coast and country news

Laura Geering and Prince were among the competitors at the last Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club event to be held at Pukehina. Read her story and the club’s on page 4 and 5. Photo by Elaine Fisher.

Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle

April 2014 Issue No.164

End of eraFor dog trials

Tr

acto

rs p

age 6

-7

Blue Wing Honda page 38-39

Lance Ducan page 20-21

COAST & COUNTRY

The winners of ‘When Chocolate Fish are Flying’ by Jan Hill and illustrated by Lynda Vugler and published by Aries Publishing, are: Tawa and Lucy Thomas of Oparua (Kawhia), Christine Oates of Katikati, and Dee Hall of Gisborne. The winner of the March Coast & Country Gubba AutoPot starter kit prize is Shirley Fraser of Taupo.

There’s always a tension between ideals and reality

and all too often it’s farming and horticulture which get caught between the two.

Ideally we’d like our environment to be pristine, clean and green, free from sprays and with abundant native bush and wildlife.

Ideally we’d like farm animals to enjoy a blissful life frolicking in pastures green – forever.

The reality is an abundant native forest filled with birds, lizards and bats doesn’t provide enough food for even a modest population of humans, as early Maori and Euro-pean settlers discovered.

The reality is if we wish to eat meat, eggs, poultry and dairy prod-ucts, animals have to die to satisfy our hunger.

The reality is if we want to add fruit and vegetables to our daily diet, land must be cultivated, orchards established, and sprays used to protect crops.

That doesn’t mean the environ-ment has to be trashed or animals treated cruelly.

Farmers by and large are con-cerned about the environment; and dairy farmers in particular are

spending from tens of thousands to mil-lions of dollars on individual farms to reduce the impacts of dairy shed effluent, improve animal health and productivity and reduce nutri-ent leaching into water ways. (See page 23)

Farmers are sensitive to public opinion and while the Fish and Game’s ‘dirty dairying’ cam-paign of a few years ago was seen by some as extreme, it did high-light concerns and programmes like Fonterra Clean Streams Accord has helped the industry improve its environmental performance.

The annual Ballance Farm Environment Awards (see page 30) showcase the increasing number of farmers who are operating financially and environmentally sustainable businesses.

Television footage of a calf in Chile beating bludgeoned to death caused a public outcry too, (see page 50) and partly as a result, the National Animal Welfare Advisory

Committee is seeking public con-sultation on its proposal that blunt force trauma may not be routinlely used for the killing of unwanted dairy calves on the farm. To read the proposal and make a submis-sion, visit the MPI website: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/consult

Consumers concerned about the environment and animal welfare have a right to question how their food is grown, but they should also support responsible farmers and orchardists by making conscien-tious decisions about the food they buy – buying New Zealand-grown is great place to start.

Caught between ideals and reality

By Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY

The fi rst kiwifruit of the 2014 season are on the way to Japan, marking the start of a season which should harvest 16.5 million trays

of gold and 65 million trays of green fruit.

Though down on the total of 98.5 million trays exported in the 2009-2010 season, it’s still a remarkable achievement given the impacts of disease Psa-V on orchards since 2011.

Two seasons of favourable weather conditions for pro-ducing kiwifruit, but not so conducive to the Psa-V bacteria, have brought renewed optimism to an industry which some believed would not over-come the devastation of the disease.

Orchard values have recovered, there’s a quiet sense of optimism among growers and in the post-harvest sector – and production is back in growth mode.

Zespri CEO Lain Jager predicts volumes of gold fruit will increase to more than 20 million trays next year, as young vines come into production. Green volumes should also recover as growers increasingly learn to manage the disease.

Orchardists hit hard by the disease cut out mature vines and grafted new gold and green varie-ties onto existing root stock, and green-fi eld plantings of new varie-ties have also gone ahead. Virtually all of the very susceptible gold variety Hort16A has gone from the heavily-infected Te Puke region – but in other regions, including Northland, the fruit continues to

grow with up to 6 million trays expected to be harvested this season. Lain says the industry has been fortunate in the growing con-ditions of the last two seasons.

“Last season we had a vintage year, with high dry matter and great taste, and this year’s crop is looking stunning without too much pressure from Psa. Grow-ers have really focused on how to manage Psa to protect their vines.”

However, Lain says the industry is well aware a cold wet winter could reactivate the bacteria and no one can afford to be complacent. Managing the disease is now a vital factor in growing kiwifruit in New Zealand.

Chilean kiwifruit growers, who also have the disease in their orchards, have been hit by severe frosts and their fruit volumes are down by 50 to 60 per cent, says Lain. “It’s hard to say how much of that reduction is frost or Psa-related.”

Chile’s bad luck does provide market opportunities for New Zea-land fruit, as there will be reduced competition from Chile.

Northern Hemisphere producers

Italy, France and Korea have gener-ally enjoyed a good selling season and their fruit should be largely out of the market by the time Zespri fruit arrives.

“The Zespri team is really excited about the season and the fact that we have a great product to sell. We have our sleeves rolled up and are working hard in the markets.”

Lain says consumers need educat-ing about the new gold varieties Gold 3 and Gold 9 (marketed as Sun Gold and Charm) because they don’t have the distinctive “beak” of the Hort16A variety they’d become so familiar with.

“In fact some consumers think the new varieties are a coun-terfeit, so we have to convince them that they are Zespri kiwifruit, with the same high standards as Hort16A. “It’s a bit like a car manufac-

turer launching a new model.”The Hort16A beak was a bane

for pickers and packers, as its sharp end could damage other fruit. However, lack of a beak is not the only advantage the new gold Gold 3 has over is predecessor. When grown well, and picked at the correct dry matter, Gold 3 has a great taste which does not diminish over time in storage. While Lain is upbeat about the markets in 2014, he’s cautious about returns because of continuing strength of the New Zealand dollar and the fact Zespri’s currency hedging protection reduces over time.

But he’s not letting that put a damper of the industry’s achieve-ments to date.

“As for growers, Zespri employ-ees are enjoying being part of the industry’s recovery and are looking to the future with a renewed sense of optimism and self-belief.”

The Eastern Bay’s new live, online news website is proving popular with readers in the region, throughout the country and around the world.

SunLive Eastern Bay, the newest website from Sun Media, is designed to deliver fresh and up-to-date news from the Eastern Bay of Plenty and online classifi ed advertising, 24/7.

SunMedia directors Brian and Claire Rogers say as a vibrant and growing region, Eastern Bay deserves its own online news and advertising service – and it’s been embraced by the region.

“Now locals have immediate access to up-to-the minute news and events and those outside the region can

keep in touch with what’s happening too,” says Brian. The website com-plements the news service provided by Sun Media’s SunLive news, which consistently ranks between number three and four for readership time on a New Zealand news website (behind Stuff, New Zealand Herald and Otago Daily Times sites).

Through the Eastern Bay website readers can also access wider Bay of Plenty news at SunLive; the latest motoring news and reviews at Bay Driver; boating news and reviews at Waterline; and farming and horti-cultural news and views at Coast & Country websites. To fi nd out more, go to www.easternbay.sunlive.co.nz

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COAST & COUNTRY

The Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club ended a 54-year-old tradition for the district when it held its last

trials on the MacDougall farm at Pukehina in March.

The changing face of land use means there are fewer sheep farmers left in the Te Puke district, so fi nding animals for the dogs to work is becoming harder.

“Since 1960 we have held trials on this farm but Te Puke is now a dairying and kiwifruit district and we have to truck in sheep for the competition – so next year we are moving to where the sheep are – proba-bly at Manawahe or Rotorua,” says Lindsay Wright, the club’s assistant secretary.

“The club is grateful to the MacDougall family for the use of the property over all those years; and it’s quite sad to see that association end,” says Lindsay.

During the club’s 2014 two-day event on the farm in Old Coach Rd in early March, about 80 shepherds from Rotorua, King Country, Northland, Auckland, Waikato,

Bay of Plenty and Rotorua tested their skills – and those of their dogs – against crafty Romney sheep.

They included competitors with years of experience, and newcomers who competed on what is described as one of the best trial courses in the country.

The courses included steep hills and fl at areas, which tested the com-munications and skills of dogs and shepherds as they worked to move and pen sheep under the watchful eyes of judges from the King Country and Hawke’s Bay.

During the years, the club has provided facilities, including judge’s ‘huts’, toilets and a half-round barn, which doubles as the secretary’s offi ce and catering facility. For many years Pukehina School has provided home baking and sandwiches for morning and afternoon teas and lunches.

Cover story

Computer programming and sheep dog trialling appear to have little in common, but

both are among Laura Geering’s skill sets.

However, Laura, who lives near Raglan, has given up an IT career to become a shepherd and train her own sheep dogs, and is loving it.

“I came to New Zealand from the UK seven years ago where I was working in computer programming, to work with polo horses and was introduced to dog trialling by Mark and Denise Porter,”

From programming computers to dogs

By Elaine Fisher

Sheep dog Prince and Laura Geering attempt to yard sheep during the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club’s event at Pukehina.

says Laura, who was among the competitors in the 2014 Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club’s event at Pukehina.

Now a permanent New Zealand resident, Laura fell in love with the country and has bought a small block of land to farm. She also works on a neighbour’s farm and is training her own sheep dog.

“I think there’s a real challenge and more personal satisfaction in training a dog yourself and hope-fully doing well with it.”

Three-year-old Prince is the fi rst dog she’s trained and Laura says they are learning from each other.

“I use voice commands because I can’t whistle and have yet to learn to use a shepherd’s whistle. I want to progress to whistle commands, which the dog can hear from a greater distance. I’ll teach Prince by following a voice command he knows with a whistle.”

Laura was one of the few women, and one of the youngest competitors at the Te Puke sheep dog trials. Like other competitors, both she and Prince were tested by the tough long head course, the short head and yard course; and the sheep they had to work with.

Several times she and Prince

came very close to yarding the three sheep in the short head course, but they refused to co-operate. In the long head course, Prince disappeared over the brow of the hill, so ending that run. However, judges Alex Stewart of Te Puke and Graeme Brier of the King Country, impressed with her run and the relationship she has with Prince, took time to offer her some advice.

“That’s one of the things I love about dog trials – that everyone is very helpful and friendly, and keen to give advice and help you learn,” says Laura.

Trials moving to where the sheep are

Most shepherds use whistles but some use voice commands, or a

combination of both.

We invite you to our first informal information afternoon.

Learn more about ACG Tauranga and our exciting plans to develop a new independent co-educational Years 1 to 13 school campus, set in spacious grounds on the corner of Keenan Road and Pyes Pa Road in Tauranga.

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COAST & COUNTRY

A sheep dog is a farmer’s best employee, says Graeme Brier

of the King Country.“A good dog might cost up to

$5000 to buy – but over its working life, if treated well, will more than reward that invest-ment,” says Graeme, who was one of the judges at the Te Puke Sheepdog Trial Club’s event in March.

“A dog will work willingly for you every day, without wanting annual leave or specifi ed lunch and tea breaks,” says Graeme, who has been a trials judge for eight years. “Good working dogs also save you a lot of walking.”

It is his admiration of sheep dogs and the relationships between them and their owners that motivates Graeme to keep judging. He enjoys

watching experienced shepherds compete and offering advice to new-comers too.

The dedication dogs have for their owners and their eagerness to herd sheep were obvious during the two-day Te Puke trials. The dogs were well aware of what was about to be asked of them, as they waited for the

command to start each course.

It was obvious too which of the dogs chained to the fence line belong to

a shepherd out on a course with

another dog. Those waiting in the wings

were alert to every whistled command and their body lan-

guage clearly told they wanted to be up on the hill moving the sheep too.

There were dozens of dogs at the event, but the only barking came from the huntaways at work herd-ing sheep. Apart from the occasional growl, no aggression was shown between the dogs who were obedient to their owners’ commands – on and off the courses.

Changing land use ends decades-old tradition

Letting the dogs do the walking

When will it be our turn? – dogs wait patiently to show their skills during the Te Puke Sheep Dog

Trial Club’s event.

As well as those competing, a number of others shepherds and their dogs are needed to pen and release sheep for each contestant.

In the long head event, three sheep were liberated near the brow of a steep hill and it was the task of the shepherd, standing at the base of the hill, to send a dog up above the sheep to bring them down. The competitor could not leave the circle near the judge’s box; and once the sheep were down the hill, he or she and the dog had to hold them in the circle for a specifi ed time. Each contestant had 12 minutes to complete their run.

The short head course required competitors to move three sheep across an open paddock through a ‘bridge’, defi ned only by two free-standing open gates, then pen them in a small yard, also in an open paddock.

Once the sheep were close to the yard, the shepherd opened the gate and from that point could not let go of it, relying on the dog to move the sheep into posi-tion to enter the yard.

The shepherd could not close the gate until all the sheep were well inside the yard. The maximum time

for this event is 14 minutes.On another section of the steep hill huntaways, known for their deep barks, were required to

move three sheep from the base of the hill, where their owner stood, to the top by negotiating either a straight-to-the-summit or a zig zag route.

The time for each was 10 minutes. Most shepherds use whistle commands to direct their dogs, but some use voice commands, or a combination of both. Each shepherd has his or her own unique

commands which tell the dogs what direc-tion to go and when to hold or move sheep.

A huntaway works sheep up

the hill.

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COAST & COUNTRY

John Walsh collects stories – but not in the form of books and the written

word. Few libraries would be big enough to accommodate them.

Instead the stories John’s been gathering for 20 years are ‘told’ by 53 tractors and countless implements on the Walsh family farm near Morrinsville.

“Every one of these tractors and pieces of machinery has a story. It’s the story of our history. That’s why I like collecting them,” says John, who has restored most of the tractors on show in the large building he commissioned for his private museum.

O’Neill Engineering of Morrinsville built the huge single-span structure to John’s specifi cation – it had to be light and airy, have no internal pillars and have doors high and wide enough to allow access to some very large machinery. As well as the open display space, there is also a “proper” library fi lled with books about tractors and machinery, including rare tractor manuals.

“I wanted a high stud in the building so when I start a tractor or vehicle for visitors, they didn’t get overcome with fumes,” says John.

His love of machinery goes back to childhood and growing up on the farm his parents Theo and Mavis Walsh bought in 1942.

Fascination Theo was more used to horse-drawn

farm machinery but John had a fascina-tion for “modern” machines – and early on he showed an aptitude for repairing them when a neighbouring farmer encouraged him to “have a go.”

“He used to say: ‘don’t be afraid to try to fi x something’, and with the early tractors and machines, everything was very mechan-ical and not hard to fi gure out.”

John’s been fi guring out, fi xing and restor-ing machinery ever since.

Theo Walsh’s fi rst tractor was a Ferguson and John has its burnt out remains, which he might restore one day, but also has a

complete tractor very similar to his father’s. In fact, much of his collection comes from the Ferguson and Massey Ferguson stables.

John is fascinated by the ingenuity of tractor pioneers like Harry Ferguson and can talk knowledgably about his inventions, which enabled tractors to not only tow but also to operate a range of mechanical imple-ments, revolutionising farming.

It was Harry who patented the linkage to integrate and control implements fi tted to tractors in 1925 and later the ‘suction side’ hydraulic control system for three-point mounted implements. These developments were largely responsible for the success of Ferguson and later Massey Ferguson ‘Ferguson System’ tractors, including the well-known (and well-loved) TE and TO 20 models.

David BrownIn 1936 Harry went into partnership with

David Brown and produced about 1300 Ferguson Brown tractors for two years.

John Walsh collects stories – but not “I wanted a high stud in the building so complete tractor very similar to his father’s.

Modern home for vintage tractorsJohn Walsh, with one of his favourite and rarest tractors – a British Wallis tractor built by Ruston & Hornsby of

Lincoln under licence from the J.I. Case Plow Works, Racine, Wisconsin.

Copper defi ciency was fi rst discovered in NZ in the 1940s, and is

known to cause several syndromes. Deer are worst-affected, then

cattle, and only rarely sheep – plants do not

generally require copper.

Only a small fraction of dietary copper is actually absorbed,

which is then stored in the liver; while the blood is used to transport it to where it is needed. There are two different types of copper defi ciency.

Primary (simple) defi ciency is caused by a diet that is simply low in copper relative to animal requirements.

Secondary (induced)

defi ciency is more common and occurs when the diet has suffi cient copper but there are other dietary factors that reduce the availability and/or uptake of copper; for example, molybdenum (usually greater than 1mg/kg DM), iron (greater than 500mg/kg DM) and zinc (high doses used for facial eczema prevention). Sulphur is often implicated but in practical terms has little impact on pasture diets.

Deer• Enzootic ataxia (‘swayback’): generally occurs from

the age of nine months onwards. Affected animals initially seem uncoordinated in the hind limbs and can progress to being totally paralysed.

• Bone and joint problems: young deer that are copper defi cient are more prone to sudden bone fractures (sudden lameness) and joint disease (osteochondrosis), which is seen as a progressively worsening lameness.

• Other symptoms, such as poor growth rates, coat colour changes, reduced fertility and poor antler growth, have been implicated (although with some uncertainty) with copper defi ciency.

Cattle• Copper-defi cient cattle generally do not grow as

well and will have reduced productive and repro-ductive performance.

• Coat colour changes can occur in dark-coloured cattle; for example, black animals may be brown (occasionally just light rings around the eyes), and brown animals may be red in colour.

• Peat scours: animals are in poor condition and have persistent diarrhoea (scours). This condition is more related to a secondary (induced) copper defi ciency caused by a molybdenum excess, which equals molybdosis.

Sheep• Enzootic ataxia generally occurs in young lambs

born to copper-defi cient ewes.• Young lambs can have brittle bones and are more

prone to sudden bone fractures.• Copper-defi cient sheep produce less wool, the

crimp may be reduced (steely wool) and in coloured wool breeds, the colour may be lighter (reduced pigmentation).

To be continued next month.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Early tractors transformed rural economy

“Harry fell out with David Brown because he was experimenting with bigger trac-tors, which were heavier than horse and plough, which was the weight Harry believed tractors should be. After that David Brown developed his own tractors,” says John.

John recounts how in 1938, Harry demon-strated his tractor to Henry Ford, the famous American car manufacturer, on Ford’s estate and the “gentleman’s agreement” – a handshake – which saw Ford producing Ferguson tractors in Detroit by 1939. About 300,000 Ford Ferguson tractors were produced up until 1947.

Among John’s collection are tractors and imple-ments which are examples of the engineering evolution of 20th Century’s agricultural machin-ery; and he provides an informative commentary on each as he guides visitors around his museum.

MechanicThe introduction of the fi rst tractors to New

Zealand didn’t just transform agriculture; it also gave a boost to other rural industries. “Many of the men who returned home from World War 2 had diffi culty fi nding jobs; and those who had been mechanics, set themselves up to repair and maintain farm machin-ery,” says John. When new tractors became available, many of those rural mechanics were offered dealer-ships and so became agents as well as mechanics.

However, new tractors were so much in demand, and in such short supply, dealers began buying back near-new tractors from farmers who had bought them the year before, selling them the latest model and on-selling last year’s for as much as it cost new.

“In reality, the new models often weren’t much better than the previous one.”

Among John’s tractors is a Ferguson halftrack, which has caterpillar-like tracks on four of its six wheels, giving it the ability to work in conditions where other tractors can’t.

“There’s one at Pukekohe, which was used recently by a market gardener when all of the modern tractors were getting stuck,” says John.

HillaryThe 1955-1958 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic

Expedition used seven Ferguson TE-20s and some were fi tted halftracks, with steerable front skis, while others in the New Zealand team were fi tted with an extra wheel on each side and full caterpillar-like tracks.

Reports back to the Ferguson company from the expedition say the tractors were capable of climbing a

one-in-seven slope of “hard polished ice where a man cannot walk without crampons”, as well as operat-ing in conditions of minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Sir Edmund Hillary led the team which drove the tractors to the South Pole, where they were left for the use of American researchers. Two tractors from Hillary’s party were later repatriated to New Zealand and went on display; one in the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, and the other in the Museum of Transport and Technology Auckland.

The ingenuity of early engineers continues to amaze John, who is currently restoring a Ferguson-Twose mounted road roller. This ingenious adaption involved reversing the tractor onto a base frame, mounting it high up on the rollers, with the drive power of the tractor’s rear wheels operating the roller drums.

GraveyardNot all of John’s tractors and equipment are bright,

shiny and under cover in the museum. There’s also “the graveyard” outside the former

milking shed, where old tractors come to die, or be cannibalised for parts.

Other tractors and machinery awaiting restoration are housed in several sheds around the farm; and today John has the assistance of his son-in-law Mike Garrud to restore the machinery, and along the way learn something of their history.

“I just wish we could download all John knows about tractors and machinery onto a computer for future generations to access,” laughs Mike.

John, who is a member of the Waikato Vintage Trac-tor and Machinery Club, built the museum to display, protect and share his collection – but he doesn’t charge visitors, and it’s only open by appointment.

By Elaine Fisher

The graveyard – where old tractors come to die, or be cannibalised.

An early model Massey-Harris tractor.

Bright and shiny – this Oliver tractor is among those on display at John Walsh’s private museum.

A Case tractor, in the John Walsh

Museum.

COAST & COUNTRY

An important collection of early Maori and European

artefacts collected by Katikati pioneer Sam Middlebrook is going on public display for the fi rst time at the Katikati

Heritage Museum.Prominent in the collection are the

Maori artefacts Sam acquired in the late 1800s, mostly as payment for translat-ing documents in cases before the Maori Land Court. The collection has been gifted to the Katikati Heritage Museum by the Middlebrook descendants.

Museum manager Paula Gaelic says the museum is honoured to show off the collection, which belonged to a man who played an important role in Katikati’s development.

About 200 artefacts, including those made of stone, wood, fl ax, whalebone and moa bone, tools, jewellery, fi shing

equipment and kete are being shown. The exhibition opens 11am on March 30, with a performance by the Katikati College kapa haka group.

When Katikati’s Ulster Irish founder George Vesey Stewart came to Tauranga in 1874 to look for land, the Survey Offi ce assigned young Sam Middlebrook to assist him.

It was Sam who guided him through the trackless swamps and hills to the Katikati block and three months later George had acquired a 10,000 acre

The mystery of last month’s mystery item appears to have been solved by Coast

& Country readers, who say it is a very small blow torch.

The device had staff at the Kati-kati Heritage Museum fl ummoxed and they appealed to Coast & Country readers to identify what it was.

“I think the item is a small blow torch. Looks similar to one my father had,” writes Tony Thorne.

“You soak the wick or fabric [inside the tube] with methylated spir-its. When lit, the hooked

pipe is adjusted to be in the hottest part of the fl ame, heating the pipe which causes the air in the pipe to rise causing a small fl ow of air, which blows a small jet of fl ame, which is then used for soldering etc.

Terry Creighton of Katikati says the early type of blowtorch was used by jewellers or leadlight window makers for soldering.

“It provides a cheap and effective source of heat for soldering. The curved tube is slid up

and down to get the fl ame in the right place. The cap is screwed back on to put out the fl ame.”

Brian Haynes of Tauranga says he used a similar blow torch in 1962, while learning his gas-fi tting trade on the Island of Jersey.

For helping solve the mystery, Tony has won tickets to visit the museum.

This month’s mystery item probably won’t be a mystery to many readers but will no doubt spark memories – so we’d love to receive your stories about

using one. To be in to win admission for two to the Katikati Heritage Museum send your entry to: [email protected] or post to: Mystery Item, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than April 17. The winner will be announced in Coast & Country’s May issue. The museum, just south of Katikati, is open seven days a week 9.30am-4pm. To fi nd out more, visit: www.katikatiheritagemuseum.co.nz or phone 07 549 0651.

and down to get the fl ame in the right place. The cap is screwed back on to put out the fl ame.”

Brian Haynes of Tauranga says he used a similar Brian Haynes of Tauranga says he used a similar Brian Haynes of Tauranga

Exhibition of Katikati Ulster pioneer’s artefacts collection

block, which became the only planned Ulster Irish settlement in the world.

Sam was born in Millbridge, Liversedge,Yorkshire. In 1862 he and his family sailed from Liv-erpool on-board the Shalimar to

Melbourne and subsequently New Zealand. Sam’s father John pur-chased land in Whangarei, where Sam spent his youth, becoming fl uent in Maori and a keen observer of Maori life. He joined the NZ

Survey Department under Captain Archibald Turner, the Tauranga Dis-trict surveyor, and may have been involved in the survey of the road to Rotorua through the Mangorewa gorge and as far afi eld as Taupo.

Sam lived in Tauranga for about four years and then joined the second party of Katikati settlers, although he did not participate in the land grant.

Readers solve mystery of mystery item

kati Heritage Museum fl ummoxed and they appealed to Coast & Country readers to identify what it was.

a small blow torch. Looks similar to one my father had,” writes

or fabric [inside the tube] with methylated spir-its. When lit, the hooked

What’s this?

AVOCADOS

The Australian market, where the avocado is rapidly becoming a “must-have item”

for consumers, has rewarded New Zealand growers and exporters well this season

– but the same may not be true for the 2014-2015 harvest.

If predictions of a bumper Western Australian crop prove correct, prefer-ence will be given to local fruit – so while not taking the focus off Australia, Kiwi exporters are also looking to other markets.

At the peak of demand, whole-sale prices this season reached as high as AU$60 for 5.5kg trays of top quality fruit and consistently achieved in the AU$40-$45 range. Exporters are predicting on average, growers will have received in the mid to high $20 per tray orchard gate return this season.

“We couldn’t have picked a better year to start exporting avocados. Values have been great with returns back to growers for single layer 18 to 20 count trays in the late-$20s,” says Te Mata Exports product manager Andrew Thompson.

This was the first year handling avocados for the well-established Hawke’s Bay stone and pip-fruit

exporter. Global Fresh NZ Ltd / Just Avocados Ltd marketing director Steve Trickett says bulk packs with smaller-sized fruit reached as high at Au$100 Aper carton, although AU$55-60 per carton was perhaps more the norm.

“All good values in anyone’s book,” says Steve.Freshmax growers can expect OGRs of about the

mid-$20 mark per tray for the 2013-2014 season, says avocado programme manager Jarrod

Redwood. The Australian market remains a value opportunity for New Zea-

land avocados, despite increasing volumes of domestic fruit, says Jarrod.

Australia has been a fantastic market for New Zealand avocados

this season because of outstand-ing fruit quality, strong consumer

demand and tight control of fruit volumes by exporters, says SeekaFresh manager Annmarie Lee.

Managed flow “We should thank our growers for the excellent fruit

they provided us and most will receive orchard gate, per tray returns in the mid-$20 range.”

Fewer New Zealand exporters this season led to a more managed flow of fruit into Australia, which helped hold prices, says Annmarie.

An over-supply of fruit into the Australian market by some exporters in September/October probably depressed values a little and resulted in some fruit being dumped, says Chris Frost of JP Exports Ltd.

“There was no need to send those volumes early, as the industry as a whole ran out of fruit in early-January.”

However, despite that, the Australian market performed very well, rewarding JP Exports suppliers with good returns, on average in the mid-$20 range, for large and medium sized fruit, says Chris.

The Australian market has performed

exceptionally well, in fact beyond expec-tations, says Ted Thomas, of Avoco.

“It has provided very strong demand for good quality NZ Hass and returned high values.

“Last season was completely different in the sense NZ had a very light crop, approximately 1.2 million export trays compared with over 3m export trays in this current season.”

Prices have been excellent throughout the season and strengthened again in February. With the arrival of local Aus-tralian Shepard fruit, values reduced but still remained very good, says Ted.

With the kiwifruit harvest underway, spring seems a long way off – but it’s crucial to prepare now to ensure the all-important bud break next season happens on time, says Sam Kirk, territory manager for Grosafe Chemicals of Mount Maunganui.

“Orchardists need to place orders now for Hi-break, the highly effec-tive bud dormancy breaking input, to be sure of having the product when they need it and in the quan-tities required,” says Sam.

“Placing orders now minimises their risk by ensuring they have enough product to satisfy their spray programme with Hi-break.

“We guarantee supply on time, and will coordinate orders, so if anyone has a surplus I can work with growers who have a shortfall so everyone is catered for.

“This is just part of the coordi-nation and service we provide to our growers. All the product that we are selling is new season 2014 stock; and early ordering is vital, as once commitments are made then orders are placed with our suppliers and the production chain is set in progress and product will be ready for delivery from early-July.”

Grosafe has supplied Hi-break for the last 12 seasons in which time the product has earned a reputa-

tion for being value for money and is an integral part of Grosafe growers’ programmes. Many are so impressed with the product, during many years of use, they’ve publi-cally endorsed it together with the service they enjoy from Grosafe.

Sam has very good technical and field knowledge, as he’s been involved as a grower and orchard manager/service provider for a major packhouse for more than 35 years – and he’s being using Hi-break from day one.

Sam, Mark Yortt or Duncan Ibbotson are available to visit orchardist to discuss their Hi-break requirements.

Prepare for spring bud break now

Australian market rewards growers, exporters

By Elaine Fisher

Hi- break™ has been the mainstay of ourprogramme for 11 years. It performs yearon year and there is no question that it isvalue for money. Ken Williams, Katikati.

TM

... promotes uniform increased budbreak and flowering of kiwifruit and apples

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

Being an early maturity orchard we depend on the accuracy and quality ofour bud break. I can confidently recommend Hi-break™ to all growers

looking for quality, performance and cost efficiency from their bud breaker. Colin Jenkins, Ngai Tukairangi Trust Orchard, Tauranga.

Hi-break™ has been an integral part ofour programme for the best part of eightyears. Hi-break™ has always performedperfectly and we wouldn’t consider anyother product for reliability and theservice we receive from Grosafe.Johnny Schlepers, Whakatane.

I have been using Hi-break™dormancy breaker from Grosafe for

eight years and it forms the backboneof our kiwifruit programme. Value for

money and reliability I wouldn’t gopast Hi-break™.

Ross Steele, Opotiki.

As an owner of a large productionkiwifruit orchard at higher altitude,obtaining the desired bud break iscritical to the performance andprofitability of our business. I beganusing Hi-Break™ because of thecompetitive price offered and havebenefitted from both savings andquality ever since.Jeremy Meehan,Landsberry Orchard, Tauranga

Grosafe Chemicals make it easy for us with Hi-break™. We have been usingthe product for eight years and would have no hesitation in recommendingHi-break™ and Grosafe to all kiwifruit growers.Riverlock Packhouse, Opotiki.

Kiwifruit is our livelihood, so whatwe apply to it is critical. We havebeen using Hi-break™ for 11 yearsand it has delivered the results everyyear. We have full confidence in Hi-break™ and have committed ourorder to Grosafe this season. Mark Nicolson, Tauranga.

PHONE 07 572 2662 or FREEPHONE 0800 220 002 orMARK YORTT 021 929 848 • SAM KIRK 021 460 661 • DUNCAN IBBOTSON 021 460 952EMAIL: [email protected] • www.grosafe.co.nz

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P7018. Approved pursuant to HSNO Act 1996, Approval Code: HSR000807

AVOCADOS

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

Five to seven-year-old avocados to which gypsum has been applied have large, dark green leaves and healthy white surface feeder roots. “In recent years the weather conditions have been more extreme and soils have been very wet in winter and early spring; then the soils dry out quickly in the late spring-summer months.

“The high rainfall periods at different times of the year have increased phytophthora root disease levels in avocados and kiwifruit.

“I have incorporated annual gypsum appli-

cations in the fertiliser programmes to increase soil porosity, soil aeration and drainage properties. Healthy roots are important too for good leaf size in early spring and to size new fruit from late spring to early summer.”

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

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

“Calcium has a role for fruit storage quali-

ties and it is impor-

tant that growers deliver

high quality fruit to the market.

“Gypsum is ideal to supply calcium inputs and enhance fruit storage

qualities. Kiwifruit growers are paid storage incentives

for good storing fruit,” says Lindsay.“I have observed the benefi ts of annual

gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types; and I will continue to recommend gypsum in fertiliser programmes for avocados and kiwifruit.”

leasing plays an ever-increasing role in their planning and land portfolio.

Leasing goes back forever in history, with tenants struggling to pay the wealthy landowners in England.

When I was in the Rural Bank (a long time ago now), the lease cost was often set at fi ve per cent of valuation. Various leases were for 33 years, some 21 years.

Lands and Survey had many leases where under the Land Act the tenant paid fi ve per cent of the unimproved value to lease the land, exclusive of improvements.

In this case all of the improve-ments, right through to land clearing, grassing and consolida-tion, were owned by the tenant.

In the 1960s, the 50:50 share-milking model was the emerging tenure. Here, the owner put on the

fertiliser, paid the rates and insur-ance and provided the property for 50 per cent of the dairy cheque.

That worked brilliantly until successive governments

started taxing the increase in values and cow num-bers as they rose. A lucky 50:50 sharemilker could fi nd a property with ‘potential’, start with 200 cows say, and increase to 300 by retaining replace-ments and without any tax implications. Now these increases are taxed.

This brings me to today, where the emerging tenure must be per-centage leasing. I’ve written about it before, but it is so successful it is worth further dialogue.

Recently, a young couple came to me with very limited assets wanting to lease a 60ha farm. Because it was a 22 per cent lease, the bank approved it but declined it as a 50:50 sharemilking proposition.

Why? Because the banks are shying away from 50:50 sharemilking deals. They are too hard.

Issues around stock securities, fi ghts with owners etc make them diffi cult to manage. With the percentage leasing they see better stability, more income to the tenant, and much better longevity.

It is an interesting shift by the banks, but refl ects the benefi ts of a good lease over the sharemilking agreement.

In summary, I think we’ll see more emerging career lessees or tenants (formerly called tenant farming).

The banks seem happier and it certainly works better for the lessee.

With the “cost of capital” in owning farmland, leasing is going to be an increasing land tenure.

These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate pro-

fessional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance, and a

consultant to the farming industry. Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675.

Gypsum helps tree health – fruit quality

50 per cent of the dairy cheque. That worked brilliantly until

Farm leasing – the big shift in land tenure

Applying gypsum to avocado trees helps to promote their health, growth and fruit quality, says Lindsay Heard of Brenmark

Horticultural Consultants.

With the cost of capital – that is the

cost of servicing the debt on land –

leasing makes a very attractive option for

career farmers.When you read all of the

farming papers that litter coffee tables about our emerging farmers, I notice

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Gypsum improves Soil Structure by adding calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

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

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

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

Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs including fertilizers.

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

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

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

Gypsum Increases Water-Use Efficiency of crops with improved water infiltration rates, hydraulic conductivity of soil and better water storage in the soil all leading to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency. 25% –100% more water is available in gypsum treated soils than in non-treated soils, important in areas and times of drought.

Gypsum as a Fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur.

“I have observed the benefits of annual Gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types and I will continue to recommend Gypsum in fertiliser programmes for Avocados”Lindsay Heard, Brenmark Horticultural Consultants

TO IMPROVE YOUR SOIL STRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

APPLY GYPSUM NOW

For further information call 0800 100 442 or visit www.gypsum.co.nz

Gypsum improves Soil Structure by adding calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

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

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

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

Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs including fertilizers.

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

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

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

Gypsum Increases Water-Use Efficiency of crops with improved water infiltration rates, hydraulic conductivity of soil and better water storage in the soil all leading to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency. 25% –100% more water is available in gypsum treated soils than in non-treated soils, important in areas and times of drought.

Gypsum as a Fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur.

“I have observed the benefits of annual Gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types and I will continue to recommend Gypsum in fertiliser programmes for Avocados”Lindsay Heard, Brenmark Horticultural Consultants

TO IMPROVE YOUR SOIL STRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

AVOCADOS

Heading into autumn and winter, there are some

important things to consider that will infl uence the

revenue from your current avocado crop, the overall

health of your orchard, and how well set-up it will be for spring fl owering and fruit set. Normal practice among many growers

has been to do very little during the winter, with perhaps some light mainte-nance dressings of an NPK avo mix; and maybe some capital dressings of lime.

Clearly it’s not a time to stimulate growth, which any heavier applications could instigate, but there is a huge opportu-nity to size your crop, improve orchard health, and set up your trees for spring by using a biological slow release organic fertiliser.

This will help achieve ‘the three S’s: Size your crop, sustain tree health; and set up for spring. The nutrients are immobilised by the organic matter, so therefore will not leach away during the high rainfall period of winter. The nutri-ents remain plant-available allowing the tree to pull what it needs, rather than having nutrients pushed into it (which would be the result using an NPK granular fertiliser). The input of a ‘living fertiliser’ with all of the biology avail-

able from vermicast, chicken manure and high quality

compost, revitalise the soil and help tip the balance between good bugs and bad. We can incorporate

any fi ne and powdery base dressings that may be required; lime fl our, lime, gypsum, mag-nesium oxide, boron, phosphate – all of which

have a tendency to blow everywhere in the wind. They can be added to the

blend, everything goes on together, and you only need to put the

fert spreader round once.The optimum time for the autumn

application is from mid-March until mid-May (apply in spring between late-August and late-October).I’ll discuss this

application in a future rambling.

There are some huge crops hanging in the orchards this season and as always size matters when it comes to export returns. Also, carry-ing a heavy crop into spring challenges your trees’ ability to be ready for the next fl owering event.

So by using a slow release product like Revital 30, you are giving your orchard the nutrients and biology it needs to do the best job it can for you.

Give me a call for an on orchard con-sultation, and we can decide what the best blend is for you.

Autumn opportunity to size crop

Page 11AVOCADOS

Complete avocado pick-to-market serviceFor 30 years KauriPak has been known for its honesty, integrity and “no bull” avocado harvesting and packing service

– and the same is still true today for the Katikati family business.

Founded by Hugh and Dorothy Moore, daughters Linda Flegg and Jenny Gilliver are also part of the experienced team which brings a personal touch to customer and crop care – and that’s something growers appreciate.

Hugh, well-known as a forthright and often outspoken leader in both the kiwifruit and avo-cado industries, along with Alistair Young was instrumental in establishing the Team Avocado Trust which now, with marketer Southern Prod-uct Ltd, supplies the much-larger Avoco group.

“We have only packed for Team Avocado and last season packed 460,000 export trays, and expect to increase those volumes next season,” says Linda.

KauriPak, which handles crops from through-out the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and South Auckland, has been packing avocados since the early 1980s and has a dedicated avocado-only packhouse, which allows it to pack avocados 12 months of the year for clients.

“We provide a full pick-to-market service, including picking [ground and hydralada picking], bin delivery and pick-up, packing, coolstorage and ripening.

“Our commitment to the market fl ow plan is paramount to ensure the best possible fruit returns are realised. We aim to reward growers who provide quality fruit,” says Linda.

KauriPak also packs and ripens fruit for the Progressive Enterprises supermarket chain and for wholesale markets.

Thanks to his extensive knowledge as a grower, and his wide understanding of the international markets, Hugh is able to advise orchardists on chemical use too, as part of the company’s com-mitment to growers 12 months of the year.

“Our growers send in their pest monitoring data and Hugh can tell them what chemicals are best to apply to control pests and to ensure they don’t face market access problems by using products with long withholding periods,” says Linda.

Always innovating, KauriPak was among the fi rst to invest in a system to wash and dry avo-cados before packing, in order to improve the quality of the export product.

KauriPak is a dedicated avocado-only packhouse, which allows it to pack

avocados 12 months of the year.

HORTICULTURE

The giant willow aphids which rapidly invaded an Omokoroa

kiwifruit orchard in early-February disappeared just as quickly, but property owner

Neil Brough believes they will be back.

“Within days their numbers decreased significantly and now they are hard to find – but they will be back next season,” says Neil, who found the giant willow aphid, a new insect to New Zealand, climbing over vines, fruit and structures in his orchard on February 10.

Concerned the insect, which excretes honeydew, might cause problems with sooty mould on fruit, Neil contacted Zespri and Kiwifruit Vine Health which have sent staff to visit his orchard.

Since Neil’s initial discovery of the aphids, the orchardist says he’s heard from other kiwifruit growers in the area who’ve also found the pest.

“It appears it is now very widespread. It is yet another insect we have to control. We did spray it with an organic prod-uct, which was all we can use so close to harvest, but I don’t think it did much good.”

The rapid disappearance of the insects didn’t completely surprise Neil, who’d read up on their life cycle, which involves them returning to their host trees – usu-ally willows or poplars, in autumn where they prepare to over-winter.

The Ministry for Primary Industries,

which first became aware of the insect in New Zealand last December, says kiwi-fruit is not currently known to be a host to this species, and the aphid feeding on the vines is not thought to pose a threat to the kiwifruit industry.

“These aphids may be present on vines and vine structures, but this would most likely be transient as they move to other host plants,” says an MPI spokesperson.

“As its name would suggest, it is associated with willows [and occasionally poplar].

“Sooty mould appearing on kiwifruit, due to honeydew contamination from the aphid feeding on adjacent shelter-belts, could potentially occur.”

Neil and his staff first became aware of the insects when they noticed the trunks and stems on the willow shelter turning black with mould.

Sooty molds are caused by Ascomycete fungi, which grow on the sugary honey-dew secreted by insects such as aphids, scales, and cicada.

Sooty mould on kiwifruit makes it unacceptable for export; and Neil is now watching the gold fruit in his orchard for any signs of the fungus developing.

By the time the MPI became aware of the new insect pest giant willow aphids late last year, it was too widespread throughout the country to make eradica-tion feasible, says an MPI spokesperson.

The aphid is now present in North-land, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Wairoa, Wairarapa, Taranaki, and the Tasman District in the South Island.

Four Hawke’s Bay growers are among the 13 trainees nationwide to be awarded 2014 Horticulture New Zea-land Industry Training Scholarships.

They are Lewis Houkamau, Crasborn Group; Nathan Waites, Blyth Orchard, Mr Apple NZ Ltd; Gareth Dingle, Mr Apple NZ Ltd; and Joseph McIvor, Waimea Orchard.

The other winners are: Aaron Finlay, Hugh Drummond, Riwaka; Todd

Harwood, Kono Horticulture, Tasman; Zoe Eld, Kono Horticulture, Motueka; Annette Williams, Made in Heaven Ltd, Auckland; Ryan Manders, Southern Paprika, Northland; Bura Takinoa, Southern Paprika, Northland; Baukie Eneta, Southern Paprika, Northland; Kathleen Bagge, Darlings Fruit Ltd, Central Otago; and Martina Tomasova, Hoddy’s Orchard, Tasman. Each recipi-ent receives a certificate and $500.

Ensuring food production is able to con-tinue, even with Auckland’s planned growth, is a major part of HortNZ’s submission on the Auckland Council’s Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. The plan includes the regional policy statement, the regional air land and water plan, the coastal plan and the district plan (replacing previous district plans for Rodney, Franklin, Waitakere City, Manukau City, Papakura, North Shore and Auckland City).

The HortNZ submission covers a wide range of matters. A key issue in the submission is to enable food production to continue and also ensure growers are not subject to complaints from lifestylers living in new or existing rural subdivision areas.

Submissions will be heard by an appointed panel and will be held during the next year, so the process will take some time. Refer to the HortNZ website to click the links: HortNZ PAUP Submission and HortNZ PAUP Sub Table 28 Feb 2014 for a copy of the submission. (Source: HortNZ newsletter)

The 2014 National Horticultural Field Day will be held on Thursday, June 5, at Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay in Hastings.

The organisers have a new partnership with Massey University this year which will bring increased exper-tise, knowledge and research specific to the horticultural industry. It will be part of a popular seminar series held at the field day. Being election year, it’s expected there will be representation present from major political parties too.

The National Horticultural Field Day creates an oppor-tunity for business leaders and key horticultural players from around New Zealand – both vegetable and fruit – to come together and discuss prominent issues facing their industries.

Education and horticultural career opportunities will be a strong focus at the event going forward, as the industry puts emphasis on the need for a highly-skilled workforce, to meet its projections of being a $10 billion industry by 2020.

All of this will combine with the large trade expo, and competitions including the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit-grower of the Year, the NZ Hydralada competition and horticulture art exhibition. (Source: HortNZ newsletter)

Protecting food production Horticulture’s big day out

Hawke’s Bay horticultural trainee winners

New aphids now widespreadIn February giant willow aphids were crawling over fruit

and support structures in Neil Brough’s orchard.

By Elaine Fisher

GRUNDFOS ®

HiFLO PUMPSHiFLO PUMPS & IRRIGATION LTD

HiFLO PUMPSHiFLO PUMPS & IRRIGATION LTD

My Name is Neil Woodward.I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family runbusiness, our team consists of three, being myself, myson and my brother.

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

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, Wehave the equipment to spray orchards with our twoAtom sprayers and one recently purchased TracatomFormula tractor which is also available for mulchingand mowing.

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, thiscombined with fully automated sprayer controllers andthree nozzle rings enhances application efficiency andaccuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed sprayapplications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgapcompliance.

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

To contact us:Phone: 021 907 621

E-mail: [email protected]

216 Pongakawa Bush Road

Te Puke

My Name is Neil Woodward.I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family runbusiness, our team consists of three, being myself, myson and my brother.

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

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, Wehave the equipment to spray orchards with our twoAtom sprayers and one recently purchased TracatomFormula tractor which is also available for mulchingand mowing.

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, thiscombined with fully automated sprayer controllers andthree nozzle rings enhances application efficiency andaccuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed sprayapplications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgapcompliance.

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

To contact us:Phone: 021 907 621

E-mail: [email protected]

216 Pongakawa Bush Road

Te Puke

HORTICULTURE

For fertiliser products and programmes to

claim they are backed by science the results must be consistent,

predictable and repeatable – and

it goes without saying they must provide

measurable benefi ts.

There’s a further consideration and this is short term benefi ts at the expense of the longer term, which are essential when considering the environmental impact of any product.

We trade heavily on our abundance of fresh, clean water – probably the primary reason for overseas inter-ests investing in land and factories here.

The value of products and programmes that damage the environment must be given serious consideration and the issue of greatest concern is steadily declining water quality.

The recent report by the Commissioner for the Envi-ronment raises serious concerns about the increasing levels of both phosphorus and nitrogen in our water-ways; and dairy farming has been identifi ed as the major contributor.

The work carried out by Eco-Logic Soil Improvement during the last 10 years shows intensive dairy farming with milk solid production in excess of 1300kg/ha can be achieved with no negative environmental impact, and the net effect may well be a positive one.

A feature of environmental degradation is the speed at which it escalates. The damage caused by a little extra nitrogen leaking into groundwater 20 years ago was negligible; however the damage now, due in part to the reduced ability of the soil to sequester the excess, is far more obvious.

The discussion unfolding in the media has two opposing views. One is that the environment must be protected at any cost, with intensive dairy production heavily regulated.

The contrary view is that extra wealth generated by the application of excess nitrogen warrants its on-going use. Presumably, those arguing for the continued use of excessive nitrogen believe the extra income generated is suffi cient to pay for the inevitable clean-up, or could the driver be short-term greed?

An argument that regularly appears in defence of nitrogen fertiliser is its use is responsible for a marked increase in the world’s food production, and without it millions would die of starvation.

With regard to pastoral farming in the Bay of Plenty, it’s a hard argument to sell based on considerable research undertaken by staff at the world-renowned Ruakura Research Centre. The summary of work con-tained in ‘Fertiliser and Soils in New Zealand Farming’ states: “The results of these many experiments created the impression that the use of fertiliser N in autumn was seldom worthwhile because of the variability and smallness of the yield responses”.

Spring responses to July and August nitrogen were only 9-10kg DM/kgN at fi rst harvest when extra pasture is most required. The remainder of the total 15-19kg DM/kgN was obtained in September and October, with the concluding sentence: “It would appear that the use of fertiliser N is seldom worthwhile”.

The top 20cm of the soil on the Berryman property near Edgecumbe measured 7500kg N/ha with 6600kg N/ha in the same depth on a neighbouring property, both intensive dairy.

Our soils are not short of total nitrogen; and as the clover in permanent pasture is capable of producing suffi cient nitrogen for in excess of 18,000kg DM/ha annually, farmers have available the necessary products and expertise to successfully farm within the soon-to-be introduced regulations.

For more information, call Peter on 0800 843 809.

HortNZ associateABC Software Ltd has become an

associate member of HortNZ. The company provides custom

software solutions for horticulture businesses.

ABC’s Packhouse software manages produce from orchard to pack-house, onto market, and through to customer invoicing and grower payments.

In addition to ABC Packhouse software application, ABC has built many other solutions including qual-ity control, spray, orchard planning, logistics, lab and coolstore systems.

Being an associate member of HortNZ costs $250 per year and entitles the associate to use HortNZ’s

logo in their marketing material, be listed as a member on the HortNZ website, and to register for confer-ences at the member rate.

Fresh connection 2014This year’s HortNZ Conference is

part of a much bigger event, called Fresh Connections 2014, which is being jointly-held between the Australia-NZ Produce Marketing Association, the Australian Chamber, United Fresh and HortNZ.

It is on June 24 and the associated vegetable conferences are included. Anyone interested in being a spon-sor or trade exhibitor, should email Leigh Catley at: [email protected]

This year there have been three biosecurity pest fi nds – a male fruit fl y in Whangarei, white

peach scale in Tauranga, and giant willow aphid across New Zealand.

Growers are rightly asking: Have we got the biosecurity right? Why are there are so many biosecurity incur-sions? Is NZ’s border secure?

The Government is promoting a biosecurity partnership with industry, where preparing for pest incursion responses and responding to incursions and surveillance will be done together.

This will cost the industry. An immediate reaction is: This is what we pay taxes for, so why should industry not only contribute hard-earned cash, but also staff time and effort to partner with Government to manage biosecurity? The reasons for and against are in the table on the right.

The Government will, however, retain responsibility for biosecurity at the border and pre-border and pay for this. But, as part of the partnership,

industry will have input into biosecu-rity at the border and pre-border.

In the kiwifruit industry, grower consultation has just fi nished asking growers whether they support funding the kiwifruit industry’s expected costs for our part in the kiwifruit industry’s biosecurity partnership with Govern-ment.

I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, even if kiwifruit growers have to pay for it. As an industry we cannot afford to have another major

biosecurity incursion. Psa-V has taught us many lessons. We aim to learn all of them. One of the key lessons is we must work with Government to ensure we are doing eve-rything we can to protect our industry. We have to take control

of our own biosecurity destiny. The Biosecurity Government Industry Agreement allows us to achieve this and do all we can to protect our industry

from future incursions. Most impor-tantly, it will permit us to respond quickly and effectively, if we get an incursion.The views expressed in this article are those of the author.

Biosecurity Government Industry Agreements

Why enter into a Biosecurity Government Industry Agreement (GIA):

1. Industry has a say about biosecurity protections pre-border and at the NZ border.2. Responses will be initiated – this is not certain without a GIA.3. Industry is part of the biosecurity response decision-making. This allows the industry to agree on the approach and delivery of the response and to manage the cost of the response.4. Industry is able to take direct control of biosecurity preparations and responses – making industry able to determine our own biosecurity destiny. Disadvantages:5. Industry will need to prepare for biosecurity incursion responses – eventually this will be an advantage for industry.6. Industry will need to contribute funds to preparation and incursions under a GIA. However, this will be less expensive than if the industry has no GIA; where Government will simply send growers a bill for these activities.

Biosecurity – why should industry pay?Accurate measures

0800 843 80907 362 7288 or go to


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Email : Mobile : 021 907 208

Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz

[email protected] & Twiname LtdP.O.Box 22698, ChristchurchPh 0508 333 111 Fax 0508 770 315

Ultra-Pro branded fabrics - The Professionals Choice

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South Island Agents for Cosio Industries Ltd.

Alishade Aluminium Thermal Shadecloth

Aqualiner PVC Pond Liner

Firestone EPDM Rubber Pond Liner

Geocil Non Woven Weedmat

Landtex Woven Geotextile

Meshes Plastic and Wire

Micronet Crop Protection Fabric

Polygro EVA Greenhouse Covers

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FIRESTONE EPDM has the longest standard material warranty available in NZ. This is a 20 year FIRESTONE manufacturers warranty - a global company and a name you can trust.This lining is laid on site to any size or shaped dam.

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for more information.

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FIRESTONE EPDM Rubber pond liner

AQUALINER PVC pond liner

BENEFITS Enhances cane growth Increases productionLarger fruit size Makes orchard warmerincreases dry matter prior to picking

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FIRESTONE EPDM pond liners.

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PLANT AND CROP PROTECTION IRRIGATION AND WATER STORAGEMICRONET is a white 15-20% shade fabric designed to create a controlled microclimate for crop and plants. Air and water permeable allows natural watering and air movement. Available in 2 metre and 4 metre widths.

FROSTGUARD non woven spunbonded low cost polypropylene fabric available in 16gm2 and 30gm2. Also air and water permeable allowing natural air and water movement.2 metres wide. Other widths avail on request.

MICRONET

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Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors

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Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically duringdrier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows

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Ultra-Mat provides 75% light reflection and is specifically made by a well knownand respected European manufacturer. Complete with full UV protection for NZconditions. Ultra-Mat prevents weeds and stimulates growth of plants that requirehigh light reflection for optimum yield.

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Frostguard is a non woven white frost protection fabric used to protect crops from frost damage, while providing a microclimate giving better growing conditions and minimising evaporative water loss. Ideal for row crops such as melons etc.Frostguard is available in 16gm and 30 g / m2 weight.2m x 100m and 2m x 1000m rolls etc

� Enhances cane growth�Increases production�Larger fruit size�Makes orchard warmer�Increases dry matter prior to picking

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POLYGRO 200 EVA greenhouse covers

GEOCIL non woven weed control fabric

FIRESTONE EPDM pond liners.

For horticultural irrigation, water storage, effluentstorage liners.

20 year Firestone Warranty on approved installations.

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Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors

Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages

Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically duringdrier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows

Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators

Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential

20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the businessInsist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate

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Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

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AUTUMN FERTILISER

Five university students studying towards degrees in New Zealand’s primary industries have been awarded Ballance Agri-Nutrients scholarships, each worth $4000 a year for a

maximum of three years. Ballance Agri-Nutrients research and development

manager Warwick Catto says the calibre of this year’s applicants are again of a very high standard and shows the industry’s future is in safe hands.

“Our primary sector leads the world and we need to continue to attract top talent to keep us there.

“We have some outstanding young people ready to make their mark and we’re right behind them,” says Warwick.

The latest round of scholarships was awarded to Sarah Greenwood from Ohakune, Ryan Hathaway from Reporoa, Holly Flay from Te Awamutu, Peter Thomas from Mossburn, and Matthew Hughes from Rotorua.

Ryan Hathaway from Reporoa is in his second year of studying a Bachelor of Chemical and Biological Process-ing Engineering (Honours) at Massey University.

Head boy of Reporoa College in 2012, Ryan already has strong experience working during his holidays on a sheep farm and as a relief milker on several dairy farms in the local area. After graduating, Ryan hopes to use his engineering degree within the agricultural sector.

“My options are still very broad; although given my farming background, I would defi nitely like to work within the agricultural arena.”

Holly Flay from Te Awamutu has just started a Bach-

Cyclone Lusi brought a much-needed dousing of rain and a respite

from the long, dry summer last

month. Before she arrived, it had

generally been a season of two halves, with the Bay of Plenty having just enough rainfall to remain mostly green, whereas the Waikato was suffering badly.

With our ever-changing climate there is no second-guessing as to how each season will run. So what can you do to help revive your sun-baked pasture through the autumn and winter – and in time try to future-proof your pad-docks with better and deeper layers of humus, giving you a better moisture holding capacity?

A good combination of biology, chem-istry and organic matter will give a good platform to promote autumn recovery. We recommend a blend of vermicast to stimulate root growth and add biology, chicken manure for chemistry and biol-ogy, and high quality compost for soil

structure and biology. With all three being naturally-derived organic materials, it will help put back what is missing in pasture grown with NPK inputs alone. Soil tests are essential to

ensure you’re providing the correct balance of product to ensure optimum performance; and when needed, we can add lime, magnesium etc to the blend to get the balance of nutrients, biology, and organic

matter just right.Using these blends year-on-year will

see a cumulative benefi cial effect, as organic matter and biology rebuild the humus layers of your pasture.

A little analogy to end on. If you consider your soil is the engine

that drives your farm along the road of production and performance, then it needs the following:

Petrol = NPKS etc.Oil = Organic matterSparks = BiologyIf any one of these three components

are missing, or depleted, your engine will not run at full effi ciency.

Five scholarships awarded to agri-studentselor of Science majoring in Chemistry and minoring in International Agribusi-ness and Animal Science at Massey University.

Born and raised on a dairy farm, Holly’s aim is to use her farming experi-ence and conjoint degrees to work in the dairy industry.

“I think my background of growing up on a dairy farm and my interest in animals and agriculture has really helped me gain a strong insight into the indus-try. I’d like to use my degree to pursue a career with the dairy industry, focusing on research and development.”

Sarah Greenwood from Ohakune is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University this year. Once she completes her studies Sarah hopes to continue in the agricultural sector by either conducting research or becoming a consultant focusing on the sheep and beef sector.

Sarah gained her passion for agriculture after spending her school holidays work-ing on the family farm. This also saw her involved in Feilding High School’s Teen Ag Club as vice chair and she was part of a team that placed second at the Teen Ag nationals, which is a young farming

competition. Matthew Hughes, from Rotorua, is in his second year of a Bach-elor of Agricultural Science at Massey University.

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm, and with experience of working on a dairy farm, Matthew has a real desire to pursue a career in New Zealand’s pri-mary sector. Once he graduates Matthew hopes to work in research and develop-ment for the beef and lamb industry.

“At the moment my key interests are in animal and soil science, and business and farm management. My degree gives me the opportunity to learn more about these different aspects and the other opportunities within the agricultural sector, which will help me defi ne exactly what I want to work on when I fi nish it.”

Peter Thomas, from Mossburn, is passionate about the agricultural sector after growing up on a 5000 acre sheep and beef farm which gave him strong understanding about the industry.

Now in his third year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey Univer-sity, Peter has recently been voted onto the committee of the Massey Young Farmers club, which has more than 130 members nationwide.

Future proofing pastures

MAIZE

Huge variation in maize dry matter continues to be an issue both within

and between fi elds. This is infl uenced by rainfall, soil type

and compaction, topography, proximity to hedges, trees, plant population, and drought-tolerance of the hybrid planted.

Given this variability, how can you deter-mine whether your drought-stressed crop is ready to harvest at the 30 to 40 per cent dry matter stage?

Expert advice is available from a number of seed and supply company representatives and contractors’ agronomists, so seek their advice and book your contractor well in advance –phoning a couple of days before harvest is not helpful.

Remember drought-stressed crops with few kernels or little kernel development can have high nitrate levels.

If green chop is required urgently for hungry animals, get a sample to your vet for nitrate testing before feeding.

This testing is usually a same-day service. However, should you wish to assess the crop yourself here are a few pointers:

Stand on a high point and ascertain what percentage of the fi eld is still green (particu-larly from the cob upwards), what percentage is a lighter green but still has folded leaves (particularly during the heat of the day), and what percentage is completely brown and dead.

If the majority of the paddock is completely brown, harvesting as soon as possible would be recommended.

If the majority of the paddock is green, check the milk line in the kernels, husk cover colour and how many leaves below the cob

are totally brown and senesced. As a general guide: if the milk line is starch from the cap to a third, husk cover is turning brown, and the lower leaves are senesced, then contact your contractor.

Alternatively, three or four representative plants can be mulched and DM determined by laboratories or simple microwave testing and weighing.

Leaves from the cob upwards, if still green will still continue to photosynthesise and pro-duce further DM and yield in the plant.

The last few weeks can add a lot of grain weight and size.

DM in Waikato crops that had lost all green leaf colour below the cob was up to three per

cent higher than you’d expect if those leaves were still green. This is because the drought stressed stover was becoming very dry, even though kernel milk line development was not well advanced.

Apart from peat soils (where plants roots can access moisture), most drought stressed northern Waikato/Dargaville region crops are drying down at least one per cent a day.

This dry down will be slower in some areas of the Waikato (especially south Waikato), due to better rainfall, but the amount by which it has slowed very much depends on the amount of rainfall received.

Many contractors now have NIR DM determination capability on their choppers,

and chop-length can be altered to aid stack compaction and the fermentation process of the maize silage.

The dry weather means herbicide residues may remain in the soil after harvest and affect subsequent grass seed germination. You can check this by carefully placing the top 100mm of representative soil in a plant tray, sowing some mustard seed, watering and then checking for normal germination and plant health.

Soil nutrient levels following harvesting are likely to be higher than normal, due to lower yields and low leaching. This may translate into fertiliser savings for the subsequent crop.(Source Maize Action – Foundation for Arable Research newsletter).

When to harvest drought-stressed maize

Co-ordination is essential: harvester and tractor drivers work in unison to harvest a maize silage crop on a farm near Te Kauwhata.

MAIZE

Lack of magnesium in NZ soils has caused losses of millions of dollars every year. Little is being done to

solve the problem. Under the heading of ‘Magnesium defi -

ciency’, one authoritative magazine listed the common options for supplementing magnesium. It went on to list many options; each option temporary, time-consuming and repetitive.

In addition, the options were in fact, treating or trying to prevent symptoms of grass tetany, (hypomagnesaemia), particu-larly prior to calving.

There was not a single refer-ence to the soil. The soil is where the cause is seated, so that is where the remedy must be applied.

Our approach is based on cause-centred science; the common approach is based on symptom-oriented science. This is the approach that trans-fers money from farmers to corporations.

Kiwi Fertiliser sends its soil samples to PAL labora-tories in Missouri. The test results show more than 90 per cent of samples are defi cient in magnesium. That test often shows values of six-eight per cent of base saturation when those levels need to be a minimum of 10.1 per cent and a maximum of 20 per cent. That defi ciency may translate to say 150-200kg/ha of magnesium.

So what do we do to solve the problem? There is only one source of dolomite and that is

in Golden Bay, so it has to be shipped to the North Island. This adds cost, but as a calcium/magnesium carbonate, it works exceptionally well. It is a semi-soluble Mg source. Mag carbonate, Mag oxide and serpentine (a hard silica rock), are also semi-soluble.

Soluble sources are Mag sulphate and Kieser-ite. Sulphates release their Mg quickly and

are required for crops and where Mg is required quickly.

Your choice of weapon is critical and should not be based on the cheapest or nearest source. It must be based on what

works and what doesn’t. Dolomite discharges its Mg during an

18-month period. Oxide and serpentine discharge over a much longer period, and although they can increase Mg in plants, they rarely, if ever improve soil levels.

Hence repeat doses are required year after year, with mixed stock health results and no soil fertility progress.

Calcium must be calcu-lated along with magnesium requirements.

If there is ample Ca in the soil, dolomite may not be an option, but Mag carbonate or will be.

It depends on how fast you need the Mg and whether you are growing pastures or

crops. If calcium is not adequate, (optimum being 60-68 per cent on a PAL soil test,) then dolomite is an option.

However, Mg and Ca have a one-to-one relationship, so for each one per cent of Ca added, one per cent of Mg can be lost and needs to be added back into the calculations.

That leaves the vexed question of potassium. Potassium has a habit of being too high while driving

magnesium down in the plant, causing stock health problems, including bloat.

When Mg is below 10.1 per cent in the soil, K has a free ride and will dominate. So, adding potassium in advance of magnesium can cause more grief to grazing animals. The solution is to balance out the Ca/Mg per cent, before applying too much K.

Magnesium deficiency costly to farmers

Extracting dolomite from the Mount Burnett quarry in Golden Bay.

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MAIZE

To improve the quality and yield of his maize crop, Mike Karl did not have to

look too far from home for an effective solution.

Mike farms on the summer dry country of the Hauraki Plains, and maize is playing an increasingly vital role in helping maintain milk fl ow through early autumn, and to hold up cow condition heading into winter.

While farming most of his life on the 150ha Ngatea property, Mike has also been involved closely in some of the largest dairy conversion projects seen in the North Island, and in managing one of New Zealand’s highest profi le farming operations.

He oversaw much of the Carter Holt Harvey conver-sion near Tokoroa that resulted in 30 farms with more than 8500ha of milking area coming on stream and ultimately being sold off by the company.

The properties have been held up as showcase exam-ples of quality dairy conversion in terms of layout, housing and infrastructure.

“At one stage I think we were the single largest cus-tomer for one of the milking machine companies, with 23 dairies on the go; it was a really interesting, exciting time.”

Trace elementA challenge on the light volcanic country was working

with soil that was lower than most for trace elements, with magnesium a key element lacking for both stock and pasture uptake.

Taking the land straight from trees to maize crop meant it was essential to incorporate magnesium into the cultivation process effectively, and as cheaply as possible. Mike was convinced to use a Rorisons RMD

LimeMag lime-serpentine blend at a rate of 4.5t/ha, to be incorporated at cultivation.

Sourced from the Rorison family business’s Aria quarry, the serpentine mix includes high quality lime from the same source, and blended to ratios of lime-to-magnesium ranging from 4:1 to 9:1.

The result was high yielding 20-23tDM/ha-plus maize crops that surprised many for how well they had done in the light, challenging soil.

“I would estimate we were seeing at least 20 per cent better yields on the crops where we used 4:1 lime to serpentine LimeMag, it was that signifi cant.”

BoostSo what to apply was not a hard question to answer

when he was looking for ways to boost his maize yields on the home farm at Ngatea a few years later.

Mike pays attention to the details when getting a maize crop in the ground, reasoning the money spent on soil testing and quality inputs will always be well repaid in a higher yielding crop months later at harvest.

Typically, he applies 3t/ha of 4:1 LimeMag at cultiva-tion, worked in with a good base fertiliser mix of about 500kg/ha. At drilling time, the maize gets 250kg DAP down the spout with the seed, and a further 150kg urea/ha post-emergence at half a metre high.

The result this season is a crop that – despite the late dray season – dry will harvest out at 25t-30t/ha. The later maturing Pioneer hybrid was topping three metres with three weeks of ripening remaining, and showing a good level of resistance to the ever drier conditions the Hauraki region was experiencing.

RootsMike maintains the use of LimeMag results in a crop

with better root development, giving it greater tolerance to later dry spells. Just as importantly this year, given the

Once the maize harvest is underway, attention turns to pasture renewal – and the key to achieving the best results is to treat grass like a crop. Begin by spraying out the weeds and

then take a 15cm soil test of the paddock to be re-grassed. Don’t rely on a general farm test. You need to know what the individual paddock needs and apply lime and fertiliser accordingly.

Choose the seed variety, or mixes, which will best suit your location and grazing requirements.

If black beetle and Argentine steam weevil are likely to be a threat, ensure seed is coated to control these pests. Slugs will quickly munch through new pasture, so use the old wet-sack-in-the-paddock-overnight trick. Next morning count how many slugs have hidden under the sack and if there’s obviously a problem, apply slug bait with a farm spreader.

Spray again for weeds when the pasture is four to six weeks and weeds are not a lot bigger than an old 20 cent coin.

Spray again three to seven days after fi rst grazing. This both exposes the weeds and reduces much of the clover leaf, which minimises any clover damage. Until clover is well established and fi xing nitrogen for the rye grass, apply nitrogen after each grazing.

If you have any concerns about the pasture manage-ment, or questions about what to plant, there are plenty of people with expertise to help from your seed mer-chants to farm consultants, to contractors. I’m always happy to give advice too.

Above all, don’t just shut the gate and ignore the new pasture and then wonder why it doesn’t persist or perform well. Treat it like a crop and you’ll be rewarded with good results.

We’ve virtually completed our maize harvesting and thanks to a great growing season, yields have exceeded previous years. The early varieties were fi ve days late; the late varieties were 10 days early, so everything was ready about the middle of March, putting a lot of pressure on staff and machines.

Forecasts of heavy rain, brought by Cyclone Lusi on March 15, had us rushing to harvest maize in swampy areas. And while we did get most of it in, the rainfall was relatively light and even the winds didn’t do much damage, thank goodness. I feel for the Waikato farmers who were hoping for more rain to relieve their parched pastures.

This season again shows the only thing we can rely on is unreliable weather. Many thought we couldn’t have

Lime plus Mg equals super maize

Mike Karl’s hybrid maize crop, topped three metres with three weeks

of ripening remaining.

Treat grass like a crop to harvest resultstwo droughts in two years but parts of the country

are experiencing very dry conditions. We had unseasonably early frosts in March but fortunately the cold was followed by warmer temperatures and some rain.

There could be feed shortages in winter, especially if Waikato pastures don’t recover

this autumn. There is likely to be little or no supplies of

feed from the South Island because of storms and damage to irrigators in Canterbury last spring.

It’s a risky policy to hope for rain to grow enough winter feed for livestock. Having on hand a good supply of supplementary feed,

including maize and grass silage, hay, straw and grain for the lean times, is a much better one.

We still have some straw, hay and silage for sale, but not a lot, so don’t leave it too late to place orders.

strong winds that have whipped through the region, is the crop’s improved stand-ability, with it exhibiting almost no wind damage and a strong, even profi le.

“I believe we also see better leaf colour and cob formation in the crops with LimeMag applied.”

The ability of a well grown maize crop to produce more than 25tDM/ha, against grass production of 14-16tDM/ha/year means Mike is looking harder at integrating more maize into his system that would rank at “about 2.5-3” on DairyNZ’s scale for supplement inputs.

Well grown maize provides a means for him to push out lactation, holding production in the frequent dry periods during summer and maintaining cow condition through winter, while also a valuable boost in the early tight spring period.

“It is a way for us to compromise between a high input-high labour system and still be focussed on pasture, without sacrifi cing cow condition.”

Mike views LimeMag, and the excellent

service provided by Rorisons RMD, as one of the key inputs to producing a crop helping boost the herd production to an average of 420kg/ms a cow, well up on the Waikato average and admirable in one of the drier parts of the region.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

opportunity arose in 1997 to buy a farm in Old Coach Rd near Pongakawa – right next door to the original run-off –Neville and Jill decided to take it.

They established their growing contracting business around existing farm buildings and during the years since have increased the fleet of vehicles, machinery, and staff.

No longer dairy farmers, Jill and Neville run a few cattle, and grow kiwifruit and avocados.

Today they are joined in the business by son Daniel and daughter Tammy – along with frequent visits to the yard by grandchil-dren – and have a staff of up to 14 during peak times.

ServiceBecause Neville is a farmer, he understands

farmers need a dependable, quality service from contractors – and in the 25 years he’s been in business, he’s invested in staff and equipment to pro-vide a consistently efficient, reliable service to clients.

“We use the Fastrac tractors because they can travel at up to 80km/h on the open road, which means less down time between jobs.”

This maize season the company has bought new Claas Jaguar 950 Harvester with the advanced technol-ogy, including providing a print out of each job done whether on-farm or for clients buying in maize.

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

“Our harvester drivers know when they are close to finishing one client; and they can give the truck drivers

directions to the new job when it starts,” says Neville.Neville Marsh Contracting Ltd also has the new era

in forage processing technology called Shredlage.

ShredlageDaniel, who co-ordinates the contracting side of the

business, says this machine crushes the kernel produc-ing shredlage, which is longer cut corn measuring 26mm-30mm.

“The stalk is ripped lengthwise into planks and strings, allowing for improved effective fibre, better packing and a greater exposure to the inner cells of the plant for increased microbial activity.”

As a result of the increased digestibility, farmers now have the option of taking out or lowering straw, hay

or haylage, allowing a much higher percentage of the diet as shredlage, and still have healthy cows.

NMC carries out all cultiva-tion work such as aerating, discing, power harrowing, planting, under sowing, rolling and seeding and has a Centaur machine which pan busts and cultivate in one pass.

This season the company has invested in a brand new Kuhn SD 4000 no-till seed drill for pasture renovation.

New technology equals improved efficienciesIt’s no accident that Neville Marsh is a successful rural contractor –

he and his team take pride in their work and the service they offer – but indirectly it was accidents which led

to the growth of Neville Marsh Contracting.“We were dairy farming on the main highway – on Neville’s family farm, and

had so many vehicles crash through the fences we decided enough was enough,” says Jill Marsh. As well as farming, Neville was already contracting. So when the

Daniel Marsh, sister Tammy Hohaia and their parents Jill and Neville Marsh, with the company’s

Pongakawa depot behind.

Neville Marsh uses Fastrac tractors because they save

travelling time between jobs.

The brand new Kuhn SD 4000 no-till seed drill for pasture renovation is the latest addition to the Neville Marsh

equipment fleet.

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BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

‘MarshN’ rings are now a common sight in hay paddocks

throughout the country, and even in Australia – but they

originate, not from outer-space, but from a workshop

near Paengaroa.Neville Marsh invented the rings six

years ago to reduce damage to hay rakes used in his own contracting business, but they’ve proved so effective many dealers are fi tting them to new rakes before they leave the yard.

“Rakes were continually being broken by hitting fences or even power pylons. When they break it’s expensive to repair them – but worse than that, it takes the rake, which is a crucial piece of equip-ment in the haymaking process, out of operation.”

Neville spent months designing, then making the fi rst ring, from spring steel. One of the biggest challenges was to fi t it to the circular rakes in a way that allowed for movement.

This required Neville to cut slots in the steel and machine some special parts, including washers which are saucer-shaped, to reduce the surface subjected to wear.

The rings are fi tted permanently to the rakes and Neville refers to them as “crash bars” because they reduce damage.

“They are gaining popularity in Aus-tralia and we’ve had interest from the UK too.”

The design has been patented by Neville, who won a New Zealand Contractors Federation Award for the invention.

The rings are not all Neville has invented. His weigh bridges are also widely used in the contracting business.

Neville’s aim in building the fi rst one was to give his clients accurate informa-tion about the weight of maize harvested, or other feeds and farm inputs made and/or delivered

by his company.“Building the 30 tonne weigh bridge

wasn’t too hard, but when I wanted to build a 50 tonne version, most people said it couldn’t be done,” says Neville, who, after working on the problem for some time, woke up one morning with the solution.

“It was a bit like making a bridge stronger, by adding more stringers.”

The weigh bridges, which weigh about two tonne each, are manufactured at Neville Marsh Contracting’s yard in Old Coach Rd. The portable, certifi ed bridge “fl oats” on a specially-designed frame, has scales in four corners, and can weigh a truck and trailer separately if required.

Many contractors, including Neville Marsh, have the weigh bridges on har-vest sites so each truck can be accurately weighed before leaving, ensuring not only that the client knows exactly how much feed is being delivered, but also vehicles are not over the permitted weight for the road.

The Marsh Portable Weighbridge Systems, which provide an affordable and easy to set up certifi ed weighbridge system, are available for purchase or for hire.

Circular solution a winner

Neville Marsh’s invention for rakes saves contractors thousands of dollars

in repairs and time.

Farmer-turned-contractor knows what clients want

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The seeding discs are mounted on an independent parallelogram frame, and the implement has depth control wheels, a central pivot design, Venta System pneumatic precision metering and a large hopper capacity.

NMC’s experienced staff offer services such as mowing, scattering and rowing; using two eight metre and one 14 metre swathers for overall effi ciency.

The silage options include loader wagon silage, fi ne chop harvester silage, stacking,

round or square bale silage, and also hay and maize silage.

Truck and trailers for hire include a JCB telel-oader, three tip trucks and two tip trailers.

ManureIn addition NMC can supply and spread

chicken manure and can spread on-farm waste with an Orbital spreader, which can distribute old calf bedding, slurry, or dried manure –and with a 20 metre throw, it is exceptionally

effi cient at covering sidelings. Neville has tested this machine on his own property with impres-sive results.

Despite the brand new hi-tech tractors and machinery, there is still room in the contract-ing yard for a 1970 Nuffi eld Tractor – one of the fi rst to arrive in the district and a 62-year-old International baler Neville drives to make conventional bales of hay for clients who prefer something smaller than the large square bales.

“Dad quite enjoys getting out in the paddock

on the old tractor, without the comfort of a modern cab,” says Tammy, who manages the administration side of the business.

The high-tech machines, tractors, trucks, and loader wagons which complement them, are a far cry from the very basic tractors and imple-ments Neville began contracting with.

“I could fi x just about anything on my fi rst tractors and machinery – now everything is computerised and needs specialist techni-cians,” says Neville.

CONTRACTORS

If young Lance Duncan could have made a career out of pig

hunting, he would have – but in the 1960s there wasn’t

any money in it.Instead he found the opportunity to

keep his dogs, hunt pigs, learn new skills and eventually own his own business – in the forestry industry.

Living in Te Aroha, Lance, known to many as Louie, was aged 13 when

he went on a hunting trip to the King Country with Megs Grant, who introduced him to the hunting game. He returned six days later only to fi nd his mother had died suddenly and the funeral had already taken place.

He went to live with his uncle Tom Mortensen, who was a fi re patrolman for New Zealand Forest Products in Tokoroa and also a keen hunter and breeder of pig dogs – so hunting was not going to be a problem for the good keen man.

By the time Lance was 17, he’d moved to Te Whetu, in the Mamaku Ranges between Putaruru and Tokoroa.

The Bartholomews mill was one of the country’s many native timber mills, processing rimu, totara and matai; and it also owned a large Douglas fi r plantation.

“There was no job for me at the mill, but I got one working for Bartho-lomew Timber Company, twice-a-day taking two pack horses loaded with pine seedlings into the hills for re-planting after a cocky’s fi re had got out of control and burnt of a large area of company land,” says Lance.

“There was no road into the area and the planters would be pretty tired after working all day and then having to walk back to their transport at knock off.”

SkiddyNative logs were transported to the mill by a locomo-

tive train and the tramline, which included a tunnel. It was 12 miles from mill to the bush skids.

“It was a real buzz to experience the ride to work on the jigger on the crooked line.”

Lance, by then a ‘skiddy’, recalls hooking the fi rst load that ever went out on a rubber-tired vehicle in the 1960s. The early trucks were a single-axled Austin Artic and an ex-Army GMC Long Pole. Logs were loaded using an

Common sense – a useful safety ‘tool’

ex-army four-wheel-drive crane truck with a scissor hook. The logs were all measured by wind-up tape and marked by axe; there was no such thing as spring-loaded tapes and cans of spray paint.

“There was no OSH [Occupational Health and Safety New Zealand],

or health and safety regulations; and it was pretty dangerous work, but you got the guidance from the older bushmen,” says Lance, who fully supports today’s safety equipment and regulations. However, he reckons no one can legislate for common sense and experience.

“Too many people get into the industry today with desk-learning and not enough experience. Felling trees is dangerous and they can be ‘widow-makers’ – but if you think about what you’re doing, you only have to step far enough sideways in most cases to avoid getting hit.

“Looking up to see what’s likely to come down, or if in doubt walk away before making a cut also makes sense,” says Lance, who is now 69, still takes his chain-saw and joins a felling gang from time to time.

After working for a number of contractors, spending six months logging in Fiji, and then going into partner-ship with Ron Sycamore of Tokoroa to form

Duncan and Sycamore Logging, Lance eventually bought Ron out and formed his own company L E Duncan Logging.

Common sense – a useful safety ‘tool’

Lance Duncan (right), holding the Kinleith Logging Contractor’s safety incentive scheme banner with the late Digger Evans (left), surrounded by members of Lance’s

logging crew.

Top right: Lance Duncan, aged 37, in a photo

used by Jonsered Chainsaws

for publicity purposes.

Darryl Isaac LtdDarryl Isaac LtdDarryl Isaac Ltd

CONTRACTORS

Forestry career suited young pig hunter’s ambitionsForestry career suited young pig hunter’s ambitions

Lance Duncan has created a museum in his ‘blokes shed’ fi lled with memorabilia of his forestry and hunting days.

By Elaine Fisher

“I was always big on safety and thankfully I never had a death on my job in my whole bloody logging career, but it was one of my biggest fears. The worst injury was a broken ankle.”

Lance was chairman of the Kin-leith Logging Contractors’ Safety Incentive Scheme when it fi rst started and feels scrapping safety incentives for workers, funded by the companies, was a backward step.

Bonuses“There were incentives and bonuses

and the guys looked forward to them.”Lance says he came up through the

forestry industry the hard way. He started at Te Whetu and later worked for logging contractor Norm Torstonson for six pound a day, learning to operate cable blade bulldozers, the CAT D73T and D7 17A models.

Lance had married Carol Shires, the daughter of Roly, who was the mill manager at Te Whetu, then worked for Barney Walker at Galatea, running a logging gang pulling out pine trees which were skid-loaded using a cable-blade CAT 2U D8.

In 1968 Lance returned to Te Whetu to work for Nelson Pritchard thinning Douglas fi r, using a HD6 tractor. The following year he took on a contract clearing native bush and scrub, the land was then burnt off and replanted in radiata pine, and in later years he went back to log the same area.

He and partner Herb Wallace were paid $26 an acre for their work.

Then Lance was offered a contract clear-felling Douglas fi r, which he jumped at and brought his fi rst bull-dozer the HD6 from Nelson Pritchard, funded with $76 in the bank and Bartholomew Timbers covering his fi rst fortnight’s wages. Lance sold that con-tract when he was offered a job in Fiji.

Fiji logging “My father-in-law was working as mill

manager for the Emperor Mining and Logging Company in Fiji, and I was assistant logging manager,” says Lance.

“I enjoyed it and they had some good gear, but the biggest problem was the upkeep of equipment.”

Lance says local workers didn’t have any idea how to maintain and care for equipment, including something as simple as checking oil levels. Lance had to cut short his contract due to one of his son’s ill health.

When Lance and family returned to New Zealand, he worked for Ron Syca-more who owned Tokoroa Tractor and Logging, one of the biggest contractors

in Tokoroa at the time.Eventually, Ron made Lance a partner

in the business, renaming it Duncan and Sycamore Logging, which processed pinus radiate, before he fi nally bought out Ron’s share.

Keen to preserve the history of the for-estry industry in New Zealand, Lance, Ron and Pat McDonald also helped out the Putaruru Timber Museum by donat-ing a GMC logging truck – and Lance highly recommends a visit to anyone passing through Putaruru.

In between logging, Lance found time to enjoy pig and deer hunting, duck shooting and fi shing, sharing those interests with his three sons.

Race horsesForestry wasn’t all Lance was involved

in. For a time he owned and even trained race horses including Mulqueen, which was to run in the Melbourne Cup but developed a virus a week before he was due to fl y over for the big race.

But Lance had successes – fi ve of the horses he bred produced four winners and one placed numerous times.

“I was pretty proud to have a horse which was good enough to qualify for the cup, even if it didn’t get to run.”

Lance got his horse experience when he was at Te Whetu rounding up the wild brumbies and breaking them in to use for pig hunting.

Lance also tried his hand at stock car racing, winning trophies along the way. He still has an interest in stock car, as his nephew Ross Ashby is a member of the Baypark Busters.

Now retired, Lance lives in Waihi where he’s set up a ‘bloke’s shed’ – in essence a small museum with an eclectic mix of old photos of forestry days, race horses, hunting successes, a mounted boar’s head and stags’ antlers, a trout, trophies and other memorabilia.

Lance is currently writing a book about his working and sporting life.

Lance Duncan’s pride and joy was his 528

Grapple skidder ‘Tane Mahuta’ which he

bought in 1985 and used until he fi nished contracting in 1997.

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FORESTRY

The time to exit the pre-1989 Emissions Trading scheme

is now. The government has con-

fi rmed from May 2015, foreign units will no longer be able to be surrendered in the New Zealand scheme. This will end the oppor-tunity to receive New Zealand Units (NZUs) but surrender International Kyoto units (ERUs).

NZUs are currently worth $3.20 and ERUs $0.35, giving a potential profi t of $2.85 per unit you have received. Once you exit the

scheme, you have no further obliga-tion at harvest time. To exit you only need to surrender or return the same number of units you have received.

You, or a new future owner, can also re-join the scheme at any time in the future.

If this looks like a good opportunity for you, you need to act now as the return period to get last year’s (2013) units is in June.

After this point, you can apply for units until the following year, but the time between putting in your return and exit may not be a large enough window to make the May

Labour’s announcement of its intentions to support the forestry industry’s journey “from volume to value” has been welcomed by the industry organisation Bay of Connections.Chair of the Bay of Connections Forestry and

Wood Processing Action Group, Bryce Heard says the policy announcement is a welcome refl ection of the importance of the forestry and wood processing

Pro-wood policy welcomed by industrysector to the New Zealand economy – and to local economies and commu-nities in the Bay of Plenty region.

Labour’s policy includes initiatives such as tax deferrals in the form of accelerated depreciation to encourage industry to invest in new technology and plant; working with industry and public science organisations to foster innovation and develop new products and technologies; and measures to add value to wood products in New Zea-land, rather than exporting raw logs.

The Bay of Connections is the regional growth strategy for the wider

Bay of Plenty region, and includes the key forestry and wood processing areas of Rotorua, Kawerau and Taupo.

“The goal of the Bay of Connections Forestry and Wood Processing Strategy is to improve the investment envi-ronment for wood processing in the region, in order to add value to more than 70 per cent of the logs harvested in the wider Bay of Plenty region by 2020,” says Bryce.

For further information about the Bay of Connections the Forestry and Wood Processing strategy, go towww.bayofconnections.com

Price of NZU may be on increase

2015 deadline. Personal options for NZUs include selling just enough to cover your ERUs’ cost, selling all of them or holding on to them as an investment.

Holding onto NZUs could be a good option, as carbon emitters will be restricted to surrendering only NZUs, increasing demand and presumably prices.

In the past, NZUs have been more than $20 per unit.

For further information, contact Jo Liddell, Wood-metrics Forest.

www.woodmetrics.co.nz

Do you have trees ready to be harvested in the next 2 years?Woodmetrics’ competitive tendering process is your best optionto realise your investment and our complete sale managementprocess will ensure you get paid — why take the risk?

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ABLE TASMAN FORESTRY SERVICES LTD

Outdoor lessons are even more fun at Te Ranga Primary School in Te Puke thanks to a $2000

grant from Rural Women New Zealand and Farmlands.

The school is one of 10 nationwide to win a gardening grant, funded by the popular Farmlands Ladies’ Nights.

Rural Women NZ representative Mary McTavish, of Tauranga, a repre-sentative from Te Puke Farmlands, and Wayne Roberts from Agrisea presented

the school with a $2000 cheque to help upgrade its gardens, plus two huge 40 litre containers of fertiliser.

Each of the fi ve classes at Te Ranga School has a garden and the funds will be spent on installing irrigation and buying children’s sized rakes, trowels and shovels.

In another initiative, the Friends of Te Ranga School are organising the 17th Annual Possum and Pig Hunt to be held on June 19 to 22.

To fi nd out more and to enter, go to www.teranga.school.nz

Te Ranga School’s a winner

Fonterra farmers who haven’t met industry environmental standards won’t have their milk collected next season, says Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Willy Leferink.

That’s how serious the industry is about environmen-tal issues says Willy, who is responding to a survey by Fish and Game.

According to the survey about 70 per cent of the 3100 people questioned believe dairy farming expan-sion has made water quality worse than it was 20 years ago – and more than one-third think the country is too reliant on the dairy industry.

More than half believe dairying’s poor performance is affecting New Zealand’s global reputation and brand, and nearly 90 per cent support waterway polluters being made accountable for their restoration.

In response, Willy says farmers recognise any future dairy investment should be totally sustainable, and put in a lot of work and investment to make it work.

Pressure is going on farmers who are not complying with regulations, and farmers are working closely with councils to comply with regulations and meet new plans, says Willy.

“Fonterra farmers have fenced 22,000 kilometres of waterways and that’s GPS-mapped. Depending on how much riparian planting and maintenance is included, that’s $100-200 million right there.

Willy says this sum is dwarfed by irrigation infra-structure “which is an environmental good because it is effi cient water use”.

“Then you’ve got farm effl uent systems recycling cow wee and poo as liquid fertiliser.

“Those two items would represent billions over the past 10-15 years, as the average effl uent system is about the same cost as a house in Otago.”

Willy says while Federated Farmers respects the results and can learn from every survey, he thinks this one is “a bit unbalanced”.

“We are happy to work with Bryce [Fish and Game chief executive Bryce Johnson] but it has to be con-structive; and I don’t like people throwing rocks from

the side-line. We prefer to work with people on the side-line.”

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says dairy farmers have boosted their environmental investment by 61 per cent this season, to $11 million per year through their levy contribution to DairyNZ, and are taking their responsibilities seriously.

It is not surprising the survey painted a negative pic-ture of public attitudes to dairy farming, as the survey work was not particularly rigorous, says Tim.

“They are playing politics in an election year; and dairy farmers are the convenient football to kick around.

“I think New Zealanders understand that dairying is important to the success of the New Zealand economy, and that dairy farmers are an important part of our community.

“They just want to see the industry acting responsibly and managing its impact.”

Fonterra dairy farmers have spent about $100m to $200m on fencing 22,000 kilometres of waterways around the country, at a cost of about $5000 to $10,000 a kilometre.

Farmers are paying $50,000 to $250,000 to upgrade their effl uent systems, plus $3m on nutrient management plans, and $16.5m on consultants to advise them on these plans. Many have also planted trees and created wetlands on their farms.

Through DairyNZ, farmers have partnered with councils on more than $4.2m worth of projects last year, including $1m with Envi-ronment Canterbury and $100,000 with the West Coast Regional Council.

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Farmers are serious about environmentIrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew

Curtis says while he agrees with some of the survey results, he think it has chosen to focus on the negative, with only a minority of Kiwis holding views refl ecting a desire for no more

dairy development.Andrew says 71 per cent of Kiwis

questioned for an independent poll, commissioned by IrrigationNZ this year, supported irrigation as long as it is sustainable.


A new website has launched as a tool to offer people the chance to fi nd out what is really happening in their local waterways.

The Land, Air, Water Aotearoa website – called LAWA – shares environmental information from councils throughout New Zealand in one place and in an easy to understand format.

The fi rst stage of the long-term project focuses on rivers, with state and trend data displayed for more than 1100 freshwater monitoring sites. People can watch an introduction video to LAWA online at You-Tube. Freshwater scientist Roger Young of Cawthron Institute, New Zealand’s largest independent science organisation, says good information is key to good decision-making.

“This new website is a great tool to help communi-ties understand what’s happening in their rivers and get more involved in caring for them.”

The website says rivers and streams in the Bay of

Plenty provide a range of economic benefi ts and have important ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and cultural values.

“Uses of the rivers and streams include municipal and industrial water supply, waste disposal, irrigation, frost protection, and hydro-generation.

These uses and values can be adversely affected by loss of water quality.

“Management of the environmental quality of rivers and streams in the Bay of Plenty is guided primarily by the Regional Water and Land Plan. Objectives, methods and policies in this plan, and in the regional plan for the Tarawera River Catchment, are intended to provide for the maintenance and enhancement of water quality and quantity.”

People can search a river to fi nd out scientifi c data held about it – with some rivers having information on multiple sites.

Find out more about LAWA at www.lawa.org.nz

Top quality pumps now in NZ

New website offers waterway knowledge

Des Cook of Stallion Equipment, which is agents for three quality water pump products.

Established 1944, Blu� ton Indiana, USA. Commenced in Australia 1962. A global leader in pumping products, technology and pumping solutions.

Stallion Equipment in Tauranga is the New Zealand agent for

three overseas companies, selling a wide variety of internationally-

recognised top quality water pump products.

The 15th Ave business is now the NZ agent for American company Frank-lin Electric, which is well known for

electric bore pump motors. Franklin Electric also offers a range of water pumps, variable speed drives, bore hole pump motors, controls and protection devices.

Owners Des and Mark Cook say Franklin Electric has earned the reputa-tion as a technical leader in all of its specialties, with products being used in residential, industrial, agricultural, municipal, commercial applications.

They say securing the agency means customers are offered a full range of water pump products, which haven’t been marketed here before.

Franklin Electric gives warranties up to fi ve years on sub drives in a package including the bore hole pump and controls.

“We can supply four inch bore hole pumps that we will warranty for the fi rst 12 months for sand locking, which no other pump fi rm will do.”

They also offer Franklin Electric’s own solar water set-up for pumping water out of bore holes and rivers etc. The Tauranga business also has the agency for Crusader Hose – an Australian manufacturer and supplier of heavy duty layfl at hose products, designed to put submersible pumps down bores.

The benefi ts of the hose are the speed in which

a pump can be installed and removed – and little specialised equipment is needed, says Des.

Stallion Equipment is also NZ agents for Spanish company Azud, which sells a range of top quality affordable screen and disc fi lters from three-quarter inch to 20 inch. Stallion equipment is looking for agents NZ wide and will be at site D76 at the Mys-tery Creek Fieldays in June.


Hamish Forbes and his team at Pondco has won another award celebrating their excellence – and this time it’s a world fi rst.The company, which constructs dairy

farm effl uent compliance ponds, is the inaugural recipient of the Fire-stone award given by the United States company in recognition of excellence in Firestone-trained installers.

“The award is extra special, as we are the fi rst people in the world to win this award,”Hamish says.

The award is a follow-on from Pondco winning an International Association of Geosynthetics Installers Small Project award category for effl uent pond design last year.

Pondco was featured in the global ‘Geosynthetics Magazine’ profi ling its winning design, the Centroid, which has helped New Zealand farmers cost

effectively comply with effl uent require-ments. Hamish’s son Sam has also recently completed his Certifi ed Weld-ing Technicians qualifi cation through IAGI, meaning he’s trained to the high-est standard in the world.

Hamish says winning the latest award is not only good for Pondco, but for its clients too. “Farmers will know that they have the best guys possible building their effl uent pond.

“We are recognised as world standard.”Two of Pondco’s clients have seen great

success with their Pondco effl uent ponds in particular.

Piako dairy farmers Foster and Karen Kalma won Best High Input and Environmental Award in the Dairy Business of the Year 2013; and Pondco also installed the Centroid Series FDE Holding Pond for Bruce and Donna Arnold (Brudon Farms), who won Best Financial Performance Award at the Dairy Business of the Year in 2012.

World-first award for NZ pond

companyThese dairy farm effl uent compliance ponds were installed by Pondco, for

Noel Fox of Turua, Thames.

Gypsum improves soil structure

Gypsum has shown potential to overcome some of the agronomic

and environmental issues of effl uent application

on dairy farms. Leighton Whitfi eld of

Winstone Gypsum says over time effl uent applications can lead to increases in nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and sodium, and an undesirable microorganism load.

Applying gypsum to effl uent-treated paddocks can result in a reduction in the surface run-off and drainage loss of both phosphorus and nitrogen.

Soil structural improvement from gypsum application can include improved water

infi ltration (so reducing potential for run-off ), soil aggregation, drainage and aeration with subsequent benefi ts for plant growth.

Benefi ts to plant growth, including root condition, may also result from the calcium and sulphur provided by gypsum, says Leighton.

In the case of sodium build-up, which can result from some effl uent types (dairy factory effl uent in particular), there is a clear benefi t of gypsum in assisting the leaching of sodium, further benefi tting soil structure particularly where there is dispersive clay present.

Gypsum can also assist with addressing high soil potassium levels (a risk factor for dairy cow metabolic issues), that can

result from regular effl uent application.

Gypsum application recommendations can vary for effl uent-treated paddocks. An initial application should generally be large – about fi ve tonne to 20 tonne per hectare; the higher rates can be warranted where there are greater issues in phosphorus levels, higher risk of surface run-off or preferential fl ow (leaching through soil macropores), high sodium levels and/or soil structural issues, including soil surface and topsoil or subsoil drainage. Subsequent applications may be from two-and-a-half tonne to about 15 tonne per hectare, with the frequency varying but generally annually to every three years.

With harvesting, earthworks and property maintenance underway, Bay of Plenty farmers and horticulturalists are being

reminded to keep pests off their properties by checking visiting machinery is clean.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council senior biosecurity offi cer Shane Grayling says it’s cheaper and easier for a farmer to keep pests off their property, than it is to control them once they’ve arrived.

“Before bringing machinery onto their land, property owners should be asking where it was last used and check that it’s not carrying any soil or plant material.

“Even if the machine belongs to a neighbour or contractor they trust, it doesn’t hurt to take extra care and check.”

Shane says pest plants can easily take hold in dis-turbed earth after ‘hitching a ride’ to properties on rural machinery such as harvesters and diggers.

At least 80 pest species, such as alligator weed and noogoora bur, are known to be typically spread by machinery, says Shane, who says pests can also be transferred through stock movement, feed and gravel.

“The kiwifruit industry has had to adopt strict decontamination procedures and machinery move-ment controls since the Psa-V outbreak.

“Other farmers and growers can get ahead of the game and help protect their livelihoods by adopt-ing good machine hygiene practices now, so that the spread of any new pests or diseases is minimised.”

New rural machine hygiene guidelines were released in late-2013 by national pest control agencies in col-laboration with Federated Farmers, Rural Contractors New Zealand, Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Keep machines clean to stop pest-spreadCopies of ‘Keep it Clean’ are availa-

ble at www.npca.co.nz or by contacting a regional council land management offi cer by phoning 0800 884 880.

For information on identifying and control plant and animal pests,

visit www.boprc.govt.nz/pestmanage-ment or contact a regional council land management offi cer on 0800 884 880. If you fi nd any unusual or suspicious insects, plants or other

organisms, report them to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ exotic pests and

diseases hotline 0800 80 99 66.

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

apply gypsum

now

The benefits of gypsum in soil treatment are well known, but its value goes well beyond this:

• Helps mitigate the flow of nitrates and phosphorus in New Zealand waterways

• Can be used to address the issue of sodium from applied effluent

• Reduces surface run-off and drainage loss, reduces preferential flow of water run-off in soil

• Can be applied by a number of different means to target risk zones

• Assists with addressing high soil potassium levels

Rates vary per farm and soil type. Applications can last for up to three years and can be used as a base layer in stand-off (loafing) pads.

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DAIRY

Changing careers to dairy farming has been hugely successful for the three major winners at the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards.The 2014 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year are Brett and Nata-

sha Grindrod, who were both teachers. Bay of Plenty Farm Managers of the Year Thomas Blackett and Stacey Lepper made

the jump from engineering and technician careers – and BOP Dairy Trainee of the Year Cameron Luxton was a builder.

Career change proves winning decision

Brett and wife Natasha, both aged 33, are 25 per cent sharemilking 445 cows for Barry and Yvonne Richard-son at Whakatane. The couple won $19,880 in prizes.

Brett says he took the opportunity to work on a dairy farm for a season and never looked back.

“After a short time on-farm I found I really enjoyed the career change, and did not want to return teaching. I enjoyed the flexibility that farming offered and could see the long term potential for growth.

“It was a huge change going from dealing with 30 young children all day to dealing with 450 cows – but it was a change I enjoyed.”

Brett says he and Natasha have huge enthusiasm and passion for the industry, and attend field days and study through Primary ITO to increase their knowledge and skill level.

“I also work extremely hard to make sure that I am doing the absolute best I can to optimise this farm’s performance.”

The couple, who were runners-up in last year’s contest, are aiming to continue to grow their equity through sharemilking to achieve their ultimate aim of farm ownership.

“Since starting in the farming industry, our eyes have been opened to the vast amount of opportunities that are available to those that are open to getting involved and show a passion for the industry.”

The 2014 Bay of Plenty Farm Managers of the Year

Thomas Blackett and Stacey Lepper are contract milk-ing 409 cows for Malcolm Clark at Whakatane. They won $9000 in prizes.

Thomas, aged 28, was a design engineer for Fisher & Paykel while Stacey, aged 27, was a lab technician for AgResearch.

The couple says their strengths lie in people and pas-ture management. “We feel that our employees are the biggest asset of our business and so [we] treat them as valued contributors.

“We also communicate clearly and effectively with the farm’s shareholders to ensure that we are all on the same page with how the farm is going and the future aims and goals of the farm.”

Their farming goals are to have an excellent reputation as dairy farmers and employers, to be interchangeable; and to grow their equity through sharemilking.

Te Puke contract milkers Luther and Jessica Siemelink placed second place in the farm manager contest, win-ning $4710 in prizes; and third was Tauranga contract milker Tony Baker, who won $3640 in prizes.

The three regional winners also have another factor in common – they’ve all entered the awards previously, using the competition as a tool to grow their farm busi-ness, increase farming knowledge and expertise, and to meet like-minded people.

Cameron Luxton says a big benefit he experienced from entering the awards is the judging feedback.

“They showed me in constructive ways areas I was doing well and areas that I needed to improve in my farming practice.”

The 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year is an assistant on Andrew and Dianne Muller’s 380-cow Galatea farm. He won $4200 in prizes.

Cameron, aged 24, who was a building apprentice for three years, has been in the dairy industry three years and has the goal to work hard and earn the right to own a farm.

“Through the support of my employers I have moved my career forward and am excited about going further. I want to be the best farmer that I can be for my family, community, environment and industry.”

Second in the trainee contest went to Whakatane assis-tant Jodie Mexted, who won $900. Third was Andrew Cameron who won $500 in prizes.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Feder-ated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1 and Triplejump, along with industry partner Primary ITO.

Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year Brett and Natasha Grindrod will host a field day on April 3, while Farm Managers of the Year Thomas Blackett and Stacey Lepper will host a field day on the Whakatane farm they manage on April 10.

Further details on the winners and field days can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

Winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Dairy

Industry awards are from the left: Cameron Luxton, Brett and Natasha Grindrod, Stacey

Lepper and Thomas Blackett.

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airyTech

DAIRY

A vision to achieve rapid equity growth in livestock agribusiness is fi rmly on track for the major winners in the 2014 Central

Plateau Dairy Industry Awards.Donald and Kirsten Watson’s vision to achieve fi nan-

cial independence and personal fulfi lment was set in 2009 and remains unchanged.

“We will continue to grow equity in order to enable us to buy an 800-cow farm in 2020. Personal fulfi l-ment means to us enjoying what we do and always remembering life is a journey and not the destination.”

Other big winners at the 2014 Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards are Robert Hartley, named the region’s Farm Manager of the Year, and Ruth Hone, who took the Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Donald and Kirsten Watson are in their fi rst season 50 per cent sharemilking 990 cows for Glenn and

Karen Speed at Taupo. The couple are veterinarians who worked as mixed animal veterinarians for up to 10 years before entering the dairy industry in 2009.

The 2014 Central Plateau Farm Manager of the Year, Robert Hartley, believes integrity and structure are the two major strengths of the Rerewhakaaitu farm busi-ness he manages.

“Integrity’s important, as the farm I manage is a multi-million dollar operation. There is a lot of trust that goes both ways. I need to know that my employer has my best interest at heart – and likewise he needs to know that I am always acting in the best interest of the company,” says Robert.

The 36-year-old is running the 865-cow farm for Trevor and Harriet Hamilton and entered the awards for the fi rst time for a challenge. He won $11,300 in prizes.

The 2014 Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year,

Winner’s vision for financial independence

The winners in the 2014 Central Plateau Dairy Awards are from left: Ruth Hone, Kirsten and Donald Watson, and Robert Hartley.

Ruth Hone, entered the awards for a second time, as it gave her the discipline to learn the theory behind practical farming. “The judges also provide help-ful feedback.”

Ruth, aged 24, won $8050 in prizes. She’s in her third season in the indus-try, working on a 250-cow farm for Michelle and Ross Davison near Taupo.

After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science at Massey University, she spent two years dairying in Hawke’s Bay before

moving to the region. Her goal is to be lower order sharemilking within four years.

Central Plateau Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year, Donald and Kirsten Watson, will host a fi eld day at their workplace on April 9, while Farm Man-ager of the Year Robert Hartley will host a fi eld day on the Rerewhakaaitu farm he manages on April 2. Further details on the winners and fi eld days can be found on www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

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DAIRY

A self-confessed former sceptic of the values of retiring marginal farmland is the Supreme winner in the 2014 Bay of Plenty Ballance

Farm Environment Awards.Drystock farmers of Katikati Rick Burke and Jan

Loney were awarded the title at a dinner in Tauranga last month where Rick admitted that he didn’t always see the value of retiring marginal grazing land and planting riparian areas.

It was his father-in-law, the late Derry Seddon, who changed his view and Rick says he’s grateful he did.

“Derry was heavily involved in the farm’s Land and Environment Plan and over 17 years made an enormous contribution towards its environmental achievements,” says Rick.

Rick and Jan, who farm 350ha Pukekauri Farms in the foothills of the Kaimai Ranges, also won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Award, WaterForce Integrated Management Award, Donaghys Farm Stew-ardship Award and a Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Award 2.

Rick says retiring marginal land on the farm has

Katikati farm wins supreme environment award

resulted in a lift in production, eliminated problems with moving stock from diffi cult areas, reduced weed control and fertiliser costs and brought an over-all enhancement to the farm’s native wild life and vista.

“Since we fenced them out, the water quality of the streams on the farm have returned to close to what they were 100 years ago. As a keen fi sherman I’m happy to know our streams are not having an adverse effect on the Tauranga Harbour into which they even-tually fl ow.”

Pukekauri is made up of 250ha owned by the Seddon Family Trust, a 50ha joint venture between the Seddon Family Trust and Rick, plus a further 50ha owned by Rick. The combined properties are farmed by Rick and Jan as one unit to provide an economic and sustainable block.

A total of 212ha is effective grazing land, with 110ha in covenanted mature native bush, wetlands and riparian planting and 28ha in plantation pines, redwoods and Cyprus lusitanica.

BFEA judges praised Jan and Rick’s teamwork and excellent people skills, noting the outstanding plantings on riparian areas and marginal land that “look stunning and greatly enhance biodiversity”.

They were also impressed with the excellent production being achieved on the rest of the farm.

The retirement of weed and erosion-prone land has simplifi ed management and resulted in an increase in produc-tion and profi tability from the grazed areas. Protecting and planting streams has also reduced fl ooding and erosion.

Rick and Jan run sheep, bull beef and dairy grazers, aiming to obtain the best possible return per kilogram of drymat-ter from an all-grass system.

Stock health was excellent, judges said, and the farm was achieving above aver-age production for the region.

Pastures were well main-tained and there is real “synergy between environ-mental planning and the excellent production of the farmed area”.

While relatively new to farming, Jan makes an important contribution to the operation, using her skills to improve business

monitoring and goal setting.Judges also noted good stock health,

sound fi nancial management, good nutrient management and a “very strong community engagement”.

“The focus is always back to people and people skills. There is strong team-work between Rick and Jan.”

A BFEA fi eld day will be held on Pukekauri Farms, with the date to be advised.

Other winners in the 2014 BoP Bal-lance Farm Environment Awards are:

Hill Laboratories Harvest Award, PGG Wrightson Land and Life Award, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Award 1; Trevor and Harriet Hamilton, Rere Lake Ltd, Rotorua.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Manage-ment Award, LIC Dairy Farm Award, Meridian Energy Excellence Award; R.L and H.S. McKenzie Ltd, Lachlan and Heather McKenzie, Sherwood Farm, Rotorua.

Massey University Innovation Award: Dreamfi elds Farm Ltd, Bruce and Judy Woods, Whakatane. By Elaine Fisher

A self-confessed former sceptic of the values of retiring marginal farmland is the Supreme

Katikati farm wins supreme environment award

resulted in a lift in production, eliminated problems

Supreme winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty

Ballance Farm Environment Awards Rick

Burke and Jan Loney of Katikati.

The most highly concentrated form of compost available – humate – is the ancient remains of organic matter decomposed during millions of years.

Humate is free of any chemicals, and contains fulvic and humic acids, which are proven to help retain nutrients for plants and stimulate root development.

Humates is a soil conditioner like no other, improv-ing soil structure and moisture retention, releasing locked-in minerals for uptake by plants, and increas-ing worm populations and other biological activity in the soil.

Using humates wit fertiliser reduces require-ments for fertiliser application because in most cases humates help make them more available to the plant, allowing the plant to use them more effi ciently.

Humates also helps fertilisers work harder, by strengthening plant root systems and slowing the release of fertiliser in the soil.

Plants are able to absorb more nutrients and utilise them more effectively – also meaning less fertiliser released into the environment.

Also, since humates are completely decomposed, they do not enter into nutritional competition with plants for nutrients like nitrogen. In comparison, using raw or not fully decomposed compost can deplete the nitrogen levels in soil, affecting crop growth. Far smaller volumes than compost are required – only 100kg per hectare compared to 1000kg per hectare.

Highly concentrated, ancient compost

By Dave Whitteker, sales and

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DAIRY

IF YOU CAN MILK, FEED OR STORE IT.

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BECAUSE YOUR STORAGE NEEDS CAN BE METRegardless of size or design, we’ll be pleased to come in and help.

Keep your herd cool over summer through permanent dairy housing.

That’s where we come in.

BECAUSE RAIN MAKES MILK

BECAUSE COOL COWS PRODUCE MORE MILK

Dairy farming needs rain.Your stock, feed and machinery

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DAIRY

A former professional rugby player has proved equally as competitive in dairy farming, by winning the premier contest at the 2014 Canterbury North Otago Dairy Industry Awards.Kevin and Sara O’Neill won the 2014 Canterbury North Otago Share-

milker/Equity Farmer of the Year title, and $19,000 in prizes that go with it.

Kevin is a former Crusaders, Chiefs and Rebels rugby player, who enjoyed an All Blacks cap when he came off the bench in an All Blacks loss to the Springboks in Dunedin in 2008.

Today the couple oversee an 1190-cow herd on the 340ha farm and have Duncan and Olivia Rutherford, and James and Belinda McCone as their equity partners. The O’Neills both have agricultural degrees from Lincoln University and both grew up on farms.

The other major winners at the 2014 Canterbury North Otago Dairy Industry Awards were Phillip Colombus, who won the Canterbury North Otago Farm Manager of the Year title, and Isaac Vujcich, the region’s 2014 Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Calving may still be a busy, distant future on the calendar

– but early cow vaccination can have a big effect on reducing

spring stress in calves.Every year calf scours knocks the

best-laid calving plans backwards and sideways. As new-born calves get sick, staff get tied up nursing them while the usual seasonal demands pile up.

But Zoetis veterinary technical advisor Dr Clive Bingham says reducing scours starts well before calving, with an effec-tive cow vaccination programme.

“We now have some very effective vaccines available and these enable us to pretty much prevent the worst causes of scours, rather than being left trying to wrestle with the problem at a highly stressful time of year.”

For Clive, as a practising vet, calf scours are the worst cases to deal with – and the most frustrating, simply because good vaccination can make them avoidable.

He admits he is surprised at dairy farmer survey data (Cinta 2013) from last spring, which indicates 73 per cent of dairy farmers have never used a scour vaccine in the last three years. A particularly problematic scour disease is rotavirus, and it accounts for about 40 per cent of all scour cases encountered on farms.

Estimates are that a rotavirus outbreak on a dairy farm can cost the farm $6000 in treatment, lost calf condition and calf deaths.

In New Zealand there are two strains – a G6 and G10. Typically, G6 is the most common strain. Last spring 100 per cent of rotavirus scour cases that were typed carried the G6, while 14 per cent also carried the G10 strain.

Zoetis launched ScourGuard 4(K) back in 2011 as the only vaccine con-taining both strains of rotavirus, as well as protection against two other common causes of scours, E.coli and coronavirus infection.

However, Clive says while vaccines like ScourGuard are proven to be highly effective, any maternal-administered vaccine requires calves to receive

an intake of quality colostrum for antibodies to be effective.

“You can vaccinate but if you do not get the colostrum into the calf, you are wasting your time.”

The best way to ensure this happens is to collect calves twice-daily during calving. Ensure new born calves receive at least two litres of quality colostrum from the cow’s fi rst milking within the fi rst six hours of birth, and four litres within 12 hours.

First-calving heifers require two vac-cinations with ScourGuard. These should be given a minimum of three weeks apart, with the second vaccination being given two-four weeks before calving. The interval between initial vaccinations can be up to nine weeks apart, to fi t in with management of heifers on-farm. “Talk with your vet to determine the best pro-gramme that will work for your farm.”

The problems with rotavirus can also be experienced on beef units where cows are calved in mobs on breaks.

“There is a risk of infection there too,” says Clive. Cow vaccinations, to protect calves, offer a very effective insurance against rotavirus infection – and Clive welcomes ScourGuard’s “cow friendly” formulation that produces signifi cantly fewer painful lumps around the injec-tion site. The formulation’s non-oily, soluble formula is a key reason behind farmers being happy with the results from using it last season.

Clive says vaccinating with Scour-Guard is a good box to tick in the process of rearing good calves to become excellent cows. Calves affected by scours can recover, however it can be debili-tating to their growth rates. DairyNZ in-calf calculations show weaning a calf 15 per cent below the 100kg target is likely to incur a loss of $201 to the farmer by the end of its fi rst lactation.

“If that loss of weight was due to a rotavirus infection, allowing for a 25 per cent replacement rate, it would cost $20 per replacement calf to protect against rotavirus,” says Clive.

“Clearly for $200, or a 10:1 return on investment, it is worth doing. That fi gure assumes no calves were lost during the outbreak.”

Vaccinate against spring stress

Rugby lock is a dairy winner

Dr Clive Bingham, Zoetis’ technical veterinarian.

DAIRY

Recent press reports are warning farmers of a big outbreak of the theileria parasite spread by ticks

when sharemilkers move their herds in June.

But with the aftermath of the drought, cows being dried off early will be moving away for grazing a lot earlier than June – and they’ll be taking the parasite with them to infect graziers’ farms, or they’ll be coming home with the infec-tion from wintering away.

It’s a tricky question to know what’s best practice; apart from endless use of pour-ons, which will have serious long-term consequences when ticks develop resistance like worms have done – which didn’t take long.

The key to dealing with the problem is through building up an animal’s own immunity; and hitting this with continuous chemicals will not help, due to the complex processes going on as immunity develops.

The vaccines imported, under special licence to kill the theileria, are not the full answer, as they’re expensive and have long milk and meat withholding times, and apparently have not been totally effective.

Blood transfusions at $600 a time may only be cost effective with selected lactating stock and not-dry stock.

As part of treatment, veterinarians are encouraging owners of sick animals to reduce their stress to allow their immu-nity to help them handle the disease challenge.

It’s going to take a few years before all cattle are immune to the disease,

and there will be losses along the way, for which vets understandably cannot predict the outcome.

Wormade’s OMS nutritional sup-plement has helped many stock this season to rebuild their health, and particularly to get them on eating again which is critical for recovery. But this takes time, and experience shows stock need about three doses of OMS at 14-day intervals to start them on the mend.

Young stock both on-farm and leav-ing for grazing are the main priority right now, as their immunity is still developing up to about 10-12 months of age; and will need be on the full OMS programme immediately.

When stock return from grazing, they’ll need to be treated for ticks; and then their immunity will need to be boosted again by following the OMS programme.

An Australian tour guide was showing a group of American tourists the Top End.

On their way to Kakadu, he was describing the amazing abilities of the Australian Aboriginals to track man or beast over land, through the air and under the sea.

The Americans were incredulous.Later in the day, as the group

rounded a bend on the highway, they discovered – lying in the middle of the road – an Aborigine.

He had one ear pressed to the white line, while his left leg was held high in the air.

The bus stopped and the guide and tourists gathered around the prostrate Aborigine.

“Hey Jacky,” said the tour guide, “what are you

tracking and what are you listening for?” The aborigine replied: “Down the road about 25 miles is a 1971 Valiant ute...

It’s a red one… the left front tyre is bald... The front end is out of whack, and him got bloody dents in every panel...There are nine black fellas in the back, all drinking warm sherry. There are three kangaroos

on the roof rack and four dogs on the front seat”.

The American tourists moved for-ward, astounded by this precise and detailed knowledge.

“Good Lord man, how do you know all that?” asked one.

The Aborigine replied: “I fell out of the friggin thing about half an hour ago!”

When stock return from grazing, they’ll need to be treated for ticks.

Aboriginal tracker’s valiant inside knowledge shocks touristsBoosting stock immunity

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DAIRY

Research using a combination antibiotic dry cow and Teatseal therapy shows positive results in lowering subclinical and clinical

mastitis in cows post-calving.The trial, conducted on a South Canterbury dairy

herd in 2012, was overseen by Vetlife Temuka dairy vet Andrew Bates and Zoetis technical advisory vet Greg Chambers.

Andrew Bates says past research on the effective-ness of combination therapy in preventing mastitis infection has been based largely on the use of blanket Cloxacillin-type antibiotic with teat sealant, or from studies based on overseas non-pastoral dairy systems.

“But the main aim of this trial was to compare the effi ciency and economics of using combination therapy based around Cephalonium type antibiotic with teat sealant in a seasonally-calving, pasture-fed herd. Most other work has involved comparing out-comes using Cloxacillin type treatments.”

The products used in the trial were Cepravin and the teat sealant Teatseal from Zoetis.

Support for using combination therapy on NZ dairy cows has been given further strength by the average dry cow period extending beyond the ability of most antibiotics to continue offering effective protection. The addition of teat sealant may offer ongoing protection after antibiotic effectiveness has declined.

“We wanted to know, under South Island condi-tions, would adding teat sealant with Cepravin trial cows have a positive and cost effective benefi t for mastitis prevention?”

The trial data studied subclinical and clinical masti-tis infection rates post-calving in cows treated either

The owners of Bay of Plenty coastal farmland have

won their case to have an environmental classifi cation removed from 964 hectares

of their properties.Federated Farmer’s Bay of Plenty

regional policy adviser Gwyn Morgan took the case on, on behalf of 27 individual members of the federation to appeal the Bay of Plenty Regional Council maps that defi ned parts of their farms as being of environmental signifi cance.

The rural land affected by the Coastal Environment classifi cation is spread along the entire coastline under the jurisdiction of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

“It’s taken three years, and a ruling by the Environment Court that we go into mediation with council, to achieve this outcome,” says Gwyn.

As part of the mediation, regional council staff visited the affected farm-ers to see fi rst-hand the impacts the defi nition, under the National Coastal Policy Statement, would have on their land use.

An on-farm meeting with landowners was used to show council staff what was rural land and what was coastal land; and once they understood the concerns of the farmers, more practical solutions were reached through mediation, says Gwyn.

Initially, the council had drawn lines on a map defi ning areas of the Coastal Environment, which in some cases extended more than 400 metres inland.

Gwyn says Federated Farmers is not opposed to council’s statutory require-

ment to implement the National Coast Policy Statement, but in this case was concerned no consideration was given to current land use within the bounda-ries – and that affected landowners who were not consulted appropriately.

“While it is unclear exactly how land use could be restricted if the classici-sation had remained, it is our job to look at the worst case scenario – which could include future restrictions on buildings and perhaps even land use.

“It is my experience that rules go only one way. They don’t become more permissive but become more restrictive over time. This has potential to devalue the land.”

Because of those risks, Federated Farmers had little option but to take the case on behalf of its members, says Gwyn.

However, other farmers who are not federation members but are also affected by the new provisions may not be so lucky – and may fi nd the restric-tions remain over their land.

“If councils draw unreasonable lines through productive pastoral land, we will oppose it every time,” says Gwyn.

Gwyn says had council done more than inform landowners of the pro-posed classifi cation by letter (which some landowners didn’t receive), and instead held public meetings to discuss the proposals, it is possible the issue would not have gone to court.

“We encourage consultation and col-laboration; and central government is now also calling for more collaboration, rather than statutory measures.”

The win means an “interpretative precedent” has been set for the way all councils mapped boundaries of coastal land, Gwyn says.

Win for coastal farmers

with Cepravin only, or with the Cepravin-Teatseal combination treatment.

The results indicated, under the study’s conditions, the combination therapy reduced the prevalence of subclinical mastitis at the fi rst spring herd test. This was proven to be statistically signifi cant, with subclinical mastitis detected in 45 cows receiving Cepravin alone, versus 27 cows receiving combina-tion Cepravin-Teatseal therapy.

“The risk of subclinical mastitis with Cepravin only was 16 per cent, compared to nine per cent for combination treated cows.”

The results suggested just under half the mastitis in Cepravin-only group may be due to a lack of combi-nation treatment, says Andrew.

The combination therapy was also found to be more effective on subclinical mastitis when the treated cows had a somatic cell count more than 150,000 cells/ml the previous autumn.

The incidence rate of clinical mastitis in the fi rst 100 days post-calving was also signifi cantly reduced, thanks to applying combination Cepravin-Teatseal therapy at drying off.

Forty-six Ceprivan-only cows recorded clinical mastitis within 100 days post-calving, compared to 30 treated with combination therapy (16 per cent versus 10 per cent). This was a statistically signifi cant lower number.

Andrew says estimating the full economic value of the combination treatment was diffi cult. However, the reduction in the number of cases of clinical mas-titis was easily identifi ed. Using SmartSAMM cost estimates for clinical mastitis, the fewer cases of clini-cal mastitis in the combination treated cows represent a saving of about $3100.

However, Andrew says the effect of the treatment on subclinical mastitis was likely to be more impor-tant, given published research supports increased production with a fall in Bulk Tank Somatic Cell Count down to 200,000.

It is possible there may be extra production gain in reducing BTSCC from 200,000 down to 150,000 and then maybe to 100,000.

The combination Cepravin-Teatseal cows averaged a BTSCC of 70,000 in spring time, compared to Cepravin-only cows averaging 200,000.

Across the 300 cows treated with the combination, the potential gain based on this level of BTSCC reduction would total $20,600, based on an $8.50 payout, an average production of 400kg/ms/cow and

calculated using Smart-SAMM cost estimates.

This is in addition to the savings from the reduction in clinical mastitis of $3100 for the 300 cows in the Combo Cepravin-Teatseal group.

Andrew’s conserva-tive view is the gain in combination Teatseal-Clephalonium treatment may be about $15,000,

Vetlife Temuka dairy vet

Andrew Bates.

Mastitis trial results positive

By Richard Rennie

plus the additional saving in less clinical mastitis of $3100.

“We are looking at a return of between four and fi ve to one, based on an $8.50/kg/ms payout.”

PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

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*Terms and conditions apply. Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 14 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand. Tel: 0800 ZOETIS (963 847), Fax: 0800 628 629.TEATSEAL is a registered trade mark of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A7294. RVM; Available only under Veterinary Authorisation.

Adding Teatseal® to your dry cow program reduces mastitis at calvingand right into mid-lactation.

Less mastitis means you’ll have a bit more spare time – and money– to take care of the other things in life.

Visit Teatseal.co.nz and be in to win one of fi ve $1,000 prizes.*

*Terms and conditions apply. Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 14 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand. Tel: 0800 ZOETIS (963 847), Fax: 0800 628 629.TEATSEAL is a registered trade mark of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A7294. RVM; Available only under Veterinary Authorisation.

Adding Teatseal® to your dry cow program reduces mastitis at calvingand right into mid-lactation.

Less mastitis means you’ll have a bit more spare time – and money– to take care of the other things in life.

Visit Teatseal.co.nz and be in to win one of fi ve $1,000 prizes.*

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COAST & COUNTRY

Farmers have until May 30 to apply for this year’s Rabobank’s

Executive Development Programme.

The programme gives leading farmers from across Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to enhance their busi-ness management skills and take their enterprises forward.

Rabobank CEO New Zealand Ben Russell says farm management has evolved to become much more commer-cially-focused than in the past, making it necessary for producers to think more strategically about how they run their operations.

Guy Goodeve, general manager of Castlerock Farming Company – a 1640 hectare mixed-farming enterprise of sheep, beef, deer and dairy support in Southland – completed the Executive Development Programme last year.

“There are big opportunities in farm-ing to get where you want to be and keep getting better. Go and fi nd that extra 10 per cent, produce 10 per cent more, fi nd those gains by cost-cutting here or value-adding there. You need to capitalise on the opportunities when they do come.”

Producers interested in an application forms, or any further information on the Rabobank Executive Development

Business skills programme for farmersProgramme, visit www.rabobank.co.nz/bmp or contact Rabobank Business Programme’s manager Nerida Sweetapple on +61 2 8115 4139 or email [email protected].

Guy Goodeve, general manager of Castlerock Farming Company.

A succinct defi nition of what biological farming actually

means in practice is still to be found, but basically it starts

with getting soils healthy and naturally active; and proceeds

from there to better plants feeding healthier and more

productive stock.While organics is touted as ‘pure’ and

worthy of premium prices, some fi nd its limitations and regulations are too diffi cult to stick with. And that’s where biological farming is fi nding a clear niche, because the aims and results are pretty well the same as organics – but with far more scope for individual diversity of methods (even if the pre-miums are still on the way).

So the second Biological Farming Conference, held in Rotorua recently, attracted almost 200 of both those already converted, and those wanting to know more. And the speakers were many and incredibly varied in their topics.

Nicole Masters, representing the Association of Biological Farmers, gave the opening address. She stressed New Zealand agriculture needs to focus on quality – as the quantity we

could produce, even if doubled, would only represent the equal of one or two toenails on a giant representing world food production.

With biological farmers already prov-ing they can grow more feed, grow animals faster, increase milk produc-tion, and reduce feed and animal health costs, the logic for moving to a biological farming system is pretty obvious.

More of the good results and less of the leaching of nitrogen is already being proven on two farms, one in Reporoa and one at Edgecumbe, in trials carried out by the Rotorua Lakes and Land Trust.

But one of the most fascinating aspects of a conference, such as this one, is the variety of topics offered.

While most milking goats are these days housed indoors and fed on ‘cut and carry’ pasture, Garrick Batten pointed out the largely unrecognised benefi ts pasture goats bring to a farm, as their diet is very much more varied than that of cows; and they clean up any bothersome weeds, such as thistles, rushes and docks. As partial replace-ments for beef cattle, they don’t pug paddocks, but reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphate losses to waterways. And the market for their meat is growing.

Conference showcases biological alternativeA new enterprise at Raglan is investigating a raft of

potential varieties table grape which can be success-fully grown here, biologically.

With some ‘blow your mind’ success stories from biological dairy, dairy goat and sheep and beef farm-ers, those attending this conference went home with heads buzzing with new ideas for not only making more profi ts, but enhancing the environment too.

By Sue Edmonds

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MOTORHOMES & CARAVANS

Take to road and enjoy colours of the seasonAutumn is a wonderful time to take to

the roads and discover the highways and by-ways, and enjoy the colours of

the season, in a motorhome.

There’s often less traffi c and the days are still warm enough to enjoy outdoor living. With modern caravans and motorhomes there’s no need to leave the comforts of home behind. Well insulated and heated, they are cosy,

comfortable and fully-equipped with kitch-ens, bathrooms and of course entertainment systems.

Now is also a great time to upgrade exist-ing recreational vehicles, buy a new improved

model, or hire a camper to enjoy off-peak rates. Repairs and maintenance carried out on

camping gear and to recreational vehicles now also makes sense, as it means they’re ready for the summer ahead.

Hire a motorhome and take a road trip this autumn. Coastal Campers, the family-friendly motorhome rental company offer two to six berth models that are certifi ed self-contained and come fully-equipped.Simply take your clothes and food and enjoy the

scenery.Great daily rates include insurance, road user

charges and unlimited kilometres – and there are no hidden charges when you return. The team at Coastal Campers will spend time with you to make sure you know how to use all of the motorhome facilities before you leave; and the company has

meeting points in Tauranga, Hamilton and Auck-land Airport as well as at the depot in Whitianga.

A motorhome holiday makes it easy; your trans-port and accommodation is right there with you and if you want to stop for a cuppa and enjoy the view you can.

There’s plenty of space for your belongings and the insulated motorhomes have central heating systems for those cooler nights.

Being easy to drive, with only a standard driver licence required, why not begin planning where your next road trip may take you. Call today or visit online at www.coastalcampers.co.nz

Book now to grab the Winter Free Days Special…hire for seven nights and only pay for fi ve.

Custom-made clear curtains are an effective way of

continuing to enjoy decks and verandas this winter,

says Richard Norris of Canvas Worx.

“Clear curtains can turn an outdoor space into a beautiful sunroom to enjoy year-round and clients I’ve installed them for just love them,” says Richard.

“The curtains I make are a little different as they pull up with cords like a roman blind. How-ever, there’s also the option to have more elaborate blinds, which are controlled by a hand winch or even with an electric winch.”

The blinds are also popular to enclose outdoor spa pools, says Richard, who has 30 years’ experi-ence in the canvas trade. He has

a reputation for designing and manufacturing custom awn-ings for caravans, motor homes and camper trailers; and he also produces a wide range of canvas products and carries out repairs to tents, boat covers, trailer covers and shade sails.

“A lot of canvas work is unique and needs to be tailored to a cli-ent’s exact needs so we provide

a fl exible and personal service, which includes measuring and quoting, to ensure clients have the fi nished product they are happy with.” Richard says now is the time to have repairs to tents, awning or boat covers carried out. “Too many people wait until summer. Do it now and there will be no panic when holidays come around.”

Enjoy outdoor space year-round

Time for a break – hire a motorhome

One-stop shop for everything RVOne-stop shop for everything RVMotorhomes and caravans from around New Zealand and Europe are on display at the one-stop shop which is Country Caravans and Motorhomes’ purpose-built RV Super Centre in Hewletts Rd, Mount

Maunganui. Country Caravans are agents for

the iconic Leisureline brand of New Zealand-built caravans, together with Traillite Motorhomes built in Pukekohe. Used motorhomes come from the popular Maui, United and Kea brands, while used caravans are sourced from all over New Zealand and Europe.

Usually displaying in excess of 50 models, ranging in price from $25,000 to $250,000, all stock is

also available for viewing online. The workshop is manned by three

full-time staff, and is fully equipped to carry out everything from acces-sory-fi tting to self-containment and major insurance repairs.

A well-stocked accessory shop also provides visitors to the yard with the opportunity to purchase the very latest in spares and accessories.

Managing director Rob Axton has more than 30 years’ experience in the recreational vehicle industry, both here in New Zealand as well as in Europe.

“The team here at Country Caravans and Motorhomes have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to take the time, in a relaxed environment, to discuss our clients’ needs – whether they be a seasoned travelers or fi rst-time buyers.

“Our yard is easily accessible from Hewletts Rd and our stock is always open for viewing.

If you can’t make it to the yard, check out our online show room at www.countrycaravans.co.nz or visit our Facebook page. We hope to see you soon.”

CANVAS WORXM A N U FA C T U R I N G

Your One Stop Shop for New & Used Caravans & Motorhomes.96 Hewletts Rd, Mt Maunganui | Ph 0800 288 860 | www.countrycaravans.co.nz

SALES SERVICE ACCESSORIES

RURAL DRIVER

Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am-5.30pm Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am-5.30pm Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

RURAL DRIVER

Messrs Boone and Crockett had it tough when they dragged their sorry

asses across rugged terrain as they forged forth into the wild frontier.

Those savvy pioneers knew innovation was the key to surviving and prospering in the rugged hinterland. But they’d be in disbelief if they could foresee the high-tech donkeys of today.

It’s good to know the pioneering spirit is still alive and kicking, with some smart innovation launched this week – the latest version of the humble mule, from the stable of Honda.

Old Daniel and Davey would have given their coonskin caps to rest their sorry asses; with help from Honda’s new mountain-taming beast – aptly named the Pioneer – and have a heapin’ helpin’ of the new side-by-side ATV which is set to transport NZ farmers and outdoor enthusiasts to a new level of capability, safety and effi ciency.

The Pioneer from Honda was, appropriately, launched this month on the farm of a NZ pioneering family, in the stunning countryside of the Clevedon district.

Four generations of genuine Kiwi pioneers have farmed these hills and valleys and we were privileged to be able to enjoy the terrain aboard the fi nest new four wheel drive vehicles on

the market. C&C ditched our coonskins for helmets and spent a day in the hills, sampling what the new ATV has to offer.

Honda’s Damien Smyth and the lads from Blue Wing teamed up with specialist driver training gurus, AMS, for a demo day for a handful of NZ’s leading rural journalists, to show exactly what the new Pioneer is capable of, and offer some expert tuition in ATV hand-ing from the AMS team.

The Pioneer proved innovation is still alive and kicking like a stubborn mule, in the world of ATV design and development.

Things have come a long way since the early days of ATVs, and Honda have been at the head of the pack since the ubiquitous three wheelers burst onto the agricultural scene.

While the side-by-sides are no doubt safer, there’s always potential for getting it wrong and some early, well-directed training can not only make the operation of these handy machines safer, but a lot more effi cient and enjoyable.

After the all-important safety briefi ng and helmet fi tting, we checked out the two seater with tipping tray; and four seater Pioneer fea-tures, then headed out for a farm drive over a well-planned course of terrain and obstacles.

Each Pioneer had an instructor in the passen-ger seat and the group was led by guides on Big Reds, plus a handy bloke on a two wheeler who was pretty useful for opening and closing gates.

First up was some open paddock running over some undulating pasture, which showed how smooth the ride can be on these four wheelers. Then down a couple of banks and through bog and swamp.

With the right encouragement from instruc-tors, including some tips on control, such as left foot braking, we had the Hondas climb-ing near vertical banks and crossing bogs that seemed near impossible.

Out on the farm airstrip, the Pioneers were given a bit of jandal to blow off the cobwebs. The Pioneers can certainly belt along when conditions allow. Then it was time to check out the load carrying.

A trailer of meaty fence posts and a rear cargo deck with a load of heavy piles didn’t faze the Pioneer.

The load handling was impressive and the tow hitch arrangements seemed well engineered to cope with the inevitable loads that farmers will infl ict on these machines.

Next up was some terrain busting action, down river banks, across the stream, along the stream, through more swamp and across some seemingly impossible guts.

A tilt test along the edge of a steep sidling reminded me of some of the hairy moments we’ve encountered crossing bars in boats – the machine handles the challenge better than

many of the occupants!

With attentive AMS instructors every step of the way, the Pioneers were pushed to tipping point – and beyond in some cases – to give us a feel of exactly where that tipping point is.

The advice at this point from chief instructor Pete is fi rmly etched in my brain; as we felt the Pioneer in the balance between the forces of traction, gravity and the clenching effect of a certain part of the driver’s anatomy.

The control available to the driver, even in the stickiest of situations, is amazing.

As our confi dence grew and we got a feel for the new machines, we headed into bush, over logs, a few more stream crossings for good measure and a couple of photo sessions – it was time to head back to the woolshed for a lovely lunch and debrief.

The team swapped around drivers and pas-sengers, so everyone had a turn enjoying the attributes of riding in the back of the four person Pioneer, which is a surprisingly good way to travel.

It was good to get a feel of driving this heavier machine, with a few more bods on board, to discover the effect of weight and centre of gravity.

The four-person Pioneer features fold-fl at rear seats, providing a perfectly fl at cargo area.

The seats can be raised up or down without tools, and opened and closed in seconds.

was pretty useful for opening and closing gates.Reds, plus a handy bloke on a two wheeler who was pretty useful for opening and closing gates.

machine handles the challenge better than many of the occupants!

was pretty useful for opening and closing gates.

Pioneer forges into new farming frontiers

RURAL DRIVER

Daryl Crimp claims being shot in the head by his older brother at the tender

age of seven is what prompted his interest in guns.

Fortunately, thanks to the age of the pistol and Daryl’s own thick head (which was a doc-tor’s diagnosis) the pellet ricocheted and did very little harm.

“I was determined at a very early age what end of a gun I wanted to be on and remain to this day, very conscious of what’s at the other end,” writes Daryl. Rather than making him gun-shy, Daryl says the experience heighted his interest in guns and gave him something to aim for.

His father also encouraged his hunting interest, which has led to a life of

adventures. For Daryl hunting is more than a hobby, a pastime and adventure – it’s a calling. He also has a calling for the written word; and this book is an entertaining, inspiring, poignant and funny read about his hunting adventures.

Thanks to publishers Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘Some-thing to Aim For’ to give away. To be in to win, email your name and address, with ‘Something to Aim For’ as the subject, to: [email protected] Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Coast & Country Book Prize, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110, to arrive no later than April 17. The winner will be announced in Coast & Coun-try’s May issue.

and Daryl’s own thick head (which was a doc-

other end,” writes Daryl. Rather than making

Thanks to publishers Halcyon Press, Coast &

subject, to: [email protected] Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Coast & Country Book Prize, PO Box 240,3110, to arrive no later than April 17. The winner will be announced in Coast & Coun-try’s May issue.

Head shot inspires young hunter

Tackling terrain tilt test

SPECSPioneer 700-2, 700-4

The farm had taken a pretty good hit from the rains of former Cyclone Lusi just a

few days earlier, so there were some interesting conditions on the steeper sections and the clay pans. However, it had dried remarkably well in just a day or so, and the terrain was no match for the competent Pioneers, even with some questionably experienced pilots.

Really getting into the groove of these moun-tain-taming machines, with carefully controlled delivery of power in just the right places, we traversed winding and sometimes narrow farm tracks to the top of the world – and the trig station hill overlooking Waiheke, Great Barrier and the gulf out to the Coromandel.

It was obligatory photo time, and then some sage advice from Pete about downhill control, before we ventured

down via a different track. There was some scrub land negotiating and a seemingly impossible creek crossing that featured wheels in the air and a bit of belly sliding.

It was a great feeling arriv-ing back at the woolshed, brimming with a feeling of expanded knowledge and skills, coupled with the thrill of opportunity to test drive these remarkable new vehicles.

A little bit of knowledge and training goes a long way and it’s clear anyone, particularly those making their living off the land, is well advised to tap into the vast expertise on offer from both the suppliers of the machines, and training special-ists such as AMS.

Our thanks to Damien and Blue Wing for an amazing opportunity; to Pete, Gene, Amy and the AMS team for their calm yet commanding delivery of so many vital skills and information; and to the farm owners for allowing us access to their stunning farm-land and terrain.

Engine: 675cc liquid-cooled OHV single-cylinder

four-stokeFuel System: Fuel Injection, 40mm throttle body

Ignition: Full-transistorized with electronic

advanceTransmission: Automotive-style with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears and reverse. Three drive modes include 2WD, 4WD and 4WD

with front with front differential lock.

Driveline: Direct front and rear driveshafts

Front Suspension: Independent double-

wishbone; 200mm travel

Rear Suspension: Independent double-wishbone: 230mm travel

Front Brake: 200mm hydraulic disc

Rear Brake: 170mm hydraulic disc

Bed Capacity: 454kg Tow Capacity: 680kg

Length: 2910mm Width: 1525mm Wheelbase: 1950mmFuel Capacity: 30 litres, including 4.5 litre

reserveCurb Weight: 700-2; 572kg, 700-4; 633kg

After lunch the group headed out again, this time to the top of the farm, the goal a trig station on the high-est hill.

By Brian Rogers

Watch video of the Honda Pioneer test drives at:

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

RURAL DRIVER

bush or ocean, an ideal farm workhorse and also for a family with long distance travel aspirations.

Make no mistake this is a serious vehicle that delivers a massive 500NM of torque and an unbeaten 3.5 tonne towing performance, ideal for those on-farm jobs. There is enough grunt to take on any chal-lenge – and when the going gets tough the TSC (Trailer Sway Control) HSA (Hill Start Assist) and DCS (Decent Control System) gets you home every time.

Throw any towing challenge you like at the Colorado LTZ 4x4 and it responds in spades. Whether it’s to pull a heavy trailer load for fi rewood or take your big boat to the myriad of rugged of fi shing spots around the country, the Colorado LTZ answers the call to duty.

The Colorado LTZ had plenty of tow from the 2.8 diesel engine, with the six-speed automatic transmission responding to any challenge thrown its way. The Descent Control System gives a smooth and controlled hill descent when used off-road, while the Hill Start Assist holds the Colo-rado 4x4 stationary on steep hills before the brakes are released.

The most critical cargo of the Colorado LTZ is the driver and passengers, with the Holden 4x4s engi-neered to help avoid trouble and surround you with

strength. The Colo-rado vehicles have a

super tough body and frame constructed with

high strength steel, with a safety cell giving maximum

protection in the event of frontal or side collision.

While today’s Holden vehicles come with all the usual bells and whistles of

BringGo Navigation, Bluetooth stream-ing and smartphone app integration, the Colorado 4x4s up the ante with some additional extras. The Siri Eyes Free has voice command capabilities, which allow one to call people, select and play music and hear, and compose a text message, which is just like having a PA on-board

with the driver. The Pandora Internet Radio allows you to create

your own personal station based on your favourite songs, artists or music types, with Pandora even suggesting new artists and songs based upon your personal preferences.

Heavy-hitter has class and flairImagination is a great thing. The

instructions for Sideline Sid’s latest vehicle review were to go to Ebbett Holden on Cameron

Rd to take a Colorado truck out for a road test.

With visions of a workhorse, the real-ity was a heavy-hitting utility vehicle with class and genuine fl air.

We received a real treat when the

sales team at Ebbett Holden Tauranga gave us a Colorado Crew Cab LTZ 4x4 with loads of added extras to road test. The Colorado LTZ hit us between the eyes with its vivid Orange Rock colour, blacked out chrome, 20 inch alloy wheels and black checkerboard deck cover – and did I mention the snorkel beside the driver’s door.

First impressions of the double-cab vehicle, with a huge deck, suggest it is perfect for a trip with mates to the

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RURAL DRIVER

SPECSColorado Crew Cab

LTZ 4x4 Engine: double overhead cam 4-cylinderEngine Capacity: 2776ccFuel: Diesel Maximum Power: 147 @ 3600rpmMaximum Torque: 500 @ 2000rpmTransmission: 6-speed automaticBrakes: front- disc, rear – drum brakesColorado LTZ 4x4 Auto (RRP) $61,990Contact: Ebbett Holden (Tauranga) Phone 07 578 2843.

Tune-In Radio lets you connect worldwide with 70,000 live radio stations and two million on demand programmes.

However it is a number of simple features that really appealed to the reviewer.

Touch-screen radio tuning made changing sta-tions on the go easy and simple, and the blue-light speedometer right in the middle of the dashboard makes for no excuses in picking up a speeding ticket. Also having the air-con at the touch of a button helps with stress-free driving.

With the Colorado 4x4s being high off the ground, the addition of a good old fashioned running board makes getting into the driver’s hot seat particularly easy, even for old fellas like Sideline Sid.

Around town, the rear view camera comes into its own when reversing into a tight parking space,

in tandem with the rear park assist – which gives out with an audible warning when getting close to another vehicle or solid object.

The Colorado LTZ 4x4 auto has a recommended retail price of $61,990.

Stress free driving with Colorado controls

Club holds hill climb eventClub holds hill climb eventClub holds hill climb eventClub holds hill climb eventMotorsport Bay of Plenty is holding a gravel hill climb event on Sunday, April 6,

and the public are welcome to go along to watch,

says club secretary Linda Loughlin.

The clubsport advanced 2.5km gravel hill climb will be held at MacDougall Quarry Rd, com-mencing at the junction with Otamarakau Valley Rd. Practice

runs and subsequent timed runs begin at 10am. There will be prac-tice and three timed runs for each competitor. The number of runs may be varied at the organiser’s discretion. The fastest run wins, by class and overall. While the public is welcome, the event is run under strict rules, and alcohol may not be consumed at the venue during the course of this event.

To fi nd out more about the event and club, go to www.mbop.org.nzConstructive comments: The Colorado impressed the team from Daman Beckett Builders.

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CHICKENS

There really is such a thing as a “pecking order” and it’s

found wherever there are two or more chickens.

Dominant birds will control the move-ment, feeding and socialisation of other hens. Hardly bird-brains – chickens are intelligent birds with their ability to distinguish and give different alarm calls when threatened by various predators.

Chickens also (especially ex-battery hens) can feel nervous in open spaces, as this can make them feel vulnerable to attack. So introduce them slowly to any large open spaces.

A broody hen is one who wants to hatch eggs and she’ll sit on the nest box making it unavailable to other hens, which why it’s best to have one nesting box per hen. Although, separating the hen for a while from the others can stop the broody behaviour.

Sometimes one or two birds may attack other hens and may even draw blood. If this occurs, fi rst treat the victim with veterinary treatment. They should sort themselves out, with some of the ones being attacked perhaps roosting more than others. If the problem persists try separating the attacker into a tem-porary pen within sight of the other hens for a short time; this should cure the problem.

During moulting, old feathers are shed and new feathers grow to replace them. This hap-pens about once a year and the new feathers take about one to two months to grow. Some ex-battery hens don’t have many

feathers. This is from rubbing their bodies up against the battery hen cages, but their feath-ers will grow back within a month or two.

Hens do get sick; and an unwell bird may look depressed, hunched up with feathers fl uffed out, and with its head carried low or tucked under the wing. It’s a good idea to monitor food and water intake daily, because a reduction can be an early sign of ill health.

Here is a list of common ailments”Coccidiosis – A common problem in

poultry. It’s a disease of the intestine that results in dullness, diarrhoea and weight loss and sometimes death. It is caused by a tiny parasite. Vets can help manage this.

Bumble Foot – This occurs when a wound under the foot heals but pus remains under-neath. Watch out for any limping birds and make sure there are no sharp stones in the run. Consult a vet if this occurs.

Mites – There is two common mites in New Zealand; the northern fowl mite and the chicken mite or red mite. The northern fowl mite is more common in caged layers, particularly around the vent where it can cause blackening of the skin due to soiling. The red mite is more common in free-range systems.

These parasites hide in crevices in the chicken-house, emerging at night to feed on the roosting hens. Birds become anaemic

and emaciated. A warning sign is if birds are reluctant to go inside, another is if small drops of blood are spotted. The house must be cleaned thoroughly and sprayed with anti-mite product.

Lice – There are several pieces of lice which live entirely on birds and cause irritation by feeding on feathers and skin. They usually lay eggs at the base of the feathers, especially around the vent or around the head which will cause head shaking. You will need to consult your vet on how to treat these if they occur.

Scaly leg – This is a condition caused by mites burrowing into the skin between the scales of the legs. It produces white crusts which distort the leg scales and is extremely infectious. Clean the house, move the birds onto fresh ground and consult a vet.

Impacted crop – Symptoms include hens with no appetite, who look miserable and whose crop feels solid. It’s caused by inges-tion of unsuitable material, such as long stalks of grass. It is best to consult a vet.

Worms – Chickens are susceptible to infestation by worms. Symptoms can

include a reduction in the rate of egg-laying, an increase in hunger, and sometimes diarrhoea. If you suspect your chicken has worms, you should consult a vet for the appropriate medica-tion. They can also help

to start you on a worming programme for your chickens.

Chickens can be delightful, rewarding pets as they will not only give affection (well,

come when you call to feed them), but will also produce eggs (some of the time at least).

In rural areas chickens can free-range, but they aren’t always a great addition to the fl ower or vegeta-ble garden as they love to scratch for food and create dust baths to wallow in. They also pretty quickly fi gure out where their humans – the source of much of their food – live, so will come knocking on doors or windows, leaving “gifts” of poo just to get your attention.

Egg-laying can be sporadic and some will choose to lay away from the nesting boxes provided, so it pays to lock them in a pen and henhouse at night and let them out later in the morning when hopefully all eggs will be laid.

All that aside, there’s nothing nicer than watching a young child lifting a still-warm egg from a nest for breakfast – reward enough for keeping hens.

Warm rewards from hens

Pecking order in hen house

programme for your chickens.

Mites – There is two common mites in New Zealand; the northern fowl mite and the chicken mite or red mite. The northern fowl mite is more common in caged layers, particularly around the vent where it can cause blackening of the skin due to soiling. The red mite is more common in free-range systems.

These parasites hide in crevices in the chicken-house, emerging at night to feed on the roosting hens. Birds become anaemic

with no appetite, who look miserable and whose crop feels solid. It’s caused by inges-tion of unsuitable material, such as long stalks of grass. It is best to consult a vet.

include a reduction in the rate of egg-laying, an increase rate of egg-laying, an increase in hunger, and sometimes diarrhoea. If you suspect your chicken has worms,

to start you on a worming programme for your chickens.

take about one to two months to grow. Some ex-battery hens don’t have many

on the roosting hens. Birds become anaemic

(Source spca.org.nz)

COUNTRY LIVING

Heart artery plaques start with cholesterol becoming trapped in the walls of blood vessels, as explained

in last month’s column. Free radicals oxidise trapped cholesterol to

a dangerous form and over time this can lead to artery blockages.

It makes perfect sense then, that less circulating cholesterol translates to less becoming trapped. But there is a lot more to it – especially the role of infl ammation, low antioxidant levels, high homocysteine – and of course lifestyle factors, such as exercise and diet.

Cholesterol is transported by carriers called low-den-sity lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL transports cholesterol from the liver, via blood, to individual cells to do all of the things cholesterol is needed for. High LDL is a risk to coronary arteries.

HDL transports cholesterol being returned back to the liver, so high HDL means your body is effective at recycling which it cannot use.

While statin cholesterol-lowering medications

effectively reduce LDL cholesterol, they can cause side effects, such as muscle weakness, pain and

general lethargy. This is mainly because they inhibit an

enzyme needed to make Co enzyme Q10, which is essential for muscle energy. If you take statins, I recommend a specifi c

CoQ10 called CoQSol which rapidly lifts circulating CoQ10.

There are those who cannot tolerate statins and those with high cholesterol, but would rather use natural methods to balance choles-terol.

For this group, studies show the most effective natural cholesterol balancer is a proprietary blend of citrus extract called PMFs (polymethoxylated fl avones) and palm fruit extract (tocotrienols).

Tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family and can help to balance the liver enzymes responsible for cho-lesterol production. PMFs help balance the processes that make the LDL and HDL carriers for cholesterol.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med), is a nutritional therapist and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. Contact John on 0800 423559 or email:

[email protected] Join his weekly newsletter at: www.johnarts.co.nz For product information visit: www.abundant.co.nz

Yesterday, my daughter emailed me again, asking why I didn’t do something useful with my time… like sitting around the pool and drinking wine is not a good thing.

Talking about my “doing something useful” seems to be her favourite topic of conversation.

She was “only thinking of me” and suggested I go down to the senior centre and hang out with the gals. I did this and when I got home last night I decided to teach her a lesson about staying out of my business.

I emailed her and told her I’d joined a para-chute club.

She replied: “Are you nuts? You are about 80 years old, and now you’re going to start jumping out of air-planes?”. I told her that I even got a membership card and emailed a copy to her.

She immediately telephoned me, saying: “Good grief, where are your glasses! This is a membership

to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club”.

I replied: “Oh man, I’m in trouble again; I really don’t know what to do now... I signed up for fi ve jumps a week.” The line went quiet and her friend picked up the phone

and said she had fainted.Life as a senior citizen is not

getting any easier, but sometimes it can be fun.

What is happening in your heart arteries?

Misplaced Glasses

Abundant Health

Employment Law Services

Page 44 COUNTRY LIVING

Council under their pro-posed Unitary Plan.

The hard-fought right to subdivide using trans-ferable titles is now all but being extinguished by council's proposed plan. South of Auckland, there will only be very small pockets where transferable titles can be moved – and these are generally located where they won’t be worth as much. If you have titles to sell, or want to buy them in and use them during the window of opportunity that exists, you will need to act fast. Until the public submission process is out of the way, the new rules have little weight. If fully adopted, the rules of the unitary plan will force transferable titles to

be relocated outside of the Environmental Enhance-ment Overlay Area, thus decreasing their value. The EEOA area covers

most of the rural area south of the metropolitan area, including land sur-rounding Pukekohe. If these changes are ratifi ed by council, the only rural subdivision you will be able to do within

the EEOA area will be boundary adjustments and relocation between adjacent lots, where no new lots are created. I see transferable titles likely to disappear before too long in the Waikato, as it seems they don’t entertain this idea. Hauraki only has a small area of the old Franklin district; and I’m not convinced they

have the will to change this after just going through a major plan review. Titles are generally avail-able on the market to suit most situations; however, the supply and demand can affect their price at times.

This is yet another example of landowners’ opportunities disap-pearing. Rural subdivision is getting much harder and is generally better done sooner rather than later. In the Waikato a number of proper-ties have just lost the ability to subdivide through a rule lifting the minimum parent lot size to 20ha – and I believe this will go much higher before too long.

Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications

for subdivisions across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. For further information, call 0800 268 632

or email: [email protected]

Alpine Energy Ltd was ordered to hand over the names, CVs, qualifi cations and reference

information attached to job applicants to an unsuccessful applicant who claimed he’d

been discriminated against. (Waters v Alpine Energy Ltd, February 20, 2014). Mr Waters applied for two positions with Alpine

Energy, an employer he’d previously worked for during a number of years. Both of Mr Waters’ applications were unsuccessful and he alleged he was discriminated against by reason of age (prohibited under the Human Rights Act). Alpine Energy rejected his complaint,

asserting the appointments were made based on the best person qualifi ed and experienced for the job. Alpine Energy refused to give certain documents to Mr Waters on the basis it was con-fi dential information. Mr Waters claimed he needed all informa-tion relating to the recruitment process in order to support his discrimination claim. The Human Rights Tribunal agreed and ordered Alpine Energy to disclose CVs, employment history, qualifi cations, refer-ence checks and any other information relating to the people who’d applied for the jobs Mr Waters missed out on. The Tribunal stated the addresses and contact details could be blanked out, but not the names because “without the names of the applicants the information may be diffi cult to use or manage”.

In summary, be mindful when recruiting staff. The use of aliases such as applicant ‘A’ may be helpful during any recruitment phase.

This article is intended as a point of reference and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice. Specialist advice should always be sought in

relation to any particular circumstances and no liability will be accepted for any losses incurred by those relying solely on this article.

Tribunal orders information sharing

Franklin subdivision rules squashed by unitary planThe old Franklin Council

District Plan rules are under attack again.

After being fi nalised by the Environ-ment Court 13 years after notifi cation, they were operative for only months before being rewritten by the Auckland

COUNTRY LIVING

It is not uncommon for individuals to be concerned about their moles turning into

melanoma. However, research suggests many melanomas arise de novo; meaning they

arise from normal skin that did not have a pre-existing mole.

That is why paying close attention to your skin and having regular skin checks are important. It is not just one’s moles that should be looked at, but one’s skin in general.

Melanoma is not just a single entity. There are many types of melanoma. The most common type of mela-noma is superfi cial spreading melanoma. This appears as a fl at patch and grows horizontally. Lentigo mela-

A revolutionary water leak detection system, which prevents unnecessary damage from

water leaks is now available in New Zealand.Aqua Trip is ideal for homes, businesses, farms and

horticulture systems, says New Zealand distributor Leo Lougher, of Focus Systems NZ Ltd.

“The Aqua Trip System was designed in Australia as a water safety trip switch for your home, farm or business. It can be easily installed on incoming water mains or pump systems relying on rain water tanks and is a cost effective system.

“It’s a safety valve system similar to a device I had been working on for some time, but had not yet had the prototype made.

“When I found out an Australia Company has already produced a system, I contacted them to become the New Zealand distributor.”

Leo says he was motivated to develop a safety value system for water supplies after years of repairing water leaks, which had caused tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in homes where leaks had gone undetected for too long.

“The Aqua Trip will detect constant leaks equiva-lent to a fast-dripping tap, and it will turn the water

off. However, you can programme it not to turn the water off at times of the day when people are having showers, or using the washing machine and dishwasher. It is completely programmable to suit individual household requirements.

“We are currently trialling the Aqua Trip on an irrigation system in Australia, where it will detect any leaks once the irrigators are turned off and it will send a text message to alert the farmer there is a problem.”

Aqua Trip constantly monitors water use and if it detects a leak, burst pipe, toilet cistern leaking or any other plumbing failure, it will shut the water off to avoid potential damage and water wastage, as well as help keep water bills manageable.

Leo says existing homes can be easily retrofi tted; and if installed on new homes when being built, the cost of installation is minimal as the plumbing work is being carried out already. The Aqua Trip can be either wireless, hard wired or a combination of both.

“The Aqua Trip has also been installed by councils and schools to monitor public washrooms and other high water consuming facilities where wastage and vandalism often leave councils and authorities playing catch up long after a plumbing failure has occurred.”

The many faces of melanoma

By Dr Eugene Tan,

Skin Centre, Tauranga

Switch prevents water damage and waste

Aqua Trip systems range from $195 to $450 excluding GST and installation is cheap insurance for the prop-erty owner. The average installation cost will be about $200 for your local plumber to install.

To fi nd out more, go to www.aquatrip.co.nz

noma are also fl at, and appear in the face area as an irregular freckle. Acral lentiginous melanoma appear on soles of feet, palms of hands, or under the nails (subungal melanoma).

Other rarer types of melanoma tend to grow deeply and quickly. They are nodular melanoma which start off growing vertically; mucosal melanoma (mela-nomas on lips, inside the mouth, eyelids); ocular melanoma (melanoma within the eye); desmoplas-tic melanoma (fi brous tumour melanoma); and amelanotic melanoma (melanoma without pigment).

Almost all melanomas are caused by excessive expo-sure to the sun. Good sun protection and attention to your skin can save your life.

Dr Eugene Tan.

Leo Lougher, of Focus Systems NZ Ltd, is the New Zealand distributor for Aqua Trip.

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WINTER WARMTH

Keep warm for health and comfort Close blinds before sundownBlinds and curtains have a crucial role to play in keeping your home warm this winter.

Heat can both enter and leave through windows – so when it’s

sunny, open blinds and curtains to let the sun stream in and warm a room.

Closing them in late-afternoon, when the sun begins to lose its heat, helps keep the warmth inside. It can also reduce the amount of energy needed from heaters or fi res to keep the room warm after sundown.

Closing window coverings in the late-afternoon is important in all rooms in the house, especially bedrooms; even if they are not heated all the time. So is letting in the sunshine to warm and dry every room in the house.

If trees are shading your house, consider trimming them back to let in more light – but of course if you are renting, or the trees are on council land or in neigh-bouring sections, permission from owners has to be granted fi rst.

Up to 20 per cent of heating can be lost through draughts, so stopping as many as possible can help keep rooms warm and save on heating bills.

Block up unused chimneys and stop draughts around doors and windows. You can make your own draught ‘snakes’ by stuffi ng rugby socks or pantyhose with newspaper or cushion fi lling – and this is an activity children can enjoy helping with.

Try not to dry clothes indoors, as this creates moisture in the air. Drying outside is free and the sunlight kills bacteria, making your clothes healthier for you and your family. Use a shed or garage if it is raining.

To reduce moisture caused by steam, always open a window when you are showering and when you are cooking on

the stove top. Use pot lids to reduce the amount of steam

escaping. Keep doors to bedrooms closed at these

times, as steam can make beds damp.If you must use a

clothes dryer, make sure your clothes are properly spun fi rst and leave windows

open while you are using it – or even better, vent it outside.

Choosing an effi cient heating system for your

house will help you maintain healthy indoor

temperatures, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,

and manage your power bill.Heating accounts for about 29

per cent of all the energy con-sumed in a typical New Zealand home. Despite this, the majority of our homes are under-heated by international standards.

There are several factors to consider when you’re looking at choosing the right heating for your home, including the amount of heating you need, and the running costs and environmental impacts of the different heating options.

Before looking at your heating, get your insulation sorted – you’ll be able to use a smaller heating system and your home will be cheaper to heat.

It’s important to match the size of the system to the space you want to heat. Use the heater-sizing calculator on the EECA

website: www.energywise.govt.nz to get an idea of what size heater a room needs, to keep it at a healthy temperature.

EECA also recommends seeking professional advice about heater-sizing from your heating supplier. To minimise the environmental impacts of your heater, there are several things you can do.

Choose a heating option that uses renewable energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Whatever heating option you prefer, choose the most effi cient model for the job.

Use and maintain your heater properly.

How you use the rooms you want to heat often determines the types of heater you should be considering.

For rooms you regularly use, it is well worth investing in suitable, fi xed heaters to enable you to heat them effectively and cheaply. Clean, effective

forms of heat-ing include modern wood and wood-pellet burners, energy star-qualifi ed heat pumps and high star-rated, fl ued gas heaters.

For rooms that only get used occasionally, for short periods of time, electric heaters which are cheap to buy but slightly more expensive to run can often be suffi cient.

There are different types to suit different needs.

(Source EECA website: www.energywise.govt.nz)

Fire safety tips The wood is stacked and the kindling

cut – but there might be one thing you’ve overlooked for toasty, safe winter fi res.

While autumn’s warm start has only required a few roaring blazes so far, the New Zealand Fire Service is reminding households to have their chimneys and fl ues cleaned, always uses a spark guard, and never burn batteries and aerosol cans. Ashes should be soaked in water before disposal and check the fi re is out before going to bed.

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Winter months are likely to bring with them a spate of house fires due to increased use of

heating methods.Western Bay of Plenty fire service spokesperson

Robert Pinkerton says people need to be aware of fire risks during the winter months – especially where children may have access to matches and direct expo-sure to heating appliances.

“While portable electric heaters are less expen-sive and are a fast and convenient form of heating, particular care needs to be taken as to their use and maintenance.”

Robert says the Tauranga Fire Service attends up to 50 fires each year in homes caused by electric heaters.

“The rules of use may appear to be common sense. However we still get called to too many potentially tragic incidences.

“We urge people to follow the instructions for the set-up and use of their heaters.”

To stay safe, Robert suggests making sure your heater is stable on the floor, and is kept well-dusted and clean.

“Do not use it if components such as the fan are not working and check that cords and wiring are correctly in place.

“Follow the heater metre rule and make sure that furniture, clothing, curtains and other sources of combustibles are kept at least one metre away from the heat source.”

Robert says care must also be practised with other heating sources, including the fire place.

“About one-quarter of house fires during the winter months are caused by chimney fires. Ensure that chimneys and flues are correctly installed, maintained and cleaned every year.

“Fire ashes need to be disposed of safely in non-combustible containers. Disposing of ashes in rubbish bags and plastic buckets, or vacuuming ashes into a vacuum cleaner, is asking for trouble.”

Other basic safety checks should include checking electric blankets, making sure appliances are well maintained and used correctly –and Robert says remember to check smoke alarms are working.

“Remember – do a night-fire safety check every night before going to bed.”

Thoroughly investigating every element which turns wood into

useful heat is behind the innovative and highly efficient design of

Aarrow stoves, says David Hutchins of Manawatu Heating and Solar.

“No other manufacturer offers a complete system to maximise the efficiency of both wood and solid fuel,” says David, whose company is the NZ agents for Stratford and Aarrow stoves.

The stoves feature PADS (Primary Air Direction System), which allows an under-draught of air beneath solid fuel, or an over-draught for wood to ensure each fuel burns in its favoured environment.

An air-wash system directs pre-heated air evenly across the fire door, creating a shield between the fire chamber and the glass, ensuring the flames are always clearly seen.

The secondary burn system controls the flow of air within the stove, allowing any unburnt gases to re-ignite, generating extra heat.

For wood burning, the tertiary burn system introduces hot oxygen into the firebox, directly at the heart of the stove to ignite the unburnt gases, resulting in

greater efficient, a cleaner chimney and less pollution.

“Stoves from Aarrow can burn wood for longer and have an industry-leading effi-ciency rating of 80 per cent. They are highly efficient, controllable, easy to use, and come with ‘The Aarrow’ Manufacturers Life-time Warranty,” says David.

The Aarrow Eco-burn multi-fuel fire is an efficient stove which generates more heat using less fuel and it’s gently curved steel body, large fire viewing area and concealed hinges make it a stunning feature in any room.

The Inset version is a handy solution for converting an open

fire into a high performance fireplace. The Inset 5 reduces the need to make changes to the existing fireplace, by fitting neatly into the chair brick.

Heater metre rule

Excellence in design maximises efficiency

Design and efficiency are features of the

Aarrow stoves.

TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING NEW ZEALAND

COAST & COUNTRY

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Most parents would have great diffi culty convincing their

11-year-old son to join them for four days of visiting Hereford

stud farms – but that was not the case for Lorraine

and Ian Clements. It wasn’t just playing hooky from

school which convinced Jamie to be part of the 2014 National Hereford Herd Tour. He really likes Herefords and wants to become a breeder himself, and sometime soon.

Jamie was by far the youngest of the 108 people on the Gallagher Coast to Coast National Hereford Herd Tour, organised by the South Auckland Hereford Club, but he could talk cattle

with the best of them. That’s probably partly because he’s the third generation Clements to take the tour of 14 stud farms. His grandparents Brian and Jean were there too, so Jamie has a wealth of knowledge to draw on.

“I fi rst got interested in Herefords when I wanted to spend more time with my dogs Max and Tip, but they were always out with dad rounding up cattle,” says Jamie, from Matapouri Her-eford Stud near Whangarei.

The dogs just love working the cattle and aren’t afraid of them; so when began they spending more time with the dogs, Jamie had to spend time with the cattle too. In 2008 Jamie led a calf for the fi rst time at the Whangarei A&P Show, winning third place and gaining an appetite for learning more about what

Wednesday April 2Dairy Women’s Network’s Dairy Day April 2 at Gordonton Hall, Main Rd, Gordon-ton. April 3 at Graham Brown & Co Chartered Accountant, 45-49 Tirau St, Putaruru. April 8 at Best Western Braeside Resort, 4 Barnard Rd, Roto-rua. All start at 9.30am. The well-oiled offi ce – how to survive and thrive in your home offi ce. With the right tools, processes and knowledge, you can be more effi cient and have some fun too. Register now at www.dwn.co.nz or call 0800 DWN R4U.

Thursday April 3SMASH Seminar – Stepping up or backThe Narrows Landing, 431 Airport Rd, Hamilton 10am-2pm. Which stage are you at in your faming career? Come along and hear about how you can progress your dairy farming career whatever stage you’re at. This day will start you on the path to putting a plan together that works for you and your farm busi-ness. Speakers: Tony Wammington - Rabobank. Nicola Waugh - AgFirst. Morning tea and lunch provided. Register: [email protected] or call Noldy 022 047 6274

Thursday April 6Car show and swapmeetThe Waikato Triumph Car Club holds its annual classic car show and swap meet on Sunday April 6 at the Te Awamutu Race Course. Raising funds for the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance, the meet will include trail bike displays, classic and vintage cars, hot rods, model aircraft and rides in a Model T bus. Admission for show cars and drivers is a gold coin while passengers pay $5 each and swap meet sellers pay $10. Admission for the public is $5 each with children under 12 free. Gates open and 7.30pm. For more information phone Murray on 07 829 8629

Tuesday April 8Local Levy Forum MeetingApril 8 at Otorohanga Bowling Club, 52 Te Kawa St, Otoro-hanga. April 9 at St John, 4 Baird Ave, Te Kauwhata. Also at Barkers Function Centre, 12 Ngutumnaga Rd, Waihou 7-9pm. April 9 at Matamata Club, 9 Waharoa Rd East, Matamata 2pm. April 9 at Te Awamutu Club, 542 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu 10am-12pm. April 10 at Puketaha Hall, Puketaha Rd, Gordonton, from 2pm. April 10 at Ngatea Rugby Club, Ngatea Domain, Orchard West Rd, Ngatea, 10am. In May, dairy farmers will be asked on whether they continue to support the levy on milksolids, to enable DairyNZ to continue its industry good activities. The Local Levy Form is an opportunity for you to discuss the levy and ask senior management questions about DairyNZ, the levy invest-ment and levy successes.

Monday April 14Tokoroa Employers GroupTokoroa Club, Tokoroa 10.30am-1pm. Come and join a like-minded group to talk about people management on your farm. If you have staff and want to learn some different tips and techniques, and also hear about what other people have done, this is for you. Topics will be advised closer to the time. Please note RSVP is required before the event. Call Amy Johnson 0274 832 205 or email: [email protected]

Tuesday April 15Otorohanga Employers GroupSt John Station, Kakamutu Rd, Otorohanga 10.30am-1pm. Come and join a like-minded group to talk about people management on your farm. If you have staff and want to learn some different tips and techniques, and hear about what other people have done, this is for you. Topics will be advised closer to the time. Please note RSVP is required before the event. Call Amy Johnson 0274 832 205 or email: [email protected]

Monday May 12Cashflow Budgeting Workshop May 12-13 at Rotorua Public Library, 1127 Haupapa St, Rotorua 10am-2.30pm. During the two-day workshop, farmers will develop a cashfl ow budget for 2014-2015. Budgeting provides a way to take stock of costs and create a plan to produce milk more effi ciently. Workshops will provide attendees with practical techniques for managing cashfl ow and improving profi tabil-ity. To register and for info www.dairynz.co.nz or call Natalee 07 349 6825 or email: [email protected]

makes a winning calf, and how is best to show them. Recently, Jamie attended a bull sale with grand-dad Brian and helped him decide which bull to buy. He saw a few during the tour he’d like to buy, but is yet to convince his parents (or maybe grandparents), to come up with the fi nances. Ian says his son is also apply-ing his computer skills to researching and learning about Hereford breeding and pedigrees.

Playing hooky for Herefords

Eleven-year-old Jamie Clements with a pen of in-calf heifers on Hukaroa Stud, owned by Dean

and Lisa Hansen and Peter and Glennis Hansen near

Te Kauwhata.

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COAST & COUNTRY

trades & services

runon listingsPGG Wrightson Ltd and Xero Ltd are Joint Premier Feature

Partners for the 2014 NZ National Fieldays on June 11-14 at Mystery Creek

Events Centre, Hamilton.‘Managing Resources for a Competi-

tive Advantage’ is this year’s Premier Feature theme, which will showcase what’s happening throughout New Zealand’s agricultural industry, promote adoption of current knowledge and technologies, and offer solutions for upcoming challenges.

The theme will highlight areas in which New Zealand’s agricultural sector can optimise, maximise and develop systems and processes to help manage resources effectively and maintain its place among the world’s best.

Companies which exhibit in the Premier Feature area will join what will be a highly visible part of Fieldays 2014, covering hot topics such as feed sources, nutrient management, animal health, workforce, security, control, traceability, water management and innovative ways to source power. NZ National Fieldays CEO Jon Calder says New Zealand’s competitive advantage, as a leading agricultural and primary producer, is our ability to efficiently and effectively manage and convert our available resources into protein.

“As a nation, maximising productiv-ity in the way we manage and deploy

our resources is something we have done incredibly well to date, and will continue to do so, if we work collabora-tively across industry and sectors.

“With our Joint Premier Feature Partners PGG Wrightson and Xero on-board, we are looking forward to exploring this theme further at Fieldays 2014.”

Xero NZ’s rural strategy lead Ben Richmond says the company is espe-cially excited to be a part of Fieldays 2014 following the unveiling of Xero’s Farming in the Cloud solution at its annual conference in February.

“Managing resources for farms encom-passes optimising milk production and stock levels, but also extends to the very heart of farm management – running a farm as an efficient business.

“The ability to pinpoint a farm opera-tion’s financial position at any moment in time, coupled with the ability to share information with key advisors in a seamless and collaborative way, is central to achieving a sustainable business. As access and the adoption of technol-ogy continues to accelerate, farmers, together with Xero, can use the power of the cloud to increase efficiency and productivity whereby lifting the profit-ability of the rural sector.”

PGG Wrightson general manager marketing Shannon Galloway says the company is proud to be a Fieldays 2014 Joint Premier Feature Partner. “As a company solidly grounded in the primary industry, we know that farming

Multinational partners for Fieldays’ premier featureis a challenging and complex business and our fortunes are tied to those of our customers.”

Last year, Fieldays provided a platform for almost 900 exhibitors to represent themselves in front of 125,000 visitors and gain global media attention.

With the 2014 Fieldays prospectus released last Octo-ber, ANZ rural economist Con Williams says this year’s event promises to provide plenty of opportunities for exhibitors with the 2013-2014 dairying season looking promising to deliver a record payout.

For more information, go to www.fieldays.co.nz

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Tauranga woman Nikki Frair is delighted there is to be a review of blunt force calf killings but she’s not stopping her online petition opposing the measures just yet.

“I’m really pleased to know the minister has ordered a review and like to think the petition may have played a small part in making that happen,” says the 21-year-old psychology student.

She began the online petition to outlaw the use of blunt instruments, such as hammers and crowbars, in February and so far it’s been signed by more than 1200 people worldwide.

“I have posted on the site that the Govern-ment has called for a review but I’ll keep the petition going for now.

“I think a lot of people believe the killing of calves like this is rare but we have to accept it can happen day-to-day in this country and should be stopped.”

Nikki started the petition after seeing televi-sion footage of calves being killed by a New Zealand farmer on a property in Chile.

The same images caused a public outcry, and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has instructed offi cials to consult on prohibit-ing the use of blunt force to euthanise bobby calves on farms in New Zealand.

“After speaking to industry leaders, I have asked the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to consider an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010,” says Nathan.

Change in legislation is exactly what Nikki is calling for in the petition.

“Let's band together to bring justice to those who cannot be heard, that are consistently

being taken advantage of by the dairy industry and allow them their fi nal rights on this earth to be a peaceful, painless death. Action is required to make the necessary changes to this legislation.

“The term ‘bobby calves refers to newborn calves, less than 30-days-old that have been prematurely separated from their mothers.

“Essentially, they are surplus to the require-ments of the dairy industry as they are not required for the milking herd, nor are they seen profi table.

“This applies to all bull calves (males) and around three quarters of heifer calves (females). As with any living creature I believe they have the right to die humanely, not a victim of severe violence prolonging suffering prior to death. A lethal injection should be legally required to be administered to these distressed animals in emergency situations, this would ensure the animal was put out of its misery quickly and painlessly as they deserve.”

Nathan says New Zealand’s animal welfare system is among the best in the world, but believes the time has come to review the use of blunt force.

“Industry groups do not recommend it as best practice for euthanising calves, and as a humane society we have a responsibility to look after animals and avoid unnecessary suffering.

“The vast majority of farmers in New Zealand care about their animals and do a good job of looking after them. While I don’t believe this practice is widespread, I have real concerns about this and the potential damage it could do to our reputation.”

NAWAC will begin public consultation soon on the proposed amendment. A fi nal

decision will be made in mid-year after receiv-ing fi nal advice.

“As part of this consultation, considera-tion will be given to emergency cases where a farmer might discover a suffering animal in a remote location and only have access to limited equipment.

“The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is currently before the Select Committee and will further strengthen the Act. It allows for the creation of enforceable regulations that will complement the minimum standards contained within New Zealand’s 16 codes of welfare.”

“The Ministry for Primary Indus-tries already takes a tough line on animal cruelty and there have been a number of major prosecutions over the last couple of years. Animal welfare inspectors and compliance offi cers visit farms, provide advice and education to animal owners and enforce the law,” says Nathan.

Industry bodies, DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, are supporting the MPI to review and clarifi cation of the methods for euthanasia of bobby calves on farms.

DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader for sustainability, Dr Rick Pridmore, says DairyNZ supports the need for greater clarity in the code requirements.

“We are keen to work with the Government to ensure robust and practical codes. We also want to work together to make sure the rules are understood by farmers,” he says.

“The aim is always to minimise unnecessary suffering. Farmers using any method must be suitably trained and skilled.”

Federated Farmers also supports the

review to assess if the use of blunt force should be prohibited, except, as an emergency measure.

“Any review must set in stone that blunt force is an emergency measure, when there is no access to one of the approved methods and the time to get hold of one would only add to the animals’ suffering,” says Federated Farm-ers Vice-Chairperson Andrew Hoggard.

“There is no way blunt force ought to be standard operating procedure and we wel-come the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee considering amendment along these lines.”

Blunt force calf killings review

Nikki Frair, who is running an on-line petition outlaw the use of blunt instruments

to kill calves, with her cat Sam.

By Elaine Fisher

decision will be made in mid-year after receiv-

tion will be given to emergency cases where a farmer might discover a suffering animal in a remote location and only have access to

“The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is currently before the Select Committee and will further strengthen the Act. It allows for the creation of enforceable regulations that will complement the minimum standards

Blunt force calf killings review

COAST & COUNTRY

Tauranga Central Office – 07 578 0879 Cherrywood Office – 07 576 8770 Bethlehem Office – 07 579 2206 Mount Central Office – 07 575 6384 Papamoa Office – 07 542 9012 Te Puke Office – 07 573 4754

MREINZADVANTAGE REALTY LTD

feature properties & auctions www.harcourts.co.nzAdvantage Realty Ltd MREINZ Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Pictures and details can be emailed (high

resolution jpgs) to [email protected]

“Country Camera” or posted to Coast & Country, PO Box 240,

Tauranga. Please include a

name, address and phone number with

every entry.

Thomas Aston Brien, aged 8, reckons: “I do all my own

stunts”. Sent in by Logan Road, Pukekohe.

Mitchell Potton, with a goat on his back on a recent farm hunt.

This is a picture of my daughter

Chelsea, 16 months old, waiting for her dad while he helps pop pick up hay. Sent in by Judy Hartstone

Reid Fraser aged two-and-a-half, ‘going on a thistle hunt’ at

his grandparents’ farm. Photo sent in by Betty Bell – Tirau.

Flynn, 15 months old, who discovered a puddle when dad emptied a water trough to

fi x the ball-cock. Sent in by Kathryn Andrew.

Page 52 COAST & COUNTRY

Gina Greenwood,

cuddling a friendly

sheep.

Jordan van der Vegte, age eight,

hard at work in her Pa Dan

MacCarthy’s shed in Taupo.

Sent in by Nik van der Vegte.

Mitchell Potton, with a goat on his back on

Country, PO Box 240, Country, PO Box 240,

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