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May 2016 Edition 15,060 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu Growth and temperament Page 6–7 The winning formula for Minda Hills Choosing a contractor Battle lines are drawn P4 P9 P12 SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT AND EDITORIAL FOR MORE FARMING Lifestyles Manawatu Looking for the perfect house for your farm or holiday destination? We have a fantastic range of top quality family homes, farm workers accommodation and holiday homes and have been delivering our homes to New Zealanders now for over 78 years. We will help make the building process easy and stress free. You can trust us to deliver. Hopkins The Horizon

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Page 1: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

May 2016 Edition15,060 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu

Growth and temperamentPage 6–7

The winning formula for Minda Hills

Choosinga contractor

Battle linesare drawn

P4 P9 P12SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT AND

EDITORIAL FOR MORE

FARMING LifestylesManawatu

Looking for the perfect house for your farm or holiday destination?

We have a fantastic range of top quality family homes, farm workers accommodation and holiday homes and have been delivering our homes to New Zealanders now for over 78 years. We will help make the building process easy and stress free. You can trust us to deliver.

Hopkins The Horizon

Page 2: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

2 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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Horizons appointsnew group manager

Horizons Regional Council has appointed Dr Jon Roygard to the role of group manager, natural resources and partnerships.

Dr Roygard has worked for Horizons for the past 14 years, the last four employed in the role of freshwater and science manager. He played a key role in the development of science behind the regional council’s One Plan and authored technical reports supporting this policy. The One Plan, which was ten years in the making, manages natural resources across the Horizons’ region.

Chief executive, Michael McCartney, said Dr Roygard is highly regarded nationally as an advisory in the science, and particularly freshwater management, space.

“Jon has been involved with the Land and Water Forum and providing advice around the National Policy Statement for Freshwater from a regional council point of view,” said Mr McCartney.

“He has been instrumental in the region, securing funding for the Manawatu River Leaders’ and Lake Horowhenua Accords, and his leadership has steered the launch of Action Plans for both.

“I have no doubt that he will bring a whole new outlook to the group manager role and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Born in Palmerston North, Dr Roygard attended Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor of Zoology. This was

Dr Jon Roygard, newly appointed group manager

followed by completing a PhD in natural resources in 1999. He then spent two years working as a research assistant professor at Virginia Tech in the United States. Dr Roygard began working for Horizons Regional Council as a senior scientist in April 2002, moving up the ladder to a science management position before taking on his former position as freshwater and science manager.

Recruitment for a freshwater and science manager is expected to get underway by the end of the month.

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Page 3: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 3

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Taranaki farmers win Steak of Originby Denise Gunn

First time Steak of Origin entrants, Brendon and Hayley Robinson, took out the Grand Champion title at the 2016 competition with their Angus cross sirloin steak.

The Angus cross steak was deemed to be the most tender and tasty in the country by a line-up of top New Zealand chefs at the Grand Final taste test.

The Robinsons describe themselves as weekend farmers. Brendon has full-time employment at the Kapuni gas treatment plant and Hayley works for a chartered accountant.

Brendon said they buy in weaner stock from saleyards and TradeMe, raising them on a 60-acre lease block near Normanby. The couple bought a line of five Angus cross cattle at the Stratford sale around 15 months ago. The winning steak came from one of these animals.

“They’ve been enjoying the magnificent south Taranaki grass and sunshine,” said Brendon.

Hayley said their stock are really quiet and follow Brendon around.

“They are quiet, well-fed, loved and happy,” she said.

It’s been excitement all the way through the competition for the Robinsons. Two of their steaks, the Angus cross and a Hereford cross, reached the competition’s Top 20.

“When we got two animals into the Top 20, we were ecstatic to get that far,” said Brendon.

“We were then absolutely blown away to win our class.”

Brendon said it was fabulous to find they had won the Grand Champion award.

“The best feeling in the world.”

Judges Shaun Couston, Scott Kennedy, Rex Morgan and Graham Hawkes determined the winner from twenty finalists based on criteria such as aroma, tenderness, juiciness and taste.

Mr Moran said having that many quality steaks together is an exciting opportunity for a chef.

“Every steak was unique with a different story to tell — the challenge was comparing them each on their own merit.”

The competition is now in its 14th year. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s new chief executive, Sam McIvor, said attending this event for the first time has been a privilege.

“We have some of the best product in the world and without our farmers it would simply not be possible.

“It’s important that we take the time to celebrate their successes and their contribution to our thriving industry.”

The Best of Breed European winner was Jon Knauf of Wairoa with a Simmental. Angus. and Forbes Cameron of Ashhurst won the Best of Breed British with an Angus. ANZCO Foods won the Processor of the Grand Champion award, and the Supreme Brand Champion went to Countdown North Island.

Sam McIvor, Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive,with winners Brendon and Hayley Robinson

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Page 4: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

4 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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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 main-tained 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 debilitat-ing 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 irri-gation 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 your system will be operat-ing effectively and not endangering you or your family’s health.

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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.

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Mark was born and bred into farming and is the third generation to farm the Minda

Hills property. He and Lorraine met when they were both studying at Massey University and they took over the farm in the mid 1980s.

The couple have developed the property quite extensively following key components which Mark considers essential to good pasture management — fences, water, fertiliser and grass.

The farm’s original 24 paddocks have been reconfigured to 80 with the average size being close to four hectares. A gravity-fed water system supplies each paddock from a dam at the top of the farm. Superphosphate is aerial spread each year with nitrogen added if required. In 1991 Mark and Lorraine’s efforts were recognised when they won the inaugural Sheep and Beef

For the past 10 years Mark and Lorraine Illston have been running a

1700 fully-recorded Sheep Improvement Limited (SIL) Perendale-cross

flock on their 320ha medium hill country farm near Taihape.

A WINNING

FormulaFOR MINDA HILLS

by Denise Gunn

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRAEME BROWN AND ANTONIA JENNER

Mark and Lorraine on their farm

Page 5: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 5

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Three years later the couple put a farm manager on their property and headed overseas with their three children.

“We started in England and ended up in Holland where Lorraine’s family came from in the 1950s,” said Mark.

“We came back in 2000 and hopped back into it.”

The couple originally ran Drysdales before converting to a half Romney, half Finn flock. They also ran two studs — one a Perendale cross and the other a Romney cross.

In 2006 the Illston’s went out on their own with a Perendale, quarter Texel, and a quarter Finn cross.

“The combination of meat yield from the Texel and reproduction traits from the Finn, make this cross over the hardy Perendale a powerful and profitable package,” said Mark.

“Their survivability and general hardiness make them well-suited to hill country farming as well as easier country.

“Great importance is also placed on maternal conformation, structure, good bone, feet and wool.”

Lorraine said the structure of the animal is of paramount importance.

Mark and Lorraine also run 100 Angus/Friesian cross cows on the property. However, the sheep stud is their particular focus with an emphasis on achieving a consistent line of rams.

Ewes are weighed on a regular basis with importance placed on pre-mating weights. Lambs are also weighed and recorded. The couple know the significance of keeping stud records. Mark inputs all the weight

measurements and other data into his computer on a regular basis.

“We do a lot of recording and analysis to try and get curve-benders.”

He explained curve-benders as an animal that grows quick to weaning but has lower mature bodyweight.

“With the lower mature bodyweight, they eat less over a lifetime and are less maintenance.”

Mark said the limiting factor is the lower-producing animals that are the most expensive to have.

“It’s the poorest producers that cost the most in any enterprise.”

All finished stock on Minda Hills are sent to Alliance meatworks.

“We get individual meat yield data back on every animal which helps contribute to our selection process,” said Mark.

“In our operation we evaluate many traits — by measuring and assessing these traits accurate decisions can be made for genotypic and phenotypic improvement.”

“By measuring things you can make accurate breeding decisions,” he said.

Facial eczema testing in recent years has been a priority.

“Good facial eczema tolerance will allow us to provide rams to facial eczema prone regions.”

With the farm receiving an annual rainfall of between 900mm to one metre, swedes are planted as a winter crop for cattle to keep pugging damage contained.

“Pasture damage is something that we’ve always been aware of,” said Mark.

“We feed grain if we run out of grass which we have twice in the last 12

years.” Under the advice of agricultural consultant, John Stantiall, the Illston’s have a simple one-page grass budget.

“We use winter rotations,” said Mark.“I think the grass budget helps us

set up winter rotations and timing of selling stock. Farming has a lot of ups and downs where you have to try and mitigate the influences that are outside your control,” he said.

Honesty and integrity are forefront aspects of Mark and Lorraine’s farming business.

The couple find farming a rewarding passion and they both take pride in being hands-on farmers.

Ewe hoggets with a lamb

Page 6: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

6 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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the winning formula since 1869

The herd’s founders, Paul Hughes and John Bruce, originally started deer farming with the purchase of

stud weaner hinds from several sources. The majority of these purchases were from Rotorua deer farmer Peter Fraser whose stock carried Furzeland genetics.

Paul has worked as a veterinarian with the Taihape Vet Clinic since 1979 and long held an interest in breeding deer.

He said when the Maral deer arrived in the early 1990s, their large frame and outstanding temperament appealed to him. Semen from these deer, purchased from Sir James Fletcher, was introduced

to the herd. All the deer in the stud carry Maral genetics.

John’s son, Robbie, also joined the deer enterprise around this time to help run the operation.

In 2009, when Paul and his wife Raewyn purchased a 120 hectare property in the same area, the deer herd was moved there. The farm was originally a sheep and beef farm but had been converted to run deer in the late 1980s. Steep hill country dominates the landscape but there are a few flat paddocks towards the front of the property.

GROWTH AND TEMPERAMENTby Denise Gunn

Although Ruapehu Red Deer was established in 2009, the herd’s foundation began in the 1980s on the Bruce family farm at Mataroa near Taihape.

Farm worker Melissa Stone with one of the hinds

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Although the average annual rainfall is 950mms, recent summers in the region have been extremely dry from January through to April. Paul said the dry summers are quite a battle

for a deer breeding enterprise as feed demands are relatively high when the hinds are lactating.

The busiest time at Ruapehu Red Deer also coincides around this time

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Page 7: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 7

with the weaning period which is usually late February to early March.

“We’ve weaned earlier this year due to an early Easter as we wanted to get the AI done,” said Paul.

All the adult hinds are artificially inseminated.

“We buy a lot of semen from Deer Improvement which we match carefully to our hind base.”

The farm winters close to 600 deer which includes 400 hinds. When the fawns arrive, total deer numbers increase to around 1000.

A herd of 100 Hereford/Friesian cross cows also run on the farm and the weaners are sold.

“We rear 30 replacement Hereford/Friesian calves a year, we are highly stocked and hence need to manage our pastures carefully.” said Paul

Lucerne baleage and maize grain are brought in to meet stock feed requirements.

“Melissa Stone and husband Jason Crawford work part-time on the farm and play a very important role, including feeding out.”

The main focus at Ruapehu Red Deer is breeding for growth rate and temperament with sound velvet.

“We are ruthless on temperament,” said Paul.

With the introduction of New Zealand’s national deer recording database, DeerSelect, in 2008, Ruapehu Red Deer has made every possible use of the data generated.

The database stores pedigree and performance records and the data is used to provide estimated breeding

values and economic indices. These breeding values and indexes are used by deer stud breeders to make breeding and purchase decisions, and to monitor genetic progress.

Ruapehu Red Deer’s earlier sales were confined to private treaty in the 1990s.

Paul said they began selling deer in 2001 at a purpose-built sales complex in Waiouru.

Since 2009, on-farm auctions have been held on the Hughes’ family farm.

“Our big event is two-year-old sire stags in the second week of December.

We are aiming towards that all year.” Stags have been sold throughout the North Island and some also to the South Island.

“Stag credentials are posted on our website www.deerstud.nz”

Weaners are sold privately through an agent to buyers who finish them, and cull yearlings and hinds are sold to Silver Fern Farms. Paul said the deer farming sector has contracted since the 1990s but is now turning a corner.

“Globally there’s not a lot of competition as there’s not many people farming deer.”

Paul has long held an interest in breeding deer

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Page 8: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

8 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Commodity prices or cash � ow – You choose!by John K Morris CEO of Agrissentials

ADVERTOR IA L

There are some positive things happening and here at Agrissentials we are holding our ground and moving forward and this is re� ected in farmers enquiring, not only about our fertilisers, but also about the requirements needed to become organically certi� ed.

This is right down our track with our system; the changeover from chemical to certi� ed natural is seamless. Agrissentials’ package is extremely simple as it is focused completely on the soil. Our multi-mineral, microbial rich fertilisers bring life, health and vitality back to the soil. Get the soil right and everything above the soil

falls into place. The health and vitality generated, stimulates pastures, fruit and vegetables, orchards, vineyards, animals and people.

All life on the planet is dependent upon mineral, natural (not synthetic) mineral. Our live, living, BioGro certi� ed fertilisers are mineral rich and microbial rich. The micro-organisms are

the � rst creatures to dine at the mineral table, converting those natural minerals to a plant available form and storing them in the humus that they produce, so that the minerals do not leach from the soil. The plant draws on the minerals it wants from the humus, via the plant roots. The minerals in this form are recognised by the plant at the cellular level, the ultimate level for plant uptake for energy and growth.

The big bene� t from this system is that the humus produced by the micro-organisms not only holds minerals, but also, moisture; increasing the water retention capability of the soil. Rule of thumb calculations state that good levels of humus in the soil can reduce irrigation requirements by 50 percent. So, with good levels of humus, the water retained will help you through the drought periods.

The path to certi� ed organic production takes 3 years. You can choose between BioGro or Asura. Agrissentials has been BioGro certi� ed since 1995 and because BioGro is IFOAM accredited that covers entry into all current world markets.

Agrissentials have developed a three year fertiliser programme in line with the certi� cation programme, whereby the price of our fertilisers will be locked

in for the three year period, for farmers changing to a certi� ed programme. The consumer call for safe, certi� ed, nutritiously dense food is growing stronger every day and the price for certi� ed produce is climbing. The 2016 NZ organic market report states that 2 out of 3 kiwis are now buying organics through grocery and specialty stores. This is a 127% increase since 2012.

By going certi� ed organic you can eliminate chemical production and move away from the chains of commodity marketing, where there is very little future.

So, in today’s market another door and opportunity has opened up to which we need to take full advantage. There has never been a better time to make a difference: with our road show meetings that are bringing you the latest industry trends on how you can future proof your farm and the last days of our massive fert sale on now — you had better get in quick!

Call us today on 0800 THE KEY for a FREE INFO PACK, that’s 0800 843 539 to � nd out how we can partner with you to � nd a better way of farming. Alternatively you can contact your best on earth fertiliser representative Ben Tippins on 021 738 601 to grab your special deal today.

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Page 9: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 9

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The safest bet, when choosing a contractor, is to consult with friends and family — this way you can rest assured that they are trustworthy and reliable.

When getting major work completed, it is a legal requirement that the work is carried out by someone with a licence. This can be checked on the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board public register at www.pgdb.co.nz.

Plumbing for example, with the exception of some minor work, must be carried out by a licenced or certifying plumber.

Plumbers are licenced by either the individual, or the company the plumber works for. They should carry with them an authorisation card and if they don’t have the appropriate licence their work needs to be supervised by someone with the appropriate licence or registration. New plumbing and drainage work will require a building consent.

The same applies for gasfitters and as incorrect installation of these products could be fatal it is extra important to check accreditation before work begins and you hand over your hard earned

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money. All new installations, extensions, replacements or alterations must adhere to the appropriate regulations. Trainees in this field of work must be supervised by a certified gas fitter. They must also carry an authorisation card and any supervision requirements will be on the back.

Once everything has been inspected and is up to standard you should be issued with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. This is required for any new gas installation, and for any addition or alteration to an existing installation since July 1, 2013.

A database of electrical and gasfitting work considered high-risk is kept by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, however this does not include all normal household work.

It is advised that you keep records and certificates of work completed on your home or business in a safe place and have copies on and off site. Work completed prior to 1993 may not have a certificate however one can be

obtained by contacting the company that did the work or by searching on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website and filling out a form to get a copy of an existing certificate.

Page 10: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

10 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

D A I R Y

True!

Pond crust gone for 10th the cost?

www.slurrybugs.co.nz0800 4 SLURRYBUGS

Distributed by Forward Farming

Uncommon sense David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy

It is refreshing to see Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy proclaiming that innovative farmers hold the key to getting through tough times.

But his announcement stands in stark contrast to a recent article in the NZ Farmer (March 14) by a leading New Zealand soil scientist who suggested that science had proved that any innovation is just wasting taxpayers’ money, particularly when related to soil fertility.

When you study the background of this prominent soil scientist, the reasons for his entrenched views become clear. His PhD is in Chemical Soil Science and his career has been forged in that synthetic arena. Given his lifelong commitment to chemical science, it’s almost inevitable that he would regard biological concepts as ‘pseudo science’ that are unworthy of consideration.

This perspective is hurting our farms.How? Because Chemical Science is

dominating the NZ fertiliser industry, a lack of attention is given to the biological life in soil. That’s a very bad mistake, because these organic life forms play an

absolutely critical role in determining the productivity levels of our farms. These organisms do the following:

• Soil organisms make nutrients available to plants

• Soil organisms retain nutrients in the soil

• Soil organisms build beneficial soil structures

• Soil organisms increase root growth and improve root architecture

• Soil organisms suppress disease by competing with pathogens

• Soil organisms break down pollutants

• Soil organisms in the rumen help cows digest food more efficiently

• See what I mean? Any approach that neglects the role of soil biology is woefully inadequate and, at best, produces only short term gains.Having talked in depth with soil

scientists, it is clear to me that all of the sciences — chemistry, physics and biology — are necessary for any soil and fertiliser debate to be balanced. Over the last 10 years, there have been advances in soil conditioning precisely because all of the sciences have been incorporated. This more balanced approach has allowed innovative farmers to produce better soil physiology, better nutrient-dense feed, and healthier stock.

Interestingly, most of these advances have come from outside New Zealand, predominantly from the United States. I have had the privilege of working with some of these leading edge people: Elaine Ingham (Soil Food web); Neal Kinsey (Kinsey/Albrecht); Arden Andersen (he has linked unbalanced soil fertility to the decline of human Health).

Is New Zealand catching on?Yes it is. In spite of the chemical

emphasis, there has been an increase of businesses and innovative farmers

who are adopting a more biological approach. As a result, many farmers are crying out for New Zealand scientists to give them a better understanding as to biological reasons behind the good results they are witnessing on other farms.

One Canterbury farmer took things even further.

Owning two farms side by side, he adopted two distinct approaches to soil fertility. One farm was treated with standard chemical systems while the other was run on biological principles. He then asked scientists to compare the two farms.

Great approach. Should yield interesting data, right? Unfortunately, accurate conclusions will be hard to come by because the scientific steering committee that oversees the results does not have any biological

representation. That’s such a shame. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to foresee that the conclusions won’t be factually balanced. Propaganda that favours the current fertiliser politics will prevail, which will only continue to prop up an unbalanced approach to fertiliser science.

It seems that to ask a chemical scientist to discuss biological matters of the soil would be like asking an atheist to discuss the advantages of praying to God.

So here’s my challenge to New Zealand’s soil scientists: Take the blinkers off and widen the scope of your research. Work in partnership with the other sciences and pay more attention to the soil organisms that seem to be hugely beneficial to farm health.

That can only lead to better farming in our great country.

0800 526 1800 | competenz.org.nz/industry/engineering/dairy-systems

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Page 11: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 11

D A I R Y

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Making the fertiliser dollar go furtherFertiliser inputs in Autumn are nearly always restricted by available dollars, and for many this Autumn the cuts will be deeper. However some nutrient application is essential for long-term prosperity.

There are a growing number of farmers spending less on nutrient than conventional models indicate is necessary. This is because they are effectively and efficiently utilising nutrient and moisture from as deep as 50cm below ground level.

And the benefit is not just cost relative to production. They also enjoy greater total pasture production, and markedly lower animal ill-health expenses. The last article on the value of dolomite as a magnesium fertiliser discussed the concept that animal, plant, and soil health are inexorably linked, with the wellbeing and robustness of soil, the foundation of any successful long-term farming operation.

One of the major reasons to date, for farmers to contemplate a change from their conventional nitrogen fertiliser dependent soil fertility system, is frustration with persistent animal ill-health issues.

Bloat is sometimes mentioned as an objection to implementing a soil fertility programme where nitrogen comes primarily from nodules on clover roots, and the concern is well founded in experience.

However, bloat is seldom a topic of conversation, and certainly rarely a concern for farmers on properties where Golden Bay dolomite is applied annually, due to its unique ability as a soil conditioner.

Not only does the extra calcium and magnesium applied encourage more activity by earthworms and other beneficial soil dwellers, but soils compressed under the heavy treading inevitable on any intensive farming operation, steadily become noticeably softer.

The benefit of this is the ability of plant roots to penetrate further down, extracting nutrients from below the 7.5cm depth taken in a standard soil test probe, resulting in plants containing a better and more consistent balance of calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Ideally soils consist of 25% air, 25% moisture, with the balance being mineral and organic matter. Beneficial soil dwellers, earthworms included, have an ongoing requirement for air and when the surface of the soil is packed and hard their activity is reduced and plant growth slows.

Apart from a greater incidence of bloat and other costly metabolic disorders, pasture grown on soils that are compacted, with few plant roots penetrating below 10cm, are characterised by stop/start growth.

When moisture, temperature and direct sunlight are all favourable, rampant growth can be expected. But only while those conditions last. As soon as there’s a frost, or three days of hot drying wind, growth suddenly slows, and the typically difficult to manage pasture

feast or famine situation arises. Growth on physically well-structured soil is not only greater over twelve months, it is also more even throughout the season. The areas on the property where electric fence standards are easily positioned to their full depth are nearly always the most productive areas of the property.

Magnesium also aids with the uptake of phosphorus, an important aspect to consider this Autumn as phosphorus is an essential element.

In situations where higher than maintenance phosphorus has been applied over many years the use of dolomite will assist plants to access this valuable resource which has hitherto been largely unavailable.

As always, a current soil test is important when considering a change. Not all soils are deficient in magnesium. However intensive dairying has an ongoing requirement for magnesium, and a soil test is the best means of determining plant available levels.

The standard annual recommended rate of dolomite to permanent pasture is 220kg/ha which applies 25kg Mg/ha, sufficient for intensive high producing dairy properties.

Golden Bay dolomite is available from the major fertiliser companies and may be mixed with non-nitrogen fertiliser products. Alternatively, the most economical means may be a bulk delivery direct to farm or spreader, with a 28 tonne truck and trailer load sufficient for approximately 130ha. For more information call Peter on0800 436 566.

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Page 12: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

12 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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“The big issue is — every battery you buy is sulphated. Treat batteries early with Recharge, repeat the process every two years and keep batteries charged by backing up with a mains powered charge every six months or so.

“Most batteries will go a long time — 10 years or more. Yes you will get some failing batteries back but not all, so worth a go at $4 or $5 per car battery,” he says.

Gerard and his wife Debbie attend shows about every week in New Zealand and Australia where they meet Recharge customers with batteries that are 10, 12 and 14-years-old and often still going.

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“I had a farmer at the Southland Field Days in Waimumu in February who told me he’d been using Recharge for years. When he took the battery that had just died, out of his tractor — it was 17-years-old.

“Lead acid batteries usually die prematurely from sulphation buildup on internal lead plates, corroding the lead plates and compromising the battery’s holding capacity.”

According to Gerard most batteries are ready sulphated when purchased so treating them early and keeping them charged will prevent premature battery failure with the simple Recharge Battery Conditioning Program. The pair will be at New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays again this year on their usual site — K-25 — doing special deals, talking battery maintenance and how to average over 10 years out of your farm batteries. Recharge is available from Farmlands.

The 500ml farmer pack works out at $4.50 per car battery or $8.50 to treat an N-70zz light commercial battery. A more cost effective two-litre commercial pack is also available and can also be purchased on line at www.recharge.net.nz or on TradeMe.

The two-litre pack treats 42 x N-70 batteries or 22 x N-150 truck batteries or about � ve sets of electric golf cart batteries — about $8,000 worth of batteries treated for $340 delivered or $280 at the � eld days.

Treating sealed batteries is as simple as drilling into each cell, treating and re sealing with sika-� ex auto or a plastic bung.

Recharge is also great for deep cycle batteries like fork-lifts, golf carts, scissor hoists and lighting system batteries.

Many of these batteries will go for 20 years if they are cared for with the RECHARGE Battery Maintenance system.

Page 13: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 13

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Page 14: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

14 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

L I V E S T O C K

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Want to find the best way to market your wool?Expertise is only a phone call awayPGG Wrightson Wool Ltd handles in excess of 350,000 bales annually through its wool store network strategically positioned around New Zealand and its export company Bloch and Behrens.

Meet Your Local Wool Representative at PGG Wrightson Wool

The role of farmer shareholdersFonterra’s move to reduce its board from 13 members to 11, I believe, is encouraging. But we must maintain a farmer majority directorship on the Fonterra Board.

The recommended changes would involve a nominations committee putting forward candidates and the shortlist would go through a new independent

expert panel. The panel would make an independent selection of candidates before the board would select candidates and then require more than 50% support of shareholders at the annual meeting. The Fonterra chairman also says that the current board selection process under the single transferable voting system is too politicised. Farmer politics has always existed and is most interesting to be involved in.

Doing away with the single transferable voting system will give more power to the corporate farmers. Under the current Fonterra election rules the returning officer has the power to remove candidates from the election process if they criticise or attack the company’s policies during an election and spread to their votes among the other candidates. I don’t agree with this. This is censuring. An outspoken ‘Donald

Trump’ farmer wouldn’t get elected. At the moment a candidate with 24% of the vote can get elected. Under the new system you would need 50% and the support of the corporate farmers and also receive the big tick from the new committee to get past the first post.

The board should not be involved in the selection of farmer shareholder candidates. I believe this is giving away the democratic right of shareholders to select, support and elect their farmer directors. One of the major potential barriers involving a nominating committee regardless of whether the board is made up of a mix of directors or non-directors or only non directors, is that a committee often has strong links to the board.

The nominating committee may consciously or unconsciously select candidates similar to the existing governance ethic. When a co-operative has a culture of incumbent board members running unopposed, it is difficult to encourage a female member, or a small farmer member to run. It is important that our farmer cooperative

boards generally do not develop a culture of being represented by corporate farmers. It is important that the cooperative board has diversity to allow the leaders to not only be on the ball but keep their eye on multiple balls.

The Boston Consulting Group, immediately prior to the formation of Fonterra, arranged for an independent survey to see what farmers thought, and 94% said that farmers should have total ownership of their companies.

Attracting farmer board candidates should be a year around job. As they become better informed more members may become interested in running for governance roles. Farmers are busy people but also many allocate their skills and energies where they are valued and appreciated.

The New Zealand dairy industry has been fortunate with the quality of its leaders who originated from the cowshed. One of those great leaders, Sir Dryden Spring, stated, “There is no doubt we want a united industry which remains firmly in farmers’ hands.”

Well said!

Be my Guest Bill Guest Farmers of New ZealandMembership Services: 09 439 5219 • 09 430 3758www.farmersofnewzealand.comEmail: [email protected]

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Page 15: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES May 2016 15

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The use of cowslipsDoes anyone use cowslips and what are your thoughts? This is a question I saw on a forum the other day. It is quite interesting what sort of responses farmers gave.

Some thought they were wonderful, some thought they were too expensive, some couldn’t make them stick on for any longer than a few steps and some were making comments like ‘just make sure you don’t have any lame cows’. This last comment is very easy to say but most farmers I know haven’t got easy answers to their lameness issues, but I better not get sidetracked.

Claw blocks are life savers for many cows. Without them there would be a lot more cows going to the works. This is as long as the blocks are put on correctly and, unfortunately, I have seen many instances where they weren’t. Sometimes we come across cows that have a block put on the sore claw and so it’s obvious that some people just don’t understand how claw blocks work. The idea of a block is to glue it underneath the healthy claw so that the sore claw is being relieved from carrying any weight therefore it can heal up much faster.

You should see an immediate improvement in the way the cow is walking if the block is correctly applied, because she is experiencing a lot less pain. A block should last for 3 or 4 weeks.

There are a number of different blocking systems available now, but my preference would be for the Demotec FuturaPad which use a wooden block as opposed to the shoe design and the main reason for that is because they are very easy to work with, are nowhere near as weather dependant in the time they need to set (cold and hot days) and, most importantly, we can position the block much better on the foot. There are several other very good systems available such as the Wopa or Bovi Bond blocking systems that also use a wooden block.

Often you find with the shoe type blocks that they sit too far forward and this makes the heel part of the block wear too fast or they even collapse in that part of the block. The cow has no

choice but to walk on the heel of her foot which puts an enormous amount of strain on the tendon that is keeping the pedal bone down. This can cause such considerable stretch in some cases that there is a degree of lasting injury. The Demotec Easy Bloc system has minimised this effect with their shoe design so is a good choice if you prefer that style of block.

With a wooden block you can place the block as far back as you like. Obviously you don’t want put it too far back either. The back part of the block should be flush with the heel of the cow. It doesn’t matter at all if the toe is sticking over the front as long as the heel is flush. This way the block will wear much more evenly and that is much better for the ligaments. The block should also be flush with the inside of the claw and needs to be as flat as possible and not on an angle. Just remember that the block is there to support the weight of the cow. That can only be achieved if the block is placed nice and square and not too far forward.

The price of a block is often challenged and it does pay to shop around as there

can be big variations in the prices of the same products between retailers, but even if blocks were sold for $100 each they still would be cheaper than a lame cow. For more information or to discuss the various options available call Veehof Dairy Services Ltd. Ph: 0800 VEEHOF (833463). ON THE FARM

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FinancialBANK SAID NO? We specialise in Farm Finance, working capital and debt consolidation. Also welcome applications from property developers, builder’s and first home buyers. Call 0800 888 449 or email [email protected].

Calf Milk PowderMAY RATE for Milk Powder. Brytec NZ Calf Milk Powder. $2875 including GST. N.I. delivery rate, quote on location. S.I. add $150/tonne. 18% fat, 35% protein. NZ milk used, guaranteed to curd. Call me about bulk tonnage discount. Ted 020 4061 9534. [email protected]. www.facebook/calfmilkpowder.

Animal Health ProductsHIGH CELL Count? Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic & Manuka Honey 20L $49.95, 200L $450 or 1000L $2,000 +GST with free delivery. Black Type Minerals Ltd. Phone 021 185 1501. blacktypeminerals.co.nz.

Page 16: Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, May 2016

16 May 2016 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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