quality to “swimmability and Mahinga Kai” standards in all Waikato and Waipa waterways, meeting the aim of the Waikato Regional Council’s proposed Plan Change 1. That’s the view of the group, Farmers for Positive Change Wai Ora Waipa-Waikato – also known as F4PC.

Economy stalls

“This approach, when combined with farm environment planning, will set a direction of travel that is not as disruptive or cloaked in uncertainty, yet still provides change to water quality where required,” says Graeme Gleeson of F4PC. It will also give effect to the vision and strategy, which is an integral part of the Treaty Settlement with the five river iwi. The recently notified Plan Change 1 sets out a staged approach to achieve these aims during 80 years, with the plan reviewed and updated every 10 years. In response to concerns from many in the farming sector about the direction of Plan Change 1, F4PC proposes farmers in the sub-catchments of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers to work together to reduce their environmental footprints, focusing on the four contaminants nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and E. Coli, and allowing the quality of streams that flow through and nearby their farms to improve.

Rick and Graeme say there could be some potential long-term adverse impacts driven by plan changes which must be recognised now. There is a possibility that rural communities would struggle to maintain vibrancy and prosperity when the regional economy stalls due to the impact of de-intensiﬁed land use change required to bring about water quality improvement – and this hasn’t been talked about enough. Graeme says that business-as-usual with ongoing intensiﬁcation, as seen in recent years with the forestry to dairy conversions in the Upper Waikato, is also not an option. “The middle road is the sustainable route for both the environment and rural economies.” Quite what that “middle road” might look like is not entirely clear but Graeme says technologies and science already exist to help reduce the impacts of farming on water quality. “It is also certain that new technologies will emerge because tension and pressure always leads to innovation, but at present we don’t know what these advances might be.”

Sense of ownership

Interim targets

“Part of the approach, as currently set out by Plan Change 1 utilising catchment-wide rules, has little bearing upon the state of water quality in a farmer’s local sub-catchment streams, wetlands, lakes and ponds so doesn’t convey awareness of or a sense of ownership about a problem – which in turn will limit needed urgency to change farm management

transitional manner, rather than have a forced situation that leaves investment stranded. “The 10-year life of the plan change and its accompanying rules is too short for farmers who need some certainty about the viability of future investment within their businesses. We demand transparency and certainty now as to what the 20-30-year future holds.” For the sub-catchment approach to work, it will require the collaborative effort of all landowners including dairy, drystock and deer farmers, equine, pig, market gardeners, orchardists and lifestyle farmers. It must also be recognised there has been already been a lot of mitigation

practices that could make a positive and tangible difference,” says Graeme. F4PC chairman Rick Burke says Graeme has invested a huge amount of time and energy into working up this proposal. “The development of a sub-catchment proposal demonstrates how F4PC is taking a positive, leadership approach to the plan changes,” says Rick. Graeme agrees there is little point in “banging your ﬁst on the table in frustration and pushing back without offering a credible alternative”.

It is for this reason he’s also in favour of council taking a 30-year approach with clearly established interim targets and bottom-lines for water quality established upfront now. “This will provide more certainty regarding business investment and the opportunity to analyse their land use and make appropriate change if required, in a

ON S Y A 10 D

work undertaken across many farms. “This work didn’t spring up overnight. It requires awareness and acknowledgement of a problem then careful planning of the work required along with having the ﬁnancial wherewithal to put it all into place.” Graeme and F4PC change members believe bringing landowners together with a sub-catchment focus would tap into valuable local knowledge and skills and enable farmers to support each other to make positive changes for the environment, while enabling their farming operations to be adaptable and so remain viable. Submissions on Plan Change 1 close on March 8. Elaine Fisher

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Page 4

‘Mob’ of Clydesdales inspired hobby Being gently “mobbed” by a team of very large, inquisitive Clydesdales sparked a new and absorbing hobby for Bruce Polley of Katikati. “I’d grown up aware of horses. My father was president of the Bay of Plenty Trotting Club and I have a vivid memory of riding a sled pulled by Clydesdales owned by my great uncle Ran Stewart when I was about six. But I’d never ridden or had any closer

connection with horses,” says Bruce, who now owns two Clydesdales named Hamish and Royal. It all began in 2005 when Bruce saw a sign for a Waikato Heavy Horse Association event and wandered in to take a look. “I met well-known horse enthusiast Fred Pilling and asked if I could pat his horses, which were in a paddock,” recalled Bruce. “My previous experience with horses was that they’d usually run away from you. But instead these big Clydesdales

came towards me, gently nudging each other out of the way to get closer. “I was impressed at how inquisitive they were and decided I’d like to know more about the breed.” It was to be another four years before Bruce bought his ﬁrst Clydesdale, but he’d been observing and learning about the breed, at the same time as developing the avocado orchards he and wife

Michelle own in Katikati. Bruce found mentors among members of the Waikato Heavy Horse Association, but admits much of what he’s learned, and is still learning, comes from trial and error. “Clydesdales are fairly forgiving horses. They don’t forget but so long as you don’t drop them in the deep end, they get over continued... minor mistakes.

Pullin ga is one sledge ﬁlled w of the roles fo ith ﬁrewood r Ham ish.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 5

Quiet and slower pace appeals to Bruce

says it is more about enjoying an absorbing hobby working with intelligent and powerful horses which also provides a complete change of pace from modern life. “As a former dairy farmer and now an orchardist, I’m used to being around noisy machinery so I just love the quiet and slower pace of working with the horses.” Elaine Fisher

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Clydesdale harness an d neatly in Bruce Polle collars hang y’s track room.

Specialising in Specialising in

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“While they are a placid breed, Clydesdales are not all bullet proof and still require respect. “They each have their own temperaments and must the handled carefully because they are big and very powerful.” Bruce has broken both Hamish and Royal to pulling carts, wagons and sleds, using harnesses made by Jacqueline Pryce of Blackwood Clydesdale Stud at Tongaporutu, Taranaki, and collars made by Steve Smith of Cromwell. There’s little work for the horses on an avocado orchard but Bruce uses them to pull a sled to transport firewood, to shift shelterbelt trimming ﬁ

or any other task he can ﬁnd to keep Hamish and Royal ﬁt and hone his own skills for the shows they attend.

Disc harrower

Bruce, who is a descendant of the family of Katikati’s Ulster Irish founder George Vesey Stewart, also has an historic horse-drawn disc harrower that once belonged to another of the early settler families, the Henrys. “I exchanged many hours of spraying gorse for Owen Henry for the harrows, which are probably more than 70 years old.” When he’s not exercising Hamish and Royal on the Wharawhara Rd orchard, Bruce takes them and a sled to Tuapiro Point and treks out on the sandbank at low tide. “It’s a great place to exercise the horses and invari-

ably we end up giving sled rides to tourists from the campervans at Tuapiro Point.” All that exercise and training pays off when Bruce and the horses compete at heavy horse events and A&P shows – but winning ribbons and prize money isn’t the main driver. “It’s about learning from the old hands and giving myself goals to aim for.

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Slower pace

“I also love giving children the opportunity to pat the horses and to hear the stories of people in their 70s and 80s who remember seeing Clydesdales used when they were young.” Bruce’s motivation is partly to preserve the Clydesdales and the old farm machinery they work, but he

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Wi Pere’s enduring legacy to whanau and region Prominent East Coast Maori leader Wi Pere understood, more than a century ago, that it was vital for Maori to retain and beneﬁt economically from their land. Today the Wi Pere Trust Estate he established 117 years ago is more than meeting the goals he held for his whanau and at the same time is beneﬁtting the wider Gisborne economy. In fact, it has become one of the

most successful family estates in New Zealand. It’s fair to say Wi Pere wouldn’t recognise the technology used, or even some of the produce grown on his ancestral lands now, but he’d no doubt be proud of the work of his descendants who are today’s trustees of the Wi Pere Trust. Wi Pere Trust operations manager of horticulture Wayne Hall says the

trustees are forward-thinking and among other initiatives have invested in new citrus and kiwifruit varieties and recently planted ﬁve hectares in persimmon trees. The trust has removed grape vines from one of its properties and planted citrus, including a new early navel orange known currently as M7, bringing the total size of its citrus orchards to 54ha.

This season voluntary maturity testing of navel oranges, carried out by independent testers before harvest, has been successful in helping guarantee consumers enjoy the best possible taste experience and be encouraged to make repeat continued... purchases.

New orange

“This variety out of Australia, is two to three weeks earlier than most navel oranges and Wi Pere Trust is one of just two growers in New Zealand with this variety,” says Wayne. “This year the fruit reached maturity around June 20 and tasted great.” The trees are not yet old enough to produce a commercial crop. When they do, the fruit will be marketed by MG Marketing, which holds the variety rights and is a leading supplier of fresh produce to New Zealand, Australian and global consumer markets. Other horticultural crops produced by the trust are packed and marketed by First Fresh of Gisborne. The new trees are growing alongside a latermaturing variety and both are part of a strategy to have fruit in the domestic and export markets at times when a premium can be earned.

Improve returns

www.national.org.nz

Wayne, who is also chairman of the orange and tangelo product group of New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc, says the industry is striving to improve returns for growers.

operations Wi Pere Trust ulture Wayne rtic manager of ho ew early variety n e th h it w 7. Hall, s known as M ge an of navel or

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7

Early and late citrus varieties enhance returns ...continued

“The majority of growers and marketers support the system, which saw samples of fruit taken from orchards and tested for brix and acid levels.” Growers were advised by the independent testers when their fruit was ready to harvest, and Wayne says the two main supermarket chains also support the voluntary programme.

Small fruit

The great tasting fruit helped hold up prices early on, but Wayne says there was also a lot of smaller fruit in the market. “Fruit size of main season navels has been disappointing, with all marketers handling large volumes of low value small fruit. This is something the industry needs to address. “The NZCGI strategy is based on creating a strong demand for NZ navel oranges that can be maintained throughout the whole selling season. “Looking ahead I believe we also need to focus on how our industry can generate accurate crop estimates, focusing on volume and size by variety, to accompany the work we are doing on taste. This information could assist us with managing the supply of fruit into the market.”

Education focus

Producing quality primary produce from its farms, orchards and vineyards is very much the focus of Wi Pere Trust, which supported the maturity testing of navel oranges this season. Since inception in 1899, the trust has grown to be a successful private business enterprise involved in agriculture and horticulture with land and other net assets valued at nearly $71 million as of June 2016. The trust has about 460 beneﬁciaries. It has a strong focus on educating and encouraging local young people to consider careers in horticulture. “The trust pays above the average wage, provides

training and employs good quality staff,” says Wayne. The growth of the horticulture within the trust and the wider Gisborne district means there’s no shortage of work – but there is a looming shortage of workers.

Not promoted

Unfortunately, horticulture isn’t seen as an exciting career path and isn’t often promoted in schools. But Wayne hopes to help change that by motivating young people to consider working in the industry, and working closely with the careers advisors. Giving young people work experience is among the ways of achieving that as is helping to promote the wide range of opportunities from growing, picking, packing, research and development and business management the industry offers. As well as leaving an enduring economic legacy for his descendants, Wi Pere was also an advocate for Maori and the retention of their land nationally. He held the Eastern Maori seat in Parliament between 1884 to 1887 and 1893 to 1905 when he was defeated by the young Apirana Ngata. The Liberal government appointed Wi Pere to the Legislative Council in 1907. Today a monument, erected in 1919 to honour his memory and achievements, stands in Reads Quay in Gisborne. Elaine Fisher

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RURAL DRIVER

Four tracks to test motocross national riders The 2017 New Zealand Motocross Championships is looming, with four contrasting types of terrain set to test the country’s elite dirt bike racers throughout February and March. The four-round series will kick off near Timaru on February 5, with rounds to follow in Rotorua on February 19 and the Manawatu on March 12, with the ﬁnal round in Taupo on Saturday, March 25. Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Howard Lilly, from Karaka, say he’s looking ahead to a brilliant season. “We are thrilled with the four clubs and the venues they are providing.” Timaru’s track at Pleasant Point has been venue for the opening round for several seasons now, the course there an interesting mix of man-made jumps, hardpack soil and tricky off-cambers. Rotorua’s venue, on steep farmland about 25km from

the city, heading towards Atiamuri, has also been a regular on the nationals calendar. And the spectacular course there is a favourite with spectators for the viewing that it offers, says Howard. Meanwhile, the Flipp’s Motorcycle Park near Himatangi had been granted the third round of the series following the Manawatu-Orion Motorcycle Club’s successful first time hosting of the event last season. Howard says this is reward for and vindication of the way the Manawatu club presented the venue last year, the sand-based track proving to be incredibly popular with riders and spectators alike. He says it probably should come as no surprise that the Manawatu club met the criteria in the first instance, seeing as it has been the host club of New Zealand’s largest motocross, the NZGP at Woodville, every year since 1961. “Manawatu’s event last season was widely regarded as the highlight of the series last year,” said Howard. And the final round is again set for Taupo, the popular pumice track valued as a true all-weather facility.

“The event will be held there on a Saturday, rather than the traditional Sunday, to enable the motocross community to celebrate their ﬁnals prizegiving in the town on Saturday night.” Howard says several international riders are again expected to race the New Zealand nationals, with the Kiwi summer offering a great opportunity for their offseason training.

Conﬁrmed venues for th e 2017 motocross nationa ls

are:

Round 1: February 5, 20 17, Christchurch Off Road Club; Backﬂips Track Timaru. Round 2: February 19, 2017, Rotorua Motorcycle Club; Rotor ua Motocross Track. Round 3: March 12, 20 17, Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Club; Flipp's Track, Hi Round 4: March 25, 20 matangi. 17, Taupo Motorcycle Club; Digge r McEwen Motocross Park.

The 2017 New Zealand Motocross Championships begin this month. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 9

Ocean’s bounty may boost Opotiki’s fortunes Just beyond the surf break along Opotiki’s coastline live shellfish that could boost the region’s tourist economy, believes Mayor John Forbes. “Surf clams could become a signature dish for restaurants in this region and provide a good living for people operating a small business – but first we need to know if they can be sustainably harvested.” John’s enthusiasm for the large clam was sparked last year when a storm tossed thousands of the shellfish onto a stretch of beach by the Opotiki Surf Club. “Seagulls gorged themselves on them and locals picked up buckets full. The huge numbers of the shellfish on the beach got me wondering about the potential for commercial harvesting.” Surf clams are just one of many shellfish John believes offer economic potential, including geoduck – pronounced gooey duck – a species of very large, edible saltwater clam also found in East Coast waters.

Worth investigation

“Chinese consumers value seafood and are prepared to pay well for it. However, no research has been done into the numbers of wild shellfish offshore here or if they can be harvested sustainably,” says John, who has in his office a box of shells he’s picked up off the beach – each of which may have commercial potential. “Asian consumers enjoy other seafoods we disregard, including blind eels and many shellfish we don’t eat.” Many could be worth investigating for their commercial potential, John believes. Research by the Cawthron Institute is underway into farming more familiar marine creatures, which in future may complement the mussels already grown offshore from Opotiki by Eastern Seafarms. Experiments to grow scallops by “gluing” them to a frame suspended in the water column are showing promising results with the shellfish growing bigger more quickly, with improvements in the taste and quality of their flesh. “It may be possible to grow large numbers of scallops in one square metre of water space.” It’s that kind of innovation that will help the Opotiki District Council convince the Government to commit funding to the re-development of the town’s harbour to create all-tide access, especially for vessels servicing marine farms. It’s more than 12 years since plans were launched to develop the harbour. Consent has been granted; exhaustive hydrological studies have been carried out; at least $10 million has been invested in the harbour plans and associated marine farming; and $20m has been pledged by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Harbour development

In May last year Brian Perry Civil and HEB Construction were invited, by the Opotiki District Council, to continue to the next stage of the design process before a final design and construction contract is expected to be ready to be signed with the successful party in 2017. Between them aquaculture and the harbour development are predicted to create 318 to 450 full-time jobs and a reduction in social welfare spend in the district. Building the harbour is expected to leverage a total investment package of $230m with a benefit-to-cost ratio of $7.30 for every $1 invested in the harbour. It’s been predicted the revenue payback of the Government’s $25m investment via tax would happen in four to five years. The district is preparing for the harbour development and growth of marine farming with a Pathways to Work programme and by upgrading infrastructure. “We have recently upgraded the district’s water bores and Horizon Energy has constructed a new substation to service OPAC and EastPak packhouses and New Zealand Manuka.” The extra capacities of both water and power supply will also benefit the onshore processing of mussels. Now in his sixth term as Mayor, John retains his enthusiasm for and confidence in the future of Opotiki. While marine farming is receiving a lot of attention, it’s not the only star performer. Nominal GDP is up 3.6 per cent for the Eastern Bay, much of that driven by growth in the primary and manufacturing sectors.

The population is growing; unemployment is down by 15 per cent; incomes and wages are increasing; more consents are being issued; house prices are up and visitor nights and visitor spends are both up too. Those numbers reﬂect the diversity of the region’s economy, which includes tourism, kiwifruit, aquaculture, manuka honey, dairy and forestry. The strong, and unique relationship the Opotiki District Council enjoys with the Whakatohea Trust is another cause for optimism as both the trust and council share a common goal to strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of the Opotiki community.

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Treasures fr the sea – O om Mayor Joh potiki nF with exam orbes p shellﬁsh he les of believes may be ab le be harveste to farmed off d or shore.

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

Many plants and metals deadly to stock Sporadically during most years vets are called to investigate sudden illnesses and unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy animals. While they can occur at any time of year, during summertime is not uncommon as feed supplies shrink and animal hunger may lend to less discerning

diets. Often where no obvious sign of infection or trauma has occurred we need to look at intoxication as the cause of the symptoms. While not exhaustive, below are some of the main plants and metal contaminants known to be lethal to livestock. Oleander: An ornamental shrub; just a few leaves thrown over the fence into a paddock can be lethal to stock. Yew: All parts are poisonous; prevent stock from grazing near trees or clippings. Acorns: Most poisonous when green; young stock are more susceptible to toxicity. Foxglove: Very bitter and not very palatable, ingestion can cause heart failure due to cardiac glyco-

sides. Other plants like lilies can also have these toxins. Rhododendron: Leaves are toxic to sheep and cattle, watch out for the pet lamb nibbling leaves in the garden. Avocado: All parts are toxic, goats and horses appear to be most sensitive and lactating animals can develop a sterile mastitis. Tutu: Known for killing a circus elephant. This toxic native plant is found mainly in bush blocks. Keep stock away from areas where it is known to grow or border onto. Other plants like bracken fern, ragwort, hemlock and

various members of the nightshade family can also cause illness and death in livestock. Lead: Lead poisoning of stock has been caused by old car batteries and from animals licking and chewing at lead paint. Arsenic: Stock have died after eating the ash left after burning tanalised wood, also old sheep dip contains arsenic. If you have any questions about possible toxins on your farm, please contact your local vet. Vets can investigate any suspicious cases and help to prevent poisonings in the future.

Lifestyle lots now harder to find in Western Bay district Following a change in direction several years ago by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, there are now very few true lifestyle blocks being produced in the Bay. On the back of increased building soaking up supply, people looking for rural opportunities will be forced into the Minden Lifestyle Zone. Most blocks being created in this zone will be less than 5000m2, somewhat less than many true lifestylers need. Those wanting a hectare or two will have to compete for the existing blocks or rely on the comparatively few lots still allowed under other rules. Some larger lifestyle blocks can still be created in the

rural zone in conjunction with protection of ecological features such as ‘over half a hectare of wetland’, ‘protection of 500m of planted stream bank’ or ‘several hectares of native bush’ – signiﬁcant cultural sites and view shafts can also comply. This is a rule that has found favour, as it is a win-win for the landowner and the general public. Rural subdivision is also available to those who can achieve a minimum productive lot area of six hectares and those with more than 12ha may even qualify for a bonus lifestyle lot. For those who’ve planned ahead, boundary adjustments between existing titles or relocation of existing titles is another popular way of creating rural blocks to meet the market. Generally these can be adjusted in size along the way to create usable lifestyle blocks and also keep the majority of productive land in the farm. A little known fact is rural properties

with more than one house can now be subdivided to create a separate title around the surplus house. Although there are costs involved, signiﬁcant capital can often be released from the exercise. Development in the Minden Lifestyle Zone has been limited with some parts reaching their capacity, due to restricted access onto State Highway 2, pending construction of the Tauranga Northern Link. However, now the New Zealand Transport Agency has committed to construction of this road we’re going to see some more development potential freed up during the next year or two, I believe. If you wish to clarify any subdivision strategies mentioned here, please feel free to give me a call. I’m happy to discuss the situation with you to see if it is worth pursuing. Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Coromandel. For further information call 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

LIFESTYLE FARMING

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You see the show is getting a tough new event this year – with the public asked to sign up for it to help celebrate the region’s big role in growing avocadoes. Last year the inaugural Katikati Avo Expo set up camp at Katikati A&P Show to claim the town as New Zealand’s avocado capital by bringing back woodchopping to the show. Spokesperson of the organising team Linda Flegg says there’s a number of local [avocado] growers in the region “who believe we should be seen in Katikati as the avocado capital of NZ – like Ohakune is the growing capital of carrots”. “It was the brainchild of Sheryl Palmer, a longtime grower in our region – and she approached the marketing company AVOCO with the idea. “They came on-board with some sponsorship and the big drawcard [last year] was to the get woodchopping back into the A&P show – because it hadn’t functioned there for some time.” Trade exhibitors relating to the avocado industry had stalls set up to showcase their businesses – for example, contractors and nurserymen – around the expo marquee. This year the expo’s organising team is ramping up its efforts by adding a Tug O War Competition to accompany the woodchopping display. Linda says year two of the expo is about making it a little bit bigger and more interesting to show-goers on February 5. “Initially we were going to throw invitations out to packhouses for the Tug O War Competition but now we’ve opened it to the public.” The Tug O War requires teams of ﬁve, with a maximum weight of 400kg and including a minimum of two women – a non-pulling team captain is optional too – to compete.

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Woodchoppers at Katikati A&P Show will this year be joined by a Tug O War Competition – courtesy of the Katikati Avo Expo.

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Page 11

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“We’re hoping to set up the Tug O War on the cricket pitch in the middle of the ﬁeld so people can stop and watch. “Depending on the interest we will run eliminations and eventually we’ll come out with two teams, which will compete for a trophy.” Linda says New Zealand Avocado is supporting the expo, supplying information booklets and recipes for avocadoes to hand out to the public. “We’ll have avocado craft activities for the kids – plus we’ll be running our ‘avo shy’ again which is like a coconut shy. Kids just loved throwing rubber avocados at a target to win a real avocados as a prize.” An addition this year will be avocado food samples on offer. “We’ll have guacamole, avocado bliss balls and tarts to give away.” And the Just Avocadoes tent will offer avocado icecream. “And we’re making avocado beer – and we’ll be giving out tasting samples. We just added the avocado to the brew and we are hoping it tastes alright.” Katikati A&P Show – with the Katikati Avo Expo – is on Sunday, February 5, from 9am at Uretara Domain – with all of the usual country-ﬂavoured fun including cattle judging, calf club, horse events, home industries, the cow milking contest, ‘wonder dogs’, trade stalls, and much more. For details, see: katikati.org.nz

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Top South Africa technical advisor joins avocado company As a child, Erica Faber spent her pocket money on plants, and later – against her family’s wishes –studied horticulture, instead of commerce, at university.

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a number of avocado research trials on irregular bearing, pest control, pruning techniques, and influencing the onset of bearing in young trees. The application of positive learnings from this research significantly improved the profitability of this business.

“I don’t know where it came from, but I have always had a love of plants,” says Erica, who, after Irregular bearing emigrating from South Africa, has taken up the role “Throughout the world’s avocado growing regions of orchard productivity manager with Just Avocados. there are challenges with irregular bearing but by After leaving university Erica paying attention to what the tree worked for a number of horticulwants and meeting those needs, we tural companies including those were able to address that problem in involved in tissue culture, plant South Africa and I hope to help Just breeding and citrus growing before Avocados’ growers do the same,” specialising in avocados. says Erica. “Avocados are a challenging The biggest difference Erica sees and fascinating crop to grow and between the industries in South Africa worldwide it is a relatively new and New Zealand is scale. industry,” says Erica, who admits to “One of the companies in South an enthusiasm for avocados which Africa alone produces the equivalent means she can talk almost endlessly of the entire New Zealand on the subject. avocado crop and 35ha is considered It’s that knowledge and enthusia small orchard.” asm she brings to her role with Just By comparison New Zealand has Avocados, where Erica will lead 1600 growers, many with orchards as programmes to support growers small as 2ha. “The nice thing about nationally to increase their producthe industry in New Zealand for me tivity, including providing technical is many of the growers I’ve spoken to advice, targeted field events and Erica Faber - orchard say growing avocados provides them regular and proactive communicaproductivity manager with with an income and a lifestyle they tions about orchard management. Just Avocados. enjoy.” Demand for avocados in all markets is growing Innovative contributions rapidly and even if all international growing regions Erica has more than 21 years’ experience in the hor- increased production by 10 times the current yields, ticulture industry with 16 years as a technical advisor they would not be able to keep up, says Erica. and has gained recognition in the citrus and avocado Andrew Darling of Just Avocados says the company industries for innovative contributions improving is delighted to have Erica join the team and he’s propagation, production and profits. confident that with her knowledge and support, Just Most recently she managed all facets of producAvocados’ growers will be able to further improve tion on a 175 ha avocado operation in South Africa, their orchard performance. where she was responsible for the yearly 20ha to 40 While Australia remains New Zealand’s biggest ha expansion of the orchard, market and customer market, other opportunities are opening up, especompliance, including Global GAP, and harvesting cially in Asia and India – and Andrew says the key to integrate with overseas markets to ensure to continued success for New Zealand growers is to optimum profitability. consistently produce top quality fruit which comWhile managing this orchard, Erica carried out mands a premium in the marketplace.

AVOCADO

Page 13

Swell of interest in Coastguard’s national lifejacket campaign Boaties and other watersports enthusiasts hitting the waves in Waihi Beach will be sporting new-look safety gear this summer after spending in excess of $15,000 on new lifejackets during a nationwide water safety campaign. Coastguard New Zealand’s ‘Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade’ van recently paid the beachside community a visit, giving the public a chance to replace in their old or damaged lifejackets with modern, ﬁtfor-purpose Hutchwilco lifejackets at a discounted rate, and also receive advice about boating and water safety. The scheduled three-hour stop was part of the national body’s highly successful safety initiative ‘Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade’, which has gone nationwide for the ﬁrst time this summer. Each summer, the Waihi Beach community swells from 2700 permanent residents to an estimated 25,000-30,000, presenting the perfect opportunity to properly educate and equip people for on-thewater activities.

Popular initiative

Waihi Beach Coastguard spokesperson Jim Pooley says Old4New staff members, aided by local coastguard volunteers, were rushed off their feet during the three hours – a testament to the popularity and importance of this initiative. “The organisers estimate more than $15,000 worth of lifejackets were traded in during this discounted period. This is a phenomenal amount as the cost of a lifejacket ranges on average from $60-$90. “It just shows the majority of people value the safety of themselves and others when out on the

water. A number of people were asking water safety questions, which was great as we don’t always get a concentrated chance like this to spread those key messages.” As predicted, among the casualty pile of replaced lifejackets, there was the odd salt-crusted relic that should have been decommissioned well before now. “There were some crazy ones that appeared, including a couple of lifejackets that were past seeing better days. So it was great to have them handed over,” says Jim.

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Jim adds it was not just the boating community taking advantage of the event but groups, including kayakers and stand up paddle boarders – highlighting that no matter how you are on the water it is important to have the correct safety equipment. “Lifejackets are designed to save lives no matter what mode of vessel you have on the water. But in order for them to do their job, you have to take care of yours. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain and care for their ﬂotation device on a regular basis. “As lifejackets spend so much time in a harsh marine environment, where they are often exposed to heat, sun and salt, they are subject to damage. That’s why is it vital you ensure they are in good nick by either checking them yourself or by an expert.” The Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade forms a key part of Waihi Beach Coastguard’s advocacy for safe and enjoyable boating during the 2016-2017 summer season.

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Bug Man dinner host ‘The Bug Man’ Ruud Kleinpaste has been conﬁrmed as MC for the BOP Young Fruit Grower Gala Dinner at Tauranga’s ASB Arena on Wednesday, February 15, when he will entertain and educate those attending. “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured Ruud. His advocacy to foster a younger generation to become science and nature-literate works hand-in-hand with the direction the horticulture industry is heading,” says New Zealand Kiwifruit Grower Inc CEO Nikki Johnson. “Ruud has a great knack for combining laughter and entertainment while reconnecting people to nature.” Ruud is also looking forward to the evening. “Environmental education and community engagement is becoming an increasingly important facet of my activities and I’m pleased to be able to get to know some of horticulture’s upcoming young leaders.” Contestants will battle it out for the 2017 title by taking part in a series of competitive events followed by a speech competition during the gala dinner when the overall winner will be announced. The event is organised by industry partners committed to supporting the future of the horticulture industry and recognising its talented future leaders. Tickets to the gala dinner are $90 per person, with tables of 10 available. This includes a three-course meal and entertainment. Networking drinks start 5.30pm. Tickets are still available but selling fast. Don’t miss out on this event – book tickets now at: www.bopyoungfruitgrower.co.nz

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Page 14

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Retaining kiwifruit vines proves wise choice Leanne and Iain Blackwood never intended to become kiwifruit orchardists when they purchased a lifestyle block with a small Hayward green orchard at Otakiri near Edgecumbe in 1997.

Today they grow three varieties of kiwifruit; Iain and Leanne work fulltime on the orchard and are enthusiastic about the industry and its future. “When we bought the original property, we considered pulling out

the kiwifruit,” says Iain. Instead, as the industry’s future appeared brighter, the vines stayed and over time the couple bought neighbouring properties, increasing their holding to 17.74ha. “We currently have 7.95ha of kiwifruit made up of 4ha of G3 (SunGold), 0.61 ha of G14 (sweet green) and 3.3 ha of Hayward green.” The remaining land is made up of grazing, a small plum block, and areas of native bush and wetlands. “We are currently in the transition phase for the gold side of the orchard,

poorer performing trees with new varieties.” Together with their four teenage children, Ryan 19, Simone 18, Kaitlin 16 and Joel 14, the couple have embarked on a “zero waste strategy” which starts in the house and continues Canopy protection into the orchard. The orchard is on a windy site “We try to consider everything making it vulnerable to infection from packaging, to how often to by the vine disease Psa-V, so mow the orchard to the need to the decision was made to cover remove canes on the vines that 2.8ha of new plantings with a are not producing fruit. canopy in 2015. All chemical, fertiliser and “The covered area is proving water usage is monitored on a to be an excellent environment needs basis.” to grow kiwifruit in. However, Iain says kiwifruit orcharding the cover creates an issue for bees provides an ideal mix of income so we are working with beekeepers and family life. “Leanne and I to solve this.” ood is Last pollination season drums Leanne Blackw arding. love this lifestyle of kiwifruit, and out orch our children have thrived here on were hung above the hives and enthusiastic ab the orchard. outside the canopy to help the “They help out or work for us and get paid accordbees navigate to their hives and ingly. They also know that wherever or whatever they Iain says it appeared to work reasonably well. choose to do Leanne and I will be right behind them. “The green side of the business has been improvAt this stage, none of them are showing enthusiasm ing in the last two years, achieving records we never towards taking over the orchard in the near future; thought could be broken. While this is very encourElaine Fisher that’s ﬁne, maybe one day.” aging, payout for this crop has been disappointing – hence the transition to the gold variety.” having secured licence for another 1.5 ha, which we grafted in winter 2016 aiming to crop 2017,” says Iain.

Sweet green

Despite rumours that G14 might be de-commercialised, Iain and Leanne remain committed to the variety and are on track to increase the crop this season. “We aim to deliver to market the largest sweetest, early fruit we can.” When they bought the original property it included a small plum orchard, which every summer produces fruit sold to local shops and vendors. “Demand is always high and we’ve decided to replace some of the

Because the Blackwood orchard is on a windy 2.8ha new plantings have been covered with a canopy.

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Page 15

Driver for organic dairying more than economics Brent Looney decided to convert his dairy farm near Edgcumbe to organics eight years ago when Fonterra offered a 40 cent per kilogram of milksolids bonus. “The driver was purely fi financial at fi first, but now I’d never farm any other way. The more I learn about organic practices and see the results in animal and pasture health, the more it makes sense,” says Brent, who with partner Natasja Boon is now a fi firm convert to organic farming. The couple have also “converted” Glen Penny, who took up the role of farm manager for the B A Looney Trust farm this season. “I didn’t know much about organics but was keen to learn. It takes a bit of getting your head around using different ways to manage weeds and treat animal health issues but the homeopathic remedies for the cows we use are remarkably effective in most cases,” says Glen. Farming organically has also proven to be a smart choice for the farm’s location and soils. The 55 hectares effective milking platform is 50 per cent sandy, silty loam and 50 per cent peat and is susceptible to flooding, something controlled by pumping. The 19ha effective runoff is all peat and also susceptible to flooding but with a natural water runoff, is not pumped. The property is run as a Type 2 certificated organic dairy unit with the 184-cow dairy herd wintered on the milking platform and the runoff used for young stock and to make all the supplements.

Longer rounds

“Calves are split two to a paddock over the milking platform. Cows go through these paddocks during their normal rotation, which helps to reduce the risk of calves picking up internal parasites,” says Brent. “Our stocking rate is similar to a conventional farm. Part of our management is that we maintain a longer grazing round than conventional farmers to capture as much energy as possible from the sun in the grass. Generally, we maintain a 28-day round or longer.” No chemical sprays or fertilisers are used on the land. Fertiliser requirements are determined by annual soil and herbage tests using Brooksides Laboratories in the United States. From these tests a soil conditioning programme is designed to suit. Efﬂuent is stored in a 20,000 litre sump and spray irrigated over 17ha with a travelling irrigator. Poplar trees are planted in all paddocks on both properties for shade and shelter. Weeds are managed by mechanical means, and no chemicals are used. The Awaiti Wildlife Management Reserve wetland is adjacent to the dairy unit with the water level managed by the trust.

Supplements grow n on to stock on the B A the runoff are fed Looney Trust farm .

his healthly, Brent Looney with rmed cows. -fa lly happy, organica

“We have an agreement with the Department of Conservation to provide water to the wetland over our property to meet their resource consent.” It’s not always easy to source certiﬁed organic seed for pasture renewal but Brent has been able to ﬁnd a herbal lay mix from Specialty Seeds. Natasja says she’s surprised at the negative attitudes of many farmers and those in support industries have towards organic farming. “There is still a lot of misunderstanding. “People think organic farmers have a lot of sick cows but we have hardly any. In fact, our cows are healthy and happy and I believe healthy, happy cows give more milk.” All stock are fed on an all-grass system and all animal health issues are treated with remedies from Homeopathic Farm Support. No penicillin is used, but if required under the advice of a vet, conventional medicines would be used and the animal quarantined and removed from the property. Milk production still runs at 1200 milksolids per hectare, even though the farm runs 10 per cent less stock than it did conventionally. “With the previous stocking rate, when we were conventional, we used to do 1300 milksolids per hectare,” says Brent. Elaine Fisher

Page 16

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Watsons enthusiastic ‘converts’ to once-a-day Sue Watson reckons her husband Jared has found a new religion and it’s called: “Once-A-Day-Milking”. “I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a religion but I’m pretty enthusiastic about how well it is going and the huge positive impacts it’s had on our lives,” says Jared. “Before we changed to once-a-day this season I was seriously wondering how many more years I could keep dairying – now I’m enjoying farming again.”

Although Sue and Jared’s 282-cow herd had switched to once-a-day around Christmas for the last six seasons, this time they decided to milk once-a-day for the entire season. “The cows love it. They still get moved several times each day but shifting them takes way less time than milking. Calving was much easier too – in fact I enjoyed it this season,” says Jared. “Production has dropped but if by the end of the season we are only 10 to 15 per cent down, we’ll be okay.” Sue, who is a ﬁnancial accountant in Whakatane, says once-a-day milking

has enhanced family life for them and their sons Luka, 12, and Niko, 10.

More relaxed

“Jared no longer has to rush off for the afternoon milking and he’s so much more relaxed. However, I can understand it’s not for everyone. As I earn an income off-farm that helps. For others, a 10 to 15 per cent drop in income just wouldn’t be possible.” The couple, who are entrants in the 2017 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, 50/50 sharemilk for Jared’s parents Kent and Cherry Watson on 120 hectares with a 10ha runoff support block. “We are fortunate Kent and Cherry support us in moving to once-a-day because it impacts on their income.” Sue and Jared own a 75ha block, with 25ha leased back to the dairy unit – and it is here that their lovingly restored 1888 family home is located. A 12ha native bush block has been fenced off and in addition to that,

during the decades, the family has planted thousands of trees and fenced out waterways, drains and ponds, most recently with the help of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which has supplied the young plants.

Shade trees

“Initially, we planted exotics and shelterbelt trees along all the races to provide shade for the cows,” says Sue. continued...

The Watso n farm is subjected in the Waiotahe Va lley to frequent ﬂooding.

Sue and Jared Watson with sons Luka, 12, and Niko, 10, and the family dog ‘Louie the Schoodle’.

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BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Page 17

Farm subjected to flooding at any time of the year our two boys, though I admit to not knowing that much about the practical side of farming.” However, she does know a lot about sound ﬁnancial practices, something Jared says is invaluable to running the family farming business.

Regular ﬂooding

Sue and Jared Watson outside their 1888 home in the Waimana Valley. ...continued

Switching to once-a-day milking is not the only change the Watsons have made. “We have also stopped feeding out Palm Kernel Extract, going from 250 tonne fed to 300 cows, reducing during the last two seasons to nothing this season,” says Jared. Although Jared’s family have been farming in the Waiotahe Valley since the early-1900s, he initially followed in his great grandfather’s footsteps and became a groundsman. Harold Watson, who came to New Zealand in the early-1900s, was one of the first professional cricket groundsmen, country’s ﬁ and also grew willows to make cricket bats. Sue, who grew up in Hamilton, and spent most of her holidays on her grandparents’ farm, never imagined she’d marry a farmer – that was until she and Jared met while on their OEs in Austria. “Now I love living here and the lifestyle for

Initially, the couple employed farm advisors to help with their management plans and the focus was on a high stocking rate and the use of imported supplements. “Somehow it just didn’t feel right.” The farm is just 20m above sea level, and with the Waiotahe River running through it experiences several ﬂoods each year and at any time. Its soils are alluvial and for that reason the herd is crossbred for lighter animals, and grazing rotation is carefully managed. It was JJ Cornwell of Abron Soil Solutions, who changed the farm’s soil management, and in fact suggested Sue and Jared enter the farm environment awards. “Today, we use no acid fertilisers, apply Reactive Phosphate Rock with an annual application of lime and liqueﬁed nitrogen and humates. We are very focused on biological enhancement of the soils and may transition to organics in future.”

Reducing the herd numbers from 300 to 282, cutting out PKE and growing winter oats, maize, chicory and plantain on-farm, plus switching to once-a-day has reduced costs. And, says Jared and Sue, has resulted in healthier, happier cows and humans too.

The couple employ Adam Rowson full-time, assisted by Alan Thoresen part-time and together with Jared, they enjoy the change of pace oncea-day milking has brought and the opportunity to concentrate on other aspects of farm and animal management and family life.

Elaine Fisher

The cowsh ed o Watson fa n the rm.

One of the areas on the Watson farm fenced off from stock.

The grass is greener Abron are proud to be an integral part of the production system that Jared and Sue Watson employ in their farming operation. Helping Jared and Sue build healthy thriving soils and pastures has consistently improved the productivity of their farming operation while also reducing the environmental impact of the farm.

Contact us for your fertiliser requirements. Improve the value you get from your fertiliser spend. Russell Snodgrass Soil Nutrition Consultant Mobile 0274 705 395

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Page 18

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Careful management benefits environment and bottom line Mataiwhetu Farms is an impressive example of how carefully considered stock types and rotation, combined with a thorough understanding of topography, soil and weather conditions, can not only protect the environment but also enhance farm production.

Allen Coster with staff member Paul Anselmi run the 295 hectares sheep and beef property in the lower Kaimai Ranges, which has been in the Coster family for more than 55 years. Allen describes the land as “medium hill country”. Despite the steep contour of parts of the farm, (which is an entrant in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards), there’s no evidence of erosion. That’s because Allen carefully manages stocking rates, grazing rotation and animal types. In early-December he was running 126 rising

The woolshed on the Mataiwhetu Farm is used to dag and shear its 1384 sheep.

two-year-old steers, including some South Devon steers, which he bought in June from the Tuaropaki Trust at Taupo. “They were pretty quiet when they arrived and will still come when I call them.” They might be big but being so docile means the steers don’t overly damage the pasture and they don’t run round when being moved, nor do they put pressure on fences. “In the six months they had been on the farm, the steers have gained 200kg.” New yards and a cattle crush Allen has installed has made drafting, weighing and drenching the cattle easier, safer and quicker. Its location has also reduced the need to move the cattle too far, reducing damage to pasture and races.

Weather station

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has installed a weather station on the farm, including a lysimeter which also measures soil moisture – a device Allen, and his late father

Jim before him, found particularly valuable in making decisions about grazing rounds, stocking rates and pasture management. “By knowing how wet or dry the soil is, combined with what we know about grass growth on the farm, we can make informed decisions about where and when to move stock and when to buy or sell animals.” The big heavy steers, some up to 800kg by December, do cause pugging to pasture, something Allen counteracts by putting up to 20 per cent of the farm into summer fallow each year. He break-feeds dairy grazers on those paddocks, a practice which helps break up the pugging, and supplies nutrients to the pasture. The dairy grazers do well at Mataiwhetu Farm too. One mob of Jersey heifers on live weight gain contract put on 250kg in the 12 months they were there. Allen also pays particular attention to how he grazes the 1384 sheep on the farm. “We scan the ewes and those pregnant with triplets, and any ewes which are under weight,

go into a separate mob which receives 2kg of dry matter a day while the rest of the ewes get 1.5kg.” Hoggets are also well fed. This practice, plus injecting with iodine in January or February, and using good genetics, are among the reasons Mataiwhetu Farms’ hoggets achieve a 100 per cent lambing rate and the ewes a 168 per cent rate. Mataiwhetu Farms buys in rams from the Nikau Coopworth Stud and uses rams which are very tolerant of facial eczema and resistant to worms. Lamb carcass weights lifted by 1kg last season to 18.5kg and an additional 150 lambs were sold before Christmas than in the previous year, an all-time best-ever result.

Native bush

Caring for the environment and the native bush has been a part of the Coster family ethos since Allen’s grandfather – also called Allen – began farming the land in the 1950s. It was continued by Allen’s father, the late Jim, and his mother Robyn who still lives on the farm. “Dad used to give us kids jobs every Saturday morning, and it was often cutting out tea tree by hand and cutting back and digging out gorse, especially round the areas of wetland and native bush.” Jim also designed, with son Allen’s help, and installed two water wheels that pump water direct from a spring to reservoirs to gravity continued... feed to stock troughs. Those school-boy conservation jobs didn’t put Allen off. He’s keeping up the family tradition by planting ﬁve hectare of wetland to complement the 34ha of native bush, which was protected years ago.

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SHEEP & BEEF

Page 19

Pines a solution to gorse problems ...continued

Allen Coster is the third generation of his family to operate Mataiwhetu Farms in the lower Kaimai Ranges.

“The areas we have recently put into natives includes a stand of red woods where a waterway is fenced off.” Five years ago, a 5ha block was planted into pines as it had a real gorse problem and pines were the best solution. Allen leads one of the van teams in the project Tauranga Street Help,a

25-year-old Christian charity which every Friday and Saturday night, sees volunteers offering pies, hot drinks and help to people on the street. “As well as the food, we aim to give young people especially, someone they can talk to and we try to help keep people safe,” says Allen, who has been instrumental

Mel’s new goal - making farm profits every year They say women can do anything, and Mel Bradley of Onga Onga in the Hawke’s Bay is doing an awful lot of it at once. With two children aged two and five, she’s president of the local playcentre, and seemingly involved with every local and regional committee around. In the past she’s achieved an honours degree from Massey University in plant science. She and husband Duncan lease his parents’ 350 hectare drystock farm at Onga Onga on rolling country, while she also is very involved with her parents’ 560ha steep hill country farm at Dannevirke. The latter is running 2800 ewes and about 100 cattle, and at Onga Onga they have about 2000 ewes and run finishing cattle. They’ve been leasing their farm for the last nine years, but didn’t seem to be making sufficient progress or profit, and Mel at least was thinking of doing something else. Sixteen months ago Mel attended a presentation at their accountant’s offices in Dannevirke, met Brendon Walsh and some of his clients, and

heard about his GrowFARM systems and what they were doing for other sheep and beef farmers. The idea that these farmers could make profits every year, and were also being given one-on-one coaching and using his ProfitLIVE systems seemed to be what Mel had been looking for. These days she’s not only using the systems on their farm, but running them on her parents’ farm and teaching them how to do it themselves. She now acts and thinks like a business owner, which has given her huge confidence in making decisions for herself, and not just doing what the supposed ‘experts’ tell her is best. These days she ‘only worries about what she can control’, and is still amazed at the enormous personal growth she’s experienced in just a year. The systems she’s using are not just about computer records and systems, but she’s found the coaching by Brendon invaluable, particularly in relation to his Six Profit Principles. His habit of asking ‘Why?’ over potential decisions has certainly sharpened her analytic skills, benefiting not only the business but other areas she has involvements in. And even though it’s only been 12

Mel Bradley of Onga Onga is determined to make a proﬁt every year on the family’s farm, using GrowFARM systems.

months since she began, it’s working. Like other farmers they had somehow imagined that to make more money they would need more land. But when, at the GrowFARM regional client sessions, they discovered others with smaller areas of land were making much better profits, they realised it was how you run a farm rather than land area which makes the difference. Now they are determined to make their 350ha run to maximum efficiency and make profits every year. They can attend the inevitably cheerful regional get-togethers and share their own good stories. Sue Edmonds

in assisting in saving the lives of at least two people suffering the adverse effects of drugs and alcohol. Elaine Fisher

Page 20

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Banishing rats and welcoming birds Rats so hungry they ate not only bait, but chewed the pipe which contained it, were among the challenges Jan and Brian Barton encountered when they restorated an embankment on their Katikati orchard.

“I have no idea how many rats we killed, but we’ve used a lot of bait,” says Brian. The couple bought the 3.86 hectares orchard close to the Tauranga Harbour in 2002 and began work on clearing weeds and pest species from around native trees on the embankment. “It was overgrown with hawthorne, wattle, woolly nightshade, wandering

jew and more; and while we are not quite on top of them yet, it’s much improved.” The pest plants were cut down and poisoned and natives, including kowhai, puriri, nikau, kauri and many more, were planted in their place. “We planted to attract birds and now have tui nesting in the trees and moreporks here too.” It is because of those successes that Jan and Brian have entered the 2017 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Gold kiwifruit

The couple, who were farming in the King Country, had planned to retire to a kiwifruit orchard they owned at Waihi when a neighbour offered to buy the land. As a result, the Bartons purchased the Sedgemoor Lane property on the outskirts of Katikati instead. When they bought the orchard it was growing Hort16A kiwifruit on 0.83ha. The rest was in cut ﬂowers and foliage. These were replaced with 0.28ha of kiwifruit and 0.5ha of avocados in 2003.

However, when the vine disease Psa-V infected the gold kiwifruit, the couple had no option but to cut it out and re-graft with the new variety G3, marketed as SunGold. “[In effect] 2011 was our last Hort16A crop,” says Brian who, despite the ﬁnancial impacts of having to cut out the variety, doesn’t regret its demise. “The reject rate for G3 is significantly less than with Hort16A, which had a sharp “beak” that caused the fruit to damage each other. I hated seeing good quality fruit going for stock food because it was punctured.”

No weed spray

grass under control in both the kiwifruit and avocado orchards. The kiwifruit orchard may be only little more than a hectare in size, but Brian says it is an economic unit that provides an income for the couple. The avocado trees, with their irregular bearing, are not so reliable. Jan and Brian, who are active member of the NZ Tree Crop Society, also have about 60 varieties of fruit and nut trees in their home orchard. When he’s not working on the orchards, Brian, past president of Hauraki Woodturners Club, can be found at his lathe creating hand-crafted wooden items.

The orchard is managed by Hume Pack-N-Cool postharvest company but Brian takes care of the orchard mowing, choosing not to weed-spray. “All that spraying does is provide a bare patch for more weeds to grow.” The use of a Kubota zero-turn mower enables him to keep weeds and

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Jan and Brian Barton have created a haven for native birds by restoring an embankment on their Katikati orchard.

PASTURE RENOVATION

Page 21

Thousands of success stories worldwide Product choice is important and will have an effect on the results obtained. Is that the realm of the Albrecht system or the consultant?

The overall differentiating factor is that SLAN – or Sufﬁcient Level of Applied Nutrients – crop, is living from hand to mouth. This is the system that’s seen a proliferation of pests and diseases and chemical rescue-remedy responses, particularly during the last 50 years, and increasingly so during the last 30. The Albrecht-Kinsey system Kiwi Fertiliser uses builds soil fertility, organic matter and resilience into the future. The importance of heat, cold, wet or dry, insects or diseases are all banished to the out tray. The difference is also one of expenditure versus investment. There are many occasions where the fertiliser spend returns little, if anything, by way of dividends. The cost of producing a poor crop could be 25c/ kgDM, but may only cost $200/ha. On the other hand, an investment of $600/ha may return a superior crop for <5c/kgDM. There are many examples of poor crops nationwide. They are really common. Part of the issue is applying nutrients that are already in excess, and not supplying sufﬁcient nutrients and a number of nutrients, including calcium.

since purchased a second farm. A top NZ Dairy Goat Coop supplier’s pastures produce 23,000kg/ ha high quality forage. In ﬁve years, milk production increased from 28,000kg/ms from 600 goats in 2010 to 55,000kg/ms from 450 goats in 2014. That’s a 96 per cent improvement in total production and an improvement of 162 per cent per goat. Their goats produce 137 per cent of their body weight in milk solids and the average goat weight increased from 64kg to 89 kg. The kidding rate increased markedly. Plus 18.5 large bales/ha of lucerne more than the fertiliser co-op side were produced within 18 months on the exact same budget. That’s about $650/ha extra net proﬁt or $84,500 for half of the property.

Best bananas

The programme has produced best quality and quantity of bananas in South Africa and Guatemala and record wheat crops in Germany. A Maine, USA, grower increased his seed potato yield by 20 per cent to -40 per cent, plus the next generation crops with his seed are better. In Marlborough, more than 40 vineyards have converted to the Albrecht-Kinsey system of soil fertility. Quadrupling profit In USA there are Robert Sinskey, Beckstoffer, Robert A New Zealand drystock farmer has publically Mondavi and Chateau Montelena, all nationally claimed a doubling of his stocking rate and a quadrenowned. In Australia rupling of his profit. Others are quietly doing the it’s de Bortoli; there are same. thousands of good news Many farmers’ stock, after a few years on the prostories worldwide. gramme in facial eczema prone areas, don’t get facial In most cases chemical eczema at all. Their neighbours’ stock does. sprays or animal theraA citrus grower topped his packhouse awards after peutics are not used, or 40 years of growing but only two years on the proare rarely used. They all gramme – 17,000 trays of green kiwifruit on second did their due diligence, rate soil versus 20,000 trays on first-class soils. and are very profitable A Canterbury grower produced 15 tonnes of wheat and successful businesses, and more year-after-year. And small seed crops of using a system that does carrots, legumes and grass yielded up to double the not work? Using a system average. Plus there’s been repeated competitionthat costs too much? winning canola and wheat crops in NSW. Some people are seriNorthland farmers convert some of their land each ously mistaken. The year. After two years, their bought-in stock kill out at reader will have to make a healthy 1:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. Feedlot up their own mind who that is. cattle can be an unhealthy 20:1 or higher. They have

An example of an Albrecht-Kinsey crop.

PASTURE RENOVATION

Page 22

Potato industry signs bio-agreement Potatoes New Zealand Inc has signed an agreement with Government to better protect the potato industry it represents in managing biosecurity. a iN &

SEED DrESSi

ID G E CRSEEDS

qua lity paSturE SEED

The industry group became the 14th partner organisation to join the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response. The deed was signed by representatives from PNZ at a ceremony held on a potato farm in Koputaroa. Attendees included PNZ and government representatives, Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and the GIA Secretariat. The value of the New Zealand potato industry is $814 million per annum. There are 169 registered potato growers in New Zealand, producing 479,000 metric tonnes of potatoes in 2015, from 10,700 hectares planted. Like all other horticulture industries, the potato industry faces a number of biosecurity threats that could damage the industry. One at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment is tomato potato psyllid. PNZ chair Stuart Wright says the organisation gained widespread support for joining GIA after extensive consultation with members of the

potato and wider agricultural industries. “MPI has really lifted their game in the biosecurity space, implementing a number of key initiatives to help with the early detection of pests and diseases. PNZ considers it is important to play our part as potato farmers to help prepare for, and minimise, the potential impact from biosecurity pests and disease.” Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Chris Claridge says biosecurity prevention and planning are essential to ensure the commercial wellbeing of the potato and wider horticulture industries. “Potatoes are a loved part of every New Zealander’s meals. We need to protect potatoes from biosecurity pests and diseases to ensure

future generations to come will continue to enjoy potatoes with their meals.” GIA Secretariat manager Steve Rich welcomed PNZ on behalf of the GIA partnership, saying the new addition will further strengthens efforts to deliver better biosecurity outcomes. “It’s great that PNZ has recognised the beneﬁts of partnering with other industry groups and Government. PNZ represents one of the larger vegetable crops and is a signiﬁcant addition to the partnership,” says Steve. “The 13 other partners wholeheartedly welcome PNZ to the GIA partnership. We look forward to working with them to jointly manage biosecurity readiness and response.”

Potatoes New Zealand Inc chair Stuart Wright and Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.

Something thing to be thankful for? A group of seniors were sitting around talking about all their ailments. “My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee,” said one. “Yes, I know,” said another. “My cataracts are so bad, I can’t even see my coffee.” “I couldn’t even mark an ‘X’ at election time because my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third. “What? Speak up! What? I can’t hear you,” said one elderly lady. “I can’t turn my head because

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PASTURE RENOVATION

The value of soil carbon The latest screams from the dairy industry over losing a case against Greenpeace have received much media coverage. And I agree that dairy farmers are spending huge money on ‘ﬁx-it’ attempts to reduce their environmental pollution.

What gets my goat is that everything they are doing is to cope with the symptoms, and nobody is looking at the cause. A recent ‘NZ Herald’ article published on behalf of ‘Hawke’s Bay Today’ contained some interesting comments by various members of organisations involved with farming in that area. The article talked of yet another drought probably looming for Hawke’s Bay farmers and, as usual, the weather/climate got the blame, supposedly due to continuous westerly winds and lack of rain. But even those commenting had noticed the problem getting worse from year to year. Comments such as ‘the lack of moisture that has carried over from last summer’, and ‘the environment is less resilient and not capable of maintaining the resilience it once had’. The regional council deﬁned ‘a need to look at how farmers can increase resilience in their land use. This revolves around wetland capacity and humus in soils so there is retention of moisture’.

No humus

Everyone seems to miss the point that the former resilience was supplied by soil carbon created by nature from the annual supplies of humus made from organic matter and dung deposited on the soil surface. These days, and for years now, there hasn’t been any humus made, because farmers keep spreading

urea frequently and in quantity. Instead of a lengthy process of rotting down and getting mixed by the soil life to slowly make humus, the urea attracts the microbes who crave carbon, and they quickly munch up anything on the soil surface, and no humus or soil carbon gets made. Add to this the fact that instead of making carbon, our pastoral farming systems are using our stocks of soil carbon up rapidly, and what’s left gets less every year, particularly on less hilly country, where more urea is used. Claims that farmers are using less urea these days doesn’t stack up when you read about a total of 700,000 tonnes a year going on somewhere.

Soil moisture

And soil carbon is what New Zealand relies on to continue making most of its money from agriculture. It’s the net which allows the soil to hold moisture and nutrients. And when it gets thinner these just ﬂow on through to groundwater, where all they do is pollute our rivers and streams. Remember urea grows ‘quick grass’ not ‘good grass’ and urea-fertilised pasture contains more nitrogen than nature intended, which creates ammonia in cattle rumen and gets expelled in quantity in urine. Farmers have told me cows drink heaps more when the pasture has been done with urea. You would too if your insides were churning with all that unwanted gas. More in, more out. The climate is getting hotter, and this may make more windy weather. But if farmers are going to seek resilience in their pastures then no amount of dams and irrigation will solve the problem. The aim should be to build soil carbon, and focus on how to do it – Sue Edmonds all over the country.

New performance measuring tool Fonterra and Livestock Improvement Corporation are in the ﬁnal stages of developing an online tool, Agrigate, designed speciﬁcally to help farmers improve their farm performance through the use of their existing data. Agrigate has been developed by the two farmer-owned co-operatives to make it easier for farmers to: • Access key information about their farming business in one place. • Identify areas where they can benchmark their performance on a scale that they have not been able to in the past. • Make smarter and faster decisions. • Manage their environmental information. For example,

nutrient management). Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest dairy company, and LIC, the country’s largest herd improvement company, combined their expertise and resources to develop Agrigate following requests from farmers for a single site to access their core data, such as milk production and quality data, herd data, pasture data, local weather forecasts and more. “Agrigate will add value to dairy farmers’ day-to-day lives and businesses by saving time and improving the quality of their information experience,” says LIC chief executive Wayne McNee. “Having data in one place and working in real time makes it easier to make comparisons, see trends and make better management decisions. A key outcome will be enabling farmers to make the most efﬁcient use of their resources – which is important in both tough and better times.”

“The ultimate goal of this project is to support our farmers by giving them a tool to help maximise their on-farm performance, productivity and proﬁtability,” says Fonterra farm source chief operating ofﬁcer Miles Hurrell. “As a simple, easy-to-use tool Agrigate is a great example of dairy industry innovation. It allows farmers to identify areas of their business where they are performing well and areas where improvements can be made.” A prototype of Agrigate was trialled with 50 farmers in August 2016 and feedback from this group was invaluable in developing the platform further. The product is now undergoing testing with a small group of farmers and is due for a full release soon. Post-launch feedback from farmers will continue to inform the ongoing development of Agrigate, with additional features added as new data partners come on board.

Beams & Timber Direct Ltd (BTD)

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

PROUD LOCAL

NZ SOIL MANAGEMENT

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Field days focus on preserving soils for future New Zealand’s comparatively shallow top soils are a precious resource that needs careful management is among the drivers behind the second New Zealand Soil Management Field Days to be held near Pukekohe on March 8-9. “Pukekohe top soils, in particular, are about 22cm to 25cm deep compared to about 60cm of top soil in the United Kingdom and up to 1m in parts of Europe,” says one of the organisers Shane Smith. “With such shallow top soils as we have in New Zealand, care must be taken with cultivation and many growers quite frankly don’t take good care of their soils. “Better cultivation techniques must be promoted and growers must try these methods in order to preserve their

soils for the next generation. “This is why the ﬁeld days are so important; there is no other event like this in New Zealand which provides live demonstrations and brings so much knowledge and machinery together in one place.” Potatoes NZ and the Foundation for Arable Research are also involved in the ﬁeld days, with FAR holding three seminars on topics including the latest technological developments and soil rotation.

techniques and new technology in horticulture. These ﬁeld days are focused on improving current practices in order to bridge the so called yield gap. To this end, organisers are bringing many associated horticultural companies as possible to one location in order for growers to view, and compare equipment and techniques. This is an opportunity to see new technology and techniques from a broad base of suppliers from throughout New Zealand.

Soil’s value

The Pukekohe area has a unique 12 months of the year growing potential, a wide variety of crops, and some of the biggest grower operations in the country. Within New Zealand there are many companies with new ideas and great equipment, which growers may

New technology

Held on a 17ha site at Sundale Farms owned by Murray and Peter Aarts, near Pukekawa, the two-day event includes ﬁeld demonstrations on cultivation techniques, soil health development, irrigation

not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about. Shane, who is a horticultural consultant, says the value of soils for producing food, and in particular those in the Pukekohe area, can’t be overstated. “There’s a lot of emphasis on the importance of water to grow crops and pasture, but without a good soil as a medium we have nothing. Also the better the soil health, the less water is required to grow crops and pasture.” The field days will be of interest to anyone involved in cultivating soils from those who grow vegetable crops, to maize growers and farmers renewing pasture. The first field days held in 2015 attracted people from throughout New Zealand and even Australia. “We are expecting even more people and exhibitors to attend this year.”

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‘Continue to enjoy potatoes daily’ Food Standards Australia New Zealand states there is no direct evidence that acrylamide can cause cancer in humans. Reports out of the United Kingdom are suggesting browned toast and potatoes are a potential cancer risk, due to acrylamide levels. However, Cancer Research UK says the link was not proven in humans. Here, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ reassessed dietary exposure to acrylamide with a survey of foods contributing to acrylamide intakes in New Zealand. NZ foods have comparatively low levels of acrylamide. These levels

are of no concern via normal dietary consumption. The ministry updated its survey in January 2012. The survey found dietary exposure estimates have remained fairly constant since the previous 2006 survey Potatoes are an integral part of a healthy diet and Potatoes NZ is urging people to continue to enjoy potatoes with every meal. Potatoes are a valuable source of nutrients including a range of vitamins, minerals and dietary ﬁbre. Potatoes contain 10 per cent or more of the recommended dietary intake of the many essential nutrients.

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Page 26

FORESTRY

Citizen science biosecurity approach A smartphone app has been developed to give the public a new way to report sightings of eucalyptus pests.

In November 2016, Scion working with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Forest Owners’ Association, Lincoln University, and NatureWatch NZ, launched a smartphone app to test whether a citizen science approach could work for reporting sightings of the eucalyptus variegated beetle. Paropsisterna variicollis, known as the eucalyptus variegated beetle, was ﬁrst reported in the Hawke’s Bay in March 2016. Scion principal scientist Dr Brian Richardson and his team seized the opportunity to test whether a citizen science approach would enhance surveillance. With funding from MPI and the FOA the ‘NZ Eucalyptus Pests’ smartphone app was created. The app is built on the NatureWatch NZ platform, a popular online social media site for New Zealanders to upload and identify photographs – and sounds – of plants, and animals, and fungi. NatureWatch NZ is part of the global iNaturalist network operating from the California Academy of Sciences.

Robust information

The ‘NZ Eucalyptus Pests’ app works in a similar fashion. Anyone who has downloaded the app can photograph and report possible beetle sightings. These photos are uploaded to NatureWatch NZ for initial identiﬁcation and conﬁrmed sightings are then assessed by MPI staff. The exact coordinates of observations

Paropsisterna variicollis, known as the eucalyptus variegated beetle, is the subject of a citizen science project to track its movements. are visible to authorised MPI and Scion staff but remain publicly obscured by 10km on NatureWatch NZ. If enough robust information is gathered, MPI and forest owners will be more informed for effective decisions on appropriate management controls. The beauty of the app is its simplicity; it has been built to be easily customised to other pests. The possibilities are endless. “If this goes well, we could possibly use this app structure for reporting symptoms of disease in foliage, other pests, weeds – you just have to imagine it really,” says Brian

Wreak havoc

New Zealand’s economy is reliant on the health of our primary industries. That is one reason why we take biosecurity so seriously – it just takes one breach to wreak havoc. How we manage the pests that have slipped through the net is another challenge altogether. The ability to respond effectively to an incursion is dependent on ﬁnding it quickly, having good information about where it’s located and the likely rate and direction of spread. The response is informed by surveillance, and often involves the time consuming and labour intensive work from teams of people, methodically searching large areas. “Effective surveillance is critical. If we know the exact distribution of a pest and its likely rate of spread we

can more efﬁciently allocate resources in the response. “But large scale surveillance needs a lot of eyes and ears on the ground which can be a real challenge,” says Brian. “We’re always looking for new technologies and methods that will help improve surveillance efﬁciency. “One improvement in biosecurity surveillance could be citizen science.” The logic behind citizen science is simple. By giving the public a channel to report information straight from the source, you can exponentially increase the amount of eyes on the ground. When it comes to pest surveillance, trying a citizen science approach makes sense.

Scale of data

Citizen science has already been used successfully in a range of ﬁelds including ecology, astronomy, and medicine. At its best, the sheer scale of data contributed from volunteers enables observations to occur over large geographic areas, faster and at much lower cost than professional teams. The application for pest surveillance is simple. Brian says knowing where the pest is, and its rate of spread, is essential for effective decision making. “If you get that wrong, the eradication attempt is lost. You won’t succeed. “If you have good information, you can make decisions about where to deploy resources according to priority, where to put restriction zones and what controls to implement. “Everything comes from the knowledge of where the pest is. “If engaging an army of volunteers enhances the rate and volume of useful data – that would be tremendously beneﬁcial.” The ‘NZ Eucalyptus Pests’ app can be downloaded free, from the Apple and Google Play stores. To learn more about the eucalyptus variegated beetle see: www.mpi.govt. nz/ (Source:Scion Connections Issue 22)

DAIRY

Page 27

‘BREXIT’ and ‘TRUMPET’ – like it or lump it The world has changed forever. Globalisation is threatening the people and they are voting against bureaucracy, control and the money in their countries, going into the hands of a few.

Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States has shone the spotlight on an over-controlled society. We are starting to see the media as an authority on all information. They give opinion on all matters right through to economics with the information age and the mobile devices we are all connected to tell exactly what is happening at any moment. Mr Trump has pushed the media back and no doubt he will ﬁnd a few reporters that “get” him and he will use them. The public have voted, and at the polls showed they want less control and more transparency. Brexit was the ﬁrst, followed by Trumpet. John Key, possibly the most able statesman this country has ever had, could see the writing on the wall.

Key the Trader

Key is the most successful trader and once a trader always a trader. He came into politics when we were down, he has built the economy up again – with a lot of debt too – and he has looked at the changing issues and anti-globalisation and the political issues in the US and realised his chances of success for another term were changing. And, given he is a trader, it was time to go. “Buy low, sell high”. He also has “bigger ﬁsh to fry” and is probably looking at an international post. Digging down a bit on what is making the New Zealand public uneasy, it is clear the majority feel they are lacking control of their lives. They feel excess immigration is threatening their lifestyle. They feel this country has sold too much of its real estate to

Disclaimer – These are the opinions of Don with nothing to sell will falter. New foreign interests. They feel uneasy with the Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made Zealand as a net exporter should fare few getting very rich as they feel poor. They should not be based on this article alone and approfeel all the health and safety regulations are an well but it could be a rough ride. So priate professional assistance should be sought. brace yourself. Tidy up your own infringement on their rights and lives. They Don Fraser is the Principal of Fraser Farm ﬁnancial position and get some availfeel ripped off by very high charges levied by Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675 able cash stored away. Be prepared for expensive professionals. A disclosure document is available on request. protest and change – like it or lump it. Farmers feel Fonterra and the meat companies are not acting in their best interests. Then they feel the banking system and the law around their property rights are not fair either. Always remember the wealthy are the minority and the poor are the majority. I think it is about 80:20 poor to rich. The public will vote for change and they have the 0800 PH ACTION | Ph:07 889 3344 | 0274 927 133 majority. Their vote may not be logical or in the country’s best interest,  Commercial but vote they will in an  Industrial anti-establishment way. It is really a vote against  Rural globalisation and control and the shift in wealth  Residential away from majority. We  Maintenance & Servicing will see the borders close, protectionism come in and the world economy www.morrinsville.laserelectrical.co.nz slow. Those countries

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Page 28

Cheaper fertiliser is good news for farmers The week before Christmas both Ballance and Ravensdown dropped their prices on some imported products – and for the farmer it just keeps getting better. In my 27 years of providing independent fertiliser advisory work I’ve never seen anything like the selection of companies and wide variation in prices between them as there is now.

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For some imported high analysis products there are about half a dozen smaller importers who are a lot more competitive than the two co-ops. And I think the days of high rebates like $60/tonne from the co-ops will be a thing of the past as the price drops are being forced on them by the smaller importers, who can still remain considerably cheaper on certain products. Both co-ops dropped their Di Ammonium Phosphate price by $40/ tonne down to $745/tonne as several smaller importers were selling it for more than $100/tonne cheaper. But these small companies were still between $60/tonne and 100/tonne cheaper than the co-ops. Triple Super – which is 20 per cent Phosphorus – also dropped by $30/tonne down to $750/tonne. But I know two importers who are still selling it for more than $200/tonne cheaper than the co-ops, below $550/tonne. There are massive savings opportunities out there in the market place.

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Potassium also dropped $40/tonne down to $595/ tonne, which is around the same price as some of the smaller importers. But there are still a couple of importers selling potash cheaper than this. For elemental sulphur products, the small importers are still about 10-15 per cent cheaper – about $60-100/ tonne cheaper. High analysis dicalcium phosphate – which is 18 per cent Phosphorus – products can work out to be 50 per cent less once cartage and spreading are factored in for some cases compared to locally manufactured dicalcium phosphate products on a per unit of P basis. Although neither Ballance nor Ravensdown are

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Guano prices

Guano prices from the four importers varies from $450/tonne up to $680/tonne. Algerian RPR varies between $290/tonne and $430/tonne, and there are also differences in Sechura prices, but the Egyptian RPR prices are similar. Urea and sulphate of ammonia prices also can be cheaper from some importers with Urea about $40/ tonne cheaper and sulphate of ammonia in some instances is more than $100/tonne cheaper than the two co-ops. As I don’t work for any particular fertiliser company, my job is to match the best value products from all of the different options out there for each speciﬁc farm’s requirements. Keeping my ﬁnger on the pulse as to all of the different prices is no small task at the moment. A year or two ago, it was fairly easy as the best prices were usually the two co-ops, but not anymore. For one hill country farmer, who had budgeted spending $120,000 on applying straight superphosphate by plane, I was able to quote the same units of P spread on the ground using triple super from one the small importers for $90,000.

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currently selling straight Reactive Phosphate Rock. Although Ballance does market BioPhos, which has RPR characteristics but sometimes the citric solubility of this product fails to make 30 per cent so may not always be classiﬁed as a RPR, there are 10 companies I know of selling various RPR products in the Waikato, BOP and King Country regions. Two companies are selling Sechura RPR from Peru, two importing and selling Algerian RPR, two selling Egyptian RPR and four importing and selling Guano mainly out of Indonesia. However the prices between these companies selling similar products varies wildly.

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This meant the farmer could ﬂy an extra 300 tonnes of lime with the extra $30,000 he’d saved on the phosphate. A little more than half the $30,000 saving was on the product price differences between superphosphate and triple super, and the rest was on the lower cartage and application costs since the total tonnage was less than half when using triple super – which is 20 per cent P – compared to single superphosphate – at nine per cent P. This scenario has been unprecedented during the last quarter of a century and it will be interesting to see how long it continues. However, don’t expect your local fertiliser representatives from whichever company you have historically dealt with to mention any of this to you. For they will be hoping it will just be business as usual, although they are probably fully aware of what some of the opposition companies are offering. As I talk to different farmers, some are already aware there is some serious competition in the marketplace, but most are not. Since you have now read this article, you too are armed with this knowledge. Robin Boom, CPAg, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Ph: 0274448764.

DAIRY

‘She’ll go another turn’ may be false economy Many dairy farmers have responded to the drop in payout by taking long hard looks at their businesses and making savings of between $1 kg/ms and $1.20 per kg/ms, according to DairyNZ’s ﬁgures.

DairyNZ also reports more farmers than ever are preparing farm budgets, which is excellent news. In the past I’ve been amazed at how many farmers don’t have budgets. I guess in the good times they didn’t have to but they are running big businesses and need to know exactly how they are tracking. Banks will support farmers with a strong balance sheet, even if proﬁt and cash ﬂows are negative. If the farm has a strong balance sheet and there is plenty of security, banks will work with farmers to get through the tough times. The concern is much of the savings farmers are making are probably coming from deferred repairs and maintenance; and although it makes sense to put off that expenditure, care must be taken not to let machinery, buildings, fences and races deteriorate too much.

pasture, so long as they are not pushed too hard. But once it rains, the risk of facial eczema increases and the feed value crashes until the grass starts growing again. Indications are that dairy prices are on the rise even though the last few Global Dairy Trade auctions have been down slightly. The most previous auction was slightly up by 0.6 per cent, but at least it was up. Let’s hope an improved payout will offset the drop in production most farmers have experienced. When incomes improve farmers will still have to be careful of personal spending on such things as holidays and new vehicles, managing their incomes to strengthen their businesses for the years ahead.

Fresh milk supply

For many farmers the last few years have been a time to consider their futures in the industry. Some have decided to quit altogether, others to chance how they manage their business. This might include becoming one of Fonterra’s suppliers of fresh milk. It will require some changes to farm schedules but why not maximise the staff and infrastructure already in place to improve returns? While the dairy downturn has been tough, Pro-active farmers machinery and equipIt’s easy to say “she’ll go another turn” over that ment suppliers tell me tired tractor or piece of machinery, but sometimes it’s they’ve had record sales a false economy. – which is surprising and Another indication of farmers being proactive over I’m not sure how much costs is DairyNZ all grass farming workshops have of that has been generincreased in popularity as farmers go back to basics. ated by the kiwifruit and There’s no doubt grass-based production is the cheap- avocado industries, which est, especially in a low payout environment. are both doing well – so However, the weather since December isn’t helping. it’s not all gloom and From a cold wet spring we’ve gone to a windy, dry, doom in the rural sector. hot summer with temperatures in the 30s and very Our maize planting got little rain. Many farmers went to once-a-day milking off to a slow start because in January and most are now feeding some suppleof the wet conditions, ment. and then things dried Even farmers in the normally summer-safe Mamaku out really quickly. I’m Ranges says pasture was drying out by mid-January. predicting it will be an average season for yields Pasture management but that will depend on Careful pasture management is vital, especially once rain at crucial times, the rain comes. Cows will milk quite well on dry including pollination.

Page 29

DAIRY

Page 30

It’s all about politics and retaining power The Advertising Standards Authority decision on the Greenpeace TV advertisements should be taken seriously by famers, because the authority is simply reﬂecting what the majority of people believe.

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Environmental negative

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It’s an argument that DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, and Fonterra can’t win and to continue to tell their members and customers, the public at large, that the advertisements are wrong, just makes them look out of touch and somewhat daft. Farmers require the support of the buying public for their wellbeing. The notion that dairy product from cows is essential for the health of the nation deﬁes the fact that an increasing number of children are being raised on dairy-free diets, and they are every bit as ﬁt and strong as those consuming milk. It was the Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings that coined the phrase ‘perception is reality’. The perception that the dairy industry is causing a substantial amount of environmental damage is gaining traction, and in the minds of those folk it is reality.

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PITGATES

Once the ‘environmental negative’ tag is cemented in place in people’s minds, no amount of logical argument will change it. We are all emotional beings and logic is

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only used to justify the attitudes we hold dear. Those involved at the top of Fonterra and DairyNZ are political beings. Knowing how large organisations operate internally is essential for those reaching decision-making roles. And politics is entirely about power. Power is unique, as it is the only thing known that’s not governed by the law of diminishing return. The more we have the less we crave it. Power works the other way, which is why politicians seldom voluntarily relinquish ofﬁce and when their position also dictates the amount earned, they normally ﬁght tooth and nail to defend it.

Nitrogen dependent

The issue over declining water quality and environmental degradation being attributed to large-scale nitrogen-dependent dairying is that those currently defending it are going to lose, and in the minds of many they already look well out of touch with reality. This becomes increasingly apparent when there are alternative soil fertility systems that can put dairy farming at the forefront of the environmental movement, because it is under intensive pastoral farming that soil carbon can most rapidly be sequestered. But not when the farming is carried out using large amounts of nitrogen fertiliser. At present the average usage is about 160kgN/ha annually – and the science

by Mulvaney, Khan, and Illsworth at University of Illinois shows it resulting in the loss of soil carbon. With soil carbon’s role as a ﬁlter, a subsequent decline in water quality follows.

No milk loss

This situation can be reversed almost immediately without loss in milk production. However, it seems a change will not be forthcoming from those entrenched in the current system and stubbornly refusing to look at the evidence. A change in personnel is required, and it’s only a matter of time before this occurs – because continuing to tell the buying public they don’t understand just accelerates the rate at which support and sales are lost. When that change does happen it will come with a loss of power, privilege, and status – the very things that those at the head of the industry are fighting to retain. Herald columnist Rachel Stewart is right when she claims DairyNZ’s response to the finding by the Advertising Standards Authority is based on denial and aggression, and she hits the nail firmly on the head when she’s says it defies all rationality. But ultimately it won’t defy the gravity of public pressure. For more information, contact Peter on 0800 843 809

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DAIRY

Young Farmers alumni launched The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Young Farmers region is launching an alumni for past members at a celebratory dinner this month and will resurrect a trophy that honours a former president, who lost his life in a selfless act of compassion. Co-organiser and the region’s NZ Young Farmers field officer Casey Huffstutler says there were some incredible stories among past members that needed to be shared and reminisced – and this will be an opportunity to do so. “NZ Young Farmers has produced many great primary industry leaders and has a huge impact on young people’s lives and our region is no different. This event is a chance for us to thank those who began it all and to hear just how important the organisation was to their development.” Casey will award the Allan Smith Memorial Cup for the first time in many years as part of the launch, together with the first recipient, 79-year-old Robert Maxted Don Rowlands Centre at Karapiro on Saturday, February 11. For Robert being awarded the Waipa District trophy for Leadership and Citizenship in 1969 was one of the most special moments of his life. “It was a very prestigious award and I was very honoured and humbled to receive it.” However, the trophy had a tragic inception because it commemorated a shocking moment in time that would shake Young Farmers to the core. In 1963 the then National Federation President of NZ Young Farmers and proud South Auckland Council member, Allan Smith, went with his family to a picnic on the beach at Kawhia Beach when a young girl got into trouble in the sea. In a selfless act of compassion, Allan jumped up and ran into the sea to rescue her. Fortunately, for the little girl, the next wave picked her up and dumped her onshore safe and sound, but tragically, Allan never came back and his body was never found.

Beginning in 1932 as a male-only organisation, with help from the Department of Agriculture, hundreds of clubs eventually sprouted around New Zealand. Initially members gathered to hear guest speakers who were knowledgeable about farming but as time progressed the social component of the organisation grew to be equally as important. Historically the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region played a signiﬁcant part in the organisation with the region having the ﬁrst two Maori Young Farmer Clubs.

Maori Young farmers

Starting in 1949 the Rangataua Club at Papamoa was formed with 22 Maori members and the effect was immense, with reports showing farm management skills among members rose substantially leading to a second Maori club being formed at Matakana Island. The Alumni launch is at the Don Rowlands Centre, Karapiro on Saturday, February 11, at 5pm. Tickets cost $50, including dinner and can be purchased online at: tickets@youngfarmers.co.nz

ofﬁcer NZ Young Farmers ﬁeld some ing rch Casey Huffstutler resea to/Bay of ika Wa of the history of the clubs. Plenty Young Farmers

Exemplary service

In his honour, the Waipa District introduced the Allan Smith Memorial trophy in memory of the young leader, who, according to the trophy’s inscription, by diligence and exemplary service rose to the highest ofﬁce of Dominion President. Casey says it is sure to be an emotional moment when the trophy is awarded to a current Young Farmer member. “Allan stood for everything we value in the organisation – that selﬂess desire to help others and it’s still the core of our region today with members raising large sums of money to give back to the community every year as well as donating voluntary time to a number of projects.” A founding member of the Pukeatua Arohena Club, Robert says Young Farmers played a vital role in his life and he attributes the many skills he learnt there with helping him own a business later in life. “We did all sorts of things. We learnt how to run a meeting and how to talk in public. We did stock-judging competitions and learnt maintenance and safety around equipment.” The 79-year-old made lifelong friends through the organisation and two years ago his old clubmates got together with him to talk over old times including how Young Farmers was formed.

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DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

Page 31

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 32

Common sense main ‘additive’ missing in farming A lot can be learned or assumed by a slow drive down a farmer’s tanker track, particularly if cattle are close enough to observe. To a trained eye, the state of their health is very noticeable and often the reasons for them not looking in top condition can also be obvious.

the implement shed can tell their own story. One particular shed I visited recently had no room for implements as every imaginable additive was stored there. After greeting the farmer we made our way to the primary reason for which I had been called, the efﬂuent pond. Then the real discussion began as we related the state of the pond to their management systems.

Arriving at the cowshed can also be an eye-opener. Empty pallets of containers of used products lying around

Back to front

I will walk you through the issues in this column just as I worked through

EFFLUENT STORAGE

them with the farmer. Modern farming is plaqued by back to front thinking where it seems the main additive missing is common sense. This farmer also asked me to visit his friend, who was experiencing major animal health issues on his farm. Despite seeking expert advice he’d been unable to ﬁnd any real solution. He started the season on June 1, 2016, with 500 cows to calve and had a little more than 460 to complete the season with; 22 cows died from metabolic problems, 63 had clinical milk fever and some aborted. Although these cows will be milked, they will only make good milking cows look bad when counted as an average. This problem has been ongoing for four years. The solution given to ﬁx the problem? More additives. In my opinion? Back to front thinking.

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Last summer farmers, particularly in the North Island, were plagued by uncontrollable facial excema despite near toxic levels of zinc being administered. The season before Waikato vets were puzzled by large numbers of young cows breaking their shoulders. They would just be walking along and they would collapse. When you talk around, this problem is quite common. Let’s apply some common sense and look at the big picture. If additives can ﬁx a lot of these ailments then there must be something missing somewhere. Some simple questions arise: • Could this possibly be associated with what the cows eat? • Is there something missing in the cows feed? • What is causing deﬁciencies in the feed? • If grass is grown in soil is this where the problem is?

contractors

“we make farming ezy”

For the last 40 years the fertiliser industry has adopted the NPK – or Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium – approach. Some forward thinking people call this incomplete soil nutrition.

Needed: 16 elements

Science states 16 elements are needed to grow balanced grass. After 40 years of largely NPK dominance, then just maybe, without using my calculator, there are about 12 nutrients running a tad low in the soils. The general thinking could be it is too expensive to fully balance the soil and as a result, other nutrients needed are fed directly to the cow as an additive. So we now see the additive industry booming. Interesting point – prior to my visit, the farmer that had 22 cows die had been given a fertiliser recommendation of 500kg/ha superphosphate and 800kg/ ha of urea. No attention was given to the elements which will help his metabolic problems. A good full soil test will show up the elements lacking and highlight the cause of this farmers frustration. There is a trial in Methven comparing two farms; one using the NPK (incomplete soil nutrition plus additives) and the other farm using the Albecht/ Kinsey system of soil fertilty. The Albrecht/Kinsey approach of balancing and providing full soil nutrition may assume a higher cost, but they are showing superior results and higher proﬁts overall.

Grass staggers

Particularly interesting is the NPK farm developed serious grass staggers killing five cows and 12 down-cows required treatment during a two-week period as bad weather struck during the third rotation, October-to-November. Although magnesium chloride was being administered, the cows drank less water during this period and hence a magnesium defficiency appeared. The treatment was to begin dusting with magnesium on the NPK farm. The Albrecht/Kinsey farm had abundent and balanced magnesium and calcium reserves in the soil to carry them through without issue. From my observations the modern scientific approach of full soil nutrition and a comprehensive soil analysis will highlight the cause of animal health problems and reduce your animal wastage. Evidence has shown soils with low zinc create challenges in avoiding excema. This will be your next issue to face.

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 33

Wetlands – the ‘kidneys’ of landscape Intensive farming practices can discharge significant amounts of contaminants – notably nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and pathogens – into our waterways. Wetlands are like giant kidneys protecting the health of waterways – they help dilute and filter material that could otherwise harm our lakes, rivers and other waterways. Natural wetlands have been appropriately termed as the ‘kidneys of the landscape’, because of their ability to store, assimilate and transform contaminants lost from the land before they reach waterways. With World Wetlands Day on February 2, it is a good time to reflect on these and other benefits that wetlands provide. Wetland is a generic term for the wet margins of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries, lagoons, bogs and swamps. Wetlands once covered large areas of the country. Now they are some of our rarest and most at-risk ecosystems. They contain a diverse range of plants and animals and are home to many rare and threatened species that are remnants of the original biodiversity of the area.

environmental outcomes. They will also regulate the flow of water by soaking up excess floodwater then slowly release it to maintain summer flows or recharge groundwater. Bigger is generally better, but within a farm, small areas are good because you can create more of them, they are generally easiest to fit into a farm’s budget and topography, they treat the contaminants close to where they come from, and they can generate a more widespread biodiversity benefit across your farm. Waikato Regional Council can offer free advice to landowners on managing wetlands, including information on fencing, planting and weed control. Bala Tikkisetty is a sustainable agriculture coordinator at Waikato Regional Council. Contact 0800 800 401 or bala.tikkisetty@waikatoregion.govt.nz Bala Tikkisetty

Phone: 07 362 8433

Largest losses

It is estimated about 90 per cent of New Zealand’s wetlands have been drained. This is one of the largest wetland losses anywhere in the world. Wetlands now occupy only about two per cent of the country’s total land area. So the combination of more agriculture and less wetland contributes to the risks to our rivers and streams. But this also indicates strategies for reducing the effects of agriculture – by incorporating wetlands into farms. Sometimes it may be as simple as fencing out existing wet areas, or it might involve creating one with a low bank. Many farms have low lying and wet areas that can be managed as small wetlands with minimal impact on farm production, but potentially major beneﬁts for water quality and biodiversity. Nitrogen and phosphorous enter waterways through groundwater and surface run-off. Wetland vegetation uses these nutrients for growth. Research indicates wetlands remove up to 90 per cent of nitrates from groundwater through a process called denitriﬁcation. Wetland plants trap sediment suspended in water, improving water quality. In riparian areas, their roots hold stream bank together, reducing erosion.

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Nutrient loss from farms is greatest when the volume and speed of run-off water is greatest, either through surface run-off or through the soil proﬁle. Therefore, slowing down and controlling water movements across farm land is a critical factor in reducing nutrient loss into waterways. A series of small, shallow sediment traps or sediment retention dams can be constructed throughout the catchment to take some of the energy out of the water and if these are managed to remain wet for most of the year they will replace those kidney-like functions and enhance the farm’s

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EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

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Page 35

Public hearings on Rotorua lakes in March Public hearings on proposed rules to manage nitrogen entering Lake Rotorua from pastoral land use will be held at the Millennium Hotel in Rotorua from March 13-April 4. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has received 92 submissions from individuals and groups such as farmers, Maori land trusts and industry and an additional 20 further submissions based on matters raised by initial submissions Council staff have now considered and responded to each point raised by these submissions and these are included within the section 42A report available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website, along

with supporting evidence from council’s expert witnesses. BOPRC acting chief executive Fiona McTavish says the report highlights areas of Proposed Plan Change 10 where people are in agreement and what topics or components of the plan change that they do not agree on. “The report is a requirement of the Resource Management Act 1991, which responds to each submission and includes recommended changes to the proposed rules.” The independent hearing panel will consider the recommendations in the report in addition to any evidence presented by submitters when making their ﬁnal decision. “The rules are just one part of the solution to ensure long-term sustainability of the lake’s water quality and we will continue

to work with our partners Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Rotorua Lakes Council and Ministry for the Environment to meet the community set water quality limit.” The report can be viewed at: www.boprc.govt.nz/pc10hearings.

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New Zealand is well positioned compared to most others I hope you’ve enjoyed the summer season with friends and family, soaked up some sun and are recharged for the year ahead. It’s been great to be able to spend some quality time with my wife and children in the best region in the country – the Bay of Plenty. As we launch into 2017 and what will be another busy year, we can have conﬁdence New Zealand is on the right track. We are in capable hands with Bill English and Paula Bennett as leaders, and an energetic team of ministers and MPs behind them.

No accident

The Government is gearing up for the challenges of election year with a busy agenda and a clear plan for our country’s future – building on the strong momentum we have achieved during the last eight years. New Zealand is well positioned compared to most other countries, and it is no accident. It’s the result of New Zealanders’ hard work, backed by the National-led Government’s clear plan for our country’s

Make the Change!

future. Our economy remains one of the strongest in the developed world and Kiwi families are seeing the beneﬁts. About 250,000 extra jobs have been created during the last three years and unemployment is falling. The average annual wage is now $58,400 – up $12,000 since we were elected in 2008 and more than double the rate of inﬂation, while interest rates are at 50-year lows. The country is back in surplus and we’re getting better results from important public services like hospitals, schools and social programmes.

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It’s great to see strong growth in sectors such as tourism, ICT and construction driving our local economy from strength to strength; and the traditional backbone of our regional economy, the primary industries, heading for brighter days. New Zealand is also experiencing our biggest building boom – in the last ﬁve years annual residential building consents have more than doubled. We’ve certainly seen our fair share of building in the Bay with 11 Special Housing Areas established to provide affordable housing. National is committed to ensuring this stability and progress continues as we head into the New Year. I appreciate your support and look forward to working with you and for you in 2017.

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Page 36

New tool to stop ‘gaming’ Overseer is developing a new tool that will signiﬁcantly improve the review of farm information and reduce the ability to ‘game’ the software, says Overseer Ltd chief executive Caroline Read.

“We will work with councils and farmers to ensure the new tool generates accurate descriptions of farms in a way that can be easily validated and conﬁrmed,” she has told Coast & Country News in response to questions about the potential for farmers to ‘cheat’ the system by entering inaccurate information. Save Lake Karapiro president Angus Robson is among those critical of the use by the Waikato Regional Council of the Overseer programme as a tool for farm nutrient budgeting in its proposed plan change. He predicts landowners will use Overseer to ‘game’ – or cheat –

Lot Job or 25 s f Deal more or

their way to reach the plan’s 10 per cent improvement goal for the first 10 years and has called for Overseer to be dropped from the plan change. Caroline agrees there is the potential for people to enter information that doesn’t accurately reflect the farm but says this is “predominantly by accident given the difficult user interface, but could also be on purpose and this will impact on the N-loss estimate generated”. “To manage the issue about entering farm information, councils go to a lot of expense to audit and review farm files to ensure they accurately reflect the farm.

Good approach

“We will work with councils and farmers to ensure the new tool generates accurate descriptions of farms in a way that can be easily validated and conﬁrmed.” Caroline says the accuracy of a nitrogen loss estimate generated using Overseer – which inform the Nitrogen Reference Point – rely

heavily on the accuracy of the information about the farm entered into Overseer . This is where the concerns about ‘cheating’ come up. Both actual measured N-loss figures and modelled N-loss estimates will vary depending on the measuring instrument or model used to generate them. “Models by their nature have simplifications – referred to as modelling assumptions and limitations – to generate results. Overseer ’s modelling assumptions and limitations are well published and are consistent within the model – this means you can assess changes over time with confidence, even if the absolute values vary from actual values. “This is why the Nitrogen Reference Point approach is a good approach, as it requires change over time to be assessed and so allows a long-term approach to be used for managing water quality.” However, Caroline says Overseer is an appropriate tool to be used in the way council is intending.

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Introduced to NZ farmers in 2015, ECOBAG is creating durable farm nutrient recovery and storage systems which are delivering significant benefits over and beyond conventional open pond or tank systems, says Harmen Heesen of TechniPharm. Originally developed in the Netherlands to comply with regulatory demands to ensure a reduction of greenhouse gasses was met, as well as a drive to increase the possibility of nutrient and energy recovery from animal waste, ECOBAG has been building a solid reputation during the last 60 years around the world and now New Zealand. ECOBAG consists of a 100 per cent internationally certified complete enclosed storage system or “bladder” containing up to 15,000 cube of effluent. Originally designed for sludge, ECOBAG use in NZ conditions is mostly for water diluted effluent wash water from the dairy. “ECOBAG is an ideal partner for greenwash, be that through a dual core Dungbuster green wash system or floodwash. “One such system was recently commissioned in Rangiora where a new conversion has two ECOBAG systems, one 1000 cube system for collection and re-use of greenwash, the other 3000 cube system for longer term storage and re-injection into the irrigation system. “Where originally a 7000 cube open pond system was recommended, now a 4000 cube closed ECOBAG nutrient storage and effluent management system is in place. “The farm system will increase its nutrient recovery, increase its N efficiency and reduce its fresh water use,” says Harmen.

A new development is the FLEXTANK effluent storage system specially designed for peat and unstable grounds. This system is a simple “roll out” and pump system, allowing effluent storage systems to be installed quickly and without a lot of extra cost. Earthworks are kept to a minimum, storage can be very close to the dairy and often within the 45 meter rule zone as there are no exposed pathogen. A solar panel driven OLOID mixing system ensure the stored effluent stays in suspense. ECOBAG has recently won an international award in the EUROTIER innovation awards. Eurotier is the world’s leading animal production exhibition held every two years in Hanover, Germany.

This 3D image shows the new ECOBAG round storage system.

The ECOBAG system installed at Rangiora for a 1000-cow dairy farm.

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Ensuring targets are achieved “The way that the council has described its use of Nitrogen Reference Points that are set using Overseer appear to be consistent with the strengths of the model.” Overseer uses information about a farm’s physical characteristics – soil, climate, topography – and how the farm is run to predict the long-term average loss of nitrogen from the root zone of the soil in any one year. This long-term average estimate of annual N-loss allows a Nitrogen Reference Point – or baseline – to be identified for the farm based on the described nutrient management practices – so any changes made to the way the farm is managed can then be compared in terms of N-loss against that reference point. “Collecting this information over time will enable both the council and the farmer to observe trends based on changes in land use practices. This can ensure farms achieve targets for reducing N-losses without stipulating how they achieve them. “It may be that for one farm it is best to reduce the use of fertiliser as the N being brought into the system through supplementary feed is sufficient to maintain soil fertility and production, whereas another farm may not be able to reduce fertiliser use and maintain soil fertility, and so needs to change grazing management to capture more effluent on feed pads.

Effective approach

“The reason we have supported using Overseer information in this way is to allow farmers to ﬁnd the most effective approach to reducing N-loss into the environment for their speciﬁc situation, rather than use blanket rules for everyone.” Caroline says as an organisation that provides a tool

that is used in regional planning, Overseer Ltd tries to make sure accurate information on Overseer is provided to councils and the public. Overseer is a nutrient budgeting tool and has always been a nutrient budgeting tool. The calculations that model the nutrient balances and the use of the estimates that are derived from those calculations have changed over time. “This is what people mean when they say that Overseer is no longer being used for its original purpose.” Overseer estimates the balance of nutrients coming in and leaving a farm based on available information provided on that farm. This generates information that would otherwise only be able to be guessed at about how the farm is using available nutrients, such as how much N is being lost into the environment through GHG emissions, leaching and run-off, and if the soil fertility is likely to remain constant or decline over time based on farming practices.

Scientiﬁc understanding

“While these functions have been available for the history of Overseer , their modelling has significantly changed over time. This has been largely driven by improvements in scientific understanding of areas of agricultural science that have been invested in by the Government and industry, such as drivers of nitrogen leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. Overseer is not resourced to invest in new scientific research. “There has also been a steady increase in the ability for Overseer to model more farm systems and different management practices, as evidence that supports the modelling becomes available,” says Caroline. For a brief history of development of Overseer and information about how the modelling works and has been validated, see: Overseer .org.nz Elaine Fisher

Page 37

Page 38

FERTILISER

Solution to environmental pollution What can you say, when you realise that soluble synthetic minerals are the cause of toxic nutrient leaching into the environment? You can say: ‘Ban all soluble, synthetic, toxic minerals!’ The farmers are being blamed for this problem. As nutrient leaching has become a risk to the viability of farming, we cannot blame the farmers. But unfortunately we seem to be on a chemical treadmill, which is not working for our sustainability, the environment, our animals or people. The only ones beneﬁting are the chemical companies.

With the consumer calling for safe, certified, nutritiously-dense food, New Zealand producers are in a position to grab this great opportunity with both hands. Our isolation alone is a contributing factor along with great sunshine hours, the ability to store water and top soils that still have some carbon in them. Agrissentials BioGro certified fertilisers re-mineralise the soil, increase top soil depth and soil water retention, increase worm populations in the soil and increase the health of all life in and above the soil. Here is an opportunity to change direction. Call us today to find out how we can partner with you to find a better way of farming.

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Page 39

Restoring beaten-up maize soil in three months We were given a challenge by one of our neighbours, who had a very poor maize crop. After all the bills – seed and contractors – he was left with enough money to sow an annual crop of oats and tama, which failed and he couldn’t even get a single grazing off it. I was told by one of the contractor’s truck drivers: “The soil is buggered”. Well my response was: “You can’t blame the soil, you guys have been running this for the last X number of years. It’s the way you treat it – it is not the soil’s fault”. Anyway the challenge – can I restore this soil within a threemonth timeframe good enough to get a crop that will return or allow a breakeven return? First I wanted to know why the oats and tama had not grown. It appeared from a ﬁeld inspection the soil structure had been beaten to a pulp, as there was a lot of surface water lying around and this was not draining away even after a couple of days’ full sunshine.

Reams soil test

A Reams Soil Test, which only tests for nutrients that are plant available, showed nitrate-nitrogen and ammonium-nitrogen levels were none existent – at 2-6kg/ha when the desired level is 40-80kg/ ha. The soil ERGs was very low – at 70 when it needs to be at 600-800cgs for cob ﬁll. This soil energy reading indicates how much energy is in the soil to allow for plant growth and fruit/ seed production.

The plant-available calcium levels were one-seventh of what they should be – at 400kg/ha, the desired level is 3000kg/ha. This low calcium level is going to restrict plant/grain weight and plant health. I also did an Albrechtbased soil test so I could get some trace mineral information but this information is secondary to the key limitations identiﬁed by the Reams Soil Test. So with this information we applied our fertiliser mix, which was a combination of compost four tonne/ha and composted soil minerals, four tonne/ha. It was important to get the soil nitrogen levels up and the soil energy and plant available calcium and to hold them there. This is why soil humus is so important and we must adopt carbon positive farming practices.

Minimum tillage

We did minimum tillage and waited until the soil was ready to be cultivated. We sowed a Corson Grain hybrid, and applied soluble humate granules with the 12:10:10 starter fertilizer – 300kg/ ha plus 30kg/ha Soluble humate granules. This crop was sown on December 1 and things were already getting dry, however with all the inputs we were conﬁdent on a good outcome. We retested the soil with a Reams Soil Test just to check we had achieved our target soil nutrient settings, this was done twice through the growing season.

At the end of the season we harvested an 18 tonne green feed maize crop and we received 30cents/kgDM with only on 50ml of rain fall. Crops that were sown around the same time in the district and followed conventional, traditional fertiliser and soil management procedures produced nine to 11tonnes/ha and a couple of crops failed.

Identify limitations

The real answer in a situation like this is to collect as much on-farm information as possible to truly identify the limitations to the soil – in this case the soil had shut down due to the lack of organic, carbon-based inputs from a number of years of solely high salt index fertiliser applications. This soil is a marine clay that had extremely high magnesium levels, so as the soil dried out it became hard as a rock and therefore lost its ability to feed the crop growing on it. The dominant issues for this soil is calcium and organic matter. Three years later and this soil is now one of the most highly producing soils on the road and what it needed was organic carbon and some calcium – so compostbased animal manures like animal manures and some serious TLC and microbial foods like humic acid seaweed and ﬁsh have made this soil into a highly productive yielder. One of the key new tools we used was the Reams Soil Test, to identify the real issues limiting this soils ability to deliver mineral dense high yields.

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Page 40

FERTILISER

Testing assures sweet navel oranges this season New Zealand navel orange lovers enjoyed great tasting fruit this season, thanks to a pre-harvest maturity testing programme initiated by New Zealand Citrus Growers Orange and Tangelo Product group.

Orange and Tangelo Product group chairman Wayne Hall says the voluntary maturity testing, carried out by two independent testers in Gisborne, has been successful in helping guarantee consumers have the best possible taste experience and be encouraged to make repeat purchases. NZCGI also monitored the quality of navel oranges sold during a 12-week period in New Zealand supermarkets, ﬁnding that overall 93 per cent of fruit met the NZCGI maturity standard, which Wayne says is a great result. Linnaeus was one of those conducting tests and its business development manager Ruth Hughes says it was the ﬁrst time the laboratory has carried out citrus maturity testing and she’s happy with the way the programme worked and with its results.

Juice tests

“Our team juiced 32 oranges from each orchard and tested the juice for acid and brix levels and advised growers if their fruit had achieved a pass result or not.” Linnaeus staff enjoyed the experience of working in the citrus orchards and for the laboratory, and Ruth says it was an opportunity to assist an industry sector that is of importance to the Gisborne region. While citrus maturity testing is new for the lab, Linnaeus is well-known as a world-class, state-of-theart laboratory, providing clients with a broad range of diagnostic testing and research and development in the areas of plant, soil, water and food health and quality.

Maturity testing of navel oranges was carried out on orchards this season by two independent providers. Photos: NZCGI Research Manager Sally Anderson

Based in Gisborne and with its origins in grapevine health certiﬁcation, Linnaeus is now home to a team of highly trained professionals across these four key areas.

Alvaro Vidiella

Dr Alvaro Vidiella is the Linnaeus technical director who joined the company last year. He’s well-known in New Zealand’s avocado industry for his work with growers and the Avocado Industry Council, running its research and development programme where he was instrumental in increasing funding and focusing research on improving the national avocado indus-

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try’s productivity. “From my experience with the avocado industry, I know how important certiﬁcation and testing of fruit quality is in helping develop markets and ensure consumer conﬁdence. “I’m happy with how the navel testing programme has gone and see the potential to extend it to other citrus varieties.” At Linnaeus Alvaro heads a team of 11 staff including specialists in agronomy, molecular biology, microbiology, and environmental, water and food testing. He’s enjoying the variety of work Linnaeus and its mother company Riversun carries out and is particularly enthusiastic about its latest project on soil biology and its impact on fertility. “We are developing a test that will allow us to monitor biological aspects of the soil related to different aspects of its fertility.” Elaine Fisher

FERTILISER

Book recounts colourful flying career The last chapter of the book makes clear that a career highlight for Bruce was his stunt ﬂying performances at air shows throughout New Zealand. He was the only overseas act to be asked to a large 1986 American air convention. With many photographs and ofﬁcial air accident reports, the memoir of ‘Bruce Malcolm Aitken’ is an invaluable record of an extraordinary career in an early period of New Zealand agricultural aviation history. The book is available for $40 by contacting Bruce Aitken: 52 Ngamotu Rd, Taupo 3330, phone: 07 378-5871, or email: aitkenwin@xtra.co.nz

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Bruce Aitken of Taupo, former topdressing and stunt pilot, has published a book about this colourful career.

Ninety-year-old Bruce Aitken has published a book on his exciting and colourful career of 18,000 flying hours, 30 years running an aerial top-dressing business and being a well-known stunt pilot. He miraculously survived eight near-fatal plane crashes. Growing up near the Wellington aerodrome, Bruce dreamt of being a pilot. Two years’ service in the occupation forces in Japan peaked his interest in aviation. His first top-dressing job was in February 1953. Spreading fertiliser by air was in its infancy; the work was dangerous. Pilots were “flying by the seat of their pants” and many lost their lives in those early years. In 1954 Bruce established his business, Farmers Aviation Ltd, thanks to the financial assistance of four Taranaki farmers. In a tightly regulated and competitive environment Bruce started with one Tiger Moth building up to a fleet of small aircraft and many clients. During the years his training methods for nine new young pilots who worked

for him, meant none lost their life. The book recounts his many run-ins with authorities and well documented official reports of his eight plane crashes. The most dramatic came in 1967 near Waitara when he and his Piper aircraft struck massive power lines strung across a wide gully. ‘Amazing Escape from Plane Crash’ was the headline in Taranaki’s main newspaper. Split seconds after Bruce scrambled from the smashed cockpit the whole aircraft was engulfed with fierce flames and in minutes was a charred twisted skeleton. In 1980s a bigger fire spelled the beginning of the end of Bruce’s business. His large hangar near Hawera caught ablaze destroying five aircraft. An insurance payout bought a new plane that Bruce operated for two more years before giving up his topdressing business.

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HORTICULTURE

Page 42

Pest invasion risks – stink bugs and Aussie fruit fly New Zealand’s summer and autumn are the high-risk times for brown marmorated stink bugs and the Queensland fruit ﬂy to establish themselves in New Zealand.

The only way we can stop the bugs and ﬂies establishing themselves is if we ﬁnd them as quickly as possible before a breeding population spreads. Early detection is the key to successful eradication. In recent years the Ministry for Primary Industries has successfully

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eradicated four fruit fly finds in New Zealand, but at some expense. The most recent eradication in Grey Lynn, Auckland, cost a reported $15.7 million. That’s a lot of taxpayer money. So it’s much better to keep pests out of New Zealand in the first place. There is an even greater risk and that comes from the brown marmorated stink bug. We know how to eradicate fruit flies. Eradicating brown marmorated stink bugs is a completely different matter. We are not sure whether or not we could eradicate infestations of brown marmorated stink bug. If it arrives, spreads and gets established, it is most likely here to stay. It is much worse than fruit fly.

damage, it moves into your homes. The arrival of the brown marmorated stink bug would be a total disaster for New Zealand economically, environmentally, and even socially. We have to keep it out of the country, and do our best to deal with any small populations before they become uncontrollable. Therefore, we are therefore asking everyone in New Zealand to be on the lookout for brown marmorated stink bug and fruit flies. If you see what you think is a brown marmorated stink bug or a fruit fly, catch it, take a picture of it and report it as soon as possible on 0800 80 99 66. See the poster for identification.

Horrid smell

Biocontrol agent

The brown marmorated stink bug will eat most vegetables and the leaves of fruit trees in home gardens, as well as many commercially-grown fruit and vegetables. Once it has ﬁnished eating its way through our gardens and crops, it likes to spend the winter in nice dark spaces; the eaves and walls of houses are one of the favourite spots. And once disturbed it will give off a horrid smell –hence the name. See the picture and watch: https://youtu. be/2syIdxVbmRQ to see how it affects people and their homes. This pest is not just conﬁned to crop

The brown marmorated stink bug is spreading throughout Europe, and taking hold in the United States. Research is ongoing to establish all the pathways by which it can enter New Zealand, how we can protect ourselves from its arrival, better surveillance and detection capabilities, and how to control it if it does get in. A biocontrol agent is being assessed for release in New Zealand should Be on the lookout the brown marmorated for the brown stink bug ever arrive. marmorated For now, the key stink bug. action you can take it to report any potential sightings, and maintain constant vigilance.

Breakthrough in fight against bee disease

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Honey bees are under siege from a range of pests and diseases. However, some relief may be in sight for these important insects from a particularly dangerous disease – one that can destroy entire hives. Preliminary results from a pilot study undertaken by scientists at Plant & Food Research indicate ta breakthrough has been made in the ﬁght against the pathogen Nosema ceranae. This relative newcomer to New Zealand is a cousin of Nosema apis, which has been present in the country since the 1800s. Both Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae are spore-producing parasites

that attack the gut lining of bees, leading to a shortened lifespan in adults. Severe cases of Nosema ceranae may cause the collapse of an entire colony. Because Nosema is primarily spread through faeces on contaminated honeycomb, preventing infection is a near-impossible task, meaning the commercial costs associated with Nosema infection have simply been “a fact of life”. During the springs of 2014 and 2015 many New Zealand beekeepers, particularly in the Coromandel, experienced severe and unexplained colony losses – a pattern that hadn’t been seen before and resulted in honey loss estimated at between 40-60 per cent for the season. Nosema ceranae was ﬁrst found in New Zealand in 2010 and identiﬁed as a potential culprit for continued... the calamity.

MAIZE

Insects make their own antibiotics Nearly half of all insects are herbivores, but their diets do not consist of only plant material. It is not uncommon for potentially harmful microorganisms to slip in during a feast.

development. Whereas young larvae were inhabited by a variety of virulent Enterococcus species, older larvae were dominated by E. mundtii, which has rarely been documented as a pathogen. Based on these intriguing observations, the researchers set out to identify the factors that inﬂuence the composition of gut microbes during insect development. To do so, they isolated different Enterococcus species from cotton leaf worm larvae and examined how they compete with one another.

In a study published in January in ‘Cell Chemical Biology’, researchers report these insects use an ironic strategy to resist microbial infections. A bacterial species commonly found in the gut of the cotton leaf worm and other moths secretes a powerAntimicrobial peptide ful antimicrobial peptide, killing They discovered that E. mundtii off competitors while defending inhibited the growth of other its host against pathogens. related bacterial species by “It has long been prosecreting an antimicrobial posed that native gut peptide called mundticin bacteria are an imporKS. While this toxin was tant component of host undetectable in young defence, but until now, larvae, it dramatically the responsible species and increased in abundance in molecular mechanism have older larvae due to expansion not been clearly demonstrated,” of the E. mundtii population, protect Bacteria in their gut says first author Yongqi Shao of n. tio shaping the microbiome with fec in some insects from Zhejiang University. surprising efficiency. “We show that the evolution“The antimicrobial promotes symbiosis by ary success of insects is partially based on a providing a competitive advantage for E. mundtii, symbiotic association with gut microbes, which cocontributing to its dominance in the gut microbievolved with their hosts over millions of years.” ome, while protecting the cotton leafworm against Insects are the largest group of animals on Earth, pathogens,” says Wilhelm. with more than one million known species. As the “We expect that protective associations with most significant herbivores in the world, insects antibiotic-producing bacteria is a common strategy ingest microbes commonly found in plants or the of insects against microbial invaders.” surrounding environment, yet they are remarkably In future studies, the researchers will examine resistant to infections. whether similar mechanisms exist in other insect species and look for additional toxic compounds Molecular mechanism that shape the microbiome during host developIncreasing evidence in both vertebrates and inverment. In the end, the findings could have widespread tebrates suggests gut bacteria defend hosts against implications for agriculture and health. For example, invading microbes. But the species that exert this antimicrobial peptides could be used as food preprotective effect have rarely been identified, leaving servatives, and understanding the role of indigenous the molecular mechanism of action unclear. gut residents could contribute to the development A clue to this question came while Shao and senior of novel biocontrol strategies against herbivorous study author Wilhelm Boland of the Max Planck insect pests. Institute for Chemical Ecology were studying the “Our study also provides interesting approaches cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis, which is one for medical research,” says Yongqi. “Many convenof the most widespread insect herbivores in the temtional antibiotics are facing increasing problems of perate regions and causes substantial economic losses resistance. As evolutionarily conserved weapons, in crop production. bacteriocins have great potential as alternatives to They noticed the composition of gut microbes colconventional antibiotics.” onising this pest changes dramatically during larval

Heat treatment possible option for hives

...continued

In response, a team from Plant & Food Research began working closely with Coromandel beekeeper Dr Oksana Borowik – first confirming high levels of Nosema ceranae in affected colonies, and then exploring ways to prevent the spread of the disease between hives. Their early research findings are exciting: heat-treating the hive and internal comb to only 50 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes resulted in an increase in brood viability and a 50 per cent increase in adult bee numbers. The treatment is effective because

heat kills Nosema ceranae spores lurking on contaminated comb before the new colony is introduced to the hive. “Nosema ceranae has had a notable impact on hives and the honey industry in countries like the United States and China,” says Plant & Food Research scientist Dr Mark Goodwin. “We need to take the threat of this disease very seriously, particularly as the honey industry and the pollination services of honey bees are very important to New Zealand’s economy.

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“The initial findings of this research are a very encouraging first step in the fight against this threat.” The team will build on this initial study with further investigations into the effect of seasonality and long-term treatment on bee populations. If heat treatment is found to be a safe and consistent management option for beekeepers plagued by Nosema, there is potential to greatly improve the health and productivity of New Zealand beehives.

Page 43

MAIZE

Page 44

Radiation’s influence on maize yield

yield potential than a very hot, shorter Radiation drives the photosynthetic process in maize season. That’s why New Zealand yields are and has a strong linkage to yield. normally higher than those in the Temperature, on the other hand, drives the development stages of maize. Leaf area development is important for radiation interception, but overall temperature has less inﬂuence on yield than radiation. A cooler season with high radiation provides a longer growing period for photosynthesis to occur and higher

United States, as our more temperate climate is more suitable than their shorter, hotter growing season. Cumulative Growing Degree Days are the average of the daily maximum plus minimum temperatures, less a base temperature of 8 degrees Celsius. Crop emergence takes about 125 GDDs and from emergence to

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V10 – when enough leaves are exposed to sunlight so the rate of dry matter accumulation is rapid. Each leaf collar requires 85 GDDs. From V10 to tassel each leaf collar requires 50 GDDs. By early-January, all areas except Northland, Takaka and Ashburton were recording below average radiation levels compared with the long-term average. This was due to the dull cloudy weather much of the country, particularly the North Island, had been experiencing. (Source: Foundation for Arable Research newsletter ‘Maize Action’).

Growers advised to keep input records The Foundation for Arable Research is urging growers to retain crop input records from 2014 onwards, in light of the proposed Regional Plan Change for the Waikato and Waipa River catchments. “In the future Farm Environment Plans are likely to be necessary and will require crop input data such as fertiliser records, soil test results, individual paddock applications etc, and so please keep all such data from 2014 onwards,” the FARi newsletter ‘Maize Action’, reports. In August the Waikato Collaborative Stakeholder Group completed its collaborative process with indus-

try, iwi and community and made recommendations to the Waikato Regional Council for a Regional Plan Change for the Waikato and Waipa River catchments. These have been approved by the Waikato Regional Council and the Plan Change Proposal is available for public comment through a submission process. Groups and individuals can make a submission either supporting, opposing or expressing a neutral stance on the plan and its various parts. These need to be developed and delivered by March 8 for hearings by the hearings committee.

MAIZE

Stopping weeds from seeding Researchers writing in the latest issue of the journal ‘Weed Science’ provide important insights on the control of herbicide-resistant giant ragweed – a plant shown to produce signiﬁcant yield losses in the USA Midwest corn and soybean crops. Since giant ragweed is resistant to multiple herbicide sites of action, researchers at the University of Minnesota set out to determine the impact of alternative control strategies on both the emergence of giant ragweed and the number of giant ragweed seeds in the weed seedbank. They evaluated six three-year crop rotation systems, including continuous corn, soybean-corn-corn, corn-soybean-corn, soybean-wheatcorn, soybean-alfalfa-corn and alfalfa-alfalfa-corn. Researchers found corn and soybean rotations were more conducive to

giant ragweed emergence. Thirtyeight per cent fewer giant ragweed plants emerged when the crop rotation system included wheat or alfalfa. They also found adopting a zeroweed threshold can be a viable approach to depleting the weed seedbank, regardless of the crop rotation system used. When a zero-weed threshold was maintained, 96 per cent of the giant ragweed seedbank was depleted within just two years. “Since the ragweed seedbank is shortlived, our research shows it is possible to manage ﬁelds infested with giant ragweed by simply eliminating weeds that emerge before they go to seed,” says Jared Goplen, a member of the research team. Herbicide-resistant giant ragweed is rapidly becoming a major threat to corn and soybean production in the Midwest and elsewhere. This research will help

growers utilise crop rotation as a much-needed additional strategy for managing this weed. ‘Weed Science’ is a journal of the Weed Science Society of America, a non-proﬁt scientiﬁc society focused on weeds and their impact on the environment. The publication presents peerreviewed original research related to all aspects of weed science, including the biology, ecology, physiology, management and control of weeds. For more information, see: www.cambridge. org/core/journals/weedscience (Source: Cambridge University Press).

Page 45

Velvetleaf vigilance still required Velvetleaf plants are germinating and growing at some infected Waikato sites and maize growers are advised to be vigilant. Young velvetleaf plants look similar to mallows. Growers are also warned to be on the lookout for Noogoora bur and Alligator weed, both notiﬁable weed species in Waikato and

Bay of Plenty, or any other unusual weeds. Waikato growers who ﬁnd velvetleaf seedlings on their properties should follow the steps laid out on the Waikato Regional Council website or phone council 0800 800 401 Growers outside Waikato should also keep an eye out for germinating velvetleaf plants and if any are suspected call the MPI Biosecurity hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

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FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Family celebrates Fordson 100th anniversary It’s been 100 years of the Fordson F – the most cursed yet best-loved tractor ever built, some say. But Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club president Larry Williams says he’s not sure why. “I don’t know where that line came from but I read it and thought ‘what a neat line!’” And 2017 marks one hundred years since From left. James, Larry and Rex Williams on Fordsons. Ford started cranking out the tractors. he can’t do what he used to do. He used to take all of To celebrate, the Tauranga Vintage these things to shows himself. Machinery Club had a display at the Tauranga A&P “It’s sort of a family thing.” Lifestyle Show last month. And before you ask, yes, Larry has a favourite. An And Larry wheeled out some of his family’s Fordson original-condition Fordson tractor dubbed ‘Old tractors for the event. “Yeah, well my Dad is a big Rusty’. collector and I have inherited them. Our family had “We call it Old Rusty because it has no paint on it. about ﬁve Fordsons there and all of the very early ones It’s in original condition, it’s lived in a shed all its life, – 1924, 1926, 1938, early-1950s. So that’s how I get but it’s a reliable, easy-to-start, easy-to-drive tractor.” involved.” Larry says the show had more on display than just Dad Rex Williams is a big collector, says Larry. old tractors – with stationary engines and a hay bailer “Dad’s collected them all, I just help work on them in the mix too. Cayla-Fay Saunders and restore them. Dad’s 86 now, so he’s slowed down;

Family’s blacksmithing traditions endure Anchors and cray pots hang from the ceiling, replica motorbike frames and car and truck springs are on the ﬂoor below, in the half-a-century-old business of J F Breingan and Sons in Gisborne. Blacksmith Jack Breingan began the business. Later it was taken over by his son Ray, who also raced motorbikes internationally, going on to build frames and construct replicas of famous bike brands. Since his father and brother have died Peter Breingan has run the business, keeping up the family blacksmithing tradition – although his trade is as a tool-maker, specialising in plastic injection moulds. Peter and his staff also continue to pro-

duce the unique eight-pronged anchor his father Jack invented. “Grapnels are difﬁcult to stow in a boat but this one isn’t,” says Peter, demonstrating how one arm of the grapnel swivels to lay on top of the other. It also has an eye at the bottom. “We always suggest people attach the anchor rope or chain to the eye and secure it to the top of the anchor with a cable tie. That way if the grapnel gets stuck, you can pull it to break the cable tie and lift the anchor from the bottom end.” The company produces a range of anchors including ones big and strong enough to hold a 14 metre boat. Peter Breingan Peter and staff member Lawrence Schouker demonstrates how were busy in early-November building up the folding grapnel stocks of the company’s solid cray pots, ready anchor, his father to meet the demand from recreational ﬁshers Jack invented, works. this summer. Elaine Fisher

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 47

Page 48

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Precision agriculture conference coming to Hamilton The biggest precision agriculture event ever held in New Zealand takes place in Hamilton from October 16-18. The seventh Asian-Australasian Conference on Precision Agriculture, to be known as 7ACPA, is hosted by the Precision Agriculture Association of New Zealand. It brings together the most inﬂuential people in precision agriculture research and application from across Asia.

In partnership with industry-leading organisations, Precision Agriculture 2017 offers three concurrent conferences encompassing the latest science, development and applications for even smarter agriculture. These are the seventh Asian-Australasian Conference on Precision Agriculture covering research on arable, horticultural crops and soils; the ﬁrst AsianAustralasian Conference on Precision Livestock Farming – to be known as 1ACPLF – covering research on livestock and pastures; and the Digital Farmer 2017 conference – to be called DF2017 – covering practical experience, adoption and adaptation of Precision Agriculture concepts and tools.

Different disciplines

Precision Agriculture 2017 is bringing together researchers from different disciplines and cultures to interact with developers, regulators and farmers. Participants will have the opportunity to gain understanding of precision agriculture research in the Asian-Australasian region, get involved in the discussion, ﬁnd out more about the broad adoption of precision agriculture in Australia, and learn from New Zealand’s highly advanced primary industry researchers and specialists. For event partners, it’s a chance to support an internationally notable and thought-leading event and further develop links with the international precision agriculture community. The three conferences will run in parallel, with

joint plenary sessions, poster presentations and workshops. Seminars on leading edge and applied precision agriculture, along with an exhibition featuring the latest innovative technologies, will enable scientists and practitioners to exchange and generate new ideas.

Conference tours

Organisers expect more than 320 participants from the emerging economies in Asia, from Australia and New Zealand as well as from other regions. After the event, delegates have the opportunity to join one of two New Zealand two-day to three-day tours, visiting either the North Island or the South Island, to discover ﬁrst-hand examples of outstanding New Zealand precision agriculture research

and innovation. International Precision Agriculture Master Classes will be held for two days ahead of the conferences. These master classes will introduce early career scientists to the latest methods of precision agriculture research and allow them to discuss key science questions with international experts. Precision Agriculture 2017 is globally unique as it provides a platform for all primary industries in agriculture to share and discuss their latest precision agriculture achievements. It also aligns with the congruent conference series in Europe (ECPA, ECPLF), South America (CONBAP) and North America (ICPA). For more information, see: https://precisionagriculture.org.nz

Research shows wool garments may reduce burns injuries AgResearch scientists have been putting the heat on wool garments to see what level of ﬁre protection they can provide to those in the armed forces or emergency services.

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With wool’s burn-resistant properties being well-known, AgResearch – working alongside co-funder Australian Wool Innovation and UK-based New Zealand company Armadillo Merino – has been exploring how wool base layer or “next to skin” garments respond to flame and intense heat, and specifically how absorbed moisture in the wool affects the flammability. “For those in the armed forces or emergency services a lot of the main focus is on the outer garments, for obvious reasons, but here we have looked at the additional defence a base layer garment can offer,” says Dr Alex Hodgson, who has led the work for AgResearch. “One of the experiments we did was to test out how skin beneath a wool base layer is affected by fire – using the skin from a pig carcass. “From this, we found evidence that wool garments could lessen the severity of burn injury as compared to standard issue base layers used by Police and military personnel in the UK. “What we are aiming to show is how effective wool garments can be as a last line of defence in clothing for those working in environments where they

may be faced with the risk of fire and intense heat. The relatively high level of absorbed moisture in wool does appear to provide an advantage.” Armadillo Merino’s Andy Caughey says soldiers don’t expect to be burnt when deployed, “but this important research demonstrates that injuries can be reduced or prevented by wearing a next-toskin layer of merino as their first or last line of defence”. AWI says it is continuing to invest in a range of targeted research and development to build and extend the scientific credentials for wool’s natural and unique attributes. These include the ability to manage a microclimate next to the skin, to resist odour and to provide inherent flame resistance without requiring chemical modification. Some of the work done by AgResearch scientists was presented at a textile flammability conference in Melbourne recently.

KIWIFRUIT

Sprayer production an economic boost for Te Puke A partnership between Splash Direct and Australian equipment company Croplands is bringing an economic and employment boost to Te Puke and at the same time providing kiwifruit growers with a sprayer developed speciﬁcally for New Zealand orchards.

Splash Direct owner Craig Bell says the company is building a new complex in Te Puke, which will include a manufacturing facility designed speciﬁcally for the assembly of the Cropliner self-propelled and trailer sprayers. “We have outgrown our existing premises and are taking on more staff, largely due to demand for the Cropliner sprayers. The new purpose-built complex will have a showroom, large parts and service departments as well as the factory for assembling the imported sprayer tanks and components and the manufacture on site of the trailer chassis,” says Craig. The partnership between Splash Direct and Croplands has evolved from a recognition by management in both companies of the expertise that each has. Croplands is internationally recognised for the quality and design of its spray equipment, while Splash Direct has a strong reputation for its expert knowledge of the kiwifruit industry and its speciﬁc requirements for effective spray application. That’s why Splash Direct has played a key role in the design of the Cropliner kiwifruit sprayers. “Croplands bought some muscle to the project with their ability to source quality components in quantities and offered valuable input to the sprayer’s design, ensuring it will deliver

Page 49

Julian Elder is new Scion CEO

exactly what kiwifruit growers want in terms of spray coverage, safety and efficiency.” This includes working with Italian manufacturers to develop a fan that delivers more precise spray placement, minimising drift and noise levels in the process. Croplands area sales manager Greg Small says Craig and Splash Direct know the kiwifruit industry well. “Craig has built up a lot of specialist knowledge on the critical area of spray application. But just as importantly has a base of very loyal customers thanks to that knowledge, and the service Splash Direct offers them.” The Croplands Cropliner is a standardised model, meaning significant economies of scale is achieved when purchasing and assembling its components, and ensuring competitive pricing. “Many of the features built in to the Cropliner sprayer have also been incorporated after listening to feedback from local growers and advisors. This includes lowering the sprayer’s height to be capable of travelling under heavily fruited, low-hanging vines, and sourcing a tank that maximises pump suction from its sump,” says Craig. The self-propelled sprayer is also one that Greg, from Croplands, and Craig, from Splash Direct, are particularly excited about. “This marks a real first for the market, where we can offer a self-propelled machine that is very robust and extremely price competitive. We believe it offers many more orchardists an affordable self-propelled option they have not had until now.” The partnership has combined knowledge to produce a sprayer that meets kiwifruit growers’ needs. The self-propelled sprayer is popular with contractors and owners of large orchards, while the trailer version appeals to owners of smaller orchards. “We have listened to what growers have said over the years about where improvements can be made, and built them into this equipment – it’s high quality equipment tuned to local growers’ needs,” says Craig.

Dr Julian Elder has been appointed the incoming chief executive for Scion and will succeed current Crown Research Institute’s chief executive Dr Warren Parker upon his retirement from the role next month. Scion Board chairman Tony Nowell says Julian brings extensive commercial experience in business development, performance and risk management, most recently having led WEL Networks Limited from 2007 to 2014 and the associated Waikato Networks Limited from 2011 to 2014, doubling the size of the combined business during

his tenure. Prior to that role he was chief engineer at Watercare Services from 2005 to 2007. Julian is passionate about health and safety, commercial excellence and customer service. He’s recognised for innovation and thoughtful leadership and has signiﬁcant experience in commercialising technology and raising investment to support this. Julian will join Scion from earlyFebruary to work with Warren for a handover period of one month and will fully take-up the CEO reins from March 1.

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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.

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 50

Matapihi trust buys Hawke’s Bay orchard

“We are ﬁelding quite a bit of interest,” says Matapihi-based Ngai Tukairangi Trust has paid $40.2 million Trustee Neil Te Kani. for a Hawke’s Bay kiwifruit orchard in what is believed to “It’s a strategic decision, we signaled it at last be a1978, record taking price for any horticultural land.others don’t year’s Annual General Meeting; we said we stablished since you where the go!

as well, but again those are decisions that will be made by the board. We shall see how this one here rolls out.”

need to get bigger in terms of our footFully escorted tours designed with senior citizens in mind print in the industry. We see that footprint having an impact on returns back to growers, so it’s an exciting industry and we wanted to continue the legacy of our grandparents who started with this.” How the trust intends to run the orchards was to be decided by the board at its meeting in earlyFebruary. The board is not planning to buy any more orchards just yet. “A purchase of this size will require us to sit back and see how it’s going to perform. So there is going to be a period of review around what this looks like,” says Neil. “It may be that we look at increasing our info@scottsdaletours.co.nz | www.scottsdaletours.co.nz footprint in other areas

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NZ entities

‘NZ Farmer’ reports the trust bought five orchards comprising of the 66.47 hectares Fernhill properties, marketed by Stan and Chris Robb at PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Tauranga. It is one of the largest sales, by value, of any New Zealand rural property, says PGG Wrightson Real Estate general manager Peter Newbold. “Many observers will be gratified that this transaction took place between two New Zealand-based entities. Even for sales of this magnitude, locals have the capacity to purchase New Zealand rural property, despite competition from overseas interests,” says Peter. The orchards are in their third year of producing SunGold, and are yet to reach maturity. “At present about 500,000-600,000 trays are being harvested, but there is potential to reach up to 1 million trays," says Stan Robb. Located 12km northwest of Hastings, the orchards were developed more than 20 years ago. They have artificial shelter, frost protection and irrigation. At a little more than $700,000 per canopy hectare, the 66.47ha Hawke’s Bay sale is slightly cheaper than an earlier purchase of a Te Puke kiwifruit orchard, which went for more than $800,000 per canopy hectare. Prices for gold kiwifruit orchards have soared in the last two years, from $450,000 per hectare in 2015 and leaping to $600,000 per hectare last year.

More licences

In response to global demand for the SunGold variety, Zespri has been steadily releasing more licences to grow it. Kiwifruit growers have paid out a median price of up to $200,000 per hectare each for licences to the sought-after variety. Zespri has forecasted the release of 400ha of SunGold licences in 2017 and successive releases could boost kiwifruit exports by $500m by 2020. Total green and gold earnings for 2016 are set to hit almost the $1 billion mark. Zespri’s chief operating officer Simon Limmer says the co-operative interpreted the sales in light of the reception SunGold had enjoyed with customers and consumers around the world. “We’re forecasting SunGold volumes to double during the next five years to 90 million trays to meet this strong demand, backed by up investment in marketing and in-market development. Orchard sales reflect the confidence of the New Zealand industry in this great new product,” says Simon.

KIWIFRUIT

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Hunt on for outstanding food Kiwis throughout the country are being encouraged to vote for their favourite spot for fresh food and dining in the Turners & Growers Outstanding Food Region 2017 competition. The 2017 Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards are being run by Marvellous Marketing and ‘NZ Life & Leisure’ magazine to hunt out the country’s top produce and producers. T&G Global is supporting the search to choose the country’s favourite food region. People can vote through the website: https://nzfoodproducerawards.co.nz/ food-region/ and will be prompted to do this with via a social media campaign in February and March 2017. As well as the vote for Turners & Growers Outstanding Food Region 2017, there is a People’s Choice or popular vote for New Zealand’s favour-

ite specialty food store or supermarket, farmers’ market, produce or producer. T&G Global is also encouraging its growers to enter their produce in the awards. The Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards will be judged in early-March by a panel of experts led by Lauraine Jacobs, well-known for championing New Zealand food locally and abroad. Lauraine is a past president of Food Writers New Zealand and the International Association of Culinary Professionals. One producer creating benchmark goods of exceptional quality will be named NZ Life & Leisure Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer 2017 and eight others will be category winners. The grand winner will receive a major feature story in ‘NZ Life & Leisure’ and marketing services valued at $5000 from the organisers of the awards, Marvellous Marketing, to help them maximise the benefits of winning the awa d. All winners will receive publicity,

photos and materials to use in promoting their product and brand. All fina ists and winners will be able to use Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Medals on packaging and in sales marketing communication. Voting for the Turners & Growers Outstanding Food Region 2017 runs until the mid-April 2017. To find out mo e, visit https://nzfoodproducerawards. co.nz

Joining innovators in food Plant & Food Research has become the first ew Zealand-based member of the Food Valley Society, an international network of more than 140 organisations focused on innovation in the food sector. Food Valley Society members are primarily businesses from the agri-food, feed and horticultural industries. The society provides an environment for sharing knowledge and building partnerships to support the development of new ideas

in the food space. Food Valley, based in the Netherlands, is recognised as one of the leading clusters of food innovation. Close to 15,000 people work at Food Valley, from international food companies, research institutes and Wageningen University and Research Centre. Membership of the society provides access to potential knowledge and business partners globally, encouraging new ideas and making food trends tangible.

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Page 52

HORSE OF THE YEAR

International line-up of officials for HOY Horse of the Year is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the southern hemisphere, and attracts notable names from all around the globe. The 2017 event, from March 7-12 at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Showgrounds will be attended by international ofﬁcials from Australia, Japan, Germany and the Philippines. Dressage is one of the biggest disciplines at the show, with the likes of Julie Brougham and

John Thompson raising the section’s profile with their international achievements. This year Jane Ventura flies in from Victoria, Australia, bringing with her recent experience from large shows in Tokyo, France, Italy and Spain. The dressage section is also welcoming Vittorio Barba from the Philippines as part of their team of officials as well as Susie Hoevenaars as a judge. In eventing, again officials are hailing from all corners. A technical delegate and a steward – both very important roles on the officials’ team – are both flying in from Japan. Sukhdev Rathore will be visiting from India to take part in judging the eventing.

The showing discipline will also see David Bartram and Chris Lawton from the UK, while Di and Harry Tunnicliffe will take part as the Australian judges. Several top Australian show jumpers are showing interested in ﬂying their horses over to take part, including some recent Olympic candidates. Following Clarke Johnstone’s success at the Rio Olympics after his win in the Eventing Horse of the Year title in 2016, there have been rumours some Australian eventers are also keen to give the big title a crack. The popular mounted games section has also attracted interest from Australia and

the United States. International course designer Werner Deeg returns from Germany to build the big tracks jumped in the Premier Arena. His ﬁrst trip to design at Horse of the Year was in 2016 and he came away pleased with the quality of the show, and of the horses and riders. Likewise, those who rode his courses enjoyed the challenge, with six days of exciting competition unfolding for the show. With previous experience at the European Championships and Spruce Meadows, Werner boasts an impressive CV. Key for him is that the course reﬂects the horse’s natural movement, making his courses technical yet ground-covering and jumped off a fairly forward stride.

Twenty years of building style and flair This year marks the 20th year that G.J. Gardner Homes has been building beautiful homes within New Zealand.

“Having built more homes than any other home builder in the country, we understand everyone has individual needs and unique requirements when building. Our nationwide franchise team work hard every day to design and build homes that “It has been an amazing journey for suit the region and the lifestyle it provides. us, one that is filled with more than “Our award-winning ‘Home Show’ maga12,500 happy customers all over the zine has been created to inspire, inform and country,” says G.J. Garner Homes hopefully help you decide the look of your managing director Grant Porteous. find some ideas you new home, and possibly fi Throughout the 20 years there have may have never considered. been many style and trend changes that “We encourage people who are thinking have captivated the market. of building or even have an existing home “We’ve seen butler’s pantries and sculto pick up an issue and browse through our leries, also mono-pitched roofing, make handpicked selection of showhomes pictures a comeback this decade, while colourand customer homes for inspiration and The G.J. Gardner Homes style ideas,” says Grant. ful and detailed splashbacks in the magazine called ‘Home kitchen have been a staple of many The G.J. Gardner Homes teams are happy homes throughout the years, whereas Show’ has been created to to answer your questions about home buildinspire new homeowners. ing. So find your nearest office or showhome others have fallen by the wayside. “The one constant has always been to ask about the possibilities for your new G.J. Gardner Homes. We pride ourselves on being the home. To request a ‘Home Show’ magazine or talk to market leaders and trendsetters from the design stage your local consultant call us on 0800 42 45 56, or visit right through to completion. us online at: www.gjgardner.co.nz

HORSE OF THE YEAR

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Katelyn’s choice of hat is all equestrian influenced For 18-year-old Katelyn Harper, her ‘twohat’ responsibility is no dilemma. In fact, she manages to make it look easy. Her hats are both worn in the show ring, as horses are a big part of Katelyn’s life and have been since she was a toddler. Both Mum Shorty and Dad Steve have lifetime interests in horses so it was almost natural progression for Katelyn to ‘have horses’. The hats are indeed quite different. One is styley, fashionable and matches the very smart dark blue jacket and skirt – yes skirt – and dare we say stockings, she wears in the led-class show ring. The other hat is a helmet, promoting safety ﬁrst, and is worn with riding jacket, stock and jodhpurs when she is riding her two show jumpers. The horses involved could also not be more different. One is a 15.3hand coloured mare, which excels over the jumps and is very much Katelyn’s favourite. “She is my best friend, my little handbag. She loves her job, absolutely loves jumping. I have never met a horse who loves jumping as much as she does. I trust her with my life.” The others are cute small very small ponies who have plenty of attitude.

Loveable pony

Katelyn has grown up like many horse-mad youngsters ﬁrstly in the led-class on a small loveable pony, graduating to the pony classes and then on to jumping. There have been a number of ponies in her life and now she’s into the hack class with three horses – her favourite Tyche, a 15.3hand coloured mare, GT a

Katelyn Harper, in stylist hat with her horse Panda. Photos: Fritha Tagg.

youngster with plenty of scope and a new addition Gary – an off-the-racetrack thoroughbred, which Katelyn hopes to turn into a handy show jumper. The involvement in two completely separate horse disciplines goes back to when Katelyn was 10. Her parents had separated and dad Steve was interested in showing miniature ponies. It was only natural for Katelyn to become part of this as well and they bought Tiny, a two-year-old miniature with the show name Sherwoods Phantom Magic and then a little later six-year-old New Zealand Inny Weeny Phantom’s Affair – one of New Zealand’s best miniature horses, which was very successful in the mini classes. “He taught me everything I needed to know,” says Katelyn. Their ﬁrst big success was at the Cambridge show, where Tiny won all of his classes and won Supreme Category A.

Horse of the Year

The pair went on to win everything they entered and at 2013 Horse of the Year won three classes and Best Presented. And while of all this miniature action was happening Katelyn, who was also riding her two ponies Harley and Bilbo, was competing at shows. Her riding ponies and now her horses are kept at home base in Cambridge while the miniatures are at Steve’s

home near Hamilton. Recently, Katelyn has been showing ‘Panda’ – or Springdales Pandemonium – a two-yearold pony and won Champion Led Saddle Hunter Pony Under Three Years at the Show Horse Council NZ Nationals in Taupo. The next day at Pukekohe she rode her coloured mare – Tyche and won the Wade Equestrian 1.20m championship and also took out the ‘Style’ prize, which is judged on both horse and rider turnout and equitation. Proving she does know which hat to wear and when. Fritha Taff

Katelyn Harper in her riding helmet.

EDUCATION

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The ‘Dio Difference’ revealed at March open day At Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, students receive the foundation they need in order to be conﬁdent, independent, lifelong learners and ﬁne citizens. “They live and learn in an environment of high expectations where they experience great teaching and witness academic excellence. “Most importantly, they know how it feels to be part of a vibrant and caring community,” says Principal Vicky McLennan. “Dio’s Christian values are the clay from which the character of students are moulded and the canvas upon which Dio girls will paint their destiny. “While literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and problem solving are important in preparing girls for their future careers, it is their social, emotional and spiritual development that will prepare them for a happy life.”

In the sporting arena, Dio athletes continue to loom large on the national stage and, in the arts, increased participation and quality of performance teamed with the introduction of exciting new performing groups has seen an explosion of arts and culture at the school. These outstanding achievements tell the story of a school whose students are motivated, involved, talented and driven. “Dio is much more than just a beautiful site and a superior group of buildings, boarding and educational facilities. It is more too than an institution with an excellent set of teaching programmes. “Dio is best described as a sense of belonging, a commitment to a common set of values, standards and expectations, many relating to education and some merely relating to life. “We are a family with a shared faith and a shared future.” Come and experience the Dio Difference at the open day on Friday, March 17, from 10am to 12pm.

Open Day 2017

Come and experience the Dio Difference at the Waikato Diocesan School for Girls open day on March 17 from 10am to 12pm.

Unique learning environment

Friday 17 March, 10.00am to 12.00pm

10.00am – Welcome and Principal’s Address in All Saints Chapel followed by tours of boarding and the day school. Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, Parking at Martin Street Entrance (off McNicol Street).

Academic Excellence, Anglican Special Character, Boarding Places, Family Values We welcome your enquiry about joining our school family. Phone 07 855 2038 extn 2703 Email admissions@wdsg.school.nz Visit www.waikatodiocesan.school.nz

Making the Dio Difference

Student boarders at Saint Kentigern College receive the best in pastoral care.

Saint Kentigern College is located on 100 acres, bordering the Tamaki Estuary, 16km from the centre of Auckland. Founded on strong Christian values, it is an independent Presbyterian school for boys and girls in Years 7-13, or ages 11-18. The unique learning environment provides for students to be taught in single-gender classes in the Middle College from Years 7–10, while in the Senior College from Years 11–13 girls and boys learn together. Bruce House, the specialist boarding facility for boys and girls, is the place boarding students call home, says head of boarding and chaplain Reverend David Smith. “Boarders are involved in every facet of college life and they develop a strong sense of school spirit. We challenge all our students to excel; academic success is expected.” “An unparalleled range of subjects is taught in modern, specialist facilities. Students attain internationally recognised qualiﬁcations. Senior students

have a choice of qualifications pathways and in the final two years of college they can choose NCEA or the International Baccalaureate programme.” Students receive the best in pastoral care. A highly qualified, dedicated team of teachers and pastoral care specialists monitors the students’ progress socially, academically and emotionally, ensuring they are settled at school. The College is a wireless campus and students can collaborate with their peers and work with their laptops and tablets to do class work, research and homework. “Our sports facilities and coaches are among New Zealand’s best and we enjoy success in regional and national competitions. “We are deeply committed to performing arts. Drama students learn in dedicated spaces and perform in a professional performance venue. In addition, our separate Music Centre provides superb, soundproofed facilities for our choirs and instrumental enthusiasts. “Please contact us by email, phone or in person. We look forward to introducing you to a ‘world of opportunity for boys and girls’.

EDUCATION

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Tibbs House ‘backbone’ of Grammar life,” says director of boarding Daniel Oram. As well as modern hostel facilities, eight full-time teaching masters and two ‘Gap’ tutors provide excellent pastoral care while a dedicated team of matrons meet the boys’ maternal and medical needs. During the nightly prep sessions, additional academic support is provided by specialist tutors who ensure all boarders are given every chance to achieve academically. The roll of Tibbs House sits around

Tibbs House brings together boys from all over the world, who over time forge life-long bonds of camaraderie.

Since its establishment in 1869, Auckland Grammar School’s vision has been for all of the young men who attend the school to reach their full potential in every aspect of their lives. When Tibbs House opened in 1962, it was with the express purpose to allow students from outside the local area to beneﬁt from this same vision – and this carries on today. Today, the school holds tight to its

traditional values while remaining committed to offering young men the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom, on the sports ﬁeld and in musical, cultural and social activities. Often referred to as “the backbone of the school”, Tibbs House boarders are expected to uphold high standards of behaviour and to participate widely in school life. “We give the platform to all our boarders to become better versions of themselves so that when they depart us after ﬁve years they are fully equipped to move into the next stage of their

Ringing the memory tills exhibition focused on This month’s history the importance of shipitem from the Opoping in early Opotiki tiki Museum was once occupy the mezzanine common-place in grocery floor, while 12 heritand retail stores. Operatage rooms trace history ing such a cash register from the arrival of took a degree of skill and pioneers to the 1930s the team at the museum on the Elvira Sundell say this one is among the floor, along with items on display that often third fl evoke memories among the Whakatohea Research visitors. and Archives Taonga If you have a story to (Treasures of the past). To be in to win tell about using a similar cash register, or seeing one admission for two to used, we’d love to hear the Opotiki Museum, from you – and your letter email your memories or email could win you to: elaine@thesun.co.nz admission to the threewith ‘History item’ in the storied Opotiki Museum subject line, or post to situated in the main street ‘History Item’, Coast & of the town. Country, PO Box 240, On the ground floor Tauranga 3140 to arrive Do you remember this? no later than February 19. there is an extensive colIf you do we’d love to The Opotiki Museum is lection of implements and hear from you. open Monday to Friday vehicles. Displays high10am-4pm and Saturday lighting saddlery, printing, 10am-2pm. Entry: Adults $10, children candle-making, shearing, engineering, $5, family $25. the dairy industry and a barbers shop To find out more, visit: complete the ground floor. https://opotikimuseum.org.nz/ Early pioneer photographs and an

120. “Tibbs House is a special place that brings together boys from all over the world, who during time forge lifelong bonds of camaraderie. “Here, our boarders get the best of both worlds: a structured, caring environment at Tibbs House, access to quality co-curricular activities and experiences, and a superior education at school. “The boys value and respect this opportunity and this is demonstrated by the pride they show at being boarders at Auckland Grammar.”

RETIREMENT

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Affordable sections

Living Living the the lifestyle, lifestyle, loving loving the the choice choice

Set in a caring community

A unique and welcoming lifestyle village. A unique and welcoming lifestyle village. Our beautiful gardens in a picturesque location Our beautiful gardens in a picturesque location provides a natural relaxed lifestyle. Adjacent to cafes, provides a natural relaxed lifestyle. Adjacent to cafes, shops, amenities and healthcare facilities — we focus shops, amenities and healthcare facilities — we focus on active residents having fun. on active residents having fun.

One and two bedroom One and two bedroom apartments commencing 2017 apartments commencing 2017

Aparangi Village is rapidly becoming the place for many looking to change their lifestyle from a busy city to the tranquil setting of Te Kauwhata.

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“Our village is not a place where people come just to retire but a place where they can enjoy the next stage of their life’s journey,” says says Jackie Long of the Te Kauwhata Retirement Trust Board. “Our sections are selling quickly

$110,000. “You would struggle to see prices like that anywhere else in New Zealand.” But, says Jackie, what sets Aparangi Village apart is its people. “Most of all we are a Aparangi Village at Te Kauwhata. family amongst family and we care. We are also well as they remain a very affordable supported by our local commuoption in this economic time nity and amenities. This is rural where buying land and houses is living with the beneﬁts of city rapidly becoming unaffordable. amenities close by. “We have a solution for every“So pop in for a visit or give us a one’s circumstance be it rental call to ﬁnd out more.” through to full care.” Aparangi Village is at 14 WaereSections at Aparangi Village anga Rd, Te Kauwhata. range in price from $70,000 to

APARANGI V i l l a g e

COUNTRY LIVING

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Morrinsville’s 100th Show The 100th Morrinsville Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Saturday, March 4, will be a ﬁtting celebration of a century of all things agricultural in the region.

Organisers have put together a programme – both traditional and modern – to amuse and entertain as well as honour the pioneers who launched the ﬁrst A&P show in the town in 1917. Among the traditional A&P events will be the livestock competition for beef and dairy cattle, with more modern events for alpaca and goats. There will be equestrian and wood chopping competitions and dog trials too. Entertaining the crowds will be Mike the Magician, Chelsea’s Dog Show, Circus in a Flash and the Wai Kato Drummers. As if all that wasn’t enough to tempt the crowds, thanks to Your Travel Morrinsville and P&O Cruises, there is a gate prize of a four-day cruise for two aboard a P&O Liner. In the early days of the Morrinsville A&P Show, many patrons arrived on horseback and were charged six pence –

roughly ﬁve cents – to tether their mounts inside the showgrounds. Around the late-1920s motorcars began to appear in Morrinsville and for two shillings, a car could be driven in and parked on the recreation grounds on show day. The show was originally held in paddocks where the town’s New World supermarket stands today. Around 1924, the decision was made to use the recently gazetted Morrinsville Recreation Grounds as the new location for the show. The grounds were developed into an oval cycle-racing track, approxi-

mately where today’s swimming pool and cricket grounds are. There was a white picket fence all the way around and all of the main show jumping activities were held inside it. A major sponsor of the early shows was Four Square, which donated many prizes and products for competitions that included quizzes on the show stage. Other early entertainment included appearances from Jack Maybury, who was known as ‘The Radio King of New Zealand’ in the 1940s-1950s.

School s tude in the M nts enter their p orrinsvil e le A&P t calves Show.

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EMILIO’S TIMBERS EST1981

For new clients – lunch is on the accountant Trish Patterson of Accountants Bay of Plenty is offering a tasty treat in the form of a $50 lunch voucher for new clients who consult her this year.

“This is the time of year that business owners are thinking about ‘what next’ for their business, or are determined to ‘get on top of things in 2017’. They may be new to business or looking for better support, and I can help,” says Trish, who is offering the lunch vouchers for the ﬁrst 10 new clients who contact her in 2017. “Having good systems enables us to enjoy working with our clients with timely, practical solutions in an understandable manner, quickly and cost effectively.” Clients are encouraged to improve their business and operate with best practice,

which means that Accountants Bay of Plenty do more than tax return services. They offer the full range of accounting services with extensive experience and expertise. Accountants Bay of Plenty is a chartered accountancy firm with an office in Rotorua. The business has grown steadily during the years with an emphasis on client-focused systems most suited to the owner, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Their valued clients are small to medium business owners, who trade as sole traders, partnerships or companies with many trusts. Clients also include non-profit organisations, farmers, property owners or Trish Patterson of personal tax-only clients. Accountants Bay If this is you, you are most welcome of Plenty welcome to make contact and meet with Trish at new clients to Accountants Bay of Plenty for a free, noobligation meeting. the practice.

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Page 58

COUNTRY LIVING

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 59

Woolly answer to preventing sore feet Trekking the 680km Camino de Santiago trail in Spain inspired Christchurch’s Katey Lane to create a successful blister prevention product made from New Zealand wool.

Katey, ended with feet intact. Back in New Zealand Katey turned that experience into her own business – Wool-it – a skin cushion of wool for blister prevention. Using the cleaned and carded wool to save feet from blisters has caught on among trampers, sports people and anyone whose work involves hours of walking in boots or shoes. Katey’s research into the pilgrimTo use Wool-it most effectively, age “recounted tales of ‘broken feet’, stop immediately when a ‘hotblisters raw and bleeding; feet too spot’ on the feet is felt, pull a small sore to carry on, excruciating, cripamount of fleece off the bundle of pling pain”. Everything she wanted Wool-it. Tease fleece out with your to avoid. fingers to aerate and add resil“Every waking moment was spent ience and pad it around the area exploring foot protection recomas required or ‘pack’ between toes. mendations. Eventually my searching Replace sock and walk on. turned up the possibilities of sheep’s Be in to win one of three Among the most recent high-profile wool and the advantages of a natural, Wool-it Duo packs. users of the product are former TV light product that wouldn’t further One weatherman Sam Wallace, who was sent packs of damage my feet. the product during a South Island trek filmed for the “Word of mouth at last got me a small bag of pre‘Breakfast’ programme. cious wool.” So the intrepid journey began, and, says

Thanks to Wool-it, Coast & Country News has three ‘Wool-it Duo packs – each containing 20g Calico bag plus an 18gm Soft pack – to give away. To be in to win answer the following question: Which NZ walkway was Sam, the TV One weatherman, on when he found out about Wool-it?” – Clue the answer can be found on the website:

http://woolit.co.nz To be in to win email your answer, along with your name and address, with Wool-it as the subject, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Wool-it Competition, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive no later than February 19.

Plan to rebuild snapper numbers A long-term plan for the future management of New Zealand’s most valuable snapper fishery has been accepted by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy. “The Snapper 1 Management Plan is the result of more than two years’ hard work by the SNA1 Strategy Group, which is made up of members from the customary, recreational and commercial fishing sectors. “This fishery includes Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki Gulf and the eastern coast of Northland and is one of our most iconic inshore fisheries. “It’s pleasing to have a range of perspectives sitting around the table and coming up with a long term plan for maximising the benefits for everyone,” says Nathan. A draft plan was released in September 2016 and went out for public discussion, including public meetings and hui. The final report has a strong focus on improving fishing practices, minimising waste and gathering accurate information. The recommendations include: • Aiming to achieve a biomass target of 40 per cent of the unfished state by 2040, with an aim of 30 per cent by 2025. • A review conducted by 2021 with updated stock information. • Educate all fishers on ways to avoid juvenile fish and increase survival rates of snapper released. • Close monitoring including analysis of catch levels by all sectors. “I want to thank the members of this group for working constructively on this plan. It is the first time a joint approach like this has been taken by the users of this important fishery.” The group was chaired by Sir Ian Barker QC with three members each from the commercial, recreational and customary sectors. Officials from MPI and NIWA scientists also supported the group. “Establishing this SNA1 Strategy Group was an

important part of the changes I announced in 2013 to continue the rebuild of the Snapper 1 stock for future generations,” says Nathan. “The aim is for this report to be a living document so that people can continue to input and give feedback. An advisory group with representatives from all sectors will continue the group’s work.” A full copy of the report is available at: www.mpi. govt.nz/document-vault/13801

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Steps to joint health – Part 1 Osteoarthritis can cause anything from mild discomfort to seriously restricting quality of life. While medications such as antiinﬂammatory drugs provide predictable results, nutritional therapy is more unpredictable.

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• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function. • Bettaflex combines high grade chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate and a potent 95% curcumin (turmeric) extract. • Each capsule of Bettaflex contains 382mg of high grade chondroitin, 425mg of glucosamine and 50mg of curcumin extract

How can Bettaflex help?

BEST BUY! $79.95 for 3 bottles free freight or 1 bottle for $28.95 plus $4.99 postage

• 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)

Abundant Health

Cautions: Always read the label and use only as directed. See your health care practitioner if symptoms persist.

TO ORDER PHONE: 0800 423 559

Or order online at www.abundant.co.nz or post a cheque to Abundant Health Ltd, PO Box 4347, Mt Maunganui South, 3149

But experimentation is important. Some people find their arthritis is greatly influenced by diet while others less so. I generally recommend people keep clear of common citrus fruits and acidic fruits in general. I’m helping one person who, by trial and error, has found she’s very sensitive to strawberries. I’m not sure why but small joint arthritis, especially hand joints, seem to be more sensitive to acidic foods. I start most people on an anti-inflammatory diet. The key components are to reduce inflammatory fats, reduce sugars and refined carbohydrates. We target anti-inflammatory oils, appropriate protein sources and increase antioxidant dense plant foods. During the next few columns we will explore the specific components of this type of eating. Not

only will it help joints but is excellent for general health.

Positive results

With supplements my general approach is to start people on a programme that is most likely to get a positive response in six to eight weeks. I like to keep things simple and usually start with high doses of Omega 3 ﬁsh oil for its antiinﬂammatory function. To this we to add 1500mg of high grade chondroitin sulphate, 1500mg of glucosamine sulphate and 200mg of a 95 per cent bioavailable curcumin turmeric extract. In some cases, especially spinal arthritis, I add antioxidant complexes and extra magnesium to relax tissue surrounding the joint. We will maintain these high initial doses usually for one to three months before reducing. Most people start to notice the difference after six weeks. Feel free to contact me for more information. John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For personalised advice, contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz Join his full weekly newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz.

App for Hamilton Gardens The million people who visit Hamilton Gardens each year now have an app available to help them get around the city’s number one tourist destination. The University of Waikato has worked with Hamilton Gardens staff to develop the Android app that provides information about the history and design of the themed gardens. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play store. It’s the work of staff from the Faculty of Computer Science, led by Associate Professor Annika Hinze. The app contains images and text and is triggered as users move into the different garden spaces. When users enter a themed garden the app notiﬁes them that information on the garden is available through an audio signal, and visitors can either read the information on their phones or listen to an audio version. An iOS app is under development and garden staff say the next logical step would be to be able to listen to the commentary in other languages.

COUNTRY LIVING

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Preventing gutter problems is smart choice to completion of work on their property. Martin has been installing gutter protection on homes, farm buildings and commercial properties since 2005. His service area covers the entire Wai-

LD OUT

Sorry SO

New Zealand Gutter Protection owner Martin Smith does most of the ﬁtting himself.

Birds making nests in eaves and fallen leaves clogging gutters are significant maintenance issues for homeowners. With nesting season now over, many people are considering ways to permanently keep birds out in future. When autumn approaches, keeping gutters clear of leaves also becomes a priority, says New Zealand Gutter Protection owner Martin Smith. “The problem with birds nesting in houses, apart from the pitter-patter of little feet and noisy chirping, is they make a mess on walls and windows as well as contaminating tank water,” says Martin. “They also bring seeds into the gutters, which can rapidly germinate into an elevated garden. “When leaves build up in gutters, the blockage can cause flooding into the house. If leaf build-up is left for long periods of time, it can cause the gutters to rust and disintegrate. “Installing gutter protection is a permanent way to prevent bird nesting problems. It ensures leaves, hail and other debris don’t get into the gutters and pose a flooding risk. It will also keep out rats and other pests.” For many people, climbing on to the roof every few months to clear out gutters is

neither appealing nor safe. “Gutter protection means no more scrambling up a ladder to get to the gutters, risking a fall. This is especially important during heavy rain when people are likely to have to try to ﬁx blockages.” NZ Gutter Protection mesh is made in Australia from heavy-duty polyethylene and comes in a range of colours to match any roof. It can also be installed on any type of roof, and has a 15-year guarantee on materials and workmanship. “Our mesh is made from similar material to farm water tanks, so it is very durable and designed to withstand New Zealand's intense sun,” says Martin. As an owner-operator, Martin does most of the ﬁtting himself so clients can rely on the continuity of working with the same person from quote

kato and Bay of Plenty. He offers a free, personal quoting service tailored to suit each property and its particular requirements. The service includes a gutter clean prior to installation of the gutter protection mesh.

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please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

February 3

Putaruru Dahlia Show

St Paul’s Church Lounge, Kensington St, gold coin entry.

February 5

Guided Tour of Koanga Institute

1pm-4pm, 96 Kotare Rd, Wairoa, $20 (includes afternoon tea). Details: tinyurl. com/jnmv76f

February 6

International Polo Day

from 1pm, Nga Rakau Polo Ground, Kihikihi. Details: tinyurl.com/htu5xh5

February 11

Te Puke A&P Show and Young Fruitgrower Competition 9am-4pm, Te Puke Showgrounds. Details: www. bopyoungfruitgrower.co.nz

February 11-12 National Dahlia Show (North Island)

Hamilton Gardens, 1pm4pm (Sat) & 9am-3.30pm (Sun). Hosted by Waihi, Waikato, Rotorua and Auckland Dahlia societies. Ph Jennifer: 07 863 7563.

February 14

Easy Gardening, 6-week course

6.30pm-8.30pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $75.

Details: tinyurl.com/jqm5j6a

February 17

Morrinsville Dahlia Show

12.30pm-4pm, Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St.

February 17 -19

Wires & Yeast, learn some basic lifestyle block skills

Tirau, $750/couple (includes meals and accommodation). Details: tinyurl.com/ zq56dym

February 17-26

Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival. Details: hgaf.co.nz

February 18 Worm Composting Workshop

1pm-3pm, War Memorial Hall, Katikati – take home a composting kit for $34.50 (usually $255). Registration essential. Details: tinyurl. com/hgetab6

Organic Market Gardening Workshop

9am-5pm, Thames, $144. Topics include soil fertility, crop planning, weeding, and sales and marketing. Details: tinyurl.com/jldxhto

February 25 Worm Composting Workshop

1pm-3pm, War Memorial Hall, Te Puke – take home a composting kit for $34.50 (usually $255). Registration essential. Details: tinyurl. com/hgetab6

NZ Cactus & Succulent Society Get-together & AGM

8.30am-10.30pm, Acacia Bay Community Hall,

Taupo, $80 registration. Day includes car boot plant sale, talks, dinner and a plant auction. Details: www.cssnz. net/events

Free Home Composting

Workshop, 2-3.30pm, Taupo Community Gardens. Register: tinyurl.com/gqseptb

Pruning & Maintaining a Home Orchard

10am-4pm, Tirau, $120. Details: www.lals.nz/courses Rotorua Dahlia Show, 11am3pm, Ngongotaha Hall, gold coin.

February 25 & March 4

own regional seed bank for food security. Details: tinyurl. com/jzd37o7

March 4-5

Native Plants & Their Medicinal Properties

9am-1pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $75. Details: tinyurl.com/ hom22r5

March 11-12

Native Plant Balm Making

9am-1pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $65. Details: tinyurl.com/zqh3j3h

March 12

Wild Edible Weeds & Green Smoothie Workshop 10am-

Garden Makeover

1pm, Papamoa, $50. Details: www.juliasedibleweeds.com

9am-3pm, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $85. Details at tinyurl.com/j5gxfzq

March 15-18

Wild Edible Weeds & Green Smoothie Workshop

Westpac Events Centre, $10 (schoolchildren $2). Open 9.30am-6pm (Weds, Thurs, Fri) & 9.30am-5pm (Sat). Details: tinyurl.com/zazsqvo

February 26

10am-1pm, Welcome Bay, Tauranga, $50. Details: www. juliasedibleweeds.com

Morrinsville Floral Festival

for sale

Mansfield Garden Party

10am-4pm, Rogers Rose Garden, Hamilton, free but gold coin donation goes to development of the Katherine Mansﬁeld Garden at Hamilton Gardens. Details: http:// hgaf.co.nz/events/mansﬁeldgarden-party/

Pets play an important role in providing emotional support to their owners, reducing feelings of stress and loneliness, and increasing social contact. With more than 223 million dogs and 220 million cats worldwide – excluding stray animals –pets have truly become a member of the family, sharing our lives and often our homes. Studies have shown pets bring us many beneﬁts including providing companionship, encouraging activity, creating a sense of responsibility of care for another being, alleviating loneliness and even lowering blood pressure. Older pet owners are reported to require fewer visits to the doctor. Pets are known to improve the quality of life of people in nursing homes, hospitals and care centres for the disabled, by encouraging interaction and activity. In the role of responsible ‘pet parents’ we need to ensure we do all we can for the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care.

Obesity in pets

Like people, obesity in household pets is on the increase in virtually epidemic proportions. You only need to observe the average dog or cat in your neighbourhood to realise New Zealand pets are getting fatter. As with people, the causes are usually excessive

February 27-March 10

Bio-regional Seed Bank Internship

Koanga Institute, Wairoa, $1900 (includes all meals). Learn how to set up your

runon listings

trades & services

accommodation

BER TR TIM E

NT ME AT

PEPP ER

TO LIST YOUR RURAL EVENT

Obesity in household pets verges on epidemic proportions energy-rich food in the form of snacks and treats, together with insufﬁcient exercise. Not only does responsible ownership include making sure pets have healthy diets and plenty of exercise, but also ensures they get treatment when they get sick. Pets need medicines, just like we do. Preventing and curing disease in companion animals also means protecting people’s health because there are many pet diseases that can be transferred to humans. Vaccinations, for example, help to prevent serious infections in dogs and cats. Other conditions can be improved or cured through the use of veterinary medicines. For example, heart diseases, cancer, kidney insufﬁciency, pain or infections.

Infectious diseases

Veterinarians are essential partners in keeping pets healthy. They advise owners on a wide range of topics, such as infectious diseases and conditions, or routine healthcare such as vaccination, worming, ﬂea treatments, dental health and skincare. Responsible pet owners ensure their pets get quality healthcare, which allows them to lead comfortable and healthy lives. Agcarm animal health members enable them to do this by making safe, innovative and quality veterinarian medicines available. With this in mind look after your pets, keep them healthy, take them to a vet for regular health checks, watch their diets and let them take you for a walk. By Mark Ross, chief executive of Agcarm, the industry association for companies which manufacture and distribute crop protection and animal health products.

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PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

advertise

ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT or service in the listing every month. Phone Julie on 07 578 0030 or email julie@thesun.co.nz

trades & services

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

AUCTION

WE’RE LOOKING FOR SALES CONSULTANTS WHO ARE READY TO TAKE THEIR CAREERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL. Greatness is within you. It’s within all of us. Are you ready to take your career to the next level? You need a team of like-minds and a brand you can trust. At Harcourts, we’re serious about creating success. Call for a confidential chat: Debbie Brett | Advantage Realty Ltd | 021 880 012 YOURFUTURE.HARCOURTS.CO.NZ

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

We’ll feature the photos, which must be high resolution Jpeg images, on Coast and Country News’ Country Camera page and each will be in to win a Zoaties prize pack. The $20 prize contains eight packs of Zoaties, two of each ﬂavour: Peanut Brownie, Tangy Cranberry, Oat Cookie and Lemon Poppy. Zoaties are made from oats, sweetened with brown rice malt, stuck together

with tahini, blended with nuts and baked. Being biscuit-like they are a crumblier, drier product than Frooze Balls but are still delicious. Thanks to Alive Foods, Coast and Country News has two boxes of Zoaties to give away. To be in to win, send your high resolution Jpeg images to Kathy@sunmedia.co.nz with Country Camera in the subject line or post to Kathy, Coast & Country News, PO Box 240 Tauranga. Each valid entry requires caption details including ﬁrst name, surname, age (for children), plus postal address and phone number.

Writing a caption for a photograph of a half-round hay barn with the message ‘Just Married Finally!’ boldly painted on it has won Don Roberts of Te Kuiti the Country Funnies book prize for December.

O U NT R

them safety”. Geoff commissioned awardwinning political columnist, editorial cartoonist, ﬁlm maker and dramatist Tom Scott to edit the manuscript for his book. “It was terriﬁc, full of amazing yarns, tall and true, mad and moving. All I have “She always wondered if he was ever going done is assist Geoff to tell it in to get past half round to it” is the winning his own unique voice. Joining caption from Don Roberts of Te Kuiti. the dots. Deleting the dots. Adding dots,” says Tom in the forward to the book.

The caption: “She always wondered if he was ever going to get past half round to it” has earned Don a copy of the book ‘Tiny Owl on the Ramshackle Farm’ written and illustrated by Lotte Wotherspoon and published by Clay Press. This month’s Country Funnies image clearly illustrates the ingenuity of farmers – in this case creating a swimming pool out of hay bales and a plastic liner. Write a caption for this photo and be in to win a copy of the book ‘Havana Coffee Works’ by Geoff Marsland with Tom Scott, published by Phantom House. photo and Caption this ok prize. This could be described as a “coffee bo table book” – it’s big, with beautiful be in to win a full page images and it’s impeccably designed. It’s also a hugely entertaining The book read – well would you expect anything ‘Havana less from its collaborators? Coffee Works’ is the Country Mad bugger Funnies prize There’s Geoff, the man who describes for February. himself as “a mad bugger” who once designed and made women’s clothes under the label “nuclear free clothing” and sold them on a nudist beach. Later in 1989 he and a friend imported an espresso machine and opened a café “with a frontage on sleazy Cuba St and a frontage on even sleazier Vivian St” called the Havana Midnight Express. He also admits to gluing cups and saucers together “just so I could throw them in the air, terrifying customers, before I caught

N NIE

Send in your photos of children, adults and, or, animals enjoying rural life to be in to win a pack of Zoaties, the new “guilt-free” healthy snacks from Kiwi company Alive Foods, the makers of Frooze Balls.

Getting round to it proves a winner Y

Get snapping to win snack pack

Page 64

Coffee culture

Tracing Geoff ’s story from boyhood to coffee baron, it’s funny, crazy and touching. Not only has Geoff helped create a coffee culture in New Zealand, his company has also enhanced the lives of coffee producers around the world. Today Havana roasts seven tonnes of coffee a week, and business is expanding by 20 per cent per annum. “We source beautiful rebel coffees, organic coffees and coffees that are ethically traded,” writes Geoff. Yet, he says, in some ways Havana is still a cottage industry. Thanks to Phantom House, Coast & Country News has a copy of ‘Havana Coffee Works’ to give away. To be in to win email captions for the photo and send along with your name and address, with Country Funnies as the subject, to: elaine@thesun.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Country Funnies, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive no later than February 19.