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December DAIRY PACKHOUSES RURAL DRIVER HEAVY HORSES OHAAKI WETLANDS RETIREMENT COUNTRY LIVING
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Merry Cherry Christmas Cherry ripe –the Bateman sisters Luci (11) and Katelyn (7) may not quite share their father’s view that cherries are the perfect Christmas tree but they do enjoy the rich red, sweet summer fruit – see story page 6.
Issue No. 148
Bay of Plenty & Waikato Farm, Orchard & Rural Lifestyle news
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COAST & COUNTRY
Page 2
Whose Christmas wish will be granted? Hot and dry or wet and cool – those two very different summers are on the Christmas wish lists for kiwifruit orchardists and dairy farmers.
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As an island nation too remote for most pests and diseases to arrive under their own steam it might appear it should be easy to keep unwanted intruders out. The truth of course, is that it’s not. The Ministry for Primary Industries says we have one of the best bio-security systems in the world. Orchardists are more than hoping That may be true and the systems and for hot and dry – many are the people who operate them have praying for a near drought been pretty good at stopping many to reduce the spread of the incursions – but so often it’s not vine-killing disease Psa-V. the wins but the losses which However, drought most get the attention and do the assuredly isn’t what dairy damage. and dry stock farmers In a recent win biosecurity want. They need rain officials discovered an infestato fuel grass growth and tion of plague soldier beetles while it’s been a cool on a vessel arriving at the spring, soil moisture is low Wellington port from Australia. et and grass isn’t growing anyThe AAL Brisbane underwent as p i m gw t thing like it did last year. a full inspection. “It was found to ris on’t Wet, cool and windy is just be on anyone’s Ch be literally crawling with hundreds of what the bacteria Pseudomonas beetles,” says MPI’s Geoff Gwyn. syringae pv actinidiae needs. It’s spread by No wonder horticultural and farming industries wind and water and doesn’t like the heat and while this are warning recommendations by the Environmental spring may have been drier than last, winds and frosts Protection Agency to revoke or restrict some insectihave helped the organism thrive. cides may limit their ability to fight existing and new By late November, nearly 2000 orchards had been pests. infected – in some cases just a few vines, in others Predicting the weather may not be easy but predictmany more. Only the South Island growing regions ing that farmers and growers will continue to face had failed to find evidence of the disease. threats to their livelihoods through factors beyond While the Pseudomonas syringae bacterial family is their control is not. not uncommon and infects a wide range of plants, the Here’s hoping 2013 will be free of `unwanted organpv actinidiae strain, specific to kiwifruit, was not preisms’ emigrating here and extreme weather events. sent in New Zealand until 2010. It’s certain it came in The Coast & Country team wish you all a safe and over our borders but how and when hasn’t been estabpleasant Christmas and a bright and prosperous 2013. lished although evidence points to either imported By Elaine Fisher. kiwifruit pollen or some other plant material. Winners of last month’s book prizes courtesy of Halcyon Press, are: Helen Watson of Pukekohe - ‘Swanning Around’ by Kim Swan and Laurie Shearer, Te Puke, ‘A Passion for Hunting Trips and Tips’ by Alex and Tim Gale.
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COAST & COUNTRY
Page 3
Tweet for road info path of the future? Social networks may be among the ways the New Zealand Transport Agency informs motorists of road closures in future. Brett Gliddon, NZTA's Bay of Plenty State Highways Manager says remotely operated roadside signs, informing radio stations and news websites are already used but social media such as Twitter might be another option to help reduce frustrations for motorists caught in traffic jams. Brett says the aim is always to re-open roads quickly but that’s not always possible, especially in crashes causing death. In such cases control of the section of road is in the hands of police, who carry out forensic investigations to establish the cause of the crash if charges are to be laid or for a coroner’s inquest. “A lot of work has been done to get road closure times down. Five to 10 years ago roads could be closed for hours on end but we now have a memorandum of understanding with police to get roads open as soon as possible. The aim is one and a half hours but that’s
not always possible.” Closing rural highways because of slips, floods or crashes can cost tens of thousands of dollars in economic losses, as well as cause major disruptions for drivers, especially when easy detours are not available. A Lincoln University study carried out in the Kaikora district in 2000 showed the 'potential' cost of road network disruption for road-users and non-users exceeded $250,000 per day. Twelve years on, and for North Island roads, the figure is likely to be significantly more. In the case of crashes causing injury or death, there’s also significant costs. The Ministry of Transport estimates the social cost of road injuries is approximately $3.8 billion per annum. Social cost includes the cost of the loss of life and life quality, loss of output due to temporary incapacitation, medical costs, legal costs and property damage costs. On November 12, State Highway 2 just north of Katikati was closed for four hours after an 18-yearold Huntly man James Dean Miles, died in a head on crash. Traffic backed up for kilometres on both side of the accident scene, with the only alternate route
Trevelyan’s wins national sustainability award Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool of Te Puke has won a national sustainability award – pictured from left at the awards ceremony are James Trevelyan, Steve Butler, Alister Hawkey Rachel Brodie and Diana Ihringer from Trevelyan’s and Ian Niven, general manager business of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority which sponsored the award.
Te Puke postharvest company Trevelyan’s has won the 2012 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards, in the emerging /large corporate category. The company’s win over category competitor the international hotel chain Novotel was announced at a gala function at The Cloud in Auckland last month and follows Trevelyan’s earlier win in the same category of the Bay of Plenty 2012 Sustainable Business Network awards. Trevelyan’s executive director Alister Hawkey says winning the awards is a credit to all staff as everyone had a part to play in achieving it. “We didn’t enter with the intention of winning, but to make a difference in our business. Winning is a bonus.” The award judges said that Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool was a clear winner. “It is using sustainability to innovate, at a time when the kiwifruit industry is under pressure from Psa and the Global Financial Crisis. Despite these pressures the reality of climate change remains and Trevelyan’s felt it was time to do some-
thing about it – tomorrow is too late,” they said. Alister says, “profit and efficiency are very important and an initiative like this will save money. “It must support grower profits and should not be a cost to the business.” Trevelyan’s has reduced its waste to landfill by 85 per cent since 2009 through a comprehensive recycling programme, saving in excess of $35,000 annually. It has recorded a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions between 2010 and 2011 and saved $23,000 in electricity in 2011 through fixed and spot price purchasing. After holding a staff wellness day for health assessment last year, Trevelyan’s has continued to focus on staff health and wellbeing. It now has a morning running/walking group and offers a Pilates class. Moreover, a financial loan facility is available for staff emergency use. The sustainably focus will continue for the company, Alister says. “We will enter again next year, this time in the Trail Blazer category. “We’ve had some easy wins so far but there is more we can do and we would love to lead the way in sustainability in the kiwifruit industry.”
north or south, over the Kaimai Ranges. Among those caught in traffic was Katikati beautician Jo McLachlan who waited in line for 45 minutes before she discovered how long the delay would be.“We were moving slowly and I could see traffic coming towards me so thought some vehicles were being let through. Then I realised it was vehicles leaving the queue and turning back. “I finally drove alongside a policeman who said there would be a three to five hour delay, so I went to a friend’s home to wait. We kept checking the NZTA website but it said the road was closed until further notice. Finally around 9pm we could see the lights of cars moving
along the highway so I guessed the road was open and headed for home.” Brett says a more definitive time wasn’t given on the website because the authority didn’t know when the road would re-open, because police were in control of the crash site. Roadside signs just north of Tauranga and south of Pearoa had been remotely activated, warning that the road was closed, as were signs on the Auckland and Waikato motorways. The Joint Traffic Centre in Auckland controls those signs and also informs radio stations and news websites. For up to date road closures check www.sunlive.co.nz
COAST & COUNTRY
Page 4
Asian consumers value Kiwi quality, integrity Moving to New Zealand proved to be a life-changing experience for two members of the Butt family of Hong Kong, on both personal and career levels.
Ronnie Butt Comvita’s general manager for the Asia region with one of the company’s newer products - olive leaf extract.
KC Butt and his son Ronnie are now heavily involved with the Paengaroa-based natural health product company Comvita, but Ronnie says their previous career interests were very different. “My father was a plastics manufacturer in Hong Kong when we came to New Zealand and when I graduated from university I worked for 10 years for the petro-chemical company ExxonMobil in the Asia Pacific Region.” Ronnie was 17 when the family arrived in this country. He completed his secondary education at Mt Albert Grammar and then gained a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemicals and Materials) at the University of Auckland in 1994. Although the Butt family loved their New Zealand lifestyle, KC Butt retained strong business interests in Hong Kong. When he ‘discovered’ Comvita, founded in 1974 by the then 64-yearold Claude Stratford, he saw an opportunity to introduce its high quality products to the Asian markets.
Comvita acquired GreenLife and Ronnie became Comvita’s general manager for the Asia region, including Taiwan and Japan. It was a logical partnership to combine the attributes of GreenLife and Comvita, enhancing both. “It is a case of one plus one equals three.” The synergies between the two companies are very strong. KC and Comvita’s founder Claude (now 102) and cofounder, Alan Bougen share a firm friendship as well a mutual commitment to the core values of health and wellbeing, sustainable business practices and social responsibility.
SARS
In 1992 KC established GreenLife in Hong Kong solely for the distribution of Comvita products and a selection of other high quality natural and organic products. KC says initially the challenge was the lack of consumer understanding about Western style health supplements. It was the 2003 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak that boosted consumer interest and led to Comvita products being sold in major pharmacy chains and premium supermarkets. Traditions of using natural products and foods as medicines date back thousands of years in Asian cultures but unlike Comvita products and Western medicine, there is little scientific evidence to prove their efficacy. “Consumers are now looking for assurances that products are effective, safe and of top quality, which is what Comvita offers,” Ronnie says. In 2005 Ronnie joined his father’s GreenLife business and under his management, developed a Comvita in-store concept, launching the first stand-alone store in 2004. Today there are more than 400 Comvita-branded outlets in more than 40 cities in China. In March 2007,
PM’s award
Last month Ronnie was among the 14 recipients of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships, designed to build business capability and enhance New Zealand’s opportunity for growth by developing skills in management and international business leadership. He will use the scholarship to attend a four-week course at one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business
schools, the INSEAD Business School in Singapore. “I hope the experience will challenge my thinking and refine my decisionmaking processes, giving me skills I can pass on to others in Comvita too.” Ronnie, his wife Molly and children Hayden (8) and Hayley (3) live in Hong Kong but hope to eventually make New Zealand their permanent home. “I have benefited greatly from living and studying in New Zealand and learning to understand the Kiwi culture and values, which have assisted in the success of the Comvita brand in Asia.
NZ brand
“New Zealand’s own brand is seen as representing quality, innovation and integrity and that further enhances Comvita’s premium brand.” Comvita products are sold in more than 18 countries and it has offices in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. While honey and bee products remain at the core of the business, Ronnie says developments into other health products, including its olive leaf extract, offer exciting possibilities for the future. A clinical trial by The Liggins Institute at The University of Auckland has shown fresh olive leaf extract prepared by Comvita may support normal blood sugar in healthy individuals. By Elaine Fisher
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COAST & COUNTRY
Page 5
Killer and the flaming lance throughout the country, as well as preparing horses for film and TV work. At his property in Fielding Joseph continues breaking in horses and holding horsemanship clinics. Phil is among
his talented stunt team and performed a number of feats of horsemanship at the Equidays, which ran from November 2 to 4.
By Elaine Fisher
When the horse galloping towards you is called Killer and his rider is brandishing a burning lance, it would appear wise to get out of the way quick.
All in a day’s work for stuntman Phil Tenberge who didn’t flinch as Joe Lumsden, on Killer, stabs the ground between his legs with a flaming lance. Phil Tenberge, however, lay on his back and didn’t flinch as horseman Joseph Lumsden stabbed the lance into the ground between his legs. It’s a stunt the trio have performed many times but still requires skill on the part of rider and horse, and trust between all three. “It’s only taken Joe nine years to teach me that trick,” Phil joked when he and Joseph answered questions from an audience at Equidays at Mystery Creek in November. As well as demonstrating some firebrand tricks and impressive stunt riding, Joseph, Phil and the team showed how to train horses to do some of the stunts they have become known for, including the double knee bow, the rear, the Spanish walk and the laydown. It’s all about understanding the horse, patience, repetition and most of all trust, said Joseph. Trust is a big factor when it comes to Killer, the horse once destined for a bullet. “He’d killed a colt and attacked his owner. I was at the stables the day he was due to be shot and the owner asked me if I’d like him. I said ‘yes’ and put him in the float and took him home. “I told the stable boy to always have a stick with him when he went to feed Killer, but one day Killer was hiding and when the boy bent over to fill his feed bucket, Killer ran up and grabbed him by the seat of his pants and carried him around the paddock.
He didn’t hurt him – he was just playing,” laughed Joseph. Today Killer will do just about anything for Joseph, who has won his trust and taught him well but did not break his spirit. Killer still likes to push the limits a little before he settles down to work. The man and horse gave an impressive display of trust when Joseph got Killer to lie on the ground, and then had a cover, snapping and shaking in the wind, laid over him. He stayed still under the cover until it was removed. “This is the first part of the stunt. The second is to cover us both up and then Killer to get up with me on his back and walk around, still under the cover. It’s going to take some work – horses don’t like to be unable to see where they are going.” Joseph began riding at pony club and became an amateur jockey at 17. Soon after he went to his first rodeo and competed for 25 years in New Zealand and overseas. Returning to New Zealand in the 1970s, he started breaking in and re-educating young horses, and horses with bad habits. In the 1980s Joseph worked alongside Peter Bell of New Zealand Stunts, stunt-riding in the movie Willow in 1986 and making several TV commercials. In 1993 he formed a new stunt team, the Rough Riders, and since then has performed trick and stunt riding
Trust - Phil Tenberge stands on Lochie’s back cracking a whip.
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COAST & COUNTRY
Cherry The perfect Christmas tree David Bateman with his idea of the perfect Christmas tree and his daughters Luci (11) and Katelyn (7) .
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The perfect Christmas tree isn’t a pine or a pohutukawa – it’s a cherry tree laden with bright red fruit according to David Bateman of Katikati. “What could be more perfect for Christmas? It’s got bright green leaves and bunches of hanging red fruit,” says David who admits to being a little biased – he grows cherries commercially. He’s got a point though. Fruiting cherries do look festive – but not as festive this season as he’d like. “We had plenty of winter chilling and should have had heaps of fruit but the trees were attacked by the pear slug which I think has affected fruiting.” Growing cherries in Katikati isn’t easy. The Bay of Plenty doesn’t have the extreme winter cold of other regions like the Hawkes Bay and South Island and it has too much rain. However, David and Rochelle built shade houses for their 600 trees on the lowest and coldest part of their orchard five years ago and this winter temperatures dropped to as low as -5 and stayed below 0 degrees on several occasions. “That’s more than cold enough for the trees and growPassionfruit also grow undercover on ing them under the Bateman orchard. cover avoids the risk of fruit splitting after rain.” The trees are grown in bags and irrigated. “They are pretty hardy and don’t need a lot of attention. I do use fertigation from time to time and generally bugs are not a big problem – except this season.” However, the trees aren’t really paying their way. It’s three years since the Batemans had a really good crop. They sell most of the fruit through local farmers’ markets where they are
eagerly awaited each summer and have no need to export them. Given the poor returns from cherries it’s just as well the couple’s other venture is going well. They grow passionfruit for export and local market on the balance of the 9 ha property. “Growing passionfruit is a bit like the early days of kiwifruit because we not only grow and pick our fruit, we also pack it on site and choose which exporters to send it too, and where it goes on the local market.” David grew up with kiwifruit on the Te Puna property owned by his parents George and Fay Bateman. “My after school job early on used to be watering young kiwifruit plants.” David and Rochelle owned a green kiwifruit orchard north of Katikati where they also grew some passionfruit. Eight years ago they sold it to buy a block of bare land to develop as a passionfruit orchard. “The block was covered in gorse with a wet, swampy area. We drained, cleared and contoured it and began planting passionfruit.” By leaving the industry the Batemans may have escaped the scourge of the kiwifruit disease Psa-V, but passionfruit has its own nasty disease called blackleg. “We got it the first year and didn’t know what it was.” Controlling the disease, which can kill a vine seemingly overnight, is now a major focus. Blueberries are also growing on the property and there’s room to graze a couple of horses, a few Dorper sheep, a pet calf and a very well fed kunikuni pig, making it the ideal place for daughters Katelyn (7) and Luci Under cover is the only practical way (11) to grow up. to grow cherries commercially in the Bay of Plenty. By Elaine Fisher
Page 7
COAST & COUNTRY
Ancient sport of hunting thriving By Elaine Fisher
Hunting is a sport for all ages and an increasing number of riders are discovering the thrill of the cross country riding, says Dave Meade, Master of the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt. “We have riders from 80 to young children. It’s one of the few sports the whole family can enjoy together,” says Dave. “Nationally there are 28 Hunts, with a total of about 3200 members.” David and representatives from other regional hunts were at the November Equidays, promoting the ancient sport of hunting which in New Zealand dates from the first hunt at Pakuranga in 1872. However, its history in England and Europe goes back centuries. “There’s a lot of tradition and etiquette associated with hunting and that’s part of the appeal. The
Englishman Tim Spetch, who cares for the Rotorua hounds, with Dave Meade, Master of the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt, were at Equidays promoting the ancient sport of hunting.
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Master still wears the red jacket and each hunt in New Zealand has its own colours.” Each hunt also has its own pack of hounds and it is Englishman Tim Spetch who cares for the Rotorua hounds. Members at the hunt are involved in working with landowners to gain access and modifying fences to create safer jumps. Those who don’t jump can follow through gates, keeping up with the chase. It’s hares the hounds chase in New Zealand but the hunt is about following the hounds across the
countryside, over fences, hedges and through streams or forest, and not so much about finding a hare. The Rotorua hunt has mid-week and weekend hunts from April to August, with a muster of 35 midweek and up to 70 at weekends. Hunting doesn’t have to be expensive as it doesn’t require a special breed of horse to take part and uniforms can often be bought second-hand. The main requirement of both horse and rider is the ability to jump, the stamina to ride cross country and to enjoy the hunt breakfast at the end of it all.
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Rifles more than the sum of their parts All hunting rifles are intensely personal objects. “They are much more than the sum of their parts; they are also an icon of independence and responsibility,” writes James Passmore in his book ‘The New Zealand Hunting Rifle’. “New Zealand is one of the few places that allow the hunter true freedom to hunt as he wishes in total wilderness. Each hunting trip is an expedition and even the weekend trip away can result in an epic tale. “The hunting
rifle is truly a thing of romance and New Zealand is one of the last places where the unique experiences of a man alone in the wild and outfitted only with a pack and rifle, can be discovered, as our pioneers did. This is one of our most previous heritages and it must be guarded jealously.” His book doesn’t seek to identify the ‘perfect’ hunting rifle, because James knows no one rifle or cartridge will ever suit every hunter. However, in this balanced and readable book he explores the history and development of hunting preferences and compares some of the most popular hunting rifles, at the same time giving his own favourites. Thanks to publishers The Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘The New Zealand Hunting Rifle’ by James Passmore to give away.
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To be in to win Email “Hunting Rifle”, along with your name, address and phone number to elaine@thesun.co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Elaine Fisher, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than December 17, 2012. The winner will be announced in the January Coast & Country.
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COAST & COUNTRY
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Medal recognises career dedicated to kiwifruit Thirty-one years ago when Russell Lowe was asked to help establish a research orchard in Te Puke, the focus was to be citrus and subtropical fruits, not kiwifruit. However, it was not long before kiwifruit were planted, sparking Russell’s interest in the fruit which led to the development of one of the fruit industry’s most impressive success stories of modern time. For his work in developing and helping to commercialise the gold kiwifruit Hort16A which has added around $3 billion to the industry and the New Zealand economy, Russell has been awarded the inaugural Hayward Medal. The new award is named after
another great horticulturalist and kiwifruit breeder, Hayward Wright, whose innovation and contribution established the industry. The kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council (IAC) established the Hayward Medal and IAC chairman Bruce Cameron presented Russell with the award at Zespri’s kiwifruit industry Momentum conference, saying his work defined the kiwifruit industry
Leadership
“Hort16A was the first cultivar to provide a real alternative to the green variety Hayward and helped cement the world leadership of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. This cultivar has proven recently challenged in the context of Psa but has been incredibly profitable and established the gold category for the future. “Russell’s 41-year career at
Plant & Food Research’s Te Puke Research Centre saw him establish the orchard and kiwifruit breeding programme and it is this work, and the body of knowledge he helped create, which now holds our best chance for a breeding solution to Psa,” said Bruce. Plant breeding wasn’t a career the young Russell Lowe imagined for himself when he began a science degree at Canterbury University. The eldest of seven children, Russell completed his college education at Timaru Boys’ High School.
Peas
The need to finance his education saw Russell picking peas seven days a week during university holidays and then working on the horticultural property owned by Tony Burnett in the Horotane Valley above Christchurch. “Tony
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“The land was fairly flat, with a few gullies. Our first impression was it was windswept and much colder than Nelson, but that’s all changed with the shelter planted on this orchard and others around it.” Initially Russell and his wife Veronica lived in the house the Ministry of Works built on the orchard and Veronica (who is a qualified teacher) was the unpaid receptionist and telephonist, operating from an office in the spare room in their new home. Ministry of Works staff helped contour parts of the orchard, design and install irrigation and dig bores for the water supply. Local orchardists also lent a hand. Plantings included grapefruit, lemons, tangelos, mandarins, macadamia, feijoa and nashi. There was also a block of virus-free stone fruit trees used for the collection of budwood. Citrus had dominated the Bay of Plenty horticultural landscape with fruit grown for export, local consumption and juice. However, falling returns and battles between growers and the Citrus Marketing Authority led orchardists to
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look for alternatives and by the 1980s citrus trees were being cut out and replaced with kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit
“In 1972 block four of the research orchard was planted in Hayward kiwifruit and those vines are still here and so far surviving, despite Psa,” says Russell. The research orchard is close to where the vine bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa-V) was first discovered in New Zealand in 2010. The research orchard had a collection of the named kiwifruit varieties (all green) Bruno, Abbott, Monty and Allison and much of the early research and breeding work involved looking for useful plants and rootstocks growing on commercial orchards. In 1984 Russell had a last minute chance to join an apple grower’s trip to China.
China
“Don MacKenzie, the Hawke’s Bay breeder of the Splendour apple, had arranged a 10-day tour of China but one grower couldn’t go, so the department came up with some money and I found the rest.” It was a tantalising trip as Russell got to see, but not closely examine, kiwifruit growing in a botanical garden. “The Chinese weren’t keen to let us get too close to the plants.” With plans to build the three gorge dams on the Yangtze River, the Chinese government began to welcome the help of New Zealand scientists in identifying and collecting kiwifruit plants from the wild and setting up a collection centre in Chengdu. “There was concern that many plant varieties, not just kiwifruit, could be lost by the flooding of the gorges and the re-location of settlements.”
Page 9
COAST & COUNTRY
Collecting wild kiwifruit Russell returned in China in 2003 and 2004, attempting to time the visits just before wild fruit was ripe and locals picked it for sale. Wild kiwifruit are found on the edges of the forest or in clearings, where there is light, and often grow up trees. “They are not as vigorous as in New Zealand, partly because of the soil conditions and the fruit is generally quite small.”
GPS
Chinese assistants often scaled the vines to pick fruit for the collectors. “We used a GPS to record the location of plants so that if we found something especially interesting, we could return.” It was as a result of this co-operation between Chinese and New Zealand scientists that the Te Puke research centre built up one of the largest and most comprehensive kiwifruit collections in the world. The arrival of Psa put that collection under threat. “As soon as we knew Psa was in the area we took steps to protect our collection by saving seeds and taking cuttings to be propagated in Palmerston North and we have plants in orchards in Kerikeri and Nelson. The concern now is that Psa is also in the Kerikeri area.”
Hort16A
It was apple breeder Don MacKenzie who imported the first seeds which led to the breeding of the highly successful Hort16A gold fruit. “The mother of this variety was selected by Mark McNeilage and Alan Seal from a second generation of the seed Don imported in 1977. It had good taste and reasonable size compared to most of the seedlings and a bit of red around the core. “The father was selected by Mark and Alan from a seed introduction made in 1981 on the basis that its female siblings had good fruit size. Mark made crosses in 1987 and more than 300 seedlings were planted out at Te Puke in 1988. “The female, later known as Hort 16A (because of where the plant was growing in block 37) first fruited in 1990 and was selected by myself and Hinga Marsh because of its large size and unique tropical taste.”
The initial trial blocks of the new gold fruit were planted in 1992 in No. 3 Rd and large scale trials followed.
Monster
“Growers were worried about the rapid and continuing growth throughout the season of the monster plant, and how it could be managed. There was also concern about its distinctive ‘beak’ and how that would affect picking and packing.” Those concerns were justified but growers and consumers loved the colour and the taste of the fruit, marketed under the Zespri brand. “The success of the commercial development of Hort16A was due to the close partnership between researchers, growers and marketers. Without this gold kiwifruit would not have become the market success it was,” says Russell. Key issues were new pollinators, canopy and pest management, harvest maturity, optimal storage conditions, all of which Russell played a part in, along with other breeders, research orchard staff, physiologists, post-harvest operators, growers and entomologists. Russell is sad that Psa has meant the end of the Hort16A variety, in the Bay of Plenty at least, but he believes that the industry will survive. “The Gold 3 and Green 14 varieties may give time for new tolerant material to be identified from a greatly expanded breeding population base. It is encouraging that there is a range of tolerance in our germplasm and breeding populations as a basis for moving forward, and the industry has given urgent priority to support this work.” Russell has semi-retired but he’s still at the orchard three days a week. His most recent project has been a pollination trial to identify which of the tolerant males on the orchard will prove the best pollinators for new varieties. Russell’s interest in the industry goes beyond the fact that he has devoted a significant slice of his career to the fruit. “Kiwifruit is worth growing because it is so nutrient dense – it’s a fruit which is good for you.”
Russell Lowe with Prof Li at the new kiwifruit plant collection site at Chengdu in China in 2004.
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DAIRY
Page 10
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Coming back from a family Christmas break, and finding there’s a few thousand dollars of milk grade penalties to add to the holiday bill, is not a nice welcome home. This is a high-risk time of year with on-duty staff stretched to cope with colleagues away, and relief staff having to deal with milking and plant management. MAF Dairy Officers used to say that Christmas grades were caused by the three ‘Hs’ – ‘Holidays, Haymaking and Hangovers’. In today’s social environment, you could probably add another ‘H’ for hemp. With today’s big herds and many staff working different shifts, penalties mean a witch hunt to find out how it happened, and worse still, who stuffed up. It’s especially hard on staff if the system was at risk. Sadly, despite all the information on Quality Management (QM) systems in farm dairies, which has been around for the last 50 years, too many are still highly vulnerable to milk quality breakdowns. Sharemilkers (50:50 and variable order), and contract milkers are very vulnerable, as in their agreements they
are generally responsible for all milk grades. There are examples each season where these folk have to work for a whole month with no income due to the financial loss of an antibiotic grade. It sets some careers back for years. Farmers who have been using Wormade’s Oral Mineral Supplement (OMS) for a number of years now to build up animal’s immunity, have found that they can largely remove antibiotics from their farm dairy. Starting to build a robust immune system at the calf stage and up to 10 months of age has provided effective protector from major pathogen threats, and especially when the cattle get into lactation as heifers. Staff on these farms say that the major benefit of getting antibiotics out of the dairy is their improved working environment and job satisfaction, especially in large herds with large staff numbers, when the fear of a system’s breakdown has been removed. And they are also keen to point out that these benefits go right through to family relations and welfare. Farm owners are finding a great reduction in staff moving on after only one season’s employment, avoiding all the cost and trauma that involves. (Supplied by Wormade Ltd)
Newton’s law as applied to soils As I have so often stressed, the soil in which a plant grows is in fact that plant’s rumen, it’s that simple. How you treat it will have a lasting influence on how the plant lives and carries out its lifecycle. A few years ago, there was a suggestion that you should fertilise your soil proportional to the amount of stock you wished to graze; a proposal I vehemently disagreed with then and an opinion from which I have never wavered. If I am correct, and forgive me if your opinion differs, the plant is not aware that it will be eaten and in fact, I don’t believe if it could voice an opinion that it would care if it is going to provide sustenance for a bull or a bandicoot. All it wants to do is anchor its roots in the soil, feast on the nutrients that the soil provides and, hopefully, grow healthy disease free tissue, procreate, set new seed and ultimately die. I strongly believe that is how it was meant to be, be that by evolution or the grand architect’s design. I don’t wish to offend anyone but there is a uniformity in nature, specific rules, which if broken result in the activation of Newton’s third law of motion, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. Newton may have been referring to the act of moving, however, I believe that the same law applies to growth and that we can supplement the word action with the word deed, therefore, for each misdeed in the abuse of the plants growing environment there will be, and indeed has been an equal and opposite reaction in the form of weeds – poor production – sick animals – poor growth and a general decrease in revenue and expendable income for the husbandman. There is a witch-hunt going on, and the blame is being placed on the ruminating animal because it is said to be belching out too much methane.
That is not surprising, as the plant life it is forced to feed on have had their digestive systems smitten with chemicals, nitrates, hormones and whatever the system can squeeze out of the primary producer in the form of band-aids in an effort to capitalise on the problems perpetrated by the self-same “system”. To blame the farmer for the global warming saga reeks of a major conspiracy! Let me explain just how I have come to that conclusion. First of all, there is no more carbon on earth than there was in day one, so you may ask “how come the animal is forced to recycle more?” Don’t blame the farmer or his livestock; blame the advice that has misguided him. Actually, the carbon which is exhumed from the bowels of the earth by the profit hungry chemical and oil companies is adding more to the atmosphere than ruminating animals, all the animal is doing is recycling the excess it is being fed. Animals expelling methane in excessive amounts are working inefficiently. It is a case of garbage in and garbage out. The ruminating animal is the most efficient converter of grass to protein there is. However, if too much protein is ingested, or more precisely, too much NPN (Non-Protein-Nitrogen), the animal must dispense the surplus or die. In an effort to stay alive, it will convert the excess into either urea or methane and expel it. Normally, and I emphasize that word, normally, an animal will only eat, (ingest) amounts suffice to meet her/his needs. However, if the feed offered is not capable of supplying sufficient ingredients to satisfy its requirements, it must do one of four things: convert the incoming food to products that can be used to fulfil its needs or: expel the surplus as urea and methane:; lose condition; or die: A dead animal is not a very rewarding option; therefore, the next best thing for the animal is to reduce its performance, ie produce less milk, less weight gain, less wool, less reproduction. All of which are very poor options as far as the owner is concerned.
PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS
Page 11
DAIRY
Integrating dairy housing with pasture The open day of the recently completed dairy stand-off barn built by Aztech Buildings on the property owned by Bruce Woods at Edgecumbe proved a real success. The focus for the day was ‘how to maximise returns by integrating dairy housing with pasture’ and key speakers included Dr Sue Macky of Dairy Production Systems and Cameron Bierre from Dairy NZ. With the summer heat penetrating, it was a pleasure to feel the cooler managed temperature of the barn, says Simon Clare of Aztech Buildings. “Using the dairy barn during the summer months is one way Bruce gets a return on his investment. That’s because cool cows produce more milk. One degree Celsius drop in cow temperature can equate to one addiOpen day at the Aztech Dairy Stand-off Barn owned by Bruce Woods of Edgecumbe.
tional litre of milk per cow every hour. “One of the aims is to improve feed conversion efficiency and get more milk for the same amount of feed given to the herd. But it doesn’t stop there, cow comfort and welfare is of primary importance. Aztech focus on managing cows rest, feed, space, water, air and light. Once these primary welfare principals are met, that’s when happy cows produce more milk. “Dairy Housing is more than just getting the cows off the pasture. If you are going to do it, do it properly” says Simon. “As Dr Sue Macky says; “cows do not belong in greenhouses”, so you need to ensure you build the right structure to maximise returns when integrating dairy housing and pasture,” says Simon.
The company has a free dairy housing blueprint which also includes Aztech’s eight key benefits of their
building systems. Request your copy online at www.aztechdairyhousing. co.nz or phone 0800 298 324.
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Gardening grants for schools Equine Tauriko School near Tauranga is among six North Island rural schools to win a $2000 gardening grant from Rural Women New Zealand and Farmlands.
Rural Women New Zealand National president, Liz Evans, says: “This is the third time that Rural Women New Zealand and Farmlands have collaborated to distribute the proceeds from the popular Farmlands Ladies Nights, which are held around the North Island during October. “The resurgence of interest in eating fresh food and getting back to basics was reflected in the number of applications we received, with 113 rural primary schools applying for grants.” The money will be used to buy equipment, seedlings or plants to start a vegetable garden or orchard, or further develop one already in place. The schools will also receive gardening equipment from McGregor’s Gardening, a gardening starter kit from Yates, fertiliser from Agrisea NZ Ltd and a copy of ‘A Good Harvest – recipes from the gardens of Rural Women New Zealand’ so the children can put all their produce to good use. The other successful schools are: Ohuka School, Wairoa; Tinui School, Wairarapa; Toko School, Stratford; Tomorata School, Wellsford School, Pukekawa School Tuakau.
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Page 12
Modelling can help decision making We have spent the last 20 years focused on soil fertility, particularly fertility under grazed pastures, and there are still times when parts of the picture are cloudy, sometimes even decidedly murky. For an individual farmer or general farm consultant to be able to decide on the quantity of nutrient to be applied this spring, particularly deciding on whether the phosphorus input, should it be required, be applied in the form of rock phosphate, locally made single superphosphate, or perhaps DAP, requires a great deal of information and a sound understanding of soil and plant requirements. This is where models may be useful. A good model allows decision making to be relatively rapid and accurate. For a model to be useful it must contain correct information, particularly the initial information on which all further assumptions are made. Should any part of the information on which a model is based be incorrect, the final outcome will almost certainly be nonsense regardless of the accuracy of the logic used. An example of a logical argument based on a faulty premise is that land produces a base level of pasture without fertiliser nitrogen being applied and that each kilogram of fertiliser nitrogen applied provides an annual growth increase of 10kg DM. A little nitrogen used strategically, when available nitrogen is the limiting factor and there are no other nutrients limiting production, may provide an increase far greater than 10kg dry matter for every kg of N applied. More nitrogen does not mean a further increase of the same magnitude for each kilogram of nitrogen applied. Pasture response to the application of any nutrient depends on a large number of factors and there is no model available today that can accurately predict an outcome in every situation, and probably never will be which is why capable competent people in the field are so important. A recent independent report on the Berryman property near Edgecumbe where the soil fertility programme has been based on DoloZest and CalciZest since August 2004 and has applied less than 20kgN/ha in each of the last four seasons states that it grew 30 per cent more feed for the 2011/12 season than the “average” farm for the district. The report also shows that the Berryman property produced 47 per cent more milk solids per hectare than the “average”, had a substantially higher Gross Margin measured in $/ha, and a lower impact on the environment. When any model or research provides a response that is favourable to our position, as has the independent on-going nitrate leaching work at the Berryman’s which showed average Nitrate-N leaching levels of less than 5ppm for last season, we tend to view it favourably, when it doesn’t, the tendency is to be critical. What we believe is essential is that models should never drive behaviour. Farming is a practical exercise and changes should be driven from the field with science providing the reasons for the outcomes, remembering that substantial change nearly always comes from the fringes rather than mainstream. For more information on a soil fertility system that grows and produces more without reliance on fertiliser nitrogen, and also provides a positive environmental outcome, give us a call.
DAIRY
Taking a less toxic approach How safe is glyphosate? Well it would appear the wool (chemical) has been pulled over our eyes again. A 30 plus yearlong study by Dr Don Huber, retired emeritus professor at Purdue
Innovative Design Improves Efficiency Ezi-flo pit gates completely clear exit ways and cannot be touched by cows leaving the milking area.
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ezi-flo
PITGATES
University, reveals the truth, it doesn’t break down. It’s getting into the umbilical cord of pregnant women in the middle of big cities. According to the German journal Ithaka, every single urine sample collected from city dwellers around Berlin tested positive for glyphosate, with values ranging from 0.5 to 2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) – that's between five and 20 times the permissible upper limit for glyphosate in German drinking water, which is set at 0.1 ng/ ml. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup. This is why biological farming techniques are so critical for the primary producing sector to move forward
Zest
What’s this worth?
5000kg of soil nitrogen = $5000/ha pa 500 000ltrs of water/ha (rainfall)could be the difference between crop
failure or record harvest. So before you apply your next load of chemical to combat weeds/ insects, or your next load of urea, why not talk to a biological soil/crop consultant/agronomist and you may just find out that you could half your urea bill by the simple addition of a product that makes the urea last longer, thereby minimizing nitrate-nitrogen leaching and/or ammonia volatilization. Look who’s the winner here; financially you – (just halved the nitrogen bill) and your environment.
By Grant Paton of
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Solid and Liquid Fertilisers Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder /Cal-Phos Increase soil humus and biological activity – from $15/ha Soil Force Biological Phosphate Fertiliser Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Stock Primer – Mineralised Carbon Drench Build immunity, suppress pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus & E.Coli for as little as 4¢ per cow per day Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid Increased water retention & nutrient release. New Biological Controls for Cricket, Cicada, Argentine Stem Weevil, Clover Flea – all added into solid and liquid fertiliser programmes.
Soils
09
and develop less toxic approaches to producing our daily bread (including fruits and vegetables). Our soils have lost in excess of 50,000kg of carbon or 100 000kg of organic matter in the last 50yrs.
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Page 13
DAIRY
Aromatherapy for cowshed effluent Essential oils are more commonly associated with beauty therapy but a Mount Maunganui company is using them to help make dairy effluent smell better. Sulfur Solutions uses a product called Maskall, which contains a blend of natural essential oils derived from plants and aromatic chemicals in its dairy effluent treatment product Efflomax, to help
reduce odours. The product, which mixes well with water, is described as a broad spectrum odour control agent and was developed in Australia to control the odour from pig farms. It works by controlling toxic gases and smells generated by the microbes which break down effluent and has no impact on the soil nutrient value of farm effluent used as fertiliser. Pine oil is another ingredient of Efflumax and it acts as an antiseptic
and disinfectant which also helps with odour control. Pine oil is also an essential oil and a by-product of the manufacture of pulp and paper. It is extracted from pine needles, twigs and cones by steam distillation and is widely used as a natural deodorant and antibacterial agent in antiseptics and cleaners. Efflomax also contains copper sulphate pentahydrate to assist the breakdown of solids to make animal effluent soft and flow more easily through the irrigation system.
Changes at Fonterra Fonterra is to combine its Australian New Zealand (ANZ) and Asean/Middle East/North Africa businesses to form a single Asia Pacific/Middle East/Africa (APMEA) business unit.
The co-operative has announced the change to its senior management team arising from a reorganisation of its consumer businesses across the Asia Pacific region. The Managing Director APMEA will be Mark Wilson, Fonterra’s existing Managing Director ASEAN/MENA. The appointment takes effect in January. After six years of working in Melbourne away from his Sydney based family, Fonterra’s Managing Director ANZ, John Doumani, has indicated that
he will take the opportunity to leave the co-operative and pursue opportunities outside Fonterra. He will assist in the transition period and will leave at the end of March next year. Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings said the move was part of the co-operative’s strategy to grow its consumer businesses: “Our businesses across Asia Pacific represent around 40 per cent of our earnings and are vital to the co-operative. “There are big growth opportunities in the emerging markets of Asia and Middle East, and some challenges to address in our home markets of Australia and New Zealand and our strategy requires us to address both. “Mark Wilson is a very experienced global business leader who has grown our Asian business from strength to strength.”
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Copper, an important trace element in all forms of agriculture and a mineral supplement for animals, is also part of Efflomax. It is a fungicide and algaecide which will inhibit some bacteria while activating others. A low concentration of copper sulphate pentahydrate will control most algae, fungi and mould without destroying the nutrient value of effluent as a fertiliser. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC) are also used in Efflomax as an
anti-microbial and disinfectant and a surfactant additive to spread liquid products on contact. The QAC used in the product is benzalkonium chloride which is often included in products used to control moss, mould, fungi and bacteria when cleaning roofs, paths and shower cubicles. Its inclusion in Efflomax is important because, together with copper sulphate, it helps curb adverse microbial build-up that can restrict effluent movement and flow.
Dairy giant builds China farm ‘hub’ Fonterra has signed an investment agreement with Yutian County, to develop two more large-scale dairy farms in Hebei Province. The two farms will complete Fonterra’s ‘hub’ of five farms in Hebei Province and are the next step in its strategy to build a high quality, sustainable fresh local milk supply in China. The two farms, located 120km east of Beijing on a 80 hectares double site, will house around 3350 milking cows each and collectively produce up to 65 million litres of milk a year once fully operational. Fonterra president of Greater China and India, Kelvin Wickham, says the
investment is part of Fonterra’s strategy to build an integrated local milk pool in China. “The demand for dairy in China is expected to double by 2020 and much of this growth will be met from local production. We need to build a safe, sustainable local milk supply to feed this growth. “This announcement completes our first farming hub in Hebei Province. Once fully operational, it is expected to produce around 150 million litres a year. We intend to follow this farming hub with several more through China, with the ultimate goal of producing up to one billion litres of high quality milk by 2020.”
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DAIRY
Hot summer and feed shortage in forecast It may not feel like it but all the indications still point to a long hot summer, influenced by the El Nino weather patterns.
In mid-November when there had been snow on the Desert Road and we were still wearing jerseys, a hot summer seemed pretty remote. How ever summer turns out, it looks like there will be a shortage of stock feed because the cold temperatures and lack of rain in spring mean farmers are struggling to find surplus pasture to make their own supplements. At Paengaroa there were two significant frosts on October 20 and 24 and just 76 mm of rain for the month, which is pretty light and in keeping with the westerly, El Nino winds which don’t deliver rain to the east. The Bay of Plenty is 40 to50 mm less rain than normal for this time of year. Even the Waikato has not had much rain and we have already delivered silage to feed out now to keep cows milking. Because our silage is of such good quality, those farmers we are supplying are using it and keeping their own silage (if they have any) for later when the cows have dried off. Hill Laboratories tested 10 stacks of our bailed silage harvested from
Rotorua, Welcome Bay (Tauranga) Paengaroa and Te Puke and the samples averaged 11.3 ME (metabolisable energy) content, which is well able the average range of 9 to 11. Anyone buying silage should ask to see its test results because, once it’s wrapped, all silage looks the same. If you are relying on it to keep your cows in good health and milking well, don’t take the risk of paying a little less for something which may be of very poor quality. As I’ve said many times before, the best silage is made from pasture which cows would want to eat, and could be milked on. Once the grass has 16 per cent seed head and over – it’s not so good for silage and should be made into hay. Wrapped silage will last for several years if it is well made and properly wrapped with no damage to the plastic from birds or rodents, so having a supply on hand makes good sense. Last season’s wet summer meant some of our maize was late in harvesting. This year we’ve used some early
maturing varieties but even so, with the cold temperatures, initial growth has been slow. We’ve been side dressing urea to promote growth and with a little more rain and some warmth, the plants will be away. We’ve been keeping on top of the weeds too. This is vitally important not just to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture but also to reduce the risk of spreading unwanted weeds to other properties in the harvested maize silage. Another reason there could be some shortage in feed supplies is that last year’s record grass growth meant a reduction in demand for maize silage in particular so growers are not planting as much this season, because they don’t want to be caught out with surplus on hand. We are taking orders now for this season’s maize and silage which enables farmers to lock in their feed supplies and price so there are no unpleasant surprises around availability, quality and cost later in the season.
Innovative solution to concrete waste An innovative, environmentally advantageous way to use waste concrete has resulted in an added value product for Counties Ready Mix of Drury, Auckland.
Interlocking mass concrete blocks made by Counties Ready Mix have many applications. “When we assessed how much concrete was going to waste, we knew we could do something better, for both the company and the environment,” says Andrew Payne, director of sales and technology management for the company which is known to be a leader and innovator in the concrete market. “The Auckland ready mixed concrete industry produces around 50,000m3 of left over concrete per year. Usually at the end of a concrete pour there is some concrete left over. Some companies will top up the old concrete and send it back out. Some try to recycle the aggregates (which can produce a lot of slurry waste), some crush the concrete and use it as aggregate in new concrete but a lot ends up in land fill.” “The development of our interlocking mass concrete
blocks was a logical step for us. It allows us to quickly dispose of waste concrete freeing up our trucks. It means all our customers get fresh concrete every time, we’re preventing waste concrete from going into landfills and we end up with a product we can sell at very competitive prices. It’s also great that these mass blocks will reabsorb carbon dioxide (a process called re-carbonation) further improving our environment.” Counties Ready Mix have developed three sizes of interlocking concrete blocks starting from a small 0.5TN block, the standard 1.1TN block and a large 1.65TN block. “It’s just very large building blocks, at 800mm high each, walls are very quick to install with minimal joints.” The company has supplied thousands of blocks to the rural sector for feed bins and dividing walls. Scrap steel merchants and industrial processing plants have installed the product also as it provides a very solid concrete wall at over half a metre thick which can take the abuse of loaders and large fork hoists. They are also a popular choice for retaining walls and barrier walls. Counties have developed many environmental initiatives including recycling all their waste water and have just launched a low carbon footprint concrete. “Being a family owned local business we feel it’s really important to keep developing sustainable processes to minimise our impact on the environment.” Says Andrew. The company was recently awarded the “National Supreme Award” by the New Zealand Ready Mixed Concrete Association in recognition of technical excellence.
DAIRY
Page 15
Measuring and managing water use on farm If you’re looking for reasons to use water efficiently in the farm dairy, says Wayne Berry, there’s a pretty good list of them.
the backing gate to break up dung before hosing • wash the yard after each milking • hose the yard with high water volume under low pressure • work actively and close to the effluent • include a timer setting on the yard wash down pump (set a time standard for wash down and train staff to achieve it) • consider capturing excess cooler water (that would otherwise go to waste) in tipper drums for yard wash.
Smart water use makes sense to Wayne. As a farm owner, he aims to practise what he preaches in his own operation. As a farm consultant, he encourages others to use water wisely because it’s profitable and sustainable. “For a start, smart water use in the farm dairy helps to reduce power use and costs,” says Wayne. “Next, and perhaps most impor-
Spick and span – a wellwashed down herringbone shed where water has been used effectively and economically.
tant, it contributes to cost-effective effluent management. Do it right and you can reduce your effluent storage capacity requirements.” It’s a no-brainer for those who pay for water by volume – reducing water use keeps money in your pocket. Finally, it can help meet regulatory requirements that may apply in your area. This is particularly relevant for Waikato dairy farmers now grappling with new water take rules for dairy shed use as set out under Variation 6 of the Waikato Regional Plan. DairyNZ’s new resource The regional council, Federated Farmentitled Smart Water Use in ers and DairyNZ have all been running the Farm Dairy. sessions to inform farmers about Variation 6 and support those needing to apply for resource consent. DairyNZ has also released a new resource entitled Smart Water Use in the Farm Dairy. It’s a four-page publication with tips and advice for efficient water use and a one page Worksheet to help estimate water use (in the absence of meters). “Knowing current water use will be particularly helpful in completing the resource consent application,” says Wayne. “So this new DairyNZ resource is something farmers will want to get their hands on.” The Worksheet looks at water use for milk cooling, plant/vat wash, yard wash down, and other uses. It follows measure … record … and calculate steps to give an estimate of total water use. The resource itself provides efficiency options in these same areas. “Some real gains in yard wash down water use are possible, depending on your current routine,” says Wayne, who has been involved with the DairyNZ Smart Water Use programme since its inception. For those doing manual yard washing, the following efficiency options are suggested: • pre-wet the yard on warm, sunny days with a yard hose or sprinkler • use a scraper or a chain (inside an old yard hose) on
Recycling effluent (green water) to flood wash the yard is an excellent way to further reduce water use. If you’re considering this, get advice from your dairy company representative to ensure you are compliant with your terms and conditions of supply. Smart Water Use in the Farm Dairy can be downloaded at www.dairynz.co.nz/smartwateruse. To get a printed copy in the post, dairy farmers can ring 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969). Gord Stewart is a specialist in water use and conservation. He manages the Smart Water Use on Dairy Farms programme for DairyNZ.
FEED MANAGEMENT
Page 16
Doing it right for farm profitability Land well prepared in advance for new pastures and crops, and the way hay and silage is handled and harvested all has a significant impact on farm profitability. Which is why Clinton Ashby and his dedicated team at Ashby Contracting treat every job with upmost urgency and as if it was their own. “Being a farmer myself is how I know the importance of the job being well done and right on time, which is why we take pride in our work,” says Clinton who has owned and operated the Pongakawa based company for 20 years. Clinton grew up on a local Te Puke family farm now runs his own dairy farm, and the contracting business
continues to be based in Maniatutu Road, Te Puke. It is from there that he runs a fleet of modern Massey Fergusons, McCormicks and Case tractors and a range of machinery and implements to operate this well-tuned contracting business. “This is a far cry from when I started with one tractor and just making conventional square hay bales,” says Clinton. Today thanks to modern machinery and a team of five full time operators supported by casual staff, Ashby contracting now offers a range of services including mowing, tedding, raking, silage and hay in large round or square wrapped bales. The wrapping is done by Ben Muir who is also a specialist in the use of the one pass rotor spike and air seeding systems.
Clinton Ashby of Ashby Contracting. “We still make conventional hay bales which are still very popular among small farms and lifestyle properties. We do loader wagon silage and provide plastic covers at competitive rates.” Cultivation is another important aspect of the company’s operations which includes discing, power
harrowing, rolling under sowing, one pass rotor spike and air seeding, for crops and grass. Now prerippers with a roller behind are also available. Clinton believes under sowing, or no-till methods result in less wind erosion of top soil, helps retain soil moisture and lower the overall cost per hectare.
Avo Fest ‘must’ for summer The Katikati Avocado Wine and Food Festival has become an annual `must’ for locals and holiday makers - a respite from the beach to enjoy fine food, wine and entertainment in the historic Uretara Domain. The Pakeke Lions organised event will be on Saturday January 19, 2013 with funds raised going to the completion of the Cancer
Society’s New Lion’s Lodge in Hamilton. There will be a wide range of foods on sale and well as wines from Askern Estate, Finer Wines, Hihi Wines, Makaraka Estate, Morton Estate and Volcanic Hill Wines. Avocado themed competitions are part of the day and there’s entertainment for children too. Three groups will perform throughout the day. The South Workshop, back by popular demand, play the classics from
Abba, to YMCA, and many other popular hits. Tony Edwards Trio is an experienced group of musicians who play numbers from Rock ‘n roll, jazz, pop to middle of the road. 'Double Xposure'.is a professional duo from Tauranga with a great sound and large repertoire enjoyed by all age groups. Admission price is $20. Family members under the age of 18 years, accompanied by parents, are free. Early bird tickets: $16. To find out more check out the website: www.avofest.co.nz/
Pedalling stress relief for growers Te Puke kiwifruit growers hard hit by the vine disease Psa-V are being offered the chance to find some stress relief by joining weekly mountain bike rides. The Thursday outings, which began last month, have been organised by New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc and Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc.
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“One of the things that we at NZKGI do is support growers and industry people as we deal with Psa in our community,” says NZKGI’s employment coordinator Marty Robinson. “Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc is the local Western Bay of Plenty Mountain Bike Club and we are mad keen about getting people out biking, so we see this as a great way to help the community we live in,” says Matt Williams from Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc. Those who want to take part meet for transport and car-pooling at the Mosaic building, Commerce Lane, Te Puke at 5.25 pm every Thursday during the summer, heading either to the Redwoods in Rotorua or to TECT’s All Terrain Park in Pyes Pa. “We will ride until dark then head home,” says Marty. “Anyone with a mountain bike and a helmet is welcome to come. We split into groups when we get there depending on fitness and skill level. This is a great low-key way of reducing stress, getting fit and getting together with other like-minded people.” All the information and contact details are on Mountain Bike Tauranga’s website, www.mtbtauranga. co.nz along with other Mountain Bike Tauranga Inc related information, including Monday night racing at Summerhill Papamoa, trail development at TECT’s All Terrain Park and away rides. For more information, phone Marty Robinson, 029 770 9874, or email marty.robinson@nzkgi.org.nz
FERTILISER
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Reduced leaching from new granular fertiliser The Growing Group is a new fertiliser company specialising in the development, manufacture and importation of smart fertiliser products and Kiwi Fertiliser Company Limited is the group’s primary sales agent in the North Island. The Growing Group’s innovative product developed in Nelson for pastures and crops, using existing science in a new format, will reap both financial and nutrient benefits for New Zealand farmers. This is exciting for The Growing Group, inventors of CarboPhos, a finely ground phosphate rock fertiliser that combines phosphate with carbon, sulphur and humates into an even granule to create a unique, high quality product that is virtually insoluble in water and has no detectable levels of cadmium. “Originally we created CarboPhos with pastoral farmers like ourselves in mind. We believe that carbon is a rather forgotten and fundamental element that is decreasing in New Zealand soils. We recognise that farmers need their fertiliser to work all year rather than in short flashes so we developed CarboPhos with a slow nutrient release. It’s pH neutral (6.8) and most importantly, it’s less than 10 per cent water soluble,” says Chris Copplestone, managing director of The Growing Group and former Marlbrough farmer. “CarboPhos will also be a very good fit for upcoming nutrient budget requirements,” says sales manager, Jono Trolove. “Farmers will now be looking to comply with regional council nutrient management plan regulation.
The slow release nature of CarboPhos and fine particle reaction characteristics means phosphates won’t leach through the soil profile, which fits very well with these regulations.” The CarboPhos formula was developed over three years and more than $1 million on mostly local research and development. As with many innovations, CarboPhos grew out of a belief that there must be a better way. Chris, like many farmers, applied standard superphosphate to his pastures and was disappointed with the results. With a background of more than 30 years in the fertiliser industry in New Zealand and overseas this was both a nasty surprise and huge disappointment. Meanwhile, his vegetable garden was thriving. It was in the comparison between his pastures and vegetable garden that Chris began to understand soil was not made up of simple chemicals but was a living entity that needs to be nurtured properly. It was then that the long road to developing CarboPhos began. Patented in 2011, CarboPhos has developed into a high quality granulated product. Its fine particle size allows conversion of nutrients much faster than other RPR products, without the dust found in most New Zealand fertilisers. We recognise that farmers today are looking for
more than chemical solutions to their soil fertility and wellbeing. They understand that soil has three spheres; chemical, biological and physical which interrelate to form a healthy soil. CarboPhos is a holistic product that aims to enhance all three of these soil properties unlike many of the acid based fertilisers currently available. The Growing Group are working on increasing the CarboPhos family, with slow release carbon nitrogen, carbon ammonium sulphate and carbon potassium fertilisers all in development. New plot trials are underway in Canterbury, with independent soil scientist David McKie overseeing the process. “We are proud of our work and what we have achieved, we’re excited to bring it to market. We have commissioned a report by David McKie, to outline the benefits and reinforce our belief in CarboPhos,” says Chris. That report is available on www.thegrowinggroup. com” CarboPhos is now available nationally. Ron McLean, General Manager of Kiwi Fertiliser Company Limited says that this new and innovative phosphate product will be particularly suited to hill country farmers and aerial application owing to the uniform granulation and savings in transporting and spreading costs with no dust drift, all natural ingredients. The application rate of CarboPhos is half that of conventional superphosphate, “We look forward to being involved with helping farmer’s future proof their properties.”
BASE SATURATION PERCENT Calcium (60 to 70%) Magnesium (10 to 20%) Potassium (2 to 5%) Sodium (.5 to 3%) Other Bases (Variable)
}80%
EXCHANGEABLE HYDROGEN (10 to 15%)
MAIZE
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Growers hope for rain Bay of Plenty maize growers were hoping for rain in late November to give a boost to young plants. A cold spring had slowed early growth and rainfall was well down on the previous spring with soil moisture levels low. The long range forecast is for a hot dry summer but while holiday makers might be happy, farmers and cropping contractors will be hoping for regular rain to keep the grass and crops growing.
Young maize crops were thirsty for rain in mid-November.
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Maize silage - feed of choice Modern maize hybrids have excellent yield stability allowing them to produce consistently high yields even under challenging growing conditions. This means that the cost per kilogram of dry matter of maize silage is relatively stable. Always having a stack of maize silage on-hand allows dairy farmers to weatherproof their feed supply, providing reliable production, improved reproduction and greater peace of mind. Maize silage that is well covered and sealed will maintain its quality for sev-
eral seasons, providing cost-effective, quality feed when pasture growth rates are low. With a feed buffer of maize silage on-farm there is no lead time to procuring supplements, it can be fed the instant that it is required. Proven and profitable maize silage continues to be the supplementary feed of choice for many New Zealand dairy farmers. Deciding the best way to source maize silage is a complex decision. A large number of factors including likely pasture growth rates, maize silage crop yields, whether a maize silage crop can be grown in an effluent paddock or one that would benefit from pasture renewal as well as the maize silage buy-in price all need to be taken into consideration. However, for dairy farmers, ensuring adequate feed for milking cows is essential.
Theo Spierings, Fonterra Chief Executive has said : “The future of dairying is promising. Strong economic and population growth is expected to lift global demand for milk by 100 billion litres by 2020.” To take advantage of this opportunity, the challenge for New Zealand farmers is to build high producing, more resilient systems which are profitable, environmentally sustainable and globally competitive. Significantly more feed will be required to grow the volume of milk produced on New Zealand farms. While maximising pasture harvested will continue to be a priority, maize silage is the obvious supplement choice because it offers a range of benefits unmatched by other supplements. Source www.pioneer.co.nz
Time to spray invasive weeds The weeds penny royal and buttercup are likely to be invasive this season after last year’s wet summer and now is a good time to control them, says Paul McDowell of Eastern Bay Sprayers. “Crops are still going in but we can also help with advice, if needed, and supply of chemicals to control weeds in pasture.” The weather is finally warming up which is welcome but Paul says and in the New Year farmers will be watching out for facial eczema in stock. “We can help with this by boom-spraying pasture with the appropriate spray when the time comes.” It’s been a whirl-wind few months since Paul and Shona expanded their agricultural spraying business with the purchase of Eastern Bay
Sprayers. “The maize and crops are all pretty much in the ground and we are very proud of our team for the effort they put in to make sure all the jobs were sprayed on time. We would also like to thank our new and existing clients who have stuck with us through the change of ownership of Eastern Bay Sprayers we really appreciate your loyalty,” says Shona. The company still offers a good hand gun spraying operation for the control of gorse, ragwort and blackberry. “Our guys work really hard and get through the area while making sure they do a good job and are happy to stay away, in other areas, for work. “The the year is not over for us yet but we would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all our loyal clients and we hope you have a fantastic Christmas, a safe new year celebration, and bring on the blue water for a spot of fishing.”
A&P show that’s in ‘middle of everywhere’ Taumarunui’s 2013 A&P Show on February 9 promises all the fun of the fair and traditional show events says society president Ken Harrison.
“The A&P Show Committee is working to complete an excellent programme of equestrian events including western riding, miniature horse competitions coupled with alpacas, dog events, clowns, music, and lots
of food stalls. There will be entertainment for all ages and in particular the children with funfair arcades. “Taumarunui is situated at the cross roads of the North Island and it is literally the “Middle of Everywhere”.
Why not come and stay awhile in our town – see the show and then spend a few days exploring the area?” he says. For information on what to see an do visit www. visitruapehu.com or www. forgottenhighway.co.nz
JORDAAN
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MAIZE
Accurate weighing for heavy loads A Te Puke agricultural contracting company has designed and is manufacturing a new 50 tonne weighbridge for the trucking industry.
The new Neville Marsh 50 tonne weighbridge can cater for large vehicles.
Neville Marsh of Neville Marsh Contracting says he designed the weighbridge following repeated requests from clients who had purchased his earlier 30 tonne version. “I was asked to develop the 50 tonne weighbridge by companies which needed to be able to weigh bigger units,” says Neville who spent two years developing and testing the new unit. It can cater for tri-axle trucks and longer units than the 30 tonne bridge and can be installed in a permanent position or used as a portable unit. Each platform weighs 2.7 tonne and takes around six weeks to manufacture at the Neville Marsh Contracting Te Puke workshop. The new weighbridges are already in use in Taneatua, Cromwell and the Waikato. Ron Kilburn of the Mount Maunganui company Accurate Weighing provided and tested the load cells in the weigh bridge which are cali-
brated and certified for commercial use. Neville Marsh 30 tonne weighbridges are widely used by trucking companies to ensure their vehicles are not over weight for the road and to provide accu-
rate documentation of the weight of the loads they are carrying for product such as maize and metal which are sold by weight. Council refuge stations also use them to weigh vehicles dumping waste.
Asia holds hope for primary producers Asia offers significant opportunities for New Zealand primary producers but needs increases in incomes and social security to realise their full potential, Marc Soccio, senior analyst with Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory told a meeting in Te Puke in October. In countries with little or no social security, people save a significant proportion of their income, and spend less than in countries like Japan which have some level of social security, he told the Rabobank customers who attended a luncheon at Kiwi 360 near Te Puke. “China is moving to a consumer economy in which people will save less and spend more but social security spending will need to increase for the savings rate to drop.” The rate of urbanisation is another aspect which is affecting how consumers shop. “Those in rural and outlying areas shop more at wet markets and street markets but in urban China, Indonesia and the Philippines they tend to shop more in the sort of channels we are more familiar with, like supermarkets.” While other economies were shrinking, Marc said
the International Monetary Fund is predicting the Asian region to grow its share of global GDP to around 30 per cent during the next five years. As incomes increase, consumers can afford to buy more high quality food, including dairy products and fruit. Despite its recent economic slowdown, Marc said Japan provided an interesting example of an Asian country which had gone through the industrialisation process to become a high income, advanced economy. “From 1965 to 1990 there was huge growth for all sorts of different food products in Japan and this is what we expect to see in other developing countries. Food spending has flat-lined in Japan but dairy and fruit are still strong.” Many Asian countries will try to meet their own food needs but climate, resources and knowhow are likely to be limiting factors, so they will still need to import food. New Zealand and Australia would however continue to face competition from other primary producers, including those in South America, so it was essential to build relationships in Asia, he said.
By Elaine Fisher
Pictured, Marc Soccio, senior analyst with Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory.
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PACK HOUSES
Page 20
Fruit quality good despite Psa The last two seasons have been among the most stressful in recent years for the kiwifruit industry but despite the impacts of the disease Psa on vines, fruit quality has been good, according to post harvest operators.
Mount Pack and Cool
- Odette Chesterman Grower Services Representative. The 2012 kiwifruit season has gone well for both MPAC and our growers. Our orchard gate returns (OGRs) will be above industry average and yields (trays per hectare) well above industry average.
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The quality of fruit was outstanding and resulted in excellent pack out levels and low reject rates. The reject rates for green and Hort 16A were the lowest since the company’s inception in 2009 and the green crop was a count size larger than industry average. Both the company and the industry, as a whole, experienced low levels of fruit loss. The 2012 harvest started slightly later and we completed picking by June 11. Early maturity of green and Hort 16A was slow making supplying Zespri’s early vessels, a challenge for the whole industry. MPAC harvested more than its market share of early green and Hort 16A crops. Our core seasonal staff are New Zealanders supplemented by backpackers. The majority of our growers are reporting good flower numbers, and a favorable pollination period, which bodes well for the coming season. Growers who have converted to new varieties (including recovery grafting from Hort 16A) are increasingly optimistic about the way their plants are performing. The forecasted dry summer should suppress the Psa risk. MPAC has provided significant support to growers in relation to Psa including technical information, knowledge and the tools to wage the war against Psa. Our growers have received several rounds of Psa monitoring at the company’s expense. We have held regular meeting for growers to share their knowledge and experience with us and each other. Our technical bulletin, regular field days and demonstration orchard have played an important role in getting the latest information out to growers. Bio security measures have continually evolved and the company, our orchard management partner “Groplus” and growers all continue to insist on the constant implementation of “industry best practice” hygiene standards.
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Aongatete Coolstores Ltd - Nell Dawson Operations Manger 2012 has generally been a good season for packing kiwifruit especially with fruit quality on and offshore. Fruit loss has been at its lowest for many years. The volumes we packed this year were up and we weren’t affected by Psa significantly. The new varieties packed out well although some required different curing and storage depending on their maturity. Our Near Infra-Red Technology (NIR) was very helpful particularly with the gold G9 variety. Harvest went smoothly eand we had a consistent flow of fruit from Kiwistart until completion. We used bin cleaning equipment, added an automatic truck spraying machine and kept up stringent hygiene requirements under a KVH approved system to reduce the risk of Psa infection and control infection. Most of our staff were recruited locally with many staying on to pack controlled atmosphere fruit. We were especially
pleased to have several of our growers on the team and they made a great contribution in many key roles. The rest of the staff was made up of RSEs (mainly in the picking and pruning teams) and some back packers worked on night shifts. Psa will certainly have an impact on volumes in our next season with Gold (16A) especially starting to be affected in the Katikati area. It is very stress full for growers. People are very concerned about their ongoing livelihoods. Aongatete has placed special emphasis and investment to support growers as much as we can. We have invested in our technical support to give the best advice and support for all our growers. Additionally we have; monitoring and cut-out teams; a fortnightly drop-in session which is well attended; and support and encourage as many people as possible to attend meetings. We arrange occasional social outing to offer growers a break. It is essential at this time for our community to come together and support each other. Aongatete is looking forward to helping growers learn new techniques and methods to maximise their crops and protect them as much as possible in our new growing environment.
Birchwood Packhouse
- Karen Roche, general manager. Our packouts were reduced, but not through Psa, more from the November winds that ripped through Katikati and decimated many green orchards. No crop was lost through Psa in 2012 bit it will be a different story in 2013. Of the crop picked pack-outs were excellent with very low reject rates. Dry matter was a vast improvement on 2011. Storage quality has been excellent – low fruit loss and excellent reports from off-shore
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PACK HOUSES
Decrease in volumes expected for 2013 packed 33 per cent less Hort 16a than 2011. Fruit quality has been excellent with high dry matter in green and gold varieties. Fruit loss has been exceptionally low at Trevelyans with Hort 16a and green fruit loss being under 1 per cent. New varieties have performed well although there have been some industry colour and shrivel issues with G9. We are looking forward to harvesting a larger volume in 2013.
Trevelyn - Alister Hawkey. Volumes of Gold Hort 16a were significantly reduced this season due to Psa. We
By Elaine Fisher
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*Based on the base packing rate of $1.31 less 20¢ per tray rebate to be paid in June 2013. Relates to Hayward and G3 varieties. Other reject charges may apply.
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- Matt Hill - General Manager - Grower Services, Orchard Management and Leasing. Kiwifruit volumes at EastPack have not decreased this season, thanks to 55 new orchards, most from the Western Bay of Plenty, representing 2.4 million trays packing with the company which has a reputation for low packing costs and high grower OGR. The quality of this season’s fruit has been very good with a reject rate below 10 per cent. EastPack research shows Psa causes little or no impact on storage and fruit has indeed stored well. EastPack packed 700,000 trays of new varieties. There were no problems with the gold G3 and the sweet green G14 but the gold G9 did have maturity issues. Eastern Bay fruit was late maturing but with careful management across the company’s three regions, harvesting extended only an extra day on 2011. EastPack’s October payment forecast is $4.56 per tray and we have already announced a base packing price for 2013 of $1.11 which includes a 20c rebate to growers. EastPack expects to pay a dividend early next year to the growers who hold Investor shares. There were no recruiting problems with experienced staff, both from New Zealand and Vanuatu returning as in previous years. We hold regular `Psa breakfasts’ where members of our technical transfer team bring orchardists up to date with the latest information about managing the disease. There have been some promising results coming out of Opotiki and Tauranga. EastPack Hort16A orchards which have been infected with Psa for more than 12 months should carry a crop into 2013. Grower road shows have visited those and other orchards to learn about the techniques being used. The answers to Psa are not just one thing and there’s no magic bullet but it’s about attention to detail, regular orchard inspection, following spray programmes and looking after the health of the vines. EastPack has reduced its operating costs by 28 per cent in the last four years, under its “Growing Excellence” programme. This is based on well proven “Lean” principles, reducing costs, waste and increasing quality. EastPack has made investments in state of the art technology and staff training to maximise the benefits. Grader 3 in the Te Puke packhouse was installed in 2010 with robots, and for the 2013 year an InVision grader will be installed which should save a further 20
team, with Roger Hoebers, formerly of Zespri servicing the Katikati, Tauranga and Waikato areas and Margaret Miller, fomerly of Aongatete, the Opotiki region. EastPack is committed to the kiwifruit industry and has a strong philosophy of investing in people, plant and process.
2009
EastPack
per cent in operation costs on all trays packed on Grader 3. While some post-harvest facilities have been making cut backs, EastPack has increased its Grower Services/ Orchard Management
2008
We only packed the new gold varieties G3 and G9. Both were wonderful to pack and just flowed through the shed. They need a lot more care in the cool store and we had to do a lot of conditioning to ensure that they coloured. However, we have been very pleased with the results and have learnt a lot in our first year of packing newly commercialised varieties. This harvest season flowed very well and any wet weather didn’t impact dramatically on our harvest. Most of our staff are motor homers who return year after year and then they bring their friends, and so our ‘family” grows. We have a small percentage of backpackers and the rest of our staff are locals. Just what next harvest brings is the big unknown at this point and I would just love to own a crystal ball. We are expecting a drop in gold volumes – unsure how much of a drop but it could be 30 to 50 per cent or perhaps more. Fortunately, the orchards are looking to be carrying excellent numbers at this stage, so at least many growers are starting from a high base. In green there will probably be negligible losses due to Psa. We have been holding fortnightly grower discussion groups all through winter and now that it is summer, the growers are really enjoying getting back out into the orchards. We have monitoring teams available and all our grower services staff are constantly calling in on growers to check on how they are doing When if come to biosecurity measures we are following the usual strict orchard hygiene protocols including using the sanitising truck/vehicle wash at the packhouse which was installed prior to 2012 harvest. Our bin tip has a sanitising booth which sprays stacks of empty bins ready for the field again.
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HORTICULTURE
Social media new ‘world power’ On-line social networks are giving rise to a new power in the world, and it’s in the hands of millions, believes Dr Desmond O’Rourke, CEO of world fruit market analyst company Belrose Inc.
Soils
Zest
09 to
nz
ment
channels. Many young people don’t read done with kiwifruit marketing in Japan has What he calls the ‘Peer Network’ is chalnewspapers, don’t watch the network news, been amazing. Japan has absorbed continulenging the power of both governments and but get information from the internet or ing volumes of New Zealand kiwifruit and big corporations. Zespri Gold is one of the big success stories in smart phone. The way in which people comThere was a time when control was with municate has become fractionated. Gone is produce in the past few years. those who could amass a lot of capital – such “Prior to 2000 there was one product, green the single mass market to send messages to a as big corporate, or a lot of power – such as kiwifruit, then came gold kiwifruit and Zespri large group people.” governments, but that is being challenged, The relentless advance of technologies such did a remarkable job because gold complehe told the Zespri Momentum conference in mented the green volumes without depressing as robotics, nanotechnology and genetic engiOctober. neering cannot be ignored, Desmond said. the price for green in any substantive a way. “Electronic links and social media enable Robots are used to harvest apples and many That was a remarkable achievement.” people of all ages and all around the world to packhouses now replace humans with robots. The challenge for Zespri now as gold be connected all the time. Peer networks are Opposition to genetic engineering and an uncontrolled ocean of ideas. nanotechnology is often ill-informed and “Each person on Facebook tells their own while the medical profession has embraced story about who they are, what they prefer. GE, agriculture has been slow to. Most stories are concocted. There is a flood “Genetic engineering has a role to play of gossip, true and untrue. Often the most in feeding the world’s population. GE has influential is the untrue. Feelings, philosogot problems but can provide solutions to phies, persuasions – these are flying round many of the problems we have in the food globe and ideas can go viral overnight and industry, so it is really crucial to look at even affect election results.” New Zespri green and gold kiwifruit promoted each new technology.” There was speculation that social networks during a road show in the Daiei Ichikawa GE has been ‘so polluted in the minds were among the catalyst for the uprising supermarket in Tokyo in June last year. of the public’, it is difficult to change called the Arab Spring, which saw governattitudes. ments overthrown and upheaval and war in Hort16A is phased out because of the disease “If we are to have nine billion people to the Middle East. Psa-V, is to phase in new cultivars and market feed, GE is one way to increase productivity.” Desmond said when it came to marketing, them as successfully as it did the original it would be the companies which learned to The retail sector is also changing, Desmond gold fruit, retaining a premium price without harness peer networks which prospered in a said. Since the recession of 2008 there has damaging the green kiwifruit market. rapidly changing world. been an over-capacity of retailers and many “Do not underestimate the challenge the “We don’t yet know the potential destructive were now ‘defending their turf ’ against other kiwifruit industry faces to do this magic power of social media. People are organising retailers, including online companies like folks of similar interest through cheap mobile trick.” However, the New Zealand industry Amazon. has all the ingredients to move ahead and phones.” “Some are asking suppliers how much they build an industry which will be successful for Consumer goods marketers are desperate will invest in promotion and packaging and the next 20 to 30 years, he said. to harness peer networks like Facebook, You asking for a unique supply.” Societal changes are causing a decline in the Tube and Twitter. They want joint marketing initiatives and mass market in most of the developed world. “Countries like New Zealand and organisaunique packaging distinct from their compe“The mass market is less and less relevant. tions like Zespri, which are tens of thousands tition, which might be a problem for a single Society is less and less homogeneous. “ of miles from their consumers, need to learn point entry marketer like Zespri. “When it How to reach consumers is becoming how to manage social networks to reach comes to apples, some retail chains are increasingly complex. “The unifying power consumers.” looking for their own unique varieties of the mass media, TV and newspaper has Zespri had shown it was up to meeting that no-one else has, to give them a gone. Some countries have 200 to 300 TV market challenges, he said. “What Zespri has competitive advantage.”
High tech sprayer for avocados A Te Puna company’s commitment to the avocado industry has seen it invest in the latest in spray technology to deliver better results for growers. Avomax, a specialist avocado orchard spraying business, has been operating in the Western Bay of Plenty for 12 years and unlike other spray contractors whose core business is kiwifruit spraying, Avomax has only ever been involved in avocado
Craig Bettjeman managing director of Avomax with the new high tech avocado sprayer. orchard spraying. Over this time managing director, Craig Bettjeman, has kept a close eye on the development of tree spray technology and has seen his equipment evolve from the early days of manual spraying with hand guns to today where he has the latest advancement in technology in the form of computer generated fan design which gives maximum spray coverage. These sprayers are capable of spraying two sides of a row of trees at one time which gives good cost savings to growers. “The vast majority of our growers have achieved above average export pack outs, with a very small percentage of their rejects caused by insect damage,” says Craig. “Some of our growers are achieving over 90 per cent export. I put this down to good communication, timely spray applications, correct chemical choices and superior spray coverage.” Avomax is associated with most of the major pack houses: Aerocool, Apata, D.M.S, Just Avocados Kauripak, Satara, Seeka, and Trevelyan’s. Avomax offers varying degrees of service, ranging from spray on request to total pest and disease management. Avomax is based in Te Puna , it currently has four sprayers, two transporters, a staff of five and covers an area from Athenree to Otamarakau .
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HORTICULTURE
Tolerance to Psa is not enough Identifying the gene which makes some kiwifruit more resistant to Pas-V is just one of the Plant & Food research projects underway in the battle against the disease.
Dr Stuart Kay, Plant & Food’s kiwifruit business manager, says many of the vines in the Te Puke research orchard are surviving well despite being in an environment with high inoculum levels of Psa. “We have yet to find a specific resistance gene but we are rapidly screening the existing kiwifruit material for tolerance.” Important as that and other research into ways to control the bacteria is, Stuart says the development of a range of Psa resistant cultivars is pivotal to the future of the kiwifruit industry. “Having plants which can survive Psa-V is just part of the answer. If we find them, we then need to breed plants which are not only tolerant of Psa but also have fruit which looks good, tastes good and stores well.” To find those varieties the Plant & Food Research and Zespri kiwifruit breeding programme has increased the number of new seedlings being screened from 20,000 to 50,000 and, is looking to increase it further as new technologies and methodologies are developed. New technologies are being developed to speed up the rate at which cultivars with tolerance to Psa can be identified. This includes research into the molecu-
lar basis of Psa resistance to support the development of genetic tools to identify plants in the breeding programme with intrinsic resistance to the disease. However, these plants will be bred using conventional breeding, not genetic engineering practices, and it will be several years before the breeders and Zespri can be sure which plants have the potential to become commercial varieties. Green, gold and red varieties are all included in the trial. Additional to the development of new cultivars research is looking at systems that can potentially induce resistance in the existing kiwifruit cultivars. The outcomes of this research would be complementary and could augment use of plant protection products and new cultivars. Stuart says how orchards are managed and potentially where the vines grow are also factors in whether or not the vines can cope with the disease. “With biology, nothing is black and white. There are so many variables, but it does appear New Zealand has the climatic conditions which suit Psa.” Research is also underway at Plant & Food and a number of other agencies to find protectant sprays and orchard management techniques which will help limit the impact of Psa. “We have found that Psa doesn’t survive well in compost and soil but it is unclear if there is something in the compost or soil which attacks the bacteria or if it is simply the case that Psa has not evolved to live in these environments.”
“With biology, nothing is black and white.”
Having plants which can survive Psa-V is just part of the answer says Dr Stuart Kay, Plant & Food’s kiwifruit business manager.
Designing a world class biosecurity system Just over two years ago Psa-V was first detected in New Zealand in a Te Puke orchard. Subsequently, at the request of Kiwifruit Vine Health the Minister of Primary Industries, David Carter, ordered an enquiry into his Ministry’s protection of the New Zealand border from the entry of Psa-V. That report (known as the Sapere Report) found “with respect to the entry of Psa into New Zealand there were several areas where the kiwifruit industry was exposed to higher than necessary levels of risks”.
Exposure risk
The comment is often made that the only way in which to fully protect New Zealand is to close the borders. Clearly this is not a practical option. The questions are then how much biosecurity risk should New Zealand industry be exposed to at the border and who should pay for incursions of pests and diseases. The Ministry of Primary Industries and the animal and plant industries are considering this very issue at present. As a country and as an industry we cannot afford another incursion like Psa-V. The animal and plant industries are very concerned to ensure that the pre-border and border protections are the best possible and that no New Zealand industry is exposed to unnecessary risk. Our livelihoods and the country’s continued prosperity depend on this. A dollar spent protecting us at the border will save millions of dollars dealing with an incursion. This is before we count the cost to growers, workers, families and communities. It has been proved time and time again that one of the most effective drivers is to make people pay for what they want to do. If the cost is high enough
their behaviour may even change to avoid paying large amounts of money. When it comes to the border importers of goods, returning New Zealanders and tourists all contribute to the biosecurity risk. Importers do make some contribution to the targeted checking of containers and what they import. This is not a 100 per cent check but rather a targeted inspection. But New Zealanders returning from overseas and particularly tourists make no financial contribution to reducing the country’s biosecurity risks. Sure there are fines and once again targeted inspections and sometime X-rays. Once there used to 100 per cent X-rays of everyone arriving in New Zealand. This no longer happens. We are told this is not a cost cutting measure, but if it were a cost cutting measure, would it not be sensible to collect a small fee from people arriving in New Zealand and have everyone X-rayed?
Put a positive ‘SPIN’ on your next fertiliser application
Protection needed
The animal and plant industries want and need input into what happens pre-border and at the border. The Government have reserved the right to make the decisions. That’s fine. What the animal and plant industries are asking for is meaningful and full engagement over what is happening to protect the country pre-border and at the border. This means consultation must be effective. If the industries have a valid concern, it is acted on and where this may cost more, those responsible pay for the protection measure. This is a sensible way in which to protect New Zealand from pests and diseases and one the animal and plant industries have asked the Government to put in place. Protecting New Zealand from biosecurity risks has to be an effective partnership between Government and industry. In future articles I’ll let you know how we got on.
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HORTICULTURE
Page 24
Web-based ‘diary’ for orchardists Grownote, a brand-new software package tailor-made for New Zealand orchardists, was launched recently at the Zespri Momentum Conference.
Grownote, developed over that last two years by well-known and respected horticultural software specialists Radfords Software, has been out on `beta test’ with orchardists and orchard managers in the kiwifruit, avocado and apple sectors.
manage is unlimited and there All have found it to be is a simple process for generatan ideal management ing unique events. tool, combining event Several specialist consultmanagement with comants from the kiwifruit, apple pliance administration and avocado industries have and flexible reporting. been involved in the developDesigned for orchard ment of Grownote, and this businesses both large has also included compliance and small, Grownote standard experts. Grownote is easy to set up and, has already been approved by being web-based, can be GLOBALG.A.P’s head office accessed in the office, out in the orchard or in Europe and formal approvals from anywhere in the for several other quality standworld where an internet ards are pending. connection is availNo special computer able. All data is securely hardware is required to run encrypted and hosted by Grownote, and updates to the a leading New Zealand application are done seamlessly. Allan and Susanne Hedge with Lynnaire Avers web hosting company. All that is required is access to (left) of Radfords, check out some orchard data on “Grownote comes a suitable web browser, such as a brand new Grownote. at just the right time Internet Explorer, Firefox or for us,” says Allan Hedge, a leading avocado grower Safari. Grownote also runs well on tablet devices such and contractor in the Bay of Plenty. “Having all your as iPads and Galaxies. Mobile phone apps for iOS and orchard data in one place and accessible by all your Android smartphones are currently under developauthorised staff is a big boon.” ment. The heart of Grownote is a comprehensive diary, Grownote can be purchased on a monthly subscripwhich takes orchard management beyond paper-based tion with no long term contracts or up-front fees. A and spread sheet systems. Events managed by this diary 30-day free trial is currently on offer, giving access to benefit from printable (or email-able) worksheets, the full functionality of the product for try-before-youeasily-generated map overlays and links to complibuy. Details of Grownote and registering for the free ance standards. The number and type of events it can trial can all be done at www.grownote.co.nz
Psa – Guy Fawkes disaster bigger than Rena Guy Fawkes Day 2012 was the second anniversary of the day the New Zealand kiwifruit industry was blown apart, not by explosives, but by aggressive bacteria. The vine disease Psa-V (Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae) was first discovered in gold kiwifruit on an orchard at Te Puke, on November 5, 2010. The economic and emotional impact of Psa is a disaster far greater than the grounding of the container vessel Rena on Astrolabe Reef in October last year, Neil Trebilco, president of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc says. “The Rena was a more visible disaster but economically the impacts of Psa on the Bay of Plenty will be 10 times worse and potentially up to 50 times worse over time.” While the Rena’s impacts on wild and marine life, beaches and businesses played out in full view, the death of kiwifruit vines behind shelter belts in the rural hinterland has continued, largely unobserved by the public. “The impacts of the disease are relentless on growers and the wider industry and the full effects have yet to be felt in the regional towns of Te Puke, Katikati, Opotiki, to some extent Whakatane and these will flow on to affect Tauranga as well.” Zespri chairman John Loughlin says two years on, he
is bitterly disappointed the disease has now been found in other regions. “It was hoped outlying regions could hold the markets open for gold while the recovery was underway in the Bay. We may still be able to do that but will not be as strong as we wanted to be. “When you have bacteria that doubles every 20 minutes, and is highly prone to being blown around in cold wet conditions, the probability of protecting neighbouring areas is slight. However, it had been hoped geographic barriers would keep it out. “We are yet to see a Hayward orchard where all the females are dying but we are seeing some infection in females and in Hayward males. With G3 (new gold variety) some orchards have fantastic outcomes, better that our best hopes. Others are tragic disaster, some because of grafting and some because of Psa. “What we have learned is that Psa is at its most vicious in situations where the vines are under stress, be it from wet feet because of high water tables, in frost prone areas or areas with poor shelter. When the vines are facing another stress, they are more susceptible to Psa.”
Diligent
Growers achieving good outcomes are those who are diligent, vigilant and are approaching kiwifruit in the way many in the pip and stone fruit industries grow fragile crops, including using protectant programmes. “There are at least 50 different (commercial) plant species which are infected by the pseudomonas bacteria and in no case has a crop been totally wiped out, but in no case has the bacteria been wiped out either. “We have to apply the tools available to cultivars which are viable – Hayward, Gold 3 and G14, not Hort16A. It is doable and I believe in the future of this industry.” In its heyday the kiwifruit industry generated $2 billion in flow-on revenues for the Bay of Plenty and accounted for just under 20 per cent of the region’s annual GDP. An economic impact report estimates that Psa will cost the industry between $310m-$410m in the next five years; $500m-$600m in the next 10 years; and $740m-$885m during the next 15 years. The effect on regional economies and related businesses will push the total cost of Psa much higher. It is the highest earning variety, Hort16A, which has succumbed to the disease, with virtually no gold orchards left in Te Puke. Hort16A once accounted for 60 per cent of the industry in terms of value. NZKGI estimates around 1800 hectares have been grafted to Gold3, at a total cost of around $60 million. Gold3 will not start producing a crop for two to three years and each hectare is likely, due to Psa-V, to have less than a full canopy. By Elaine Fisher
HORTICULTURE
Page 25
Bio-char and nutrition help citrus survive bacteria Bio-char and an advanced nutrient formula appear to be helping some citrus trees in Florida overcome the impacts of the bacterial disease Citrus Greening Disease (Huanglongbing), says Dr Fred Gmitter a research foundation professor at the University of Florida. “Huanglongbing (HLB) is the greatest biological threat to global citrus production and an almost parallel situation to what New Zealand is dealing with, with Psa-V in kiwifruit,” he told kiwifruit growers at the Zespri conference in October. Citrus trees have no known genetic resistance to HLB but there is some difference in sensitivity. “Some die quickly, others
Dr Fred Gmitter, a research foundation professor at the University of Florida.
develop symptoms but grow out to become very productive, but none have immunity.” Fred said by the time the Florida citrus industry realised the disease was in its trees, around 40 to 50 per cent were infected. HLB is spread by the Asian Citrus Psyllid and because the bacteria are inside the plant, they can’t be controlled by sprays. Scientists have so far been unable to culture the bacteria in the laboratory so can’t establish its DNA. Initial recommendations from plant pathologists were to cut out all the diseased trees and replant with uninfected ones but Fred said that was not an option because it would
have destroyed growers’ incomes. China has had the disease for around 100 years and remains among the top seven citrus producers in the world. It has achieved this by a ‘scorched earth policy’ in which diseased trees were removed and orchards re-planted with healthy ones. An intensive and co-ordinated spray programme sees all neighbouring growers spraying to kill the vector insect at the same time, and trees are fed a rich diet of manure and fertiliser to improve their health. Sugar Bell Fred said his research team has been working on developing rootstocks which may improve the trees’ chances of survival and one such trial involved a new fruit variety called Sugar Bell. “Three years ago the trees in that trial looked so miserable we thought it was a disaster. Every plant was infected but the grower asked if there was anything we could do. We had been working for some time with a slow release fertiliser with a different formulation of nutrients and a substance called bio-char
which is one step away from charcoal. “We began to use the advanced nutrient approach and bio-char and the trees are still healthy and commercial varieties in the same orchard have improved somewhat.” There is tremendous diversity within citrus but it has a very narrow genetic base. However, thanks to the work of the International Citrus Genome Consortium, the citrus genome has been sequenced. “What we have learned shows there is promise there.” Scientists can now begin to look at parents and hopefully re-create sweet orange, bringing in other genetic elements such as those from lemons which have some tolerance to disease, using conventional breeding techniques. By Elaine Fisher
Got Barber’s Pole?
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Control barber’s pole worm with persistent drenches Barber’s Pole Worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a large blood sucking parasitic worm that is mainly a problem in sheep and goats in the North Island from December/ January through to April/May. This parasite is the most dangerous of all the parasitic worms in New Zealand due to the large numbers of eggs the adult lays, the speed at which the eggs can develop through to the infective stage on pasture and the speed at which it can cause the death of its host. Severely parasitised animals (espe-
cially lambs) quickly develop signs of anaemia including white gums and membranes, bottle jaw (swelling under the jaw), lethargy, rapid weight loss and death in severe cases. Control of Barber’s Pole involves careful grazing management plus strategic use of specific worm drenches (see next paragraph). All broad-spectrum worm drenches kill this worm quite easily (unless the worm is drench resistant which is not common), but the issue is that during periods of high larval challenge animals can be quickly re-infected. If you were to use a short-acting drench, you could need to drench every 10-14 days, but this is impractical and is not
sustainable in terms of promoting drench resistance. Adequate Barber’s Pole control therefore requires the use of drenches with persistent activity (p/a) against this worm, which contain either moxidectin or closantel. Persistent activity periods against Barber’s Pole on labels are usually quoted as 28-42 days, and although the drench interval can be seven days longer than this, in reality drenching intervals need to be four to five weekly during the risk period, regardless of what the label claim is. This is because the p/a is not relevant to all worm species, and while Barber’s Pole is the key target, you cannot ignore the other worms (eg there is no p/a claim against Trichostrongylus). The other issue with p/a is that it is selective for drench resistance which is not ideal, but this is where
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we must balance the need for parasite control with the management of drench resistance. The two are in conflict but in this case p/a is necessary to manage animal health and welfare, and as long as these products are used rationally it is justifiable.
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COAST & COUNTRY
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Page 27
RURAL DRIVER
Cutting rural highway accidents
A 10 per cent drop in deaths on rural state highways in Bay of Plenty and Waikato has been put down to a pro-active roadsafety management programme - with hopes for further drops. A report into the success of the KiwiRAP programme introduced in 2006 shows it has helped save hundreds of lives nationwide. Associate Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges credited the programme with helping cut fatal and serious accidents on the high risk roads by 30 per cent, along with a 15 per cent reduction on the national network overall. “KiwiRAP is proving to be a very effective tool to help identify the level of risk on these roads so that engineering, investment and enforcement efforts can be better targeted to the risk each road poses.” The programme – which is a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency, the Automobile Association, the Ministry of Transport, police and ACC - uses historical traffic and crash data to produce colour coded maps showing the relative level of collective and personal risk on sections of the state highway network. Safety improvement projects have been focused on roads with high collective risk - generally roads with high vehicle and crash numbers.
Regional Waikato/BOP director for the New Zealand Transport Agency Harry Wilson says fatal and serious crashes across the region have dropped by 114 in the four years - a reduction of 10 per cent. While good progress has been made in improving the regions high risk roads, there is still more work to do. “There are safety improvement projects already underway in both the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty with more planned in the next three years,” says Harry. The report shows the Western Bay has some of the nation’s higher risk highways – including high collective risk rated State Highway 2 from Te Maunga to Paengaroa (ranked fourth highest nationally), SH29 from the Kaimais to Tauranga (ranked seventh) and SH 2 from Katikati to Tauranga (ranked 14th). The stretch from Katikati to Tauranga claimed five lives and 27 serious injuries in the four years to 2011 and has been targeted for work around a blackspot near Pahoia School. NZTA senior communications advisor Glenda Dobbyn says work is underway to reduce the number of accidents near the school by improving the sight path for drivers turning left from Paihoa Rd on to SH2 before turning sharply right into Esdaile Rd. A turning bay will also be installed to reduce accident risk. Harry says the completion of the Tauranga Eastern Link – to be operational in 2016 - and further sections of the Waikato Expressways will lead to a further drop in accidents when the next KiwiRAP figures are released in 2017. By Hamish Carter
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Pictured: SH 2 from Katikati to Tauranga ranked 14th.
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Drop-off zone safer for school A new drop-off and pick-up zone in front of Pyes Pa School is one of the proposed options in an investigation to improve safety in the area. Pyes Pa School principal Brendan Clarkin is advocating for increased road safety measures in front of the rural school.
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Pyes Pa School principal Brendan Clarkin wants to see a safer area in front of the school for parents and children during pick-up and drop-off times. New Zealand Transport Agency is looking to trial new electronic speed limit signs at the school next year and as part of its investigations, representatives observed the school arrival period because it is one of the road’s busiest times. Some of the options put forward included the development of a drop-off and pick-up zone in front of the school and reducing the speed limit to 40km/h. Brendan says the current 80km/h speed limit is posing risks to parents and children during arrival and departure times, particularly with
no safe area for parents to drop off and pick up their children. “Other than just normal road traffic we have got a lot of parents pulling in and pulling out in front of the school here. “When they are backing out, they are backing out straight on to the road. In terms of visibility, that poses some challenges.” NZTA will continue investigating actual speeds people are travelling past the school until next year. “It would be great to see a 40 kilometre limit in front of the school, but is that necessary or realistic, I don’t know. “Any initiative that just makes things safer and decreases the likelihood of significant and serious accidents is desirable.” By Zoe Hunter
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RURAL DRIVER
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RURAL DRIVER
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Straight ahead for safer road Construction to align a section of SH33 halfway between Rotorua and Paengaroa is well underway. Material is being moved from the Pareteiro hillside to form the new road, with construction currently being undertaken away from public view from SH33. New Zealand Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty state highway manager Brett Gliddon says the project will help to improve safety and reduce travel times. “The section of SH33 where the work is
being undertaken is known as the ‘Sun Valley Curves’ in the Pareteiro area, and is a historic crash ‘black spot’.” Brett says the series of curves will be straightened, benefitting users by improving safety, reducing travel times and making the movement of freight to the Port of Tauranga more efficient. A passing lane will be installed to enable motorists travelling towards Rotorua from Paengaroa to overtake safely. A gully will be filled with material taken from Pareteiro hillside, which will help to form the new sweeping curves replacing the existing series of sharp turns.
The work forms part of NZTA’s Safer Journeys strategy, which aims to achieve safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds, safer vehicles and safer driving behaviours. Drivers should expect only minor disruptions at times for machinery or deliveries to access the construction site. Further delays will occur along SH33 before the work is completed in March 2014, Motorists will be informed of the expected interruptions before they occur. The project is estimated to cost $3.6million and is being managed by Rotorua District Council as the NZTA’s project partner for the Rotorua area.
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Thanks mum!
Tom was in a philosophical mood the day he sat at the farm house table and wrote the following list headed ‘I owe my mother’. 1. My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done . "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning." 2. My mother taught me religion. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." 3. My mother taught me about time travel. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" 4. My mother taught me logic. "Because I said so, that's why." 5. My mother taught me more logic. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to town with me." 6. My mother taught me foresight. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." 7. My mother taught me irony. “ Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.” 8. My mother taught me about the science of osmosis. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper." 9. My mother taught me about contortion-ism. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck?" 10. My mother taught me about stamina. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone." 11. My mother taught me about weather. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it." 12. My mother taught me about hypocrisy. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!" 13. My mother taught me the circle of life. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out." 14. My mother taught me about behaviour modification. "Stop acting like your father!" 15. My mother taught me about envy. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do." 16. My mother taught me about anticipation. "Just wait until we get home." 17. My mother taught me about receiving. "You are going to get it when you get home!" 18. My mother taught me medical science. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way." 19. My mother taught me esp. "Put your sweater on; don't you think i know when you are cold?" 20. My mother taught me humour. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me." 21. My mother taught me how to become an adult. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up." 22. My mother taught me genetics. "You're just like your father." 23. My mother taught me about my roots. "Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?" 24. My mother taught me wisdom. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand." and my favourite: 25. My mother taught me about justice. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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Truck sanitiser reduces Psa spread risk
Installing a high tech vehicle biosecurity system to reduce the risk of spreading the disease Psa-V has been a worthwhile investment for Birchwood Packhouse, says general manager Karen Roche. “The unit cost a little over $20,000 but we feel it was worth the investment for the peace of mind it has given us and it’s been well used by our own vehicles and those of our growers and other orchard contractors.” The truck sanitiser, designed, built and installed by Spray Pump Services of Hamilton, uses high pressure nozzles and a minimum of water to spray an industryapproved product on to trucks carrying kiwifruit bins and other vehicles visit-
This month’s mystery item from the Katikati Heritage Museum looks like it belongs in a workshop but had a rather different use and is quite small. If you think you know what it is and have a story to tell about memories of using it, you could be in to win a museum visit for two. Send your entry to elaine@thesun. co.nz or post to Mystery Item, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than December 17,
ing orchards. The unit is essentially a frame constructed from metal pipes, with hoses and spray nozzles mounted on the top, sides and at its base. The nozzles are the same as those used in hi-tech agricultural spray equipment. The system is not a vehicle wash but is designed to sanitise the truck cab and chassis as well as bins it carries while reducing product drift, even in windy conditions. The computer senses a vehicle as it approaches, switching the units 'traffic lights' from red to green. Vehicle proceeds through at 4 kph while nozzles spray on the product at a controlled rate. It uses about 12 to 13 litres of water for each vehicle. It was Birchwood operations manager Dave Wright who contacted the Hamilton company after searching for someone who could supply the kind of equipment required. "We didn't want a system which would make vehicles, and bins in particular, soaking wet as Psa-V is known to be transported by water," he said. Spray Pump Services first supplied a misting unit for the packhouse bins as they come off the bin tip, using high-tech imported nozzles which deliver the sanitising product as a fine mist to all sides of the bins, including the insides.
What doesn't land on the bins drifts away and evaporates, leaving no excess water to drain away. Karen says Spray Pump Services has been excellent to work with, refining vehicle sanitiser design to meet Birchwood’s specific requirements. Spray Pump Services has a long association with the poultry and pork industries and in providing industrial high-pressure hot and cold water systems for several food-producing companies.
Even the largest truck is able to pass through the Birchwood sanitiser, designed, built and installed by Spray Pump Services.
2012. The winner will be announced in the January Coast & Country. The museum, just south of Katikati is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 4pm. To find out more visit www.katikatiheritagemuseum.co.nz/ or phone 07 549 0651
Last month’s mystery item was an early 3-D photo viewer as correctly identified by Andy Pappas who wrote: “I remember having a look through one in an old camera shop in Australia. You had to slide the photo into it and it made the photo look like it was in 3D. Pretty advanced for its time I thought. We’ve come long way since then haven’t we?”
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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
Heavy horses making comeback Heavy horses, once a common sight in the New Zealand countryside, had become a rarity but numbers are on the increase thanks to a resurgence of interest in breeding and working the animals, says Gareth Pryce of Cambridge. He’s one of the new breed of heavy horse enthusiasts, and with wife Jacquie owns and operates Blackwood Clydesdale stud at Karapiro. Gareth
works as an IT professional in Cambridge and Jacqui is a veterinarian. Not only do they breed, ride, work and show Clydesdales, they are learning some of the ancient arts associated with the horses. Gareth has become a wheelwright and Jacquie a harness maker. Both were at November’s Equidays at Mystery Creek with other members of the Waikato Heavy Horse Association, demonstrating ploughing, sledge-pulling, and generally educating the public about and raising the profile of the large horses. The breeding of some heavy horses had dropped to single figures but that’s doubled or trebled in recent years and new stallions are being imported because the New Zealand breeding stock has become too closely related, says Gareth. Fred Pilling of Te Kowhai, Hamilton, was at Equidays ploughing with his team Janet and Bonnie.
Derrick Thorton took people for rides at Equidays on a sledge pulled by Howie and Nell.
orchard tractors
Gareth, whose love of heavy horses began when he helped his uncle deliver milk from a horse drawn wagon at Taradale, says heavy horses are the most versatile of the horse family. “You can ride them or work them pulling a wagon or plough and they have the most gentle natures.” Association president Fred Pilling of Te Kowhai, Hamilton, was at Equidays ploughing with his team Janet and Bonnie. He’s among those who are keen to encourage a younger generation to become involved with heavy horses, helping to preserve not only the breed, but the arts and traditions associated with them. From the age of 12 Fred has been involved with work horses and for the past 30 years been a supporter of the Waikato Heavy Horse Association. He is a qualified tool maker by trade and has been in the engineering trade for 55 years. Fred show and works Clydesdale
horses and keeps purebred Clydesdales, Shires and Clydesdale Shire cross horses. Ploughing with horses is another of Fred’s interests and he travels all over New Zealand to compete. At home Fred uses a horse to feed out every day. Another association member Derrick Thorton took people for rides at Equidays on a sledge pulled by Howie and Nell. Derrick has spent his whole life with horses, riding to Orini School from the age of five and later qualifying as a Master Farrier. After years of farming and shoeing horses, Derrick bought 32 acres at Maungatautari with semiretirement in mind. This has never happened, as he still works as a farrier and his Clydesdale numbers have increased. Today he enjoys breaking in Clydesdales, ploughing, and showing and the horses. To find out more about the Waikato Heavy Horse Association go to www.heavyhorse.org.nz
Potato pickers’ band a movie
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February 6, 2013 is the date set for the opening of the New Zealand made movie ‘Mt Zion’ which is set among the potato fields of Pukekohe. The movie is the story of a group of young potato pickers
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who dream to start a band and open a Bob Marley concert. It stars Temuera Morrison and Australian Idol winner Stan Walker and was written by director Tearepa Kahi, who based the story on his father’s stories of potato harvesting by day and playing with his band by night.
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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
Plant and machinery auction fundraiser An opportunity to convert surplus plant and machinery into cash, or donate it for sale, is being offering to farmers and orchardists by Katikati Rotary Club, which is to hold an auction in February. “This will be the first time in many years Rotary has organised a plant and machinery auction and it will provide a great opportunity to buy and sell equipment,”
says Rotarian Rod Calver. The club will sell machinery and equipment on behalf of venders for a 15 per cent commission but also hopes to receive donations of surplus plant and machinery to sell to raise funds for community projects. “The auction will be strictly for orchard and farm machinery, plant and equipment, large or small, but not household items or the kind of goods sold by the popular Lions Steptoe Auction in Katikati.” Thanks to the support of Aongatete Pack-
house, pick-up can be arranged from the Bay of Plenty or Waikato in the week before the auction and Rotary will take delivery of items too. The sale will begin at 11am on Saturday February 16 at 43 Sharp Rd, just south of Katikati. Parking will be available at the Fairview Golf Course across the road, which will also be holding an open home on the day. Funds raised will assist Rotary’s continued support of the local community, including
the Katikati Primary School and Katikati College. “We may also use some funds to buy a defibrillator for the Katikati Police, who are often first on the scene of accidents or emergencies in this area.” To donate goods for sale or arrange for them to be auctioned on behalf, phone: Rod Calver 0275 909 710; Allan Dawson 0275 902 393; Tom Impey 07 549 1265 or Peter MacKay 0274 829 451.
Cleaning reduces disease spread Reducing the spread of horticultural diseases has become a major focus for the industry and a Tauranga company has the cleaning equipment to help meet that need.
SMAC is agent for Karcher, a company internationally recognised for its high quality equipment, which includes a range of petrol and electric water blasters, vacuum cleaners and sweepers. Steve McCarthy of SMAC says Karcher portable water blasters are used to clean vehicles from utes to mining trucks. They are ideal for cleaning applications where there is no power supply, and the highpressure cleaners with combustion engines guarantee the highest level of flexibility and independence. Steve says the Karcher petrol or electric hot water blasters can be
fitted with different length hoses and wands to enable thorough cleaning of vehicles, machinery and bins from top to bottom. Karcher is well known for its diverse range of cleaning equipment suitable for domestic and commercial use. Karcher trained SMAC technicians are able to advise on the equipment to best suit a client’s needs. The 27-year-old company has been a sales and service agent for Karcher for 20 years and Steve and the team offer a full repair and parts supply service as well as advice on the safe and efficient operation of the equipment. They pride themselves on being able to supply a diverse range of machines and accessories to solve cleaning problems in the agricultural industry – including packhouses, orchards, cowsheds and machinery. It’s that personal, expert service and after sales care which see customers return time and again to purchase equipment from the company which is based in Koromiko Street, Tauranga.
Domestic waste water under scrutiny The public is asked to submit on proposed changes to the regional plan that looks at how domestic wastewater can be suitably disposed of on properties and the effects of this on water quality. Bay of Plenty Regional Council is currently reviewing its Onsite Effluent Treatment Plan, which deals with the effects of domestic wastewater , including from septic tanks. Proposed Plan Change 2 (Maintenance Zones) has been formally notified for public submissions. Submissions on the plan must be made before January 30, 2013. Regional Council General Manager Strategy Fiona McTavish said the changes being proposed to the plan better reflect what is now known about domestic wastewater discharge and the impact it is having on the quality of water in our region. “We have identified a number of locations where the methods of discharging wastewater needs to be addressed and monitored, to ensure a sustainable future
for our waterways.” Earlier this year the regional council collected initial views and feedback on the plan through a series of community meetings. “We amended the plan change to address those issues and have now prepared Proposed Plan Change 2 (Maintenance Zones), which specifically looks at the requirements and regulations in places where water quality is becoming an issue.” For more information call the Regional Council on 0800 884 880 or visit the website at www.boprc.govt.nz/oset
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COAST & COUNTRY
Page 34
Triple O Trucking
M D Pool & Spas
G & J Vercoe 07 533 1031
021 655 693 / 021 655 602
0274 245 052
Jill wishes all their customers a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Dean and Darren would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Matt would like to wish his customers a great Christmas and a happy and safe new year.
Asure Quality 09 573 8047 Would like to wish all their clients a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Humates 0508 486 2837 David wishes all their customers a great Christmas and a happy new year.
Bay Mulching 07 552 4144 Janine & Anton wishes all their clients a very merry Christmas and a safe new year.
Grandpa’s Feeders 07 552 5225 Would like to wish their clients a great Christmas and clucking good new year.
Fotheringhame Contractors 07 549 3576 Wishing all our customers. Have a merry Christmas and all the best for 2013. Thanks for your support.
Buster Cover Ltd 07 888 2982 027 437 1098
Capital Tractors 543 0021
Wishing all our valued customers a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. All the best for 2013 from David and the team.
Hi Flo Pumps 07 348 7516 We wish all our clients a merry Christmas and have a wonderful new year!
Bax Contractors 07 552 5187 We would like to wish our customers a great Christmas and a happy and safe new year.
09 299 6486 Wishes all their clients a merry Christmas and a great new year.
Streamline Feeding Systems 07 847 6859 0274 935 448
Would like to wish all their clients a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
O’neil Engineering 07 889 6314
Laser Electrical
www.oneillengineering.co.nz
07 889 3344
We wish all our customers a great Christmas and a happy new year.
Wishes all our clients a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. We are open 24/7 throughout the festive season.
We would like to wish our customers a great Christmas and a happy and safe new year.
Bennett Fertilisers Ltd
Ray Carter Sawmills 07 552 5727 Ray Carter Sawmills would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Hoof Camp 07 307 8556 or 0272170049 Kathryn wishes all her customers a great Christmas and a happy new year.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Mums’ designs for babies Mothers know best when it comes to designing baby nappies and accessories, believes Les Rolton of Naturally for Babies, the Edgecumbe company specialising in quality, safe and natural baby, child and adult products.
Bear challenge led to business
One of the world’s warmest furs is used in products on sale at Bear Cottage.
Sewing real fur was never meant to turn into long-term occupation for Bear Cottage’s mother and son team Rhys Bugden and Pam Greenhalgh, of Whakatane. However, what began as a challenge issued nearly 15 years ago to make a bear out of possum fur has now turned into a full-time passion for the use of what is one of the warmest furs in the world. “Its hollow fibres (like those of the polar bears which are untouchable) trap the heat in and the finished products are of huge benefit to people with circulation problems,” Pam. “When covered with this fur you start to feel its warmth in 20 seconds. We are yet to see any of our products wear out. As well as quilts, hats, scarves and cushions we also stock a very popular range of possum-merino knit garments.” Also available at the cottage is a specialised range of Beatrix Potter, Kate Finn gollies, Paddington Bear, Hungry Caterpillar and Buzzy Bee products.
“Our new range of Cushie Tushies cloth nappies have been designed and developed by two Australian mums and they are brilliant,” says Les, a granddad who was inspired to begin the company by his own grandsons. “It was when I discovered amber baby teething necklaces for Henry and Darcy that I decided to import some so more mothers and babies could benefit from them, and that led to starting the business,” says Les who runs Naturally for Babies with his partner Erika. “Nearly everything we sell has been designed by mums.” In keeping with the company’s philosophy of stocking funky, safe, quality and environmentally friendly baby gear, Cushie Tushies cloth nappies come in a range of cute colours and patterns as well as plain. The one size fits all nappies are suitable for babies from newborn to toddler. The nappy system includes reusable nappies, eco-disposable nappies which
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Cushie Tushies cloth nappies are colourful and funky.
will biodegrade in 54 days, and all the nappy accessories required. “Not only are they easy to use, but they are guaranteed to save you money, save the environment and save your baby's sensitive skin from harsh chemicals.” Les says the nappy system compares more than favourably in price with ordinary disposables which can cost up to $1100 a year. Nappies and amber teething necklaces are not all the company stocks. The Totseat travel highchair converts dining chairs of all shapes and sizes into a highchair, squashes into its own tiny travel pouch, and is completely machine washable. Skibz bandana-style dribble bibs are soft and comfortable. The adjustable press stud fastening ensures a snug fit and the unique, double-layer backing is highly absorbent, so moisture is drawn away from baby’s delicate skin.
CONTRACTORS
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Phase- out could make fighting new pests harder New Zealand’s ability to react to new pests may be limited by proposed changes to the use of 29 insecticides containing organophosphate and carbamate active ingredients. HAY - SILAGE & STRAW SUPPLIES
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While the review by the Environmental Protection Authority has general support from horticultural and farming sectors, there are concerns that revoking or phasing out some chemicals, diazinon in particular, could make this country vulnerable to new pests. “We need to find ways to survive if a biosecurity incursion happens, and we have no suitable crop protection to get us through a critical pest or disease risk,” says HortNZ communications manager Leigh Catley. Elizabeth Dixon – DairyNZ policy manager agrees. “It is difficult to predict what might be needed to effectively respond to an incursion of a pest that is new to New Zealand. One substance we will be paying particular attention to is diazinon, given its use for controlling pests in certain conditions. “Having appropriate tools to respond in a biosecurity crisis is important to primary industries and we are looking at the proposals in this light.” Organophosphate and carbamatebased insecticides are used on a variety of agricultural and horticultural crops in New Zealand, including vegetables and fruit as well as in grain silos. They are also used for biosecurity plant protection including the treatment of imported root stocks and for the control of pest species new to New Zealand. However, there is concern
both in New Zealand and overseas about the harmful effects these substances can have on human health and the environment. These concerns have led some overseas regulatory authorities to ban or restrict the use of some of these insecticides and led the EPA to establish that there were sufficient grounds to reassess their approvals. Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers VicePresident and spokesperson on food production sciences also has concerns about the proposals around diazinon. “Those products which control grass grub seem to be the most concerning. At the moment diazinon appears to be the most important agrichemical for this use. However, we are aware that alternatives many not be as effective and may be more expensive. If we cannot find effective ways of preventing pests, there will be an impact on both employment and the GDP.” Leigh says at least eight different groups, representing fruit and vegetable growers of more than 60 different products, are working on submissions showing how wide ranging the effect of the proposal may be and how many growers will be concerned with the outcome. “Until a final decision is made by the EPA panel it is hard to say which sector may be most affected. There are some products which have been proposed for a very short phase-out (18 months- three years) which could have significant impacts for growers of crops such as carrot, parsnip, strawberry and kumara. “Chlorpyrifos, pirimicarb, diazinon and dichlorvos are used by the widest range
of growers, and of these, diazinon and dichlorvos are proposed for phase out so their removal will have the widest effect.” Elizabeth says it is important that regulation of substances like organophosphates and carbamates is driven by science and evidence-based policy making. “Alternative ways of managing grass grub would be required to help offset pasture loss and potential production losses. To a certain extent, pasture pests can be managed through nonchemical means. Research currently underway might give more options, including more resilient pasture species or bio-controls.” William says where the risks of using various products outweigh the benefit to the whole country of using them, then it is time to consider where to from here. “However, the industry needs time to come up with alternatives, or to bring in safer methods of using the product where necessary. One size will not fit all.” Leigh says the driver for the EPA review is protecting the New Zealand environment and our own families and workers. “The EPA does a good job of listening to everyone and trying to work out what’s best for us all. Sometimes that means tough calls for horticulture. “Many overseas countries still retain the use of some organophosphate and carbamate compounds and recognize that their broad spectrum activity is beneficial for crop production.” Removing or restricting the use of some products may threaten growers’ economic viability but Leigh says growers can be put out of business for lots of reasons. “Reducing access to crop protection products is likely to be a significant factor for those who are already finding times are tough. This is why we work so hard to get reasonable phase-out times for these reassessed agchem products, because in some cases growers need as much time as they can get to adjust to running their business without the assistance of sometimes irreplaceable crop protection.” Public submissions of the EPA review close on January 22, 2013. To make a submission go to: www.epa.govt.nz/publications-resources/topics/ Pages/Organophosphates-and-carbamates.aspx By Elaine Fisher
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CONTRACTORS
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Kotuku resident at wetlands An area of land near Reporoa, slowly subsiding because of geothermal draw-off, and of little use for farming, has been restored to a wetland of significance for wildlife, hunters and tourist. Shortly before Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson officially opened the newly constructed Ohaaki Wetland last month, one of its newest residents, the rare kotuku (white heron), flew in. It is the habitat New Zealand wetland provide for a rich and diverse range of species which made the $1 million project significant, she said, and it will be an asset for the local community and tourists too. “Tourism is worth between $63million and $121 million to this region. This wetland will provide another attraction for visitors to enjoy.” Kate said it was pleasing that farmers, inspired by the Ohaaki wetland, were keen to undertake similar projects on their own land. Dennis Barnes, chief executive of Contact Energy said the wetland had been developed on subsiding land on the Ohaaki geothermal field, caused by over extraction of geothermal fluid in the first five to 10 years after the Ohaaki power station was commissioned in 1989, prior to Contact owning it. It’s development has been a two-year project which has transformed previously unused land into a natural resource that will help restore an ecosystem that provides irreplaceable benefits for the area, said Dennis. Contact gifted the land for the wetland development and funding for the $1 million development was provided through the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust and the Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Charitable Trust WEMCT was created by Contact as part of the company’s efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of its Wairakei operations. Eastern Fish & Game Council chairman Barry Roderick said the project is an excellent example of a joint venture with a number of groups working together to benefit the environment. The Wildfowlers Association was among the first to push for the Ohaaki project. “Game bird hunters, and Fish & Game, have been the strongest advocates for wetland protection and
The Ohaaki Wetland near Reporoa is an excellent place to observe wildlife.
enhancement. For many decades now we’ve worked with landowners across the country trying to claw back lost habitat.” The wetland project has provided work for local contractors, and nurseries and other firms have also been involved. Barry says one of the great things about Ohaaki is its multipurpose nature. “The wetland has already proved a success as a place
Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson and Dennis Barnes, chief executive of Contact Energy planted trees at the opening of the Ohaaki Wetland near Reporoa.
for hunters to target game birds in the season. But it’s also been designed so that the general public can visit – and observe the healthy ecosystem that’s been created, and its variety of birds and wildlife. It should also have benefits for local iwi for harakeke (flax) and potentially tuna (eel) in the future.” As a first step to provide access
throughout the wetland, a 900 metre easy walking track to a viewing hide has been constructed. As time goes on, visitors will be able to enjoy the tranquil setting while viewing more and more wildlife. Fish & Game have put up interpretation panels to tell the Ohaaki story. By Elaine Fisher
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EQUINE
Waka taught many to ride
Jean Rogers of Tauranga pictured riding Waka (on right) is among those mourning the gentle horse.
Waka, the horse who taught many learners of all ages to ride, died suddenly overnight November 5. Mark and Suzie Verry's 30-year-old King Country horse went on numerous treks all over the North Island hill country carrying a variety of riders from around the country.
He was responsible for teaching many learner riders, old and young, carried blind riders and pregnant mothers with greatest care. Overseas visitors rode him, as did the bank manager with great confidence and enjoyment. Despite his age he remained sure footed and energetic till the end. He leaves behind many riders, very sad but with happy memories.
German floats tops in Europe Boeckmann is the leading horse float and horse truck manufacturer in Europe and consistently voted the number one preferred horse float brand, says Robert Charles of Boeckmann New Zealand. “One hundred percent made in Germany, superb quality, lightweight, aerodynamic, great looking, rustproof, quiet, safe and comfortable, Boeckmann floats are built to last a lifetime. “We are proud to be the exclu-
sive distributor for Boeckmann horse floats and trucks in New Zealand,” says Robert who is based in Katikati. Although Boeckmann is new to New Zealand, the company currently exports to 34 countries worldwide. It is a true family business which has made more than 300,000 horse floats since 1956. “They are synonymous with quality and are the most valuable and sort after secondhand float in Germany.” Boeckmann floats are built to last a lifetime.
FARM SECURITY
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CCTV systems take to the road Poachers be warned In a New Zealand first, Smartway Security Services has launched a mobile camera showroom to give clients a "first hand" view of what cameras will show on their own site.
Roger Bull, managing director of Smartway Security Services says the company has installed more than 2000 CCTV systems and experience shows that people have differing levels of expectations about what result they will get. “The flexibility of this type of demonstration has already proven that this vehicle can eliminate some of the false concepts that surround CCTV and help show the benefits that can be achieved with a well-designed system." The mobile showroom gives a comparison of budget cameras all the way up to some of the latest hi-definition IP cameras. The vehicle also boasts a 10m mast for a PTZ camera. The screens show comparisons between different
makes of DVR, NVR and hybrid recorders so clients can see the software in operation along with ease of use. “Cameras are installed around the roof of the vehicle and these provide a better understanding of "views" and also allow clients to see exactly what they will get before they have cameras installed. This eliminates problems later with the wrong types of camera being chosen - a choice often based on price alone. "Our staff has a combined CCTV experience of more than 50 years with installs on farms, shopping malls, car parks, motels, restaurants, offices and homes. This allows us to give invaluable advice to our clients.” Bookings for visits by the mobile showroom are filling fast and Roger recommends anyone who would like to talk about cameras, alarms or any other security products for business or home, should call now to arrange a demonstration.
Smartway Security Services mobile camera showroom enables clients to assess the system best suited to their situation, on site.
Eyes in the rural community are wide open for suspicious activity Federated Farmers is warning rustlers and poachers. The comments follow the arrest of two people near Te Puke after Rick Powdrell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson saw them allegedly acting suspiciously on his farm. "I was working late on the farm and spotted someone jumping the fence. You can say that got my attention. When that person saw me they pulled up a hoodie and skulked away. When I got closer, I found one of my ewes had been tied up. "I cut the ewe free and shot back to the house to call the police. I need to counteract a myth in the rural community that the Police do not take crimes like this seriously. These days, they most certainly do. Luckily, the Police had a car in the area and were able to make an arrest. Federated Farmers’ message to those thinking they can come into rural areas and nick what they want, is to think again,” says Rick.
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COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
d i t e f as i g christmas
Bookings Essential
Page 41
RETIREMENT
Retirement Thames style
Rural outlook Enjoying the company of others is among the benefits of living at Te Puke Country Lodge.
At Te Puke Country Lodge the spacious, wheelchair accessible rest home and hospital rooms are well appointed as each has its own kitchenette, shower, toilet and vanity. There is a Registered Nurse on duty 24 hours a day and all rooms have a nurse call system. Residents are encouraged to enhance their rooms with personal items, furniture, paintings and ornaments. All rooms are centrally heated and equipped with smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. Lodge spokesperson Brian Moody says Government subsidies are available to all who meet the qualifying assessment criteria. “Our management team can advise you on this or you can speak to your doctor or to one of the many other community support services.”
Te Puke Country Lodge also offers a range of apartments and standalone units for independent living. Prices range from $100,000 to $250,000. “Our units have a rural outlook and offer vehicle garaging with internal access. Living in a unit or apartment you can be as independent as you want but you have the security of knowing we are nearby if needed. Our weekly service fee of $95 covers your rates, building insurance, exterior maintenance, gardening and rubbish removal.” Te Puke Country Lodge offers a buy back guarantee on it units and apartments. “Unlike other facilities where you have to wait until your unit has been resold before receiving your settlement, we guarantee to refund the agreed "buy back" price within six months if your unit is not sold and settled prior.”
Richmond Villas offer tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
A village within a village is how Richmond Villas at Thames is described. Developed by a family with a strong focus on family values and caring, the village is nestled in the heart of Thames and is attracting residents from throughout the central and upper North Island, says manager Christine Rogers. “Many of our residents have moved to Thames to escape the hustle and bustle of larger centres. In Thames there is not a traffic light in sight (now the new Kopu Bridge has opened) and people can walk to the mall, to shops, the doctor or the Thames Hospital from Richmond Villas Lifestyle Village.” The Thames Hospital has recently undergone a $16 million upgrade and is well equipped and staffed to offer excellent health care. The Richmond Villas development has been designed to take the needs and interests of its residents into consideration with a place to park
campervans and extra vehicles and even a `Blokes shed’ well fitted out with machinery and equipment. There are vegetable plots for keen gardeners near the Blokes Shed too and those who enjoy flower gardening are welcome to tend to their own areas. If not, maintenance staff will keep everything neat and tidy. There is a courtesy van for the use of residents, an active residents’ committee which organises regular trips and activities and a community centre for all to enjoy. A mix of individual villas and apartments make up the village with six new apartments to be completed before Christmas. “The village will have no more than 80 villas and another 30 or so apartments, so it will retain its village atmosphere.” Richmond Villas Lifestyle Village welcomes inspections and is open to the public every Wednesday and on other week days by arrangement. Appointments are necessary for weekend viewing.
Te Puke Country Lodge Home, Hospital and Village
RETIREMENT
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Change ahead for rest home
NE
W
Changes are afoot at the Aspen Rest Home with a new facility manager who is not only bringing with her 20 years’ experience in the health industry, but new ideas for the facility. Olwyn Starley Kunz comes from Switzerland and trained as a nurse in Cornwall, England. “Aspen is one of the loveliest homes that I have had the privilege to work in. “The homely atmosphere is due to the wonderful staff who work here. Some of them have been here for many years and are dedicated to making Aspen a home from home for our residents.” Olwyn says with its fantastic views, all Aspen needs is a little bit of TLC. “An expert gardener has started work and, as he just happens to be a topiary specialist, has shown his expertise on the hedges and topiary plants. “The deck has inherited some new furniture and is all ready to embrace the summer and provide a cool spot
Homely atmosphere at Aspen Rest Home. for the residents to sit and enjoy the garden.” Aspen Rest Home has also included a day-stay for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Aspen will be opening a new sensory room where residents and day-stay visitors can be treated with aromatherapy and hand and foot massages, while listening to gentle music and watching soothing pictures on a screen. This will also be beneficial to those who suffer from Sundowner’s syndrome and become restless in the mid-afternoon. She says work has already started on improving the rooms with fresh paint, new curtains and artwork to hang on the walls. “Our staff are proud and motivated to be working here, so we are already on the right road to achieving our goal.”
NE NE NENE NE W W WW W
Adventure holiday on horseback Following a very successful 2012 Northland ride, the team from the Great New Zealand Trail Ride Inc have put together another week of adventure.
a range of smart fertilisers engineered by Dr Bert Quin This year from February 23 to for pasture yield, nutrition, and performance.March 2 we’ll be riding rolling farmland, beautiful rivers and Backed by science not mystery! a range of smart fertilisers a smart range of smart fertilisersvirgin native forests of the Hawkes a range aof range offertilisers smart fertilisers a range of smart fertilisers
Bay, looking out over fantastic engineered Dr Bert Quin engineered by Dr Bert Quin engineered engineered by by Drby Bert by Dr Quin Bert Quin engineered Dr Bert Quin vistas as you set your own pace to the next campsite. or pasture yield, nutrition, and performance. The emphasis is on enjoyment for pasture yield, nutrition, and performance. sture for pasture yield, nutrition, yield, nutrition, andand performance. and performance. pasture yield, nutrition, performance. and having a good time with old friends and new acquaintances. Backed by science not mystery! Backed by science not mystery! Backed Backed by science by science not mystery! not mystery! Backed by science not mystery! Every aspect of the weeklong
holiday will be well sorted. We have once again secured the services of the Billionaires catering service. The very best showers and toilets will also be available. A selection of horse feed will be waiting at every campsite, and a vet will be there 24/7. We have also enlisted the services of a good farrier. Every year a group of volunteers offer their particular skills and abilities to the GNZTR. They work exceptionally hard endeavouring to have each day’s camp, set up and ready for the riders. One of the main driving forces for the GNZTR is to get behind a particular charity, a worthy
cause which will hopefully help in the lives of certain people in the chosen area in which the trek takes place. The charities that we have chosen to support this year are Lowe Corp Rescue Helicopter and the Patoka School. We have also invited Country Calendar along to cover the ride. The rest day will be situated next to the picturesque Mohaka River, a great place to swim and relax. So treat yourself to a great week’s holiday. But be warned registrations are filling fast. For more information contact John Davies 07 5796342 or 021 420128 or visit www.gnztr.org.nz By Clive Mckenney
for more info
Accredited personal alarm service www.fertme.co.nz 0800 FERTME (337 863) forinfo more infoinfoinfo for more for more for more for more info
Safe Link Ltd takes pride in the genuine, caring, old fashioned values that it applies to the personal alarm service it offer clients, says managing director Jackie Mace. “Safe Link Ltd is New Zealand owned and operated and has been providing a high quality service to our valued clients since 2003. “There have been many changes within the medical alarm industry and Safe Link Ltd is proud to be a 2012 Accredited Supplier of Monitored Medical Alarm Systems for the MSD (Ministry of Social Development). To become an accredited supplier, we had to demonstrate our
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exceptional end-to-end service to our clients. “We will tailor make emergency procedures to suit your personal needs, whether it be a neighbour, police or the ambulance you require. We will stay on the line with you until help arrives and we will also call your loved ones to inform them of the situation, upon your request.” Safe Link Ltd supports ambulance services by paying for all alarm-activated call-outs. To find out how to receive a one month free trial, and how you may be eligible for funding for your personal medical alarm, call Safe Link.
Jackie Mace, Safe Link Ltd managing director.
Page 43
RETIREMENT
Vill as f r 3 om
$4
Independent lifestyle at Mount village Opening of the summer house at Pacific Coast Village – from left village manager Mike Flattery, Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby, Judy Bailey, Kevin Haua, Chairman of Mangatawa Papamoa Board Inc and Graham Wilkinson, managing director Retirement Assets Ltd.
A retirement village, designed to draw on the natural attributes of the area and create a level of convenience and facilities seldom available so close to the city is being developed at Mount Maunganui. Called Pacific Coast Village, it is being constructed by Retirement Assets Ltd (RAL) a wholly New Zealand owned company with a record of creating excellent retirement villages. The parents of well-known TV personality Judy Bailey were among the first residents of an RAL managed village. “It was the perfect move for them. For a fiercely self-sufficient couple, the village provided safety and security combined with all the advantages of an independent lifestyle,” Judy says. Once complete the Mount village will have a full range of villas and apartments and a comprehensive, high quality centre complex, says village manager Mike Flattery. “The construction of a Summerhouse is now complete and comprises of a lounge, library, TV, gas fire, kitchen, bar BBQ and a pool table. Work on the bowling green is to commence in March 2013.”
Many of the two and three bedroom villas have separate laundries and internal access to single or double garaging. One and two bedroom apartments have internal access to undercover parking facilities. Additional bathrooms are the norm in the two bedroom options. All buildings are constructed of solid, permanent materials for durability of investment and superior insulation qualities, says Mike. “The interior fit out and furnishing set exemplary standards.” The grounds have been landscaped to provide ‘village green’ precincts and park-like surroundings. The community centre complex will boast amenities like a 200 person dining and lounge, separate espresso bar and internet café, a courtyard tea pavilion, along with a 60 seat theatre, sports bar and games room. Leisure facilities include a full size bowling green, indoor pool, spa, billiards room, wellness centre with massage, hair and beauty salons along with gymnasium and library. “A full care facility is planned adjacent to the multi-storey apartment block and and a nurse will be on call 24 hours and respite facilities will also be available.”
Conservation education for kids Caitlin Mackey (11) receiving cuddles and kisses from one of the animals.
A programme to educate children about the importance of conserving wildlife and caring for animals is to be launched next year by the ARRC Charitable Trust which is seeking the support of corporate sponsors. Dr Liza Schneider, director of the ARRC Wildlife Trust says a pilot programme presented on a small scale to school children was very well received, encouraging the formalisation of the ARRC Kids Education Programme.
The programme aims to educate children about the importance of conservation and respect for wildlife; responsible pet ownership; sustainable use of natural resources such as water, and preserving the natural environment including waste management, pollution awareness, and responsible fishing practices. “ARRC believes that without the education of our future generations, the ideals and knowledge we hold will be lost, and that the future truly lies inMELROSE the LIFESTYLE CARE &CARE VILLAGE: MELROSE LIFESTYLE & VILLAGE: hands of our youth,” says Liz. If you 159 Waihi Tauranga 3110 159Rd, Waihi Rd, Tauranga 3110 would like to be involved, please contact ARRC’s director Dr. Liza SchneiderRetirement Village | Village Care Village Hospital| Care Retirement | Care| Village Hospital Care liza@arrc.org.nz or phone 578 7054.
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COUNTRY LIVING
New grapefruit may be safe for heart patients
The unintended consequences of a citrus breeding programme may have produced a grapefruit those on heart medicines can safely eat. Dr Fred Gnitter of the University of Florida has been involved in work to breed a deep red pomelo which has given rise to a grapefruit people taking cholesterol lowering medications (statins) may be able to enjoy. “Sometimes breeders get lucky and this is one of those stories,” he told a seminar at the Zespri Momentum conference in October. “We made crosses of a pomelo and a deep red fleshed grapefruit. One result was a red fleshed fruit which tastes and smells like grapefruit but has virtually none of the three compounds which suppress enzymes in the liver.” People taking
statins are advised not to eat grapefruit nor drink its juice because they increase the absorption of the drug into the body, leading to side effects from the drug. Fred said plant breeders have worked with scientists in a medical school to have the juice tested on human cell cultures and those tests showed it does not suppress the activity enzymes. “What we need is some innovative company to take this on and fund human clinical studies which are needed before we can commercialise this fruit juice as safe to drink for heart patients.” Breeding new citrus cultivars has traditionally been difficult because, despite the apparent significant variety of citrus fruits, they all come from a very narrow genetic base. Fred said now the citrus genome has been sequenced, thanks to the International Citrus Genome Consortium, the possibility of breeding new varieties
resistant to some of the disease which threaten commercial crops, may be possible. The first grapefruit was found on the island of Barbados around 1700 and it was probably the result of seeds from pomelo trees brought from South East Asia. Philippe Odet, who was either a French Count or a pirate (or perhaps both, said Fred), introduced grapefruit to Tampa Bay Florida in the 1823. “He shared seeds with friends and in 1880 a grower found a fruit which was virtually seedless. In 1929 fruit with pink flesh were found.” However, despite the diversity, all were genetically identical. “Sweet orange originated in South East China 3000 year ago. When we look at sweet orange we find the same sort of diversification but, just as in grapefruit, there is not a whole lot of genetic difference, which made breeding virtually impossible – that was until genome sequencing,” he said.
Painless relief from heel pain Do you suffer from a “stone bruise” type pain in your heel? Does it feel worse when first getting out of bed in the morning or when getting up after sitting down from a busy day standing or walking? This common complaint is often called Plantar Fasciitis, which is Latin for inflammation of the facia (connective tissue) at the bottom of the foot. There are many layers of facia at the bottom of the foot. The one that normally causes the problem is the Plantar Aponeurosis and its attachment to the base of the heel. An abnormal tension at this area causes tiny breaks in this tissue that produce pain and inflam-
mation. The breaks repair with thicker fibrous and sometimes bony (heel spur) tissue that causes more irritation to the surrounding nerve tissue. Orthotics, calf stretching techniques, acupuncture, manipulations, oral anti-inflammatory medication and Hydro Cortisone injections can all help alleviate the symptoms, however, if this abnormal thick and fibrous tissue isn’t addressed often the problem never goes away. There is a simple technique aimed at providing a lifetime cure to this problem. It’s painless, doesn’t keep you off your feet and provides a 97.8 per cent chance of success. Call today to discuss this with me at The Foot Clinic. By Stefan Edwards, The Foot Clinic
Five scholarships awarded to north and south scholars A funding boost from sponsors, including Beef + Lamb New Zealand, has enabled five prestigious Nuffield New Zealand Scholarships to be awarded for 2013, up from the usual two or three. Nuffield New Zealand director Richard Green says it has been the vision of the organisation and its partners to grow the programme. "An increase in scholarship num-
bers has only been possible with the extra financial commitment from the partner sponsors, Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, FMG and AGMARDT as well as other supporting sponsors, FAR, Mackenzie Charitable Foundation and Landcorp," he says. This year's scholars hail from one end of the country to the other they are: Dairy NZ regional leader
Tafadzwa Manjala from Whangarei ANZ rural banker Sophie Stanley from Hamilton, rural entrepreneur Lisa Harper from Picton, Meridian Energy national agribusiness manager Natasha King from Christchurch and Northern Southland farmer and retailer Stephen Wilkins from Athol. Congratulations to all the scholars.
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COUNTRY LIVING
Cavalcade of words and pictures Stephen Jaquiery’s stunning photos feature in ‘Gold Dust and Saddle Bag – Tales from the Cavalcade’ ling stories, it takes the reader on their own journey full of beauty and adventure, without the chafing and sunburn. The cavalcade has won high acclaim too from a man who knows Central Otago well and deeply appreciates its special beauty – artist Grahame Sydney.
lcade’ is
from the Cava ‘Gold Dust and Saddle Bag – Tales a book give-away for December.
Fleur Sullivan had a dream – a dream to enable people to experience the ‘real New Zealand’ that is Central Otago – from horseback. Twenty years ago she and friends Chris Thomson and Deirdre Mackenzie began planning a three and-a-half day ride to re-enact the opening of the Dunstan Trail between Central Otago and Dunedin – a massive undertaking for a small group with no funds. The story of that first cavalcade and those which have followed is recounted in the most entertaining and readable way by Sally Rae and beautifully illustrated with stunning photos by Stephen Jaquiery in the book ‘Gold
Dust and Saddle Bag – Tales from the Cavalcade’. “Organisers were blown away with the response – they originally thought they might get about 50 registrations – but more than 220 people took part complete with 240 horses, a gold coach, wagons, carts, gigs and buggies,” Sally writes of the first cavalcade. This book is the history of the cavalcade, the history of New Zealand and the history of those who have taken part in the event, for their names feature in its last 16 pages. But even more it’s the stories of endurance and hardship, romance and celebration and of the horses which enabled their riders to experience some of New Zealand’s most remote and rugged lands. A superb picture book with compel-
“How wonderful that in this present world of mandatory growth and materialistic consumerism, the Cavalcade gifts to each rider, each walker, and its many wagon passengers, memories which transcend both time and money – priceless memories – expanding just a little every human heart,
their sense of who they are, and where they come from,” he writes in the forward to the book. Thanks to publishers The Halcyon Press, Coast & Country has a copy of ‘Gold Dust and Saddle Bag – Tales from the Cavalcade’ by Sally Rae and Stephen Jaquiery to give away.
To be in to win email ‘Cavalcade’, along with your name, address and phone number to elaine@thesun.co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Elaine Fisher, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than December 17, 2012. The winner will be announced in the January Coast & Country.
COUNTRY LIVING
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GYO theme for tree crops conference “Grow Your Own Waikato” is the theme for the NZ Tree Crops Association annual conference in April next year which will offer participants an intense three day interactive experience.
A red-fleshed apple is among the more unusual tree crops grown in New Zealand.
The NZ Tree Crops Assn is a voluntary organisation promoting interest in useful trees, such as those producing fruit, nuts, timber, fuel, wood, stock fodder, bee forage and other useful crops. For the first time in 12 years the Waikato Branch will host the association’s national annual conference
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at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion April 26-28, 2013. On offer are lectures, workshops, demonstrations and field trips to explore the latest in growing solutions, with an emphasis on practical, do-it-yourself, kiwi solutions - GYO Waikato. Guest speakers include Dr Will McClatchey from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas who will talk on the ethno-biology of cider. Others will inform on karaka and native tree crops, chestnuts and soil botany. Buses will then take delegates on field trips to visit a selection of properties grouped by theme: See and Saw, Urban Appetite, Producing Profits, Sustainable Sustenance, Tests and Trials. These visits will include practical demonstrations and workshops. Saturday evening is a social dinner with an entertaining guest speaker and several NZTCA awards to be presented.
Organisers are urging anyone interested to ‘come prepared to learn a lot and get your hands dirty’. The New Zealand Tree Crops Association grew out of a philosophy of seeking and sharing information about the many and varied types of trees which might grow in New Zealand to produce a useful crop, be it for humankind or animals. NZTCA members have quietly been at the forefront of research and innovation in developing new forms of productive land use. Membership has spread throughout New Zealand, and have become an association of gardeners, householders, orchardists, farmers, smallholders, scientists and researchers. To find out more go to www.treecrops.org.nz
How’s that for variety – some of the fruits on display at a New Zealand Tree Crop Association meeting.
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Bacteria, and the kind known as Psa-V in particular, are very much the focus of attention for kiwifruit growers attempting to discover as much as they can about these organisms which are attacking their vines. That bacteria can communicate and have a sense of how many of their own kind and others are around them is well explained by American molecular biologist and professor at Princeton University Bonnie Brassler on the information sharing website TED (www.ted.com/talks). TED is a nonprofit organisation devoted to ’ideas worth spreading’
which started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Its website states: “Our mission: Spreading ideas. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you're an important part of it.” To view Bonnie’s entertaining and easy to understand lecture about bacteria go to: www.ted.com/talks/bonnie_ bassler_on_how_bacteria_communicate.html
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COUNTRY LIVING
Hunting supplements student larder There are 101 excuses to go hunting but being a poor student trying to put food on the table is probably one of the most legitimate, as James Morris recounts in his book ‘Student Hunter’. James didn’t go to uni to study hunting – he was already well and truly educated in the sport thanks to his rural childhood. In fact, when James enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Canterbury, he was, at 21, a few years older than most students. That was part of the reason he and a few mates preferred to spend weekends and holidays hunting rather than partying and it could also be that his pickup lines weren’t that good.
“I’m sorry; I’m more comfortable in the bush tackling a wild boar than I am talking to a girl,” didn’t exactly work, so what better to do than go hunting? The book tells of the more than 100 trips James and his mates made in the hills of Canterbury and South Westland hunting thar, chamois and red deer and enjoying the pleasure, challenge and sometime sheer fear of hunting in the high country. And they were successful is putting food on the table – high quality red meat far better than the ‘reduce to clear’ food they could afford from the supermar- ‘Student Hunter’ is a book price for December Coast & Country. ket. More than that of course, they had the thrill of the hunt, camping in some of the country’s Thanks to publishers The most spectacular landscapes and Halcyon Press, Coast & Country the camaraderie that comes from has a copy of ‘Student Hunter’ by shared successes, failures and risks. James Morris to give away.
To be in to win email “Student Hunter”, along with your name, address and phone number to elaine@thesun.co.nz or include these details on the back of an envelope and post to Elaine Fisher, Coast & Country PO Box 240 Tauranga 3110 to arrive no later than December 17, 2012. The winner will be announced in the January Coast & Country.
NEED A A SHED? SHED? NEED COME SEE PLACEMAKERS COME PLACEMAKERS AT FIELDSEE DAYS 2012 - SITE N9 COME SEE PLACEMAKERS AT FIELD DAYS 2012 - SITE N9 AT FIELD DAYS 2012 - SITE N9
The happiness advantage For years we have been told that happiness was a consequence of success. If we work hard enough at our jobs, we will be successful and if we are successful we will be happy. Thanks to research in the areas of neuro-science and positive psychology we now know the opposite is true. When we are happy at work we are smarter, more motivated and thus more successful. However many business owners do not know this, or refuse to believe it is true, despite the overwhelming research confirming happiness causes success and achievement. Happiness can also improve our physical health, which in turn keeps us working faster and longer and therefore makes us more likely to succeed. Healthy employees are more productive. By contrast unhappy employees take more sick days, staying home on average an extra 15 sick days a year! Neuro-science and psychology also show us that positivity can give someone a seriously competitive edge, is an antidote to stress and anxiety and makes us more creative and open to new ideas. All these attributes are beneficial to businesses. The good news is there are some simple, cost effective and practical things we can do to improve
our happiness baseline or our employees’ happiness baseline. Imagine the significant impact on your business if you as a manager are able to increase your employees’ happiness. It makes sense to concentrate on understanding this issue further, rather than using out dated methods of employee engagement. If you have any employment or HR queries that you would like assistance with, please email Wendy directly at wendy@accordservices.co.nz 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.
PLACEMAKERS STORES EXHIBITING AT THIS YEAR’S FIELD DAYS: HAMILTON 07 846 6700 ROTORUA 07 345 6892 HUNTLY 07 828 2000 TAUPO 07 376 0220 PLACEMAKERS STORES EXHIBITINGTEATKUITI THIS YEAR’S FIELD DAYS: MORRINSVILLE 07 889 8057 07 878 8149 MT MAUNGANUI 07 575 4009 THAMES 07 868 0130 HAMILTON 07 ROTORUA 07 PUKEKOHE 09 846 237 6700 0020 WHATAKTANE 07 345 306 6892 0320 HUNTLY 07 828 2000 TAUPO 07 WHITIANGA 07 376 867 0220 2000
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MORRINSVILLE 07 889 8057 TE KUITI MT MAUNGANUI 07 575 4009 THAMES PUKEKOHE 09 237 0020 WHATAKTANE TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING NEW ZEALAND WHITIANGA
07 878 8149 07 868 0130 07 306 0320 07 867 2000
HAMILTON 07 846 6700 ROTORUA TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING ZEALAND HUNTLY 07 828NEW 2000 TAUPO MORRINSVILLE 07 889 8057 TE KUITI MT MAUNGANUI 07 575 4009 THAMES PUKEKOHE 09 237 0020 WHATAKTANE WHITIANGA
07 345 6892 07 376 0220 07 878 8149 07 868 0130 07 306 0320 07 867 2000
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COUNTRY LIVING
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Journeys to hidden retreats and forgotten roads Farm stations, hidden retreats and forgotten roads are among the experiences enjoyed by those who join Kae and Rick Coleman on a Hinterland Tour. The Papamoa husband and wife team, both from a rural back-ground, are owners and operators of Hinterland Tours which offers guided small group tours throughout New Zealand and beyond. “We strive to provide a relaxed and friendly tour environment, where those travelling with us can sit back and enjoy the ride to truly unique areas that Hinterland prides itself on being able to gain access to,” says Kae.
“With a maximum of 11 passengers, you'll never feel jostled and always feel included in all the adventure. Our modern Volkswagen coach offers plenty of room, air-conditioning and in coach intercom making for a pleasant journey no matter where we go.” Finding unique journeys across New Zealand is the couple’s speciality. Trips such as the Old Motu Road impress passengers with their history, remoteness and beauty. “Having a small coach makes visiting these areas possible. The contacts we have established throughout the years across New Zealand are far reaching and fabulous, allowing us access to many farm stations, hidden retreats and forgotten
roads. We also visit all the usual favourites such as the Bay of Islands, South Island, New Zealand off-shore islands, and many delightful shows - mainly in Auckland.” In June 2013 Hinterland Tours will be taking a small group to experience the Australian outback. ‘This will be an unforgettable journey and a great idea for a winter break.” Hinterland Tours is accredited by Qualmark, New Zealand Tourism's official quality mark which provides international and domestic visitors with a means of identifying professional and trustworthy New Zealand tourism businesses.
Rick and Kae Coleman of Hinterland Tours specialise in hosting unique journeys.
Designing and manufacturing ‘cool stuff ’ Twenty two ago when Richard and Elodie Knaggs founded The Spruce Up Company at Mount Maunganui they were its only staff. Today the company which designs and manufactures a wide range of outdoor furniture, play equipment, garden sheds and pet houses has seven staff working “flat out” to keep up with orders. Richard, who is a qualified carpenter and quantity surveyor, was designing
new homes when he and Elodie decided to start their own business. It’s those design skills which gives the company a strong point of difference. “We invite customers to come in with their wish list and budget, plus size of their yard and we’ll sit down and design whatever they want from outdoor furniture to kids play equipment, to a garden shed,” says Richard. The Spruce Up Company’s most popular range is the planter boxes, made to any size. “We offer free delivery from Te Puke, to Katikati to the lower Kaim-
ais and will place and fill the boxes, so all that’s needed are the plants.” The appeal of planter boxes is that it’s easier to reach the plants, the quality of soil can be controlled and because of the timber sides, soil stays warmer and plants grow better. Designing outdoor furniture is another service and recently the company has produced a table 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres wide for a client. The range they call ‘Kids Stuff ’ is extensive from play houses costing $250 to ones priced at $7,500. There are swings and slides, climbing walls, forts and castles, all of which can be custom designed and manufactured. The range even includes a whare. Pets aren’t left out in the cold thanks to kennels for dogs of all sizes, and chook houses too. Wooden garden sheds in a range of sizes come complete. “We can put them in place by hi-ab or crane and no assembly is required.” Richard and Elodie are enjoying their new business. “We get to design and build all the cool fun stuff now,” says Richard.
‘Kid’s stuff ’ includes play houses from simple to two storey.
Custom designed and made outdoor furniture is among the specialities of The Spruce Up Company.
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COUNTRY LIVING
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5+ should include a kiwifruit New Zealand’s recommended vitamin C intake may be too low, believes Associate Professor Margaret Visser of Otago University.
Kiwifruit is known as one of the most nutritious of all common fruits.
One step at a time In recent weeks I have been attending a nutritional medicine clinic in Sydney. Most of the time we were taking cases, assessing diet and nutritional status and creating programmes to help address any underlying problems. I recall one particular client who appeared to have a problem with every body system. I assessed her as early 60’s and was surprised to learn she was actually in her early 50’s. Our initial client consultation included a one hour assessment of all body systems and it seemed there was a tick and comment beside every conceivable problem. During discussion of these complex cases the first question was to identify a starting point. In most cases treatment was a little like a long set of stairs. The only way to get to the top is one step at a time. We identified the first step and included some measures to improve just a few problems. When facing multiple health challenges it is important for people to experience progress to give them hope that further improvement is possible. In her case our initial plan was to make some adjustments to her diet and some supplements to improve her digestive system and energy. In particular we wanted to include protein with every meal to help regulate her blood glucose and to remove the highly inflammatory fats in her diet. This completely contrasted with another case where the person looked like she was early 40’s but was in her early 50’s. She had paid great attention to her diet, exercise and other positive lifestyle factors and was in amazing health. Her only complaints were a minor digestive problem and slightly lowered bone density. For her, all we needed was a slight dietary adjustment and supplements to optimise bone density. You may be incredibly healthy and all you need is to ensure your diet and nutrient intake is able to retain your health as you enter the next phase of your life. You may have multiple health challenges and need a detailed plan to start to deal with the underlying causes of the problems. Addressing these over time will usually mean real improvements but you need to identify the first step. Give me a call if you need help. John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health Ltd. If you have questions or a free health plan contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@johnarts.co.nz. You can join his weekly email newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz or visit www.abundant.co.nz.
Consuming the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 45mg could be on the edge of poor health, if the foods eaten do not include a high vitamin C source. Margaret told the October Zespri Momentum Conference that eating Five + A Day as recommended by the programme to get New Zealanders eating more fruit and vegetables, was not the whole answer. She is the author of new international research, published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, which shows even a recommended dietary intake of fruits and vegetables can result in vitamin C levels well below optimum. “Our study shows, quite simply, that 5+ A Day will not deliver adequate vitamin C unless at least one of those sources is a highvalue food like kiwifruit. Therefore, when selecting your 5+ A Day, kiwifruit should be the first fruit on your list. “Vitamin C is an essential nutrient which is critical for maintaining many aspects of our health and kiwifruit is an outstanding source of dietary vitamin C.” Kiwifruit is known as one of the most nutritious of all common fruits, combining high levels of vitamin C, fibre, folate and
Science Group leader, food and nutrition, potassium to produce unrivalled nutrient spoke about the research done investigating adequacy. the role of kiwifruit in digestion. Margaret said most other fruit and vegetaWhile it has long been recognized that bles contain much less vitamin C per serve, whereas one kiwifruit delivers the full recom- kiwifruit can aid in the relief of constipation, Juliet said the recent study showed kiwifruit mended daily allowance and will contribute helped promote the growth of benefimore vitamin C than an cial bacteria in the gut, and the orange. inhibition of harmful bacteria. There is a critical In the next four to five need for vitamin C Vitamin C controls years research would in the diet. It is an almost everything provide an even better essential vitamin associated with understanding of the roles made by all plants wellbeing. of bacteria in the human and animals digestive system, she said. except humans, Earler research commisguinea pigs, some sioned by Zespri has shown that higher primates and fruit Zespri green and gold kiwifruit have bats so they must find it from more vitamin C than most fruit including the food they eat. Vitamin C controls almost everything asso- oranges, strawberries and papaya. Kiwifruit are some of the most nutriciated with wellbeing. It helps with energy ent dense fruit, primarily because of their levels, stress response, tissue formation, vitamin C content but also because of other wound healing, the immune system, and has key nutrients including fibre and vitamin E. an impact on mood. Lack of vitamin C can Kiwifruit are also one of the few foods that lead to deficiency disease such as scurvy, sufcontain folate. The fruit aid in the digesfered by sailors in the era of sailing ships. tion of several food proteins including meat, A university study Margaret and her team conducted showed eating two kiwifruit every milk, legumes and cereals and have a low day increased the vitamin C levels of a group glycemic index (GI) and are low in fat. Eating two kiwifruit a day has been proven of male students. The students made no to reduce the amount of oxidative damage to other changes to their diets and reported an the cells of the body and improve the repair up lift in mood and also said they had more of damaged DNA cause by free radicals and energy and vigor. oxidative stress. Dr Juliet Ansell, Plant & Food Research
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Stunt scooters latest kids’ craze The Mount Maunganui based company which operates New Zealand’s biggest professionally built indoor skate park, has plans to open a similar complex in Auckland.
Called Dialled Indoor Skate Parks, they have been set up by Dept Of Adventure Ltd – one of New Zealand’s largest distributors of stunt scooters, parts and accessories. “The Mount Maunganui park has been a great success thus far and whether kids are pros or amateurs they have a great time scootering, skating and cycling at Dialled Indoor Skatepark,” says Kate Thomas of Dept of Adventure.
Based on the success of the park at the Mount Action Centre in Triton Ave, the company plans to open a Dialled Indoor Skatepark in Auckland before Christmas. The professionally built and run, Mount Maunganui park has some of the most amazing ramps and features around including a foam pit and ‘resi ramp’. The facility is 46m long and 26m wide and is open five days per week (seven days during the school holidays) offering multiple sessions for scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and BMX. “The park is changed from time to time, to give users a new experience.” Dept of Adventure Ltd currently sponsor
eight stunt scooter riders from around New Zealand under the Scooter Central brand. During the school holidays Scooter Central travels with the riders to different skate parks around the country with the riders doing stunt demos, signings and product giveaways. “We have had huge turnouts on our past tours with kids coming from far and wide” says Kate. “Stunt scootering in New Zealand has exploded in the last six months. Just about every kid between six and 16 wants a stunt scooter and the craze has taken over nearly every skate park in New Zealand and Australia. “We have so far held several kids’
parties at the park and in fact have just run a successful deal for party bookings. Parents can relax while the kids tire themselves out for a few hours and there's no worry about the weather or cancellations as it's indoor. “We are planning and working with child care services to provide school holiday programmes and specifically events for the upcoming summer school holidays. “We are also working to secure advertising for Dialled Indoor with some of New Zealand’s big brands, which will be finalised in the next few weeks. One company will have exclusive naming rights to the park with others having the opportunity to billboard advertising around the park,” says Kate.
Searching out ‘deals’ to pass on “Buy on a deal – sell on a deal” has become the catch phrase for Three Brothers Te Rapa, Hamilton.
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“We are a family owned, cash and carry business which aims to search out the best deals to pass on to our customers,” says Trent Fothergill of Three Brothers.
The company which uses its purchasing power to buy in bulk has one of the biggest selections of interior and exterior doors in the Waikato. “Buying doors off a catalogue can be confusing but here people can walk in, touch, see and make a selection from up to 500 doors, put the ones they want in their vehicle and drive home with them.”
THREE BROTHERS
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The company also stocks a large and extensive range of plywood from interior to exterior, flooring to wall lining. “Three Brothers have the cheapest plywood around. We buy and stock a lot of seconds but because quality control for these products today is so high, seconds are almost as good as first quality products. It is our policy to always sell what we buy as a seconds, as a second, pointing out to clients what minor defects makes it a second grade.” For 10 years now Three Brothers has been importing high quality, pre-tinted paint from America, selling it for $23 for four litres. “We offer a money back guarantee too, even if you get the paint home and don’t like the colour.” Searching out the best deals often involves buying significant numbers of deleted lines of products or those with `obsolete’ colours, says Trent. Now the company has a new bathroom display area featuring spa baths and replicas of the old fashioned clawfoot bath which are very popular and exceptionally priced for the quality. There is also a display of top quality wine coolers for the connoisseur. Three Brothers also stock all the standard range of fencing, framing and decking along with all the other types of timber. The hardware showroom features door furniture, glues, screws and nails to go with the many profiles of timber and timber mouldings in stock.
Three Brothers uses its purchasing power to buy in bulk.
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Swimming pool product reduces the use of chemicals Having a Floatron in their own pool for more than 16 years has made a world of difference to family life for Floatron NZ Ltd owners Craig and Melissa Growden. They have a passion for this product because they have a seven year old daughter with eczema and allergies.
Even children with allergies can safely enjoy swimming in water cleaned by a Floatron.
She suffers when swimming in chemicalladen pools, but they are thrilled she can swim in their pool all day long, with no skin or health issues at all. The Floatron is a revolutionary solar powered water purifier for swimming pools, which replaces the need for chemicals by up to 90 per cent. “Who has time to look after their pool with today’s busy lifestyle?” says Melissa. “Clients are so glad to finally come across a product that keeps the pool clean all year round, without having to use a lot of chemicals, or spend a lot of time on maintenance.” Developed by NASA to purify drinking water on space missions, the Floatron uses the same technology in swimming pools. “If the water is pure enough to drink, then it’s got to be pure enough to swim in.” The Floatron is a revolutionary solar powered water purifier that floats around in the pool. It uses the process of ionisation to combat algae and bacteria in the water. “With a Floatron you swim in virtually pure water, with no taste, smell or chemical effects – that means no dry skin or red stinging eyes.” Melissa says people are amazed to find a
product that can save them so much time and money on their pools. “You save so much time on pool maintenance because you don’t have to add excessive chemicals or frequently test the water. And you save money too because chemical usage can be cut by an amazing 90 per cent.” For people with a swimming pool in their garden, it needs to look pristine all year round to match its surroundings. “You don’t have to do a typical ‘clean up’ each spring if you have a Floatron. That’s because the water stays clear all year round - even through winter. “Some people think that the Floatron sounds too good to be true, which is why we give it a money back guarantee” says Melissa. “In a world that is full of pollutants, isn’t it good to know that you can do something to reduce the effects of chemicals on your family? By using a Floatron you can effectively reduce chemicals by up to 90 per cent.” Floatron has been sold in New Zealand for more than 16 years. This is the most revolutionary and exciting product available in the pool industry today says Melissa. “The numerous testimonials from extremely satisfied customers reinforces its ever-growing popularity.
Self-setting traps for Whirinaki Forest pests Three tourism operators have joined forces to install 40 self-setting rat and stoat traps in Whirinaki Forest, thanks to funding from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Foris Eco-tours, Te Urewera Treks and Nature Connection – have been awarded a grant from the council's environmental enhancement fund to purchase the new traps, made in New Zealand by Goodnature. “This is our way of complementing and strengthening DOC’s pest management work in the Whirinaki Forest and helping protect the internationally - significant area in which we operate,” explains Tom Lynch from Foris Eco-tours, which offers guided walks and rafting trips in the area. “Whirinaki Forest has one of the largest remaining populations of kaka, as well as kiwi, whio/ blue duck and kakariki. As tourism businesses operating in the forest, we wanted to do something to help DOC protect these taonga for everyone.” “Stoats are the number one predator of kaka and kiwi–
of the 5000 kaka left, only 1000 are female because the nesting females are killed by stoats as they sit on their nests. To put in perspective how rare kaka are, according to DOC’s estimates, there are 13 kiwi for every kaka,” says Tom. The A24 rat/stoat Goodnature traps are powered by a CO2 cartridge that resets the trap after each kill and can humanely kill up to 24 animals before needing to be reset. The traps have longlife baits, are easy to service and only need to be tended every few months. DOC is also trialling the traps around the country. “It is great to see tourism operators around New Zealand getting involved in biodiversity protection” says Stu Barr from Goodnature.
Goodnature re-setting traps weigh less than 700 grams and are affixed to a tree with two stainless steel screws.
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Strong interest in dairy awards Entries in the 2013 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards look set to reach 500. National convenor Chris Keeping says interest is strong in the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions. By late November 305 entries had been. “We are on target to hit around 500 entries all up.” Entrants first enter one of 12 regional competitions around the country, with the three regional winners each progressing to the national final where they will compete for $140,000 in cash and prizes. The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.
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Worm tea just the brew for plants If Jeff Ingram was to measure his livestock, it would be by weight not by head, because counting the thousands of worms he farms would be virtually impossible.
Jeff Ingram holds worm tea from worms fed brown seaweed, while the paler coloured tea is from those fed green seaweed.
seaweed to feed the worms, which produce a different coloured and strength of worm tea depending on which type they are fed. The worm tea is available in quantities from 1.5 litre bottles to 20 litre drums and Jeff takes orders or sells direct to customers at the Mount Maunganui Farmers’ Market every Sunday – with customers often coming back for more. Bay of Plenty Polytechnic work skills programme coordinator Garry Barnett, who had Jeff on his course two years ago, says Jeff was a great role model for other students as someone who ‘got off his backside and just got stuck in’. Jeff, who won bronze in the 10,000m event at the 1979 Special
For 10 years now Jeff has been caring for the hard working creatures and selling the worm tea and worm casts they produce to home gardeners and commercial growers. “There’s a lady who sprays it on her olive trees and other people use it in their hydroponics. It’s very good for helping plants to grow and stay healthy,” says Jeff (54) who calls his business Seapark Worms. Born with a disability, Jeff hasn’t let that deter him from living life to the full. He’s a common sight cycling around Tauranga wearing his fluorescent vest and cheery smile, as he collects food including coffee grinds and scraps from cafes, to deliver to his many worm farms. He also collects green and brown
Look after your boys To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun.co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.
Friday 7 December
North Waikato Biz Start 2012/13 At Morrinsville Rugby
Club, Thames Street, Morrinsville 11am – 1pm. This progression group session will cover aspects of the Career Pathways Tools and positioning yourself for a new job. Ph Phil Irvine 027 483 9820 or email: phil.irvine@dairynz.co.nz
Saturday 12 January
Paeroa A&P Show at Paeroa Race Course, Thames Rd, Paeroa.
Saturday 19 January
Tauranga A&P Show Tauranga Racecourse,
Cameron Road, Greerton Jan 19-20 10am – 12pm. Entertainment, pony rides, livestock, shearing demonstrations, equestrian events and more. Enjoy a family day of fun. Adults $10. Children under 16yrs free. Gate sales only.
Tuesday 22 January Tokoroa Biz Start
At upstairs meeting room, Tokoroa Club, Chambers Street, Tokoroa 11am – 1pm. Banking basics: Be the person the banks are wanting to lend money to. Bring your lunch. Ph Amy Johnson 027 483 2205 or email: amy.johnson@dairynz.co.nz
Saturday 26 January
104th Rotorua A&P Show Riverdale Park, Western Road,
Ngongotaha, Rotorua Jan 26 – 27 8.30am – 5pm. Featuring equestrian, dairy & beef cattle, calf club, goat, alpaca, miniature horse, donkey & mule, harness horse, heavy horse, show hunter and western riding events. Agrodome shears and wool handling event, wood chopping competitions. Lots of yummy food and trade sites plus wonderful family entertainment. Children's races and fun activities, wagon rides, climbing wall, fun rides, lawn mower racing, antique machinery and "yesteryear" museum, pedigree poultry, small animal display and more. A great day out for all the family. Adults $10, under 16 yrs free. Ph 07 357 2979 or email: rotoruashow@xtra.co.nz
New Zealand’s accident and death rate in agriculture is appalling.
always carry snack bars and water now and what a difference that makes in my day. Make sure they take charged mobile phones and that they keep the phones on them. Do a simple audit and purchase bike helmets, chaps, safety glasses, ear muffs, etc and insist on their use. Make safety a topic of conversation at team meetings as well and get the risks out in the open. So girls be encouraged to look after your partner and his team. Talk about accidents and how they happen. Talk about the consequences and make sure they all come home at the end of the day. We are all six feet tall until we are horizontal and on the way to hospital in an ambulance with some horrific injury, or, in a body bag. We boys need to take a step back and listen to our concerned partners as it may be they who are left to clean up the mess as my long suffering partner will attest to.
I am appealing to the fairer sex here to support safety on the farm for your men and their team. I feel that wives and partners have a key role to play in encouraging and overseeing safety on the farm. Having had more than my fair share of accidents, including leptosporosis, strain injuries, cuts, bruises and many hospital visits, I am reasonably qualified to chat about this “under the radar” topic. For the last six years there have been 104 deaths let alone serious injuries in the agriculture sector. It seems to me that a lot of injuries are caused by: lack of sleep; stress; rushing and lack of time; unreasonable expectations; dehydration; low blood sugars; relationship issues; depression and low self-esteem; casual attitude; lack of thought. These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Chatting about some these issues, I Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance believe that many accidents occur before should be sought. Don Fraser is the Principal of Fraser lunch and at the end of the day. Easy Farm Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. solution, knock off a bit before you Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675. A disclosure document is available on request. really need to do so. Dehydration is a big issue for us farmers and we need to drink fresh WE ALWAYS PAY MORE! water regularly. Make it available and encourage your staff to drink it. Take realistic breaks and encourage cat napping at lunch time with your per week staff. Send your boys off with snacks, morning tea, a thermos and food. I
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Olympics in the USA, also enjoys BMX riding, but worm farming is his passion. “I use worm tea on my own vegetables and they grow really well,” Jeff says.
FORESTRY
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Building roads in ‘tiger country’ New Zealand’s plantation forests are increasingly grown in tiger country – on steep hills that are often prone to erosion. To harvest those hills, highly skilled roading engineers and operators who can construct low-cost, fit-for-purpose, roads, culverts and landings that meet high environmental standards are required. To help them gain the knowledge they need, the Forest Owners Association has published the New Zealand Forest Road Engineering Manual and associated Operators Guide. Associate Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has complimented the association for taking the lead and principal editor of the guide, Brett Gilmore for putting a huge amount of work into the project. “The purpose of the Forest Road Engineering Manual is to provide a one-stop shop for information on all aspects of the planning, design,
lars. “A major part of this construction and mainwill come from smaller tenance of unsealed owners, many of forest roads,” said whom may be Nathan. Forestry growth: harvesting for “Road engineer- 35 million cubic metres increase the first time. ing is one of the pa from early 2020s. These most technically - 14,000 km of new harvest access roads. owners will challenging and - S1 Billion to build forestry roads. be looking expensive parts of for practical forestry. This manual guidance on documents best road planning practice and provides all and construction forest owners – large and to make existing small – with access to importracks suitable for tant information. heavy vehicle access,” “This is a very timely update, because Nathan said. many owners who established forests in the “The guidance on sediment control and ero1990s are starting to make plans for developing sion will be of particular value to these owners, their infrastructure.” and links nicely with the National Policy The annual harvest is forecast to climb to a Statement for freshwater with a wider environprojected 35 million cubic metres a year from mental impact view.” the early 2020s. This could equate to 14,000 FOA transport committee chair Brian km of new harvest access roads required in the Pritchard said building roads through the bush next 10 years, at a cost of around a billion dol-
was a core forestry skill, but in recent years harvesting crews have found themselves working more frequently in steep hill country. “This has tested the roading and landing making skills of forest owners and contractors at a time when council water quality plans have been paying greater attention to the run-off of silt and other debris. “But to their great credit, forest owners and contractors have risen to the challenge. They have identified practices that have performed well under storm conditions in very difficult country. “They have also identified those practices that don’t perform well. “The Manual and Operators Guide is the end result of this collaboration. “It is also a beginning – an essential starting point for anyone, not just forest owners, contemplating building unsealed access roads in the New Zealand back country.” The Forest Road Engineering Manual and the associated Operators Guide are available from the Forest Owners Association, PO Box 10 986, Wellington. Phone 04 473 4769 or email nzfoa@nzfoa.org.nz
Handbook identifies animal and plant pests in region We’ll get you
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A handy user guide to the pest animals and pest plants of the Bay of Plenty is now available to help identify which pesky creepers and creatures shouldn’t be growing in your garden or on your land. Pests of the Bay of Plenty has photos and colour-coded classifications of the region’s pest animals and pest plants, to help people identify what they are and what their responsibilities are in either controlling or destroying them. Bay of Plenty Regional Council Land Management Manager – Rotorua, Greg Corbett, said the booklet is a handy resource for anyone who has trouble distinguishing their pampas from their privet.
“This is an update to a very popular booklet we first published about eight years ago,” Mr Corbett said. “From those who work on the land to those who want to make sure they’re not cultivating prohibited or restricted pests in their backyard garden, we’ve had a great response to it and we hope the updated version is just as popular.” The booklet is a companion guide to the full Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 2011 – 2016 and every plant and animal listed is accompanied by a colour photograph to make identification easier. “The updated Plan has also introduced a classification system, which sets out the different levels of management that are required for different pests, according to how severe their threat is to the region. “We hope that this makes it faster for people to work out what needs to be done should they have pests on their property. There is also support that the regional council can provide depending on the level of pest threat, and these details are included in the booklet.” For pest control advice call the regional council on 0800 884 880 and ask to speak to a biosecurity or land management officer. To download a copy of the booklet, visit www.boprc.govt.nz/environment/pests or call 0800 884 880.
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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
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COAST & COUNTRY
PRIZE PACK UP FOR GRABS!
Liam, 10yrs and hs Charlie 18 mont At feeding a fawn! al Marshall’s Anim . Falls Park, McLaren
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Pictures and details can be emailed (high resolution jpgs) to sarah@thesun.co.nz “Country Camera” or posted to Coast & Country, Attn: Sarah PO Box 240, Tauranga. Please include a name, address and phone number with every entry.
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Hayden Win te with his ne rs, 15 months w friend Zig gy. By Melissa W inters