Gisborne Herald - From The Land November 2025

FROMTHELAND 2025 2

EastCoastFarmingExpoTicksalltheBoxes

TheannualWairoa-hostedEast CoastFarmingExpohasbecomea symbolforresilienceandingenuity forNewZealand’sprovincialfarming communities.

Thetwo-daymid-weekgathering,held forEastCoastbeefandlambfarmers, continuestoattracttop-notchspeakers, innovativeproductsandachanceto chatface-to-facewithkeyproducersof servicesandmore.

ForeventmanagerSueWilsonitisa chancetobringthebestofthebestto towntoensuretheCoast’ssometimes isolatedruralcommunitiesremain connectedandinformed.

Engaging,thought-provokingspeakers, relevantseminarswithrelatabletopics, andaraftofinnovativeproductsand servicesarewhatattractsomanytothe boutiquegatheringthatisdrivenbythe WairoaCommunityDevelopmentTrust.

ThisyearMrsWilsonhasintroduced aRuralWellbeingHubthatfocuseson bothmentalandphysicalhealth.Some ofthosereturningforthe2026gathering havebeensupportersoftheExpofor years.OneofthoseisCraigWiggins–Wiggytomost–whotravelsthecountry doingCarrFamilyFoundationhealthand wellnesscheckswhilealsoencouraging hisLeanonaGate,TalktoaMate initiative.

He’sbackagaintokeepdrivinghis mantrathat,“strongpeoplemakestrong communitiesandstrongcommunities makestrongpeople”.

AlsoonhandfortheWellbeingHub willbeRuralWomen’sConnectHer,the

KahungunuExecutiveteam,theBowel ScreeningOutreachteam,RuralSupport Trustandfreehearingadvice.

KeynotespeakeronWednesday (February18)afternoonisKaneBriscoe fromFarmFitNZ.Hewillspeakabouthis mentalhealthjourneyandthestrategies hehasdevelopedtohelpwithmental andphysicalfitnessonthefarm.

Kaneiswellknownforhisopen andveryfrankdiscussionaroundthe challengesmanyfarmersfaceandishellbentonmakingadifference.Histalksare asconfrontingastheyareentertaining.

OtherspeakersincludelongtimeExpo supporterDrJacqulineRowarth,the PrimeMinister’schiefscienceadvisor DrJohnRoche,RayLeachonWhāngārā Farms100-yearWhenuaOptimisation Plan–HeRauAkeAke,renowned agribusinessaccountantPitaAlexander, formerAhuwhenuaYoungMāoriFarmer oftheYearChloeButcherHerriesand others.

ThePropertyBrokersEveningMuster onWednesdayisalwayshugelypopular asarethecadetandstationchallenges.

EventdirectorDavidMartin,whosays hedoeshisbestthinkingwhendriving histractor,saysitmadeperfectsense forthetrusttocreateatailormadeExpo thatfittedtheCoastcommunities.

He’dlonglostinterestin“tyrekicking” atFielddaysandwalkingaroundwiththe massestryingtofindthingsthatwere relevanttohim.“Ijustthought,‘gee, wouldn’titbegreattobringthemtome. WhatifwethatinWairoa?”

Andtherestishistory.TheExpohas

TheEastCoastFarmingExpoistailormadeforsheepand beeffarmersandencouragesthemtogetoffthefarmfor acoupleofdaymid-weektonetwork,learn,shopand rechargetheirbatteries.

becomealow-stressenvironmentthat supports,encouragesandnurturesbeef andsheepfarmersfromtheCoast.“Our farmersandtheirteamsaretherefor genuinereasonsandlookingforproducts orservicestohelptheirbusinesses.”

Thatmeansalotoftradearereturn customers,havingquicklyrealisedthe Expoisaperfectvehicletoshowtheir productsandinnovation.

The2026eventmarks10yearssince theExpowasfirstheld–albeitwitha breakin2023duetoCycloneGabrielle.

“It’stestamenttojusthowimportant

TheEastCoastFarmingChallengeistoutedasbigenough tohaveeverythingtherebutboutiqueenoughtohavesome decentone-on-onetimewithexhibitorsandlike-minded farmers.

thiseventistoourruralcommunities thatwearestillgoingstrong,”says MrsWilson.“Thesetwodaysarekey connectorsforourfarmersandthose whosupportthemtogetoffthefarm andinvestalittletimeintothemselves. Thenetworkingthathappensandthe relationshipsthatarebuiltduringthat timecanmaketheworldofdifference.”

WHAT: EastCoastFarmingExpo WHEN: February18-19,2026

WHERE: WairoaRaceCourse,Wairoa, NorthernHawke’sBay MOREINFO: https://eastcoastexpo.co.nz

InnovationrulesattheEastCoastFarmingExpowhere manyproductsandservicesareunveiledanddelvedintofor localfarmers.

BeingFarmstrong

BeingFarmstrongwillhelpyoumanagepressureandgetmore outoflifeandworksaysFarmstrongAmbassadorSamWhitelock.

Farmstrongwassetupin2015tohelp farmersandgrowerscopebetterwith theupsanddownsoftheindustry.I’ve beenitsambassadorsince2016andwhat Ilikebestabouttheprogrammeisthatit’s sopractical.

IthinkofFarmstrongasaverb,it’s somethingpeoplecanactuallydoto increasetheirwellbeing.I’veseenfirsthandhowwellitssolutionsworkforrural peoplewhentheychoosetoadoptthem. BeingFarmstrongworks.Lastyear, 20,000farmersboostedtheirwellbeing thankstoFarmstrong.Whyarefarmers andgrowersmakingthesechanges? Becausetheyknowtogetthebestoutof yourfarmororchard,first,youneedtoget thebestoutofyourself.

HowFarmstrongworks

Farmstrong’sallaboutmakingyour wellbeingapriorityinamentallyand physicallydemandingjob.Ittakesa proactive,strengths-basedapproachto mentalwellbeingandresiliencebyfocusing onsimple,dailyhabits,mentalskillsand thinkingstrategiesthatareknownto increasewellbeingandalleviatestress, especiallyduringtoughtimes.

Farmstrongisthe‘ambulanceatthetop ofthecliff’.Ourmainmessageisoneof empowerment–thatasindividualsand workplacesthereisalwayssomething withinourcontrolthatwecandotomake todayandtomorrowbetter,nomatterhow difficultthecircumstancesmightbe.

IfyouwanttobeFarmstronghere’show tostart.

FreeToolsandResources

Farmstrongcreatestoolsandresources, basedonthescienceofwellbeing, specificallydesignedtohelpfarmers

andgrowersmanageworkload,stress, pressure,change,uncertaintyand challenge.There’sevenaFarmstrong toolboxofmentalskillstohelpyoudeal withadversity.Theseresourcesareall availableforfreefromtheFarmstrong websiteoronrequest.

You’llalsofindatonofstoriesandadvice fromfarmersandgrowerswhonavigated challengingtimesandsharewhattheydid togetthrough.Hard-wonwisdomthat reallycounts.

RegularlyInvestinginWellbeing

Whenwegetbusy–calving,lambing, harvest-it’seasytoletourwellbeingslip downthelistofpriorities.

That’swhyit’simportanttothinkabout yourwellbeinglikeabankaccountand makeregular‘investments’inthingsthat boostyourwellbeingwhenthingsare goingwellsoyouhavesomethingto‘draw on’whentimesaretough.Alittlebitlike apiggybank,theideaistomakesmall depositsonaregularbasisratherthan

waitinguntilourwellbeingissolowthat we’vegotacrisisonourhands.

The5WaystoWellbeing

Thebestapproachistobuildinsimple wellbeinghabitsintoourworkinglives, onadailybasis.Thescienceofwellbeing tellsusthatpeoplewithastrongsenseof wellbeingsharefivesimplehabits–staying connectedwithothers,keepingthebody movingwhetherit’syoga,gardeningor playingsport,takingtimeeachdayto enjoythesimplepleasuresratherthan focusingonthebigpictureallthetime, learningnewthingstostayfreshandgiving backtotheirfriendsandcommunity.You couldtickthemalloffbyorganisingone enjoyableactivityaweek,likecoachingkids sportorcatchingupwithyourneighbours orgettingofffarmtogohuntingorfishing orattendacommunityevent.

I’vemadethe5Wayspartofmylifeand Iencourageyoutodothesame.They definitelyhelptoprovidebalance,support andasenseofperspectivewhenthegoing getstough.

LookingAfterTheBasics

Wealsoencouragefarmersandgrowers tolookafterthebasicslikesleep,eating wellandschedulingdowntime.When peoplegetbusythesethingstendtofall bythewayside,butasonefarmertoldus recently,noonecanrunamarathonon adrenalinalone.Whetheryou’readairy farmer,growingapplesormakingwine, it’simportanttoschedulealittletime tomentallyandphysically‘rechargethe batteries’.

HammerHomeYourWellbeingWith Farmstrong

EveryfortnightFarmstrongshares apracticalwellbeingtipwithitsmany supporters.Tostayconnectedandget themdeliveredstraighttoyourmailbox either:

•Textyourfirstnameto8515or

•ClickontheFarmstrongwebsitesignup formor

•ScanordownloadtheQRcode

Goodmentalhealthisnotjustabout theabsenceofmentalillness,it’sabout proactivelydoingthethingsthatkeepus wellandinagoodheadspace.Theseare thethingsthatenableustogiveourbest toourfarm,familyandcommunityevery day.

Suppliedby Farmstrong

FeralPestSolutions:Protecting OurLandwithModernPrecision

Foroveradecade, FeralPestSolutions hasquietlyplayedavitalrolein keepingfarms,forests,andrural landscapesacrosstheGisborneandEast Coastregionshealthyandproductive. Sinceitsestablishmentin2011,the companyhasgrownfromasmalllocal operationintoatrustedpest-management partnerforlandowners,forestry companies,andenvironmentalgroups acrossboththeNorthandSouthIslands.

Theteamspecialisesinmanaging theregion’smostpersistentpests— goats,deer,hares,possums,rodents, andmustelids—combininghands-on back-countryexpertisewiththelatest technology.Whiletheterrainisstillrugged andtheweatherunpredictable,today’s FeralPestSolutionsoperatorlooksvery differentfromtraditionalcullers.Indicator dogsarestillused,butnightshootingnow reliesonthermalbinocularsandrifles. DroneswiththermalsensorsandAIassisteddetectionhelplocatepests,guide controllerstotargets,andevenmuster animalsintopositionsforsafe,efficient dispatch.Custom-builtappsallowteams tomapculldataandreportbackquickly, keepinglandownersinformedinrealtime.

Inrecentyears,thecompanyhas expandedintotheSouthIsland,taking onlarge-scaleanimal-controlprojectsfor bothfarmsandforestryoperations.From helicopter-supportedcullingorthermal assistednightoperationstotargeted predator-controlprogrammes,FeralPest

Solutionsadaptsitsapproachtosuiteach property’suniqueneeds.

Oneoftheircurrentflagshipprojects covers6,000hectares,aimingtoremove possums,rodents,andmustelidsfrom challenginghillcountry.Successdepends onskilledfieldstaff,carefulplanning, andthesmartuseoftechnology— demonstratinghowexperienceand innovationcometogethertogetthejob donesafelyandeffectively.

Thoughoftenunseen,theimpactof theirworkisclear.Healthierforestsgrow stronger.Farmsloselesspastureandface

fewerdiseaserisks.Nativewildlifegets thespaceitneedstorecover.Andmost importantly,landownerscanresteasy knowingtheirlandisincapablehands. After14yearsinbusiness,FeralPest Solutionscontinuestogrow—notby chance,butthroughconsistentresults, adaptability,andacommitmentto practical,environmentallyresponsiblepest managementacrossNewZealand. Forthecommunitiesandregionsthey serve,thatdedicationmakesallthe difference.

FeralPestSolutions –YourPartnerin PestManagement

FeralPestSolutions specialisesinworkingin rugged,hard-to-reach terrain.Wedeliveryearroundpestcontrolprograms designedtokeepyour businessproductive, profitable,andpest-free. Ourcomprehensiveservices covereverythingfrom initialpopulationreduction toongoingmanagement. Wethriveinchallenging environmentswithcomplex controlrequirements,using advancedtoolsandproven strategiestogetresults. WithFeralPestSolutions onyourside,youcanrelax knowingyourforestwill requirelessblankingandyour landwilldelivermaximum returnoninvestment.From goatsanddeertopossums androdents,wehandleit all—efficiently,safely,and sustainably feral.co.nz

Quarantinedrenchrecommended forbought-incalves

Calveshavebeenhotpropertythis spring,butB+LNZ’sWormwise ProgrammeSupport,Mary Bowron,warnsthatwithouttheright management,bought-incalvesare potentiallycarryingahiddentime-bomb.

Shesayswhenbuyingcalves,it’seasy tooverlookthehiddenthreatofdrench resistance.

Calvesfromintensiverearing propertiesmayhavealreadybeen drenchedandiftheproductusedwas notfullyeffective,thesecalvescouldbe carryingresistantworms.

“Asthesecalveshaven’tyetdeveloped effectiveimmunitytofightoffparasites, theyarelittlewormfactories,churning outlotsofeggsthatdevelopinto infectivelarvaeonpastures.”

Maryencouragesfarmerspurchasing calvestoaskthevendorforrecent drenchtestingdatatoseeifthecommon drenchclassesareeffective.Ifthisdata isnotavailableordrenchresistanceis present,thenaquarantinedrenchis necessary.

Shesayshavinganeffective quarantinedrenchprotocolminimises theriskofimportingdrenchresistant wormsandthismustincludeaneffective drenchandasuitablestand-offarea.

Drenching

Marysaystheefficacyofadrench isdeterminednotonlybytheactive ingredients,butalsothevolumegiven andtechniqueused.

MaryBowron,vetandB+LNZWormwise ProgrammeSupportwarnsthatbought-in calvescouldbecarryingdrenchresistant worms.

“Calibratethedrenchgun,weigh somecalvesanddrenchtotheheaviest ensuringthewholedoseisgiventoeach animal.”

Ifthereissubstantialvariationin weight,sherecommendsdraftingthe calvesintoheavyandlightlinestoavoid overdosing.

Marysayscombinationdrench resistanceisincreasingsharplyincattle wormsinNewZealand–thereforethe mostappropriatequarantineoptionis touseanoveldrench.Ofthetwo‘novel’ drenchesavailableinNewZealand,only Zolvix®isregisteredforcattle.

Aquarantinedrenchmaybenecessarywhenbuyingincalves.

Zolvix®alongwithmanyother commoncattledrenchescontains abamectinwhichcanbetoxicinsmall calves.Abamectinproductsarenot recommendedforcalveslessthan100kg. Stand-downtime

Marysaysaneffectivequarantine drenchonlykillsadultwormsandlarvae, andtheeggsalreadylaidbyfemale wormswillcontinuetopassoutofthe calvesfor24-48hours.

Itisimportanttohavethenewarrivals heldinabareyardorongrating,with feedandwaterfor24-48hours.Larvae thatemergefromeggsontheseareas mostlydieasthereisnomoistureor grasstoliveon.

Anotheroptionisfornewcalvestobe heldinaspecificquarantinepaddockfor 24-48hours,butthisthisareamustnot begrazedbyR1cattleforseveralmonths afterwards.

Marywarnsagainstrunningnewly purchasedcalvesstraightontonew grassorotherareaslikelytohavealow parasitechallenge.Instead,theyshould begrazedoncontaminatedpasturesfor afewdays.Thisway,anyremainingeggs thatarepassedoutwillbedilutedbythe mixedwormpopulationsalreadypresent.

LookattheBeef+LambNewZealand Wormwisewebsiteformoreinformation. SuppliedbyBeef+LambNewZealand

Thereallifeofaflowerfarmer

BySophieRishworth

OntheoutskirtsofGisborne,tucked awayonRiversideRoad,Moose Cottagehumswithcolourandlife. Here,flowerfarmerTeriWilkinsongrows morethan50varietiesofblooms,each onenurturedbyhand.It’sasmallscale, sustainableoperationandalabouroflove thatdemandssevendaysaweekofgrit, compost,andresilience.

TeriWilkinsonisoneofaround10 flowerfarmersinTairāwhitiandthe monthsupuntilChristmasaresomeof herbusiesteachyear.

Theworkisdemandingwithhours spentontheland,sevendaysaweek, withwheelbarrowsofcomposttomove, andeverytaskatthemercyofthe weather.

“OneyearIreplantedeverything fromscratchthreetimes,itcanbesoul destroyingwhentheweatheriswild.”

ButbeingaflowerfarmerisTeri’s passion.

“Ifeellikeit’saprivilegetobeableto doit,itfeedsmysoul,andIhaveavery supportivehusbandwhobacksmedoing it,eventhoughit’snotbringinginalotof money.”

Becausecutflowersareconsidereda luxury,Teriridesadoublerollercoasteronedrivenbytheeconomy,theotherby theweather.

Plus,thereismanagingtheMinistry ofPrimaryIndustriesregulationsaround whatseedscanbeimported.

Forexample,Ranunculus-whichshe callstheprimadonnasofspring–are

beautifulbutdemanding.

“InNewZealandwestartthemfrom seedsourcedfromItalianbreeders.”

Terinurturestheseedsoversummerin acoolhouseuntiltheyarestrongenough toplant.

“Theyneedrichcompost,constant

BLOODY GOOD TRACTOR

attention,andevenatplantingstagethe workhasonlyjustbegun.

“Igrowtheminrowsthroughnettingto keepstemsstraight,someunderclothes, othersintheopen.They’reproneto fungalissues,andbadweathercanturna promisingcropintomush.

“It’sanintensive,expensivecropto grow–butworthit.Theirvaselifeis excellent,whichiswhytheycostalittle more,andwhyIkeepgrowingthem despitethechallenges.”

Terihasalonghistoryinthenursery industry,butherfocusshiftedtogrowing

-weatherandhardwork

cutflowersalmost20yearsago.

Andifthere’sonepieceofadviceshe’d givetoanyoneconsideringfollowingtheir passion-“givethingsagobeforeyouget tooold”.

“Don’tbetooscaredtotrysomething. Allofusatsometimeorotherhave doubtsaboutwhatwewanttodobutif wedon’ttryitthethenyou’llneverknow.”

ThisyearTeri’sfocushasbeentohave onedayoffaweek.Likemostfarmers wholiveontheirland,whenyougetup inthemorning,“youjustkeepgoing”and thereisalwayssomethingtodo.

Wintercanbeslowerbuttheother threeseasonsaredawntodusk,seven daysaweek.

Tohelpherwithwork/lifebalance, Terialsohasanartstudioafewmetres fromhomewherehercreativeflair

comesthroughinotherways.Shehand dyessilkribbonsusingbotanicaldyes (fromherflowers)andsellsthemonline aroundNewZealandforpeopletousein weddingsorotherspecialoccasions.

Shealsopaintswithfluidacrylicinkand createslinoprints–withanexhibitionof herworkcomingupoverEaster2026at MatawheroWinery.

MooseCottageflowersareavailable inbunchesatAashclothingStoreon thecornerofGreyStreetandGladstone Road,orfromTheWorkshopon CarnarvonStreet.

Ifyou’dlikeabunchdeliveredto yourdoor-contactTerionlinethrough FacebookorInstagram @moosecottage, orcheckoutherwebsite www.moosecottage.co.nz

Ranunculusaretheprimadonnasoftheflowerworldneedingtendercaretogetfroman Italianseedtothelongstemthatsitsinyourvaseathome.

ALLYOURSTOCKFEEDNEEDS

Inadditiontoacompleterangeoffencing requirements,wecarryawiderangeoffeedforall youranimalneeds.Ifwedon’thaveit,we’llgetit!

STOCKFEED:Sharpes,NRM,Kibbled/WholeMaize

HORSEFEED:HekeaoFeeds(exclusive),NRM,Mitavite, McMillians,OaklaneChaff,FiberFresh,KirkpatrickFeed Supplies,Dunstan,BenchmarkPerfectMash(exclusive)

Toldyouweare morethanjusta sawmill!Seemefirst forthebestdeal! are usta st morethanj sawmill!Seem forthebestd efi ea r l!

DOGFEED:Coprice,Supervite,MightyMix(exclusive),K9Petfoods,Tux Equine merica&Poseidonsupplements,fullrangeavailable.

RedRowsbringsstrawberries

BySophieRishworth

Abrand-newGisbornebusinessthat’s growingstrawberriesiscalledThe RedRows–andit’sasmuchabout familyandfunasitisaboutfruit.

Deanne&GavinBartlettfeltsomething wasmissinginGisborne.

They’dspentmanysummerdaysat theirfamilymember’sstrawberryfarm inTePuke,sothecouple,bothintheir earlythirties,decidedthiswasaproject theycouldpourtheirheartandsoulinto –andsomethingthatwouldbringpeople together.

“Thisisallnewtous,”saidDeanne,as thecouplehadnevergrowncropsbefore.

“Wearewingingiteverywhichwaybut sofar,it’sworkinginourfavour.

“Wehaveagoodteambehinduswith importantknowledgetohelpusalongthe way.”

InspiredbyDeanne’saunt’sstrawberry farminTePuke,theyleasedlandin Makarakathatalreadyhadprotective tunnelsinplace.Thousandsofplants wereplantedinJune,beesbuzzinside topollinatetheflowers,andtheplants arecarefullyfedthenutrientstheyneed. Insteadofbeingplantedintheground,the strawberriesaregrownusinghydroponics (nosoil)onshelvesatwaistandshoulder height–adesignthatsaveshoursofbackbreakinglabourduringharvest-andit’s done

“It’sbeenasteeplearningcurve,”said Deanne.

“Notjustthegrowingside,butalsothe sellingandmarketing.We’requitegreen, butwe’relearningfast.”

Socialmediahasbeentheirbiggestally toletGisbornelocalsknowwhereand whenthestrawberrypunnetsarebeing sold–sometimesfromtheirdriveway,but recentlytheirmobiletrailerhasbeenout

andabout,parkinginoutdoorsettingsso childrencanplaywhileeveryoneenjoysa strawberrytreat.

“It’swhatweliketodooversummeras afamily,”saidDeanne,“sowewantedto createthatsameexperienceforothers.”

They’realsoregularsattheFarmers Market,wheretheyselloutsuperquickly, withqueues20peopledeepbeforethe marketevenopens.

Deannesaidthegrowthofthebusiness andthefruithadbeenincredible.

Theyofferlargepunnetsoffresh strawberries,chocolate-coveredones,ice creams,smoothies&iceblocksfromtheir mobiletrailer.

andsmilestosummerdays

SMARTSETUP:Thewaistandshoulderheightshelvesof strawberryplantsmeanpickingcanbedonestandingup–savinghoursofback-breakingworkiftheywereplantedin theground.

Localbusinesseshavereachedoutto gettheirhandsonthesestrawberries too,andthecouplehopestoexpandwith moreplantsnextyear.Long-term,they wanttosupplylocaloutletsaswellas continuetohostfunfamilyexperiences overweekendsduringsummer.

“There’sbigdemand,”saidDeanne. “Everybodylovesstrawberries.”

Beforestartingtheirbusiness,Deanne andGavinknewithadtobefamilyfriendly

AFAMILYAFFAIR:DeanneandGavinBartlettwithsonsOscarandLouiearebehindthenewfamilyrunhydroponic

strawberrygrowingbusiness.Thegrandparentsonbothsidesarealsohelpingtoplant,pick,sellthefreshfruitandlookafter thekidswhenneedbe.

astheyhavetwoyoungsons,Oscar(6) andLouie(4).

“Wemadeadecisionfromthestartthat wewouldnotdoitiftheboyscouldn’t beinvolved,”saidDeanne.“Andinwhat capacitywasuptothem.”

“Whenyou’vegotayoungfamily,Ican’t nothavethemaroundmethewholetime –sothisworksperfectly.”

Oscarhastakentothebusinesswith enthusiasm,especiallythesellingside.

“Hethrivesinthatenvironment,”said Deanne.

Thewiderfamilyhavealsothrown themselvesintotheproject.Deanne’s Aunt&UncleinTePukewereahuge drivingforcetogetthemupandrunning, plusbothsetsofparentshaveputinmany hoursinthesetup,planting,selling,and helpingwiththekids.

Deanne’sDadgaveuphisjobtowork fulltimeonthestrawberryfarm. OnememorablenightinJune,thewhole

familywasoutafter10pmwithheadlights on,determinedtogeteveryplantinthe groundwithinatighttimeframe.

“Wecouldnothavedoneitwithout them,andit’sspecialforourparentsto seeusgrowthis.

“We’vealsohadagreatdealofhelp fromlocalbusinesses.JukesandChris HurringLoggingwereamassivehelpin thebeginningwithsetup,andGisborne Horticentregoaboveandbeyondtokeep usontrack.”

Taira-whitiGrowersAssociation

Onthe20thofOctoberattheFour SeasonspackhouseonO’Grady roadover50growerswerehosted bytheTairāwhitiGrowersAssociation (TGA)tolearnmoreaboutthelatest horticulturalinnovations.

TheTGAbelievethatensuring ourgrowersareawareofthelatest technologywillgivethemthebest chanceofimprovingprofitabilityinthe currenteconomicenvironmentwhere highcostsareimpactingonbusiness bottomline.

Smallgroupsofgrowersrotated aroundtheexhibitorsandwereableto view:

•TheFalconPrecisiondroneandfully electricsupportvehicle.TheUAV cancarrypayloadsofupto70kgand issuitableforspraying,seeding,and fertilisingapplications.

•Farmlandsinformedgrowersabout theiroptionsforonfarmsolarwith FarmlandsFLEXhelpingwiththeir sustainableenergyneeds.

•Thelatestinsmartirrigationand watermanagementsystemswas demonstratedbyThinkwater.

•PGGWrightsonprovidedinformation ontheir‘plugandplay’fertigation solutionandthelatestfertigation products.

•Aswellassupplyingtheirfamous baconandeggmuffinsfromthe BBQtrailerHorticentrekeptgrowers uptodatewiththelatestincrop protection.

•TheEasternInstituteofTechnology (EIT)informedgrowersofthenew trainingpathwaysandupskilling opportunitiesnowbeingofferedfor eitherthemselvesortheirstaff. Theeventwasanoverwhelming successwithafollow-upeventcurrently beingplannedforFebruary2026.The

nextinnovationdaywillfocusonrobotics andautomationaswellasincorporating AIandanalyticsintoonfarmdecision making.TheTGAisplanningtohostthe dayonfarmtoenabledemonstrationsof thenewtechnologyinaction.Pleaseget intouchwiththeTGAifyou’dlikemore information.

PGGWRIGHTSONEAST COASTLIVESTOCKTEAM

Foryouron-farmlivestockinspection,paddocksale/ purchases,primestockdraftingoranylivestockbusiness requirementyourmayhave,pleasedonothesitateto contactoneofourexperienceteams.

SEASONUPDATE

Despitealaterstartthanlastyear, Springhasbeenwarm,dryandwindy thisseason.Mostpermanentcropsare enjoyingthisweatherandaregrowing wellsofar,enablingthemtocatchupto typicalseasonaverages.Someseasonal cropsareseeinganimpactfromthedry

–InnovationDay

conditionsresultinginslowergrowth thanusual.

GrowingDegreeHoursabove20 degreesCaretrackingwellaheadoflast yearandarecurrentlymorethandouble theaverageforthistimeoftheseason. Whilethereareafewmonthstogountil manycropsarepicked,similarseasons

inthepasthaveledtoanearlyharvest withcropsmaturingsoonerduetogood growingconditions.

Rainisintheforecasttowardsthe endofNovemberwhichwillbewell receivedbygrowersbothtoreplenish soilmoisturelevelsandtotopupriver flowsforirrigation.Bothmeasures

arecurrentlytrackingbelowseasonal average.Growersareadvisedtoensure theirirrigationandwaterstoragesystems aretoppedupandworkingcorrectlyto makesuretheyarereadyifthingsdodry outfurther.

Pleasesupportyourlocalgrowers bybuyinglocalproducewhereyou

can.Buyinglocallygrownfoodnot onlycutsdownonfoodmilesmakingit betterfortheenvironmentbutitputs themoneyyouspendtoworkinour regionaleconomysupportingjobsand localinvestment.Tairāwhiti’sGrowers appreciateit! SuppliedbyTairāwhitiGrowersAssociation

Newsheeptrialaims toboostlambsurvival andflockresilience

Amajornewsheeptrialisunderway inNewZealandtouncoverwhat makesaewea“goodmum”and howthatimpactslambsurvivalandflock resilience.

LedbytheBioeconomyScience Institute,themulti-yearstudybuildson previousresearchintolambsurvivaland theadaptivecapacityofNewZealand’s sheepflock,conductedbyAgResearch.

WithBeef+LambNewZealand targetinganincreaseinlambing percentagesfrom130%to150%, researcherssaysignificantchangesto currentbreedingsystemsareneededto meetthatgoal.

Projectco-leadsSueMcCoardand MalloryRosssaythistrialtargetsthe criticaleight-weekwindowaround lambing,whenaewe’smetabolic demandssoar,torevealhowstressshapes immunometabolicresponsesinbothdam andlamb.

Bytrackingsurvival,bodycondition, growthandimmunefunction,theresearch willpinpointmanagementleversthat programresiliencefromearlylifeonward.

“Thisisn’tjustaboutimprovinglamb survival,”DrMcCoardexplains,“it’sabout developingevidence-basedstrategies thatcuteweandlambmortality,enhance welfareandproductivity,andsecurebetter profitabilityforfarmers.”

Throughthissystems-levelapproach, theprojectaimstostrengthenNew Zealand’ssheepsectorandupholdour reputationforethical,high-valuefarming. Thetrialinvolves456pregnant ewesfromacommercialflock.Two keyenvironmentalstressorsarebeing studied,thatrepresentnaturalchallenges oncommercialsheepfarms–theplane ofnutritionfortheewe,andnumberof lambscarried.

Researcherswillmonitorawiderangeof

productiontraits—includinglambsurvival, bodycondition,growth,andhealth— alongsidedetailedmetabolic,immuneand behaviouralparameters.Aftertailing,ewe lambswillcontinuetobetrackedthrough summer,withtheirreproductivesuccess ashoggetsand2-toothsalsoassessedin subsequentbreedingseasons.

Byharnessingcutting-edgeimmuneand metabolicprofilingalongsideGPS-enabled behaviourmonitoring,thistrialreveals howearly-lifestressshapeseweandlamb health,”saysDrMcCoard.“Oursystemslevelapproachcouldrevolutioniseewe managementacrossNewZealandfarms.

“Thisresearchcouldpavethewayfor reducedeweandlambmortalityand morbidity,andmoreresilientsheepacross NewZealand’ssheepindustry.

“We’reworkingcloselywithfarmers andindustrypartnerstoensurethe findingsfromthisresearcharepractical andquicklyadopted,”saysDrMcCoard.

“Thegoalistodeliverreal-worldbenefits, healthieranimals,betterreturns,andmore sustainablefarmingsystems.”

“Thisworkhasthepotentialto supportMāoriagribusinesseswithland managementstrategiesthatalignwith tikanga-basedfarmingapproaches,” saysDrMcCoard.“It’saboutlongtermresilienceacrossthefourpillars –economic,environment,socialand cultural”.

Everyonepercentreductionin ewemortalitycansavetheindustry NZ$17–20millionannually,whilemodest improvementsinlambsurvivalstandto boostfarmprofitabilitybyover30percent. Byreducingreplacementcosts,increasing saleablelambnumbers,andlowering veterinaryandchemicalinputs,this BioeconomyScienceInstituteinvestment promisessignificantreturnsforfarmers andthewidereconomy.

MYTHBUSTERS

Forestryisabackboneofourcommunity,sustainedbyneighbours,friends,and whānauwho’repassionateaboutthejobtheydo.Wewanttobustsomecommon misconceptionsoutthereandaskforafewminutesofyourtime,please.

MYTH

Forestryworkersdon’tcareaboutthe environment.

REALITY

Thosewhoworkinforestrylovethe outdoors,they’repassionateandproudof theworktheydo.Theycaredeeplyabout thesustainabilityofthetaiao/environment andkeepingsoilonthewhenua.In Tairāwhiti,competingforestrycompanies getaroundthetableandworktogether becauseit’sforthegreatergoodofthis region.

MYTH

It’sprofitbeforepeople,allownedby overseasrichpeople.

REALITY

SinceCycloneGabrielle,noforestry companyinTairāwhitihasoperatedata profit.ManywouldsellandleaveGisborneif theycould.Contractorshaveleft,jobslost, andGisborneDistrictCouncil’sratesand regulationsaredisablingfutureinvestment. Between30and40percentofallforestsin ourregionareownedbyNewZealanders. ManyofthemareMumandDadinvestors. Thenthere’sthetyreshops,diesel mechanics,anddairiesthatdependon forestrytoo.

Whenforestrygoesthroughadownturn, likenow,familiesloseincome,shopsclose, andcommunitiessuffer. Ourpeopleareatitsheart.

ForestryEnterprisesmanagerJeramiahTe Kirateststhewaterclaritytokeepaneye onanyimpactsdownstreamfromwhatis happeningintheforestabove.Forestsusually delivercleanerwaterthanotherlanduses.

MYTH

Youcan’teattrees

REALITY

Wellthat’strue,howeverjobsplantingeach tree,lookingafterthem,andharvesting25 to35yearslatercreateslong-termstable employmentthatputsfoodonyourfamily’s table,whichyoucaneat.

TheimpactforestryhasontheTairāwhiti communityishugeinmanyways. Itemploysthousandsofthe50,000 population,bringsinthemajorityof$197 regionalGDP,keepssoilonourhills,and makesup93percentofwhatisshipped fromEastlandPortinternationally.

MYTH

Thewoodonbeachesisallfromforests. REALITY

WoodydebrisonGisborne’sbeachesisan

1884,the1960s,to2024andshowpilesof woodonWaikanaeBeach. AftertheJune2024storm,woodcounts showed44percentofwoodwashedonto ourbeacheswasnotPinusradiata(pine) butconsistedofpoplar,willowandother species.

Forestrypracticesinourregionhave changedsince2018,andthepercentage ofpineinwoodydebriswillcontinueto decrease.

Barber’sPole

Thistimeofyearprovidesanideal environmentforthedebilitating parasitecommonlyknownas “Barber’sPole”totakehold.Itthrives inthewarmer,wetter,andmorehumid conditionsaroundtheregionandcan impactthehealthstatusofmanyanimals.

Barber’sPole,scientificallyknownas Haemonchus contortus,isablood-sucking gastrointestinalwormthattargetssheep andothersmallruminants,causing significanthealthissues.

Theparasiteismostactiveduringwarm anddryconditions,followedbyperiods ofrain,creatingtheperfectstormforits propagation.Theysuckbloodfromthe fourthstomachandcausetheaffected

animaltobecomelethargic,experiencing rapidbloodloss,andtragically,somemay succumbtotheinfestationandwillbe founddeadinthepaddocks.

On-farmdiagnosisinvolvesacloserlook atthesheep’sgumsorinnereyelids.Ifthe gumsorinnereyelidsarepale,signalling anaemia,there’sahighprobabilitythat thesheepissufferingfromBarber’sPole. Whilelambsareparticularlyvulnerabledue totheirlowerimmunityandbodymass, adultewesandramsarenotimmunetoits effectseither.

Aswithallparasites,Barber’sPolecan becontrolledwithseveraleffectivefarm managementtools.Someofthesewill include:

•Strategicgrazingmanagement consideringbothlengthofpasture grazedandusingdifferentspeciesto decreasepastorallarvalcontamination.

•Breedingmoreresilientsheep.

•Incorporatingcropsandalternative forages.

•Implementinganeffectiveanimal healthplan.

Contrarytocommonbelief thatpreventingBarber’sPoleisas straightforwardasadministeringaspecific drenchtreatment,it’sessentialtoconsider arangeofcontributingriskfactorsto understandtheimpactsofthisparasite, suchas:

•Thepresenceofotherparasitespecies.

•Theemergenceoforexisting resistancetodewormingtreatments.

•Farmworkloadoverthesummer period.

•Thepotentialimpactofviral pneumoniaand/orpleurisy. Intheever-evolvingbattleagainst Barber’sPole,acomprehensiveand customisedapproachisthekeytoprevent anypotentialdiseaseoutbreaks.Talkto yourvettodevelopaspecificanimalhealth planforyourfarm.

Written by Andrew Cribb, Owner/ Veterinarian atEastCoastFarmVets

HereatHildrethGenetics,webreedtoughsheepthatthrivein realNewZealandhillcountryconditions.Ourfocusisontop performance,constitutionandprofitforourcommercialfarmers.

HIGHFERTILITYANDSURVIVAL -Strongmotheringabilityand vigorouslambsthathitthegroundrunning.

STRUCTURALSOUNDNESS -Sheepwithgoodfeet,consistency andlongevity.

WORMANDFACIALECZEMATOLERANCE -Bredtohandle wormsandreduceonfarmpopulations.5starFEratedand testingtoover0.6

MEATANDWOOLGROWTH -Selectingfastgrowinghigh yieldinggeneticstogetlambsoutthegatefaster.Woolstill hastocomeoffsoitmayaswellbethebestquality.Yeswe stillholdhopeforwool!

ThereliabilityandgeneticprogressofthehumbleRomneyisa truetestamenttothebreed.Theirabilitytodeliverresultsunder anyconditionsiswhythey’vebeenthebackboneofthesheep industryinNewZealandsincetheearly1900s.

There’sareasontradersarealwaysaftergoodRomney basedlambs.

Ourloyalclientsknowwhatthey’regettingandtheylovereliable andconsistentlyhighperformingstock.

Putthesekeytraitsbackintoyourflockandseethedifference!