Fields of berry delights Page 4–5 Nuffield Farming Scholars announced for 2014 Dolly’s milk providing real benefits DWN farewells long-time board members P3 P6 P17 November 2014 Edition 10,000 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Taranaki FARMING Lifestyles Taranaki PAN1012116 AN1 0121 16 VISIT WWW.GOLDENHOMES.CO.NZ OR VISIT OUR SHOWHOME 06 755 0106 John Coxhead 021 684 604 9 WENTWORTH LANE THE LINKS FOR TARANAKI FARMING FAMILIES BUILDING UILDING QUALITY HOMES GUARANTEED BUILD QUALITY GUARANTEED BUILD TIME Come in and discuss your dream design or choose from over 100 plans which you can customise to suit your family, land & lifestyle. You’ll move into the home of your dreams at the price you can afford in the time you agree. We simply won’t cut corners when we build your exceptional new home. S H O W H O M E : 3 K A R E W A P L A C E , T E R A P A , H A M I L T O N $410,112 Incl GST *Goldstar Specification $ 1,072 * FROM JUST PER SQUARE METRE F E A T U R E D P L A N : D I S C O V E R Y 3 8 2 . 7 m 2 ® SUPPORTING ASTHMA CARE SENSITIVE CHOICE
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SEPTIC TANK OWNERS
Septic tanks and multi-stage septic systems are delicately balanced environments. It does not take much to upset them. Common practice is to ignore the septic system until problems occur. Good and best economical practice is to always keep your septic system well maintained.
A malfunctioning septic system can become a health hazard. When a system is not maintained or operated as a delicately balanced environment, problems occur. These problems include nasty odours, leach line blockages, untreated liquid rising to the surface, toilets gurgling and taking time to empty. At this stage your septic system is a serious health hazard to you and your children. Human waste produces faecal coliform bacteria, a source of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis as well as Hepatitis A and other diseases. Hepatitis can be a debilitating condition and cause long-term harm to children.
There are only three remedies. One: stop using the septic system until it recovers. This can take over a month and is not normally practical. Two: excavate your septic system and relocate it. This is very costly and time consuming, sometimes requiring new resource consents and different systems. Three: treat your septic system with Septi-Cure™ every six months.
Septi-Cure is cost effective. By far the most cost effective solution is to pour one litre of Septi-Cure™ down the toilet bowl every six months. This simple action will help keep your system working at top efficiency by reducing solids and scum. Instead of emptying your tank frequently, the reduction in solids and scum saves you expensive pump out costs. Your irrigation field and leach lines will become clear of slimes and blockages so nature can handle the gradual seepage and evaporation for you. When this is happening
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your system will be operating effectively and not endangering you or your family’s health.
What is Septi-Cure™ Septi-Cure™ is a concentrated mixture of selected naturally occurring microorganisms. These harmless tiny organisms live and multiply by feeding on waste material. When introduced to your septic tank system, they go to work straight away digesting waste material, reducing solids and scum, allowing your septic system to start operating to its maximum efficiency. As they progress through
to your irrigation field they feed on the slimes that prevent seepage and evaporation. When seepage and evaporation return to normal, you have reduced the risk of contaminating groundwater and the environment as well as reducing the chances of infection for you and your family. Eventually, they get washed out of the system and have to be replaced to continue their work. This is why you introduce Septi-Cure™ to your septic system every six months for maximum efficiency.
A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi-Cure™ for three years. He says this allows them to have an odour-free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well Septi-Cure™ works, keeping their tank in very good condition.
New Zealand Dairy Event is up with the bestThe 2015 New Zealand Dairy Event will see a line-up of top performing dairy cattle from all over the country competing at Manfield Stadium in January.
Based on the National Dairy Event in Australia, the NZDE endeavours to promote excellence in the dairy industry.
Breed classes held over the three-day event, which runs from January 28–30, will conclude with the selection of the Supreme 2015 All New Zealand Show Champion. A special feature at the 2015 event will be the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association’s North Island Championship.
Massey University’s vice-chancellor Steve Maharey will officially open the event during the welcome dinner on Wednesday, January 28. The NZDE trophy, awarded for outstanding achievement and service contributing to the New Zealand dairy industry will be presented. Dinner attendees will be given an opportunity to meet the event’s judges, a large proportion of whom have been sourced from overseas.
The NZDE is entirely organised and run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
“We are all passionate people about what we do,” said Mr Turnbull.
The Supreme 2014 All New Zealand Show Champion, Fairview Dolman Jazz-ET, exhibited by Philippa Trounce of Timaru, with judges at the NZDE
Sale stock entered in the Semex Summer Sensational Sale will be paraded on Thursday, January 29 at 4pm followed by the auction at 7pm.
Following on from the success of the inaugural National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp this year, Holstein Friesian New Zealand will host a second camp in the lead-up to the NZDE. The youth camp, which will be held at Manfeild Park from 24–27 January 2015, is open to any young person 15 years of age and older interested in dairying.
The NZDE committee have made arrangements with Alta Genetics to sponsor a youth for this camp, and a team entry from the camp into the Youth Team Challenge. The Youth Team Challenge is a popular feature at the NZDE.
“We have a big emphasis on the youth side of it,” said Mr Turnbull.
“That’s our future.”A large contingent of international
visitors is also expected to attend the event. Entry is free for spectators.
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Nuf� eld Farming Scholars announced for 2014Amongst the group of five Nuffield Farming Scholars announced for 2014 is farmer and conservationist, Dan Steele of Whanganui.
Mr Steele lives and works on Blue Duck Station, farming sheep and beef, and running a conservation project at Whakahoro.
The scholarships were announced by Nuffield New Zealand and Primary Industries minister Nathan Guy at a recent function in Wellington.
Other successful Nuffield Scholars include: West Coast dairy farmer Bede O’Connor; Woodville dairy farmer Ben Allomes; Rotorua-based DairyNZ regional leader Sharon Morrell, and Fonterra employee Satwant Singh from Morrinsville.
The five new scholars join more than 145 others who have been awarded Nuffield Scholarships in the past 60 years.
Nuffield NZ chairman Julian Raine said this has been a substantial investment in New Zealand agriculture’s past, current and future leaders.
“Only a handful are awarded each year so a Nuffield Scholarship is one of rural New Zealand’s most valuable and prestigious awards.
Nuffield Scholars travel internationally for at least four months in their scholarship year, participate in a Contemporary Scholars’ conference with 60 Nuffield Scholars from around the world, and attend a six-week Global Focus Programme with an organised itinerary through several countries with other scholars. They also have their own individual study programme with a research report due at the end of their travels.
One of the current 2014 scholars is Palmerston North potato grower, agricultural contractor and equity dairy farmer Paul Olsen.
Mr Olsen said it has been a brilliant experience for him, seeing other countries and a variety of cultures.
Nuffield Scholars for 2014“New Zealand has a huge opening for the future, in terms of things like food proteins and niche products — it’s there for the taking.
“It’s a massive opportunity for us to take on the challenge.”
Mr Olsen says the Nuffield name opened many doors.
“I visited some massive operations — people wouldn’t hold back.
“It was 100 per cent nuts and bolts business information you wouldn’t get any other way.”
He said the contacts made and networks formed will last a lifetime.
“I made some very strong contacts and friendships, especially through the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scotland.
“Many of them are coming to stay here in the next 18 months or so as well, either travelling individually or finishing their own Nuffield Scholarship travels.”
The 2014 Nuffield scholars’ research topics will cover a broad range of issues.
Dan Steele of Whanganui has been awarded a Nuffield Scholarship
4 November 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
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T he couple bought their Bell Block property in 1995. Originally part of a 28ha farm, the Smith’s two
hectare block of land was subdivided, along with other sections.
Steve and Kathleen initially grew flowers on their property before deciding to set up their own berry farm. They are members of Strawberry Growers NZ (Inc) and Horticulture New Zealand. Steve also holds a GrowSafe Certificate.
“As a grower and a business owner, we are forever learning how to do things safer, more efficient, and keeping up with new laws and regulations,” said Steve.
“You never stop learning.”Friendships forged with other growers
also prove helpful to bounce ideas off.
Plantings have been increased by a manageable amount each year to include summer and autumn raspberries, boysenberries, gooseberries and courgettes. Pio Pio blueberries and Eureka Gardens’ new potatoes are stocked as well.
Paradise Valley Berry Farm has grown to become a family affair with Steve and Kathleen’s three children, Rebecca, Tyler and Dylan also helping out. Dylan, the youngest, was just one year old when the couple started growing berries 11 years ago.
“As our children have grown up they can be found helping us with the outside chores, or in the shop making ice-creams, coffees, serving customers
and packing fruit,” said Steve. “Growing berries are a lot of hard work but it is a great lifestyle which has been great for us as a family.”
A Versatile shed was built to replace the small farm shop which was quickly outgrown.
Last year a shipping container was moved on-site to enlarge the shop area and be used as a packing shed. Four years ago two blending machines were purchased to make berry fruit blended cones, combining vanilla ice-cream or frozen yoghurt with berries grown on the property.
Rich, well-draining, volcanic soil provides ideal growing nutrients for the berries grown on the Smith’s property.
Steve said the property’s soil is very healthy with a high number of worms
and great soil structure. “Our climate seems to favour horticulture well here, and over the years there have been quite a lot of berry farms and market gardens in the Bell Block, Lepperton and Brixton area.”
The weather, however, also proves to be one of the biggest challenges. Steve said berryfruit, especially the canefruit, like a reasonable amount of winter chilling. “Some years, like last year, it was a warm winter and the raspberries and boysenberries just didn’t perform as they could.” Any late frosts through September, October and November delays the growing season as the fruit do not receive adequate pollination. The frosts can also burn the flowers.
Work on the property continues throughout the year. During summer
TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
Planting a block of strawberries in 2004 was Steve and Kathleen Smith’s first step towards setting up their Paradise Valley Berry Farm.
BY DENISE GUNN
Planting a block of strawberries in 2004 was Steve and Kathleen Smith’s Planting a block of strawberries in 2004 was Steve and Kathleen Smith’s Planting a block of strawberries in 2004 was Steve and Kathleen Smith’s Planting a block of strawberries in 2004 was Steve and Kathleen Smith’s
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when fresh fruit is available, the farm shop is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. It only closes for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
“We usually have a chuckle to ourselves when we get to the end of our harvest as people assume that we go on holiday for the winter, which is far from the truth,” said Steve.
“The pace does slow down a little but we have a busy winter.”
Throughout winter, various crops are pruned, tied up and weeded. The farm shop is also open every Wednesday to sell frozen berries and jams.
“In between all this we do try to find time to have a family holiday together,” said Steve.
The Smith’s have a routine system of monitoring for pests, disease, moisture
and other issues with the plants. “We endeavour to undertake a sustainable growing system.”
A variety of organic, homeopathic and conventional products are used, and a fertiliser programme is carried out in conjunction with New Zealand-owned BioGro certified company Agrissentials.
During the summer harvest period, the berry farm is open seven days a week. Around 18 casual staff are employed for harvesting, grading, packing and to help in the shop serving customers, stocking shelves, making ice-cream and coffees. Berries are also supplied to a number of restaurants and catering businesses.
Seeing the fruits of their labour at harvest time is rewarding for the family.
“When the fields are full of bright red strawberries, or black juicy
boysenberries, or red raspberries, we get a lot of satisfaction to see the awesome sight of the fruit hanging there,” said Steve.
“And you can’t beat the taste of a juicy, ripe berry just picked from the plant.
“It is great to see families, individuals or just friends spending time together picking their own fruit.”
Steve and Kathleen plan to keep on fine-tuning the crop to reach its potential.
“I believe as a business we need to be forever improving, and at times changing what we do to keep what we offer fresh and exciting.”
The Smith family
Amongst the raspberries
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6 November 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
TRACTOR & MACHINERY SERVICE & REPAIRS
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followed by Peter and Margaret’s Stratford facility in November the same year.
Kevin and Cindy are experienced dairy farmers, milking 450 cows on two farms near Eltham. They bought a 77-acre property at Bell Block in April 2013, specifically for Dolly’s Milk. A cowshed on the farm underwent major renovations and a new sales kiosk was built.
Farming was relatively new to the Dalziel’s although Margaret was raised on a dairy farm near Ohingati. The couple have owned their 108-acre Stratford farm for 10 years but most of that time they lived in Australia. A permanent move to the property came in 2011.
Peter said they’ve both undergone a steep learning curve in herd health and management, plant hygiene, and raw milk production regulations.
In preparation for the opening of Dolly’s Milk, a new shed was built on the Dalziel farm and vending equipment sourced.
The Death’s saw Dolly’s Milk as an opportunity to branch out from routine dairy farming, and to sell a natural product with many known health benefits direct to the public.
The couples each milk small herds of Friesian/Jersey cross cows. Milk produced is solely for Dolly’s Milk.
Thirty cows are milked on the Death’s Bell Block farm, while Peter and Margaret enjoy their small herd of 20 cows.
Cows are on once-a-day milking in a 12-aside herringbone shed. Udders are washed before milking, teats are stripped to check the milk quality, then dried before cups are
put on. After milking, a homoeopathic teat conditioner is sprayed on the udders.
“Each cow has a name and we reckon they have a pretty cruisy life,” said Peter.
Both farms have the capacity to boost cow numbers as sales increase.
The majority of Dolly’s Milk cows calve in spring with a few in the autumn.
Peter said they are working towards monthly calving. Dolly’s Milk, at both
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T his one-on-one customer contact and the opportunity to connect with the community have been
huge highlights for the joint owner-operators of Dolly’s Milk in Taranaki.
With the shared objective of delivering the highest possible quality real milk, produced from healthy cows while using sustainable practices, Peter and
Margaret Dalziel, and Kevin and Cindy Death, have set up two outlets to market and sell their product.
It was over dinner and a glass of wine that the two couples came up with the concept and brand name for Dolly’s Milk.
Dolly’s Milk is sold from two Taranaki locations. Kevin and Cindy opened their Bell Block kiosk in October 2013,
Build it and they will come, and customers are coming regularly — in the hundreds.
real bene� ts
Dolly’s milk providing
BY DENISE GUNN
“We now call our product ‘real milk’”
TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES November 2014 7
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Incorporating thestrength ofcorrugated outershell with the smoothinner wall to optimise hydraulicsFull range of fittings availableRubber ring seals available for water tight joins
locations, runs along organic principles and cows are fed grass, supplemented by silage during winter.
Margaret said Dolly’s Milk is proving very popular with customers.
“We now call our product ‘real milk’. Raw milk is what farmers supply the dairy company whereas due to the pre-milking preparation, our milk is cleaner and has been especially prepared for drinking.”
Unprocessed milk is also considered to have many health benefits. Dolly’s Milk customers have backed this up with
many examples of how switching to real milk appears to have cleared up a range of allergies and ailments.
Dolly’s Milk kiosks are open 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with self-service vending machines on-site that take cash or a Dolly’s loyalty card. Reusable glass bottles can be purchased from the kiosk or customers bring their own. Customers can also view the milking sheds on-site.
“We are there during milking and at other times during the day, but customers find the operation straight-
forward and simple to use,” said Peter. The business has a registered Risk Management Programme approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
“We do a somatic cell count test daily, and send samples to a lab in Auckland each week for testing,” said Peter.
“Testing costs each site approximately $8,000 per annum.”
Peter and Margaret recently won the ‘Best Service Business — Retail’ category in Stratford’s annual Romeo Awards.
“We love the customer contact and Dolly’s has certainly given us the opportunity to connect with the community,” said Peter.
“Every customer has an interesting story to tell and we certainly would not have met most of these people, even in a small town like Stratford, if it had not been for Dolly’s Milk.”
The team at Dolly’s Milk
Kiosks on-site are open 24 hours day, seven days a week
8 November 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
Health for All LifeProtoplasm is a living substance that � lls the cells of microbes, plants, animals and humans containing all the compounds of life in a mixture of such minute components that it has de� ed analysis.
The cycle of life is really the story of protoplasm as it goes from microbes to all life above the soil, then back into the soil.
What matters is that the food eaten carries the protoplasm of the microbes grown with a natural balance of minerals.
The purpose of eating food is to recreate a population of soil micro-organisms in the intestines. Protoplasm from the microbes can then be absorbed into the blood. All plants, animals and humans live on protoplasm and microbes are the only living thing that can make protoplasm, so to operate at the top level you need micro-organisms in your soil.
One of the most bene� cial fertilisers for the soil and for the microbes is rock-dust. Agrissentials
are the pioneers of New Zealand volcanic rock dust which is ground down to � our and blended with our live living liquid fertiliser Oceans 100, together with other BioGro certi� ed ingredients culminating in our Rok Solid full spectrum multi-mineral, microbial rich fertiliser. Within 48 hours this beautiful brew heats up to 60 degrees centigrade, composting all ingredients into one magical mix, ready to bring life, minerals and microbes to the soil.
Now, if you want to see and experience the heat, the wonderful aroma and the live nature of our Rok Solid environmentally friendly fertilisers you are more than welcome to witness this at our South Island plant (Mosgiel) contact Darryn Graves on 027 288 0140 or our North Island
A D V E RT O R I A L
by John K Morris, CEO of Agrissentials
plant (Te Kauwhata) contact Peter Baldero on 021 738 602. Agrissentials fertilisers are designed to re-mineralise the soil and pack the soil with micro-organisms and worms, satisfying two parts of the equation to grow plants and pasture (the other two parts being water and sunlight). Get these four essentials — minerals, microbes, moisture and sunlight, in the right amounts and growth will � ourish.
The up and coming new technology is mans co-operative progression with nature. Nature has the capacity to yield all manner of farm produce far beyond our present expectations, disease and pest free and perfectly mineralised.
Everything emits energy, whether it is soil, water, air, chemicals or minerals. What makes each element different is the pattern of frequency at which it resonates. Some patterns and frequencies are detrimental to biological life and some are bene� cial. The new technology is about these energies and how we can best bene� t from them. With the help of science we will eventually be able to tune into these energies which will bene� t both quality and increased production, that’s what farming is all about.
It’s time to leave the chemical age and begin working with nature and the natural capital that she provides for all life. The change to Agrissentials system of working with nature is very minimal, but hugely bene� cial for you, your family, your farm and your environment.
Agrissentials are committed to healthy communities: so much so that in November for every tonne of Rok Solid or 200L of Oceans 100 you buy, not only will you will be making your soil healthy but Agrissentials will donate a further $3 to Movember, supporting men’s health. For more information contact your friendly representative Adrian Rowe on 021 873 304 or call 0800 THE KEY, that’s 0800 843 539, today for a FREE INFO PACK.
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Sophistication may seem like a fine thing in a brochure, but in the rough and tumble world of farming there’s something to be said for the tried and true approach.
Take the no-nonsense old Land Rover Defender for example. The ‘new money’ in rural England might get about in Porsche Cayenne turbos, but when the Lord of the Manor wants to shoot game, he gets out the knobbly-tyred
Suzuki’s king reigns onOne of the easiest mistakes to make when designing a new ATV quad is to scrap components and features which made people like the original model in the first place.
old series 2. Many a fancy machine has been dragged out of the mud here, too, by something more rough around the edges.
All of this analogy is leading up to a compliment for the hard-working little 300cc King Quad. You see, it hasn’t been overhauled in a few years now, and the Suzuki R and D boys have a reason for that. Or two. One is the fact that the ruggedly competent 2004 model has been a steady seller with farmers, who tend to vote with their wallets on what is durable and gets the job done. The second is that, in terms of a sweet balance between fuel economy, lightness and agility the King Quad 300 hits the nail on the head for Kiwi farming conditions.
The willing little 280cc mill with it’s single Mikuni carb is not in the domain of rocket science, but it has proven awfully hard to kill. Likewise, the transmission’s addition of a super-low range for bags of pulling power has become a farm favourite. A big hearty reserve of mid-
low-range torque in general is just what cattle farmers need to navigate muddy fields, and this is what the little Suzuki delivers, making chores like shifting the herd that little bit easier.
The King Quad made it’s debut in the early 1990s, and very little has been changed in terms of the basic platform. Indeed, a radical redesign is actively resisted by Suzuki, who have learned
the big lesson of the VW Beetle. The original was built from the 1940s up until very recently.
It was the national taxicab of Mexico and Brazil, survived in the Amazon and the Sahara — but the new Beetle already looks a bit last century.
Suzuki hope that the King Quad — like the DR200 Trojan 2-wheeler — remains evergreen in Kiwi pastures.
TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES November 2014 11
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A D V E RT O R I A LMowing in greener pasturesby Andy Bryenton
The days of pushing a mechanical rotary mower across acres of verdant lawn are far behind us — replacing the clack and clatter of blades with the purr of horsepower on any given Sunday.
And it’s quite an arms race out there, with lawn-care engineers vying to create the perfect machine to tackle the maintenance of even the wildest back yard.
Victa have been crafting mowers for Kiwi lawns for over five decades, and though they began in New South Wales, they have been embraced on this side of the Tasman for their powerful, no-nonsense approach to mower design. The NXT series is no exception, drawing on Victa’s alliance with parent company Briggs and Stratton to put more power at the driver’s command.
That power comes from a Briggs and Stratton professional series flat v-twin — an engine with a similar layout to that found in a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Here, the two cylinders are laid out horizontally, and produce an ample 23 horsepower, driving a wide, 1.17 metre triple bladed cutting deck. This means less passes to cut the average lawn down to size, but Victa’s engineers haven’t stopped with simply beefing up the NXT’s grunt. As very few lawns are flat, cricket-pitch expanses
of easily tamed ryegrass, the NXT has been designed with stability and nimble turning in mind, enabling whoever is in command to handle this 263 kilogram lawn tractor as deftly as a safety razor for edging and nipping around trees.
To enable this, the NXT has a tiny 35cm turning radius, and comes equipped with cruise control for those back-and-forth switchbacks. And, for that professional looking finish, it will cut down to a militarily precise 3.8cm, evenly across the yard.
With spring well and truly here, many folks are looking at the riot of verdancy out the window with growing trepidation. The good news is, like modern utes, ATVs and other serious farming equipment, the ride-on mower is keeping pace with technology, offering better ride comfort and ergonomics to match a boost in power and reliability. So it’s also worth mentioning that the NXT comes with another must-have automotive feature — a conveniently placed cup holder, for some well-earned refreshment as you survey a neat and tidy lawn.
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New life for old buildingsTravel around rural New Zealand and you will soon pass by structures built originally for one specific purpose, only to be transformed into something completely different.
It may be a barn, a church, or even a humble shearing shed, but imagination, innovation, and a little hard work will have radically altered the intent of the original structure.
Creating a new home from a dilapidated old building intended for a purpose entirely different takes imagination, time, perseverance and foresight as well as a highly flexible approach to budgeting but if you are creative and resourceful, the end result can be great.
For the most part a rural building, be it on old church for a community long since absorbed into populations
elsewhere — usually into an urban area, or a barn, or shearers’ quarters, will be found in nice rural settings, perhaps with old established trees or shelter belts, and often water nearby.
When embarking on a renovation project you need to note that the grand purpose is to retain the unique character of such buildings while coping with structural and design problems as you uncover them. Old structures are a lot more work than building from the ground up.
Check first with the local council authority, to make sure you can begin conversion work. Just because you may have acquired an empty barn does not mean you will automatically be able to convert it. Many barns, churches and other old buildings are restricted by the historic places people — or you may need the big tick from a church authority.
Another prerequisite will be to have any building properly surveyed before taking the big step of purchase and change.
Architects and structural engineers come into play here.
Conversion opportunities are as diverse as the number of buildings around — farm buildings, rural churches, and in New Zealand, increasingly, abandoned rural schools and even the odd cottage hospital.
Amendments aim to tidy up building actby Andy Bryenton
The rollout of changes to New Zealand’s building act — the document which governs the standards and practices of the building industry — has changed the landscape within the industry in recent years.
The emphasis on responsibility has been passed on to project managers, builders and subcontractors in allied trades in a big way, making it more important than ever to engage only trusted, qualified tradespeople to work on your home or business build.
Now another round of amendment changes is set to become law, rolling out in two stages. The first has already been implemented as of October, while the rest come into effect on January 1, 2015.
The aim of these amendments, according to the Government’s body responsible for building standards and quality, is to provide peace of mind to customers, and to remove so-called ‘cowboys’ from the construction related trades altogether, through the provision of hefty fines for working without the right accreditation.
Right now, it is illegal for unauthorised people to work on a build — plumbing must be done by qualified plumbers, gas installed by qualified gasfitters, wiring by qualified electricians. If a builder is in
charge of the entire project, he must have the right credentials too, and assure the provenance of his subcontractors.
As of January 1 all building work over $30,000 in value must have a written contract. Tradespeople will be required by law to disclose their credentials and current licensing status, or face heavy penalties. There will also be an enforced one year ‘defect repair period’, during which a builder must repair any defects the customer informs them about — ‘no questions asked’.
Large, organised builders’ associations such as the Certified Builders already adhere to the codes of best practice and strict qualifications monitoring demanded by the amendment.
As the onus goes on builders and project managers to provide longer guarantees and more binding contracts, groups such as the Certified Builders and Master Builders have already rolled out considerable initiatives putting them ahead of the curve of what the modern trade and its regulations demand.
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Enjoying family gatheringsA report of Dairy NZ’s recent annual meeting quoted Dairy NZ director Alister Body as saying that he was apprehensive about going to social gatherings knowing someone might ‘have a go’ about dairy farming.
Chief executive Tim Mackle was also quoted as saying that the industry acknowledged it used to be naive but that was years ago. ‘We have moved on from the time when we were damaging the environment unashamedly. We know what we are doing now and are continually trying to improve how we conduct our business’.
There are two issues in those statements worth exploring.
Firstly having been part of the dairy industry since 1979 our own practices and attitudes and those of farmers we’ve worked with never involved activities that unashamedly damaged the environment.
We have always been mindful of any potential long-term harm and with the knowledge and resources available at the time damage has always been minimised.
Secondly the issue urban New Zealanders are becoming increasingly troubled about is Nitrate-N levels in our water, and part of that concern is how serious the dairy industry really is about addressing it.
Currently in excess of 600,000 tonnes of urea is applied to pastoral land in New Zealand. At best 50% of the nitrogen contained in urea is taken up by plants — a little is lost direct to the atmosphere, with the remainder leaching into fresh water.
There’s no reduction in total urea usage and conventional advice strongly suggests that there is no intent to make the required changes.
Regulations being introduced by local and district authorities will restrict usage however some farmers anticipating that these would be based on a percentage of historic inputs, have in the last two
years deliberately increased the amount being applied.
This situation will self-correct and probably quite rapidly. Social pressure is obviously starting to impact, and even dairy farmers don’t wish to feel ostracised from the wider community. However, it’s the present and predicted payouts for the next five years that will kick-start the necessary changes.
There is an increasing number of farmers that are using less than 20kgN/ha annually and are currently operating well within the N loss regulations.
These operations grow more total pasture than district average, often by as much as 30%, and with the spread of grass throughout the year being more even, feed allocation is simpler.
Because the pasture grown contains more energy less dry matter is required to produce a kilogram of milk solids resulting in higher per cow production. Animal health and fertiliser costs including nitrogen are also lower.
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In the short term the best part may be looking forward to Christmas with relatives from town knowing that the farm is environmentally positive and on track to again to produce the world’s highest quality milk and meat.
For more information contact Peter Burton on 0800 843 809.
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Preventative medicine pays outOn occasion, while townie kids were at kindergarten, I could be found down the back of the farm, holding up the bottle of a glucose drip into a sick cow.
Vets were called to the farm only in dire circumstances when head scratching and Dad’s animal health knowledge had been exhausted.
The role of vets on farm has changed signi� cantly since then, with vets much more actively involved with growing healthy productive animals over the lifetime of an animal rather than treating sick ones.
Recently I met a team of vets working as intermediaries between farmers and graziers for growing out young stock. While graziers feed the animals, the vet team tightly monitors their growth by weight gain, administers health treatments that will likely have the best long-term outcomes, and reports on feed recommendations for animals which are underperforming and need topping up. For them it’s about putting
the work in more at the beginning than the end and adding value over the animal’s entire lifetime. It’s more rewarding for the vet and the farmer.
This move towards preventative medicine and ‘whole-of-life’ care is based on the science that the environment to which young stock are exposed (especially feed and treatment) will have long-term impacts as they mature and throughout their lifetime. Bene� ts of a healthy start to life include resilience to disease, increased production, life expectancy and fertility.
Managing weight at critical times is a big part of putting the work in at the beginning rather than the end. With any luck this generation of kids will remember raising calves to target weights not raising hip-lifters.
In the shedwith Megan Fowlie
TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES November 2014 17
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Michelle Wilson and Angela Fullerton have stepped aside, but not out.As long-serving members of the Dairy
Women’s Network board, they plan to retain a keen interest in the organisation.
At the AGM last month, Michelle Wilson officially handed over the reins as chair to Justine Kidd, and board member Angela Fullerton also officially stepped down after 12 years.
They cite giving other women opportunities in the Network’s governance roles as one of the main reasons for taking a step back.
“The network has evolved over the last couple of years and it’s time for someone else to step up,” says Michelle.
Having just completed stage one of the Fonterra Governance Programme, she says her new focus will be on increasing her governance knowledge so she can give back to the rural sector. She hopes to be selected for stage two of the programme.
Michelle became a member of the Dairy Women’s Network in 2003 and took on the regional convenor coordinator role in 2004. She first appeared on the board in 2006 and was appointed chair in 2010.
Since 2006, membership has almost tripled and the Network’s regional groups have grown from 12 to 30.
“The membership growth has been an absolute highlight, as was being invited to represent Dairy Women’s Network and the New Zealand dairy industry at the APEC Women in Leadership Forum
Angela Fullerton and Michelle Wilson at the Dairy Women’s Network AGM in October
in Beijing, and managing to continue Dairy Women’s Network business as usual whilst in the executive chair role.”
Angela said in her address at the AGM that it was after attending her first DWN conference in 1998 that she gave herself permission to get involved in the dairy farming business.
“I want to thank the Network and its members for recognising my strengths and abilities and allowing me to grow. You are women I treasure.”
Read the paper online farminglifestyles.co.nz
MISSION:SIR GRAHAM
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18 November 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
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Debating a beef cooperativeAfter some lean years that produced a fair bit of hardship for beef farmers, their prospects are looking up as they enjoy high prices of up to $5.90 per kilogram for prime steers and with bulls fetching $6.00 a kilo.
The has been much debate in the media on ‘where to from here’. Some are advocating that the beef industry should form a Fonterra-type cooperative — but on the opposite side of the coin are those who ask that if the Fonterra cooperative model is the way forward for
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beef farmers, how is it Fonterra can’t halt the fall in milk prices. The suggestion of a lack of modern-day farmer loyalty has also been raised as an argument that forming cooperatives does not guarantee continued farmer loyalty and supply. It’s suggested many modern-day farmers like to enter into their own negotiations with independent processors and it is evident since the formation of Fonterra there has also been the establishment of a substantial number of independent proprietary milk processing companies, some with overseas shareholding and others like Open Country where the main shareholders are the Talley Group in the South Island who have acquired
ownership of Affco — the former Auckland Farmers Freezing Company.
Fonterra director Ian Farrelly, who rears 10,000 calves, said last week that the beef industry lacks a strategy for adding value to the 1.9 million dairy farmer bobby calves which are processed every winter for veal and by-products.
Farrelly claims that if these calves were on-reared they could add billions of dollars in extra revenue to New Zealand’s agricultural export industry.
Depending on weight bobby calves can realise $2.10 per kilogram or $37.38 per head. If they were reared to 220kg–320kg weight range, at today’s prices they could realise from $1,200 to $1,800.
With regard to loyalty and what is good for farmers, I believe that today’s farmer should remember that history has shown that in the early years due to a lack of organised cooperative marketing, many farmers felt they were at the mercy of the skilled negotiators of individual companies whose offices and cool store facilities were located in Tooley Street, London.
Dairy produce was all sold on the free market system with the directorates or proprietors of individual Tooley Street companies accepting full responsibility for sales and trading. They decided upon the terms of sale, methods of transport and choice of agents.
London Tooley Street traders’ representatives used to deal directly with individual New Zealand dairy companies. It is said that a farmer’s yearly income
depended on how much whisky was applied to the local dairy company manager during the negotiations.
For many decades 95.6% of New Zealand’s income came from products grown on its pastures. The New Zealand government eventually formed the New Zealand Dairy and the Meat and Wool Producer Boards in an endeavour to bring organised marketing of New Zealand’s agricultural products, with a guaranteed price system which was the price that the farmer received for his produce.
Over the years these structures have changed. It is important that we farmers should never forget the many years of hard work and investment that New Zealand farmers have committed to not only producing our agricultural products on the farm, but also being involved in the marketing and receiving our rightful share of market profits.
While there are some farmers who believe that they can better manage the marketing of their own produce, in the long term, I firmly believe that New Zealand’s farming history demonstrates that farmers who take the cooperative approach will win in the end.
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Success in southern Taranaki
A D V E RT O R I A L
Brendon Fox manages one of Robert and Sandra Richards’ dairy farms near Patea in southern Taranaki, using the BioAg system, and he admits it was a bit of a cultural shock at � rst.
After three years working on a 70ha beach-front property at Okato, running 200 cross-breeds and using 120kg of urea and 500kg of phosphate, he came to a 62.5ha property with a 17ha run-off, running a herd of 260 Jersey and cross-bred cattle.
“We’re into the third season and I haven’t called the vet to a lame cow yet. In terms of herd fertility, we don’t use seeders and yet our empty rates have averaged only six per cent over the two years.
“There’s something there — in the BioAg system — which encourages fertility.” In terms of pasture, Brendon says his boss told him early on that you don’t get longer grass with BioAg products but you certainly get better quality and nutrient composition. Careful rotation is also key — re� ecting the growing conditions as they go through the seasonal changes.
“At 435kg MS per cow per season, equalling 1,740kg MS per hectare, we’re pretty happy with the combination.”
Brendon makes 400 bales of wrap-silage, which is used for wintering the herd at the run-off. He also feeds 600kg/cow of kibbled maize with a mineral mix during the season and uses about 80 tons of palm kernel.
“When I came for the job interview, Rob showed me the soil fertility tests and everything was within the right margins. Rob puts ‘the biology’ on in April and I see a noticeable growth spurt in the � rst week.
“During our � rst season here, despite the drought, we were the last to dry off. The grass held on right through summer and there’s a lot of clover in the grass mix, which I like.”
Farm owner Robert Richards says he would happily recommend the BioAg system, which is helping to improve quality and production.
“I’m getting a lot more green leafage and using less nitrogen and that’s healthier for the animals. This completely � ts with my philosophy of how I want to go in the future and for that I’m grateful.”
ON THE FARMSAFETY FIRST
20 November 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES
Bridges & UnderpassesEffluent Management System
IF WATER RUNS THROUGH IT, WE DO IT!
Prices valid from 1 Oct to 30 Nov 2014 – All advertised prices are ex factory and include GST.
NEW PLYMOUTH 5 STRUTHERS PLACE P 06 759 8157
Stock Water PipeMore bar for ya buck!
Farmboss®®
CulvertBrown stripe NZ made Brown stripe NZ made twin-wall PP/PE pipe
