North Kate Macdonald has found her niche selling jerseys made from wool grown on her parents’ farm, Davaar Station - page 20 Next generation stepping up Winter 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz
2 | Page | 16 Page | 43 Page | 58 Page | 30 Page | 46 Milking sheep an interesting journey Station’s focus on premium product Farming background ‘gave me credibility’ Competition a con dence booster Cambridge couple Allan and Toni Browne have been part of the sheep milking industry since they began supplying Maui Sheep Milk late 2020. Sheep and beef farm, Pamu’s Mangamingi Station, emits 6.6 tonnes of carbon as a farming operation, it sequesters 34 tonnes due to the amount of forestry. Farm tourism gearing up once more The tough times for sheep and beef farming in the 1980s prompted Wharekauhau Country Estate to seek a lifeline from the luxury tourism market. New site will future proof business Power Farming Taranaki has a new site in Stratford and the business is starting to plan a future move from its current base in Hawera. Uptake Fertiliser founder John Davis does not come from a scienti c background, which has actually given him credibility, born out of real experience. Sheep and beef farmers Derek and Leanne White are runners-up in the inaugural 2022 Wairere Central Districts Red Meat Farm Business of the Year. Page | 22 CONTENTS >> Index | Page 64 These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. In the event of a failure on the part of the Company to insert advertising as instructed the Company may publish the advertisement at the first available subsequent reasonable date unless the advertisement features date sensitive material. Every care shall be taken to publish the advertisement in accordance with the advertisers instructions as to page and position but the Company reserves the right for whatever reason to place advertising in a different position and in doing so shall incur no liability whatsoever. Advertisers must advise business rural immediately of any error or omission in advertisements and shall work constructively to remedy the situation which in the first instance shall be a rerun of the corrected advertisement in the next available issue of business rural. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cutoff time acquiesce shall be taken as confirmation and acceptance. Corrections made by telephone shall be accepted but the Company reserves the right to decide whether a further proof should be faxed or mailed to the client. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty of 3% per month until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by the Company will be added to the account of the debtor. Views and opinions expressed in business rural are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Business rural welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Business rural accepts no responsibilty for loss of photos or manuscripts. Printed by: Published by: North Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 PO Box 2581, Wakatipu MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Paul Mein paulmein@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Kelly Deeks, Hugh DeLacy, Russell Fredric, Renata Hopkins, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Virginia Wright SALES ROOM Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins Mandi King, Allan J Knowles, Chris McPhee, Lisa Moffat, Colin Morais, Catherine Norton, Chris Pearce, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Nick King, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Andrea Benns OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz
| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Story Farming Ltd Hill country move perfect for stud herd The Melville family is marking 67 years of breeding with its 32nd annual bull sale. Lot 7 in the upcoming sale this R2 bull (above) ranks as one of the very best bred at Ratanui. Structurally very sound the bull was born and raised as a twin. Karen Phelps The Story family has moved its successful farming operation from Tolaga Bay to Wairoa. They took over the new farm on 1 March and Melville Story says although it was sad to say goodbye to the land they had farmed for 17 years they are excited about the opportunities the new property presents with not a at paddock on it – perfect for testing their stud herd, which is run under commercial conditions cleaning up rank pastures. “All of our bulls are sold to hill country farmers so what better way to grow and nish them on the hills. They’ll arrive ready to perform and prosper,” he says. “We have tonnes of growth and frame in the background of our herd so we’ll be looking to thicken up and moderate our cow size a whisker to suit the hill country we have. Our goal going forward is to breed a medium plus sized cattle beast that holds condition and produces progeny that will perform year in, year out.” The farm is all medium to steep ash/pumice/ papa country and rises to 1515 feet above sea level. It is approximately 630ha and borders the Te Uruwera National Park. The family will be calving down 210 cattle and lambing 2250 ewes with 600 ewe hoggets plus carrying replacement stock. Winter stocking rate will be sitting around 10 stock units/ha. The family is busy preparing for its 32nd annual R2 bull sale marking 67 years of breeding after the stud was established in 1955 and purchased by Melville’s parents Dick and Averil Story in 1978. The sale will be held 24 June at 1pm on farm at 89 McDonald Road, Tuai. Melville says that the bulls have been developing true muscle and strength on the hills. L to R: Ross Mitchell, Daryl Fergus, Rob Fergus, Tim Petro, Luke Bates, Deano Brenssell. www.fergusrural.co.nz • admin@fergusrural.co.nz Gisborne: Wairoa: Rob Fergus 027 4496007 Deano Brenssell 027 8638923 Luke Bates 027 4211653 Daryl Fergus 027 2092787 Ross Mitchell 027 4048965 Environmental Solutions Consultant: Tim Petro 027 3390400 Livestock and Agribusiness consultants. AGRIBUSINESS STORY FARMING LIMITED The family has been very impressed with the Ratanui Kodiak and Turihaua N59 cattle this year – super meaty with great masculine features, says Melville. This year the family will be implementing a different sale format to what has been done in the past. All bulls will be videoed prior to sale and posted on the Ratanui Angus YouTube channel. The bulls will be sold in lot order off a projector screen/ live auction combo inside the woolshed. The sale bulls will still be penned up for viewing on sale day as per normal and people will be able to view the bulls prior to sale day as per normal. The family also sells around 12-15 low birth weight yearling bulls in September/October and around 80 rams from its 300 strong terminal sheep stud Ratanui SuffMax. The farming business also includes a ock of 2000 commercial romworth. The move to the new farm was prompted by a need to grow the business with Melville and Nicky’s sons and daughters in law – Nathan and Alice and Sean and Laura – wanting to go farming. They are all shareholders in Story Farming Limited. Melville and Nicky live 90kms away at Mahia and help out as required but the day-to-day running is left to the rest of the shareholders. “Everyone has equal input into the operational side of the business and no single opinion rules. We all work very well together.” “All of our bulls are sold to hill country farmers so what better way to grow and nish them on the hills. They’ll arrive ready to perform and prosper.” The Story family: Sean Story, Laura Urquhart, Mel Story, Nicky Story, Ali Story and Nathan Story.
4 | RURAL PEOPLE » Callaghan Innovation & AgriTechNZ Turning innovative ideas into high-tech products Richard Loader Established as a Crown entity in 2013, Callaghan Innovation is at the heart of helping Kiwi businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand by activating innovation. Callaghan Innovation takes its name from Sir Paul Callaghan (1947 – 2012), one of New Zealand’s greatest scientists. A highly-respected and inspirational leader and teacher, Sir Paul championed science and business as being crucial to New Zealand’s economic growth. His wish was for New Zealanders to get more value and return from their ingenuity by combining science, innovation and commercialisation. Callaghan Innovation’s role as New Zealand’s innovation agency is to support science and technology-based innovation and its commercialisation by businesses to improve their growth, competitiveness and productivity. Partnering with ambitious businesses of all sizes, Callaghan Innovation delivers a range of innovation and research and development (R&D) services to suit each stage of a business’s growth. “Callaghan Innovation works with businesses to invest in R&D, translating innovative ideas into hightech products and services that will bring value to New Zealand,” says Simon Yarrow, Agritech Lead. “We work with New Zealand start-ups, innovators, iwi, businesses, entrepreneurs and other government agencies and operate across a variety of sectors including CleanTech, agritech, Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, and healthtech among others.” Callaghan Innovation also enhances the ef cacy of New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem by connecting talent, opportunities and technology based innovation across organisational boundaries working closely with MBIE (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment), NZTE (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise), NZVIF (NZ Venture Investment Fund), CRIs (Crown Research Institutes), and other organisations that help increase business investment in R&D and innovation. Simon explains that Callaghan Innovation’s services are broadly split into three areas: Innovation and expertise, innovation funding and innovation skills, and connecting the innovation ecosystem. “From an innovation expertise perspective the agency provides businesses with access to more than 200 of New Zealand’s leading scientists and engineers to assist with technology based innovation and deep-tech problem solving to overcome technical challenges. Through innovation funding and innovation skill the agency enables its customers to innovate with funding for R&D activities as well as access to world-class training and development programmes to grow innovation skills and capability. “By connecting the innovation ecosystem we actively connect New Zealand’s innovation talent with opportunities and research. We run industry events where innovators get inspired, connect and upskill, including Southern SaaS and Matariki X. “We also help New Zealand businesses understand major trends and opportunities, inspiring them to get involved. We challenge businesses to step up and seize those opportunities through technology, innovation and commercialisation.” Operating from three main sites and a regional partner network across New Zealand, Callaghan Innovation’s team empower innovators by connecting people, opportunities and networks, providing tailored technical solutions, skills and capability development programmes, and R&D funding. Callaghan Innovation is currently working with AgritechNZ as part of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) to supercharge global growth for New Zealand’s agritech sector. A service that Callaghan Innovation has partnered with AgritechNZ to develop is the Agritech Support Explorer, a new website which helps businesses navigate the rapidly evolving funding and support landscape with easy-to-access information tailored to speci c needs. Callaghan Innovation is currently working with AgritechNZ as part of the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) to supercharge global growth for New Zealand’s agritech sector. Agritech is the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture to improve yield, ef ciency, and pro tability. Connecting, promoting agri tech in NZ Richard Loader AgriTech New Zealand (AgriTechNZ) was established in 2018 to create a connection between everyone involved in New Zealand’s agritech ecosystem and provide an independent but powerful uni ed voice. Agritech is the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture with the objective of enabling sustainability and improving yield, ef - ciency, and pro tability. It includes digital technologies, smart tools and equipment, biotechnology and any innovation that enables food systems. “Many agritech innovations are addressing the very important questions that Kiwis, and the world, are facing right now, whether that’s around environmental management, labour shortages or climate change,” says AgriTechNZ Chief Executive Brendan O’Connell. “These are all burning issues and that is where agritech is front and centre.” AgriTechNZ’s foundation was about creating a centre of gravity for all of the interests around agritech in and from New Zealand, explains Brendan. “While connecting people to the internal ecosystem, there is also the external voice bringing Kiwi agritech businesses into global markets. We’re connecting with agritech organisations all around the world so we can create introductions and pathways for companies to connect with their peers overseas.” Representing 160 members, as well as the wider industry sector, AgriTechNZ is an independent non-government membership group, funded by its members. “The membership is quite diverse and encompasses agritech trading businesses including wellestablished agritech brands that New Zealand is famous for, along with a growing number of smaller early-stage businesses. It includes investor groups, research organisations such as the universities and Crown Research Institutes, government agencies, and agri-businesses that represent paths to market for agritech or act as integrators of agritech solutions. Membership also includes farmer and grower industry groups such as DairyNZ, Beef and Lamb New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand, and Apple and Pears New Zealand.” The organisation’s role is to connect, promote and advance agritech in and from New Zealand. Creating that sense of community with people understanding that there is something connecting all these businesses together was the rst step in AgriTechNZ’s journey, says Brendan. “Recognising agritech as a sector in and of itself has been an important rst step. Agritech is a key service provider to New Zealand’s primary industry, but it also has a signi cant export footprint with a large export potential. So it’s important in terms of its contribution to New Zealand’s GDP.” AgriTechNZ also plays a key role representing agritech’s contribution when it comes to government policy making, by working with Government partners, informing government policy and making sure the technology voice from an agritech perspective is well understood. “It’s useful that we’re a non-government entity, because we can provide that independent voice for the sector as a whole. Many of our members would be well able to represent themselves in discussions with the government or other parts of the New Zealand ecosystem. But having that representative voice of the sector can be very powerful and it makes it easier for the Government to interact with the sector as a whole.”
www.landkind.com info@landkind.com The land management platform caring for the land. MAP DATA INPUT ANALYSIS INSIGHTS Landkind is an easy-to-use web & mobile platform that provides the primary sector with data and maps to visualise, manage, and optimise land. We empower farmers to manage their environmental impact, save time on critical tasks, gain insights, and more. Making sound decisions on-farm Built on a spirit of helping agricultural and horticultural customers make informed decisions based on real-time data, the creators of GPS-it have created Landkind as a digital solution to unlock the value and power of mapping. GPS-it was founded twenty years ago to provide specialised mapping solutions to the primary sector. Matt Flowerday, founder and Managing Director of both GPS-it and Landkind, says the tools are deeply intertwined with each other. “At GPS-it, we’re going through this signi cant transformation into digital and Landkind is our digital tool for that. Landkind is a digital platform that needs maps and GPS-it provides those. Landkind takes maps and turns them into a digital asset that empowers work ow, management decisions, and the whole sustainability journey across the organisation.” The essence of Landkind is enabling a farmer or grower to capture good clean data and put that into a centralised system. Using GPS-it you have access to rich spatial data. “A lot of our work is digitising our customers’ work ows and making it easier for them to capture pieces of key data on their farms or orchards - for example, just doing a simple fruit count in the orchard and entering that straight into the Landkind app. We have a partnership with a company that has a fruit scanning gun. You can connect that device straight to our app and know the location, the time the sample was taken, and what varieties are being scanned. All of that is streamed back to an orchard manager or owner, who can automatically see the variation of quality across the orchard. You don’t have to add the block name or anything like that because that’s already recorded spatially on the map provided by GPS-it.” Suddenly, a useful tool is made even more powerful by spatially enabling it and storing that information in an easy-to-use platform. The owner can see the location of where all the fruit readings were taken, the distribution of dry matter across the orchard, identify high and low points and make harvesting decisions. “That’s happening in real-time as opposed to the scanner recording the numbers, putting it into a spreadsheet and saying this is what the average dry-matter is across the block. We’re looking at existing datasets that are already there, lling the gaps with our work ow management tools, while looking at different partner options that are out there and bringing their data into the Landkind platform to provide information around the overall sustainability of their operation.” While designed and developed with the end-user in mind, Landkind provides post- harvest operators and owners of multiple sites with an invaluable helicopter view of the entire operation under management. “Managers can see what’s happening across all their growers or a particular region or catchment and identify pain points and resource requirements ahead of time. That’s when the value of pooling all this information becomes even more powerful.”
6 | RURAL PEOPLE » Callaghan Innovation Biological solutions for agriculture and horticulture. biostart.co.nz Soil biostimulants, forage preservatives, biofertilisers, biopesticides, animal prebiotics and crop protection products. Made in NZ for Ag: 0800 274 524 or Hort: 0800 116 229 BioStart: Agriculture and Horticulture Biostimulants BioStart was founded in 1994 and, like many kiwi businesses, was started by a farmer with an original idea and a spare corner in his shed. That farmer was Dayne Plummer. Dayne’s early understanding of the role of microbes in improving plant and animal growth and productivity lead, over time, to the development of a range of biological products that harnessed the abilities of bene cial microbes. Their rst product was an animal health product for calves, a prebiotic at a time before prebiotics were available in New Zealand. Calf, like many of BioStart’s other products, is based on fermentation extracts and works by promoting bene cial microbes already in the calf’s digestive system. Ruminant, for lifting sheep and cattle health and weights, and LactoPlus, for lactating, cows and goats, followed. Next BioStart developed products that activated the biology in the soil that helped plants thrive (Mycorrcin, Digester, and ThatchBusta). Once again BioStart developed these products well before most understood what biostimulants were. Biostimulants are now one of the fastest growing areas of the agrichemical market. Foliacin, a foliar biostimulant, followed after a discovery that foliar microbes also help plants thrive. Their resulting horticultural biostimulant range is now widely used to provide bene ts such as faster plant establishment, higher sustainable yields, better nutrient uptake, higher quality wine and improved fruit quality. Using the same technology BioStart created their perennially popular forage preservative range, SilageKing, MaizeKing and Hayking, for making high quality forage. BioStart CEO, Dr Jerome Demmer, and science lead, Dr Chris Chilcott, oversee production and trials to ensure the products meet scienti c standards and produce consistent and measurable results. They also develop new products in response to the issues that farmers and growers bring to BioStart’s farm advisors. More recent developments include live microbe products that tackle some of the issues currently faced by New Zealand farmers: reducing nitrogen fertiliser use (Biostart N), grass grub control (BioShield) and plant diseases (TripleX and Terracin). BioStart products are sold in New Zealand, Australia, Italy and Ireland. Callaghan Innovation’s role is to support science and technology-based innovation and its commercialisation by businesses to improve their growth, competitiveness and productivity. Inset: Simon Weir, Callaghan Innovation agritech group manager.
TE KURA RERERANGI SCHOOL OF AVIATION TEACHING AIRMANSHIP TO NON- AVIATORS RPAS Courses available on-line or on-campus Group courses also available on demand (on-site or on-campus) FIND OUT MORE ABOUT: • Introduction to regulations and operator conduct • Classroom, field activities and flight examination • Interpret the aviation documents and regulations • Understand the required conduct for RPAS operators • Identify threats / develop methods of mitigation for your operation, understand telephony procedures Call 0800 MASSEY Or visit massey.ac.nz/rpas Flying high with latest tech The use of drones for commercial, scienti c and agricultural purposes is increasing exponentially. Using the drone as the platform on which functional and recording equipment is attached, operators can undertake spraying, the surveying of beehives and crops, shepherding livestock, and surveying bridges - to name but a few uses. They are used by volcanologists, and regional councils to map changes in river formations after a ood, or Search and Rescue to help locate lost trampers. The adoption of drone technology has been spectacular, but the moment the operator starts preparing their drone for ight it becomes an aircraft and governed by Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ) rules and regulations, and that doesn’t cease until after the drone has landed. Massey University’s RPAS (Remote Piloted Aircraft System) training course was developed in 2015 in response to a request by Massey’s agricultural scientists for help in teaching them where they could safely and legally operate their RPAS platforms whilst undertaking research and crop surveying operations. Since then, hundreds of RPAS operators have graduated from the RPAS training course, facilitated by the Aviation School at Massey University. CAANZ RPAS rules and regulations fall into two categories: Part 101, governs most of the RPAS operations in New Zealand, while Part 102 encompasses the more complex or extensive scenarios that one may wish to undertake. Examples include; Extended Visual Line of Sight Operations, Operations over Property with noti cation, Operations over Property without noti cation, Operations over persons with noti cation, Operations within 4km of Aerodromes with engagement and noti cation. To apply for Part 102 Certi cation applicants must include evidence that they have completed an approved training course by a NZCAA Part 141 provider such as Massey’s Aviation School and submit an exposition to CAANZ. “In their exposition an organisation has to outline their training requirements, how the aircraft are maintained, their SOP’s and safety management systems,” says Anke Smith, Manager, Business Development and International Programmes at the School of Aviation. “That then becomes the rules applicable for that organisation to which they must be fully compliant.” Massey University’s RPAS training course is designed to introduce New Zealand RPAS operators to the rules and regulations pertaining to operating RPAS platforms in the New Zealand aviation environment for the safety of all concerned, including RPAS users, pilots of small agricultural aircraft, training aircraft, as well as larger commercial aircraft ying throughout New Zealand. The theory and assessments sections of the course can either be undertaken online followed by the in-person ight test, or on - campus over three days at Massey’s Aviation Centre. “By the time the theory has been completed students can interpret the various aviation documents, understand the conduct required to operate an RPAS in accordance with best aviation practice, and they can identify threats and develop methods of mitigation. They will also be able to practice and comprehend radio telephony procedures as RPAS operators log their ights through ‘Airshare’ advising other aircraft in the area that drones will be ying in that airspace. Rather than hinder the use of RPAS in New Zealand, Massey aims to facilitate RPAS operations across a wide a range of uses as possible whilst ensuring the safety of all concerned.”
154 Bringing it all together with FarmIQ Map-based farmmanagement software driving better decisions, improved performance and peace of mind ahead of audit time. Find out more at farmiq.co.nz The lives of Kiwi farmers are about to get a whole lot easier when FarmIQ, New Zealand’s leading farm management software, integrates with Figured which has established itself as the most popular farm nance system for all kinds of kiwi farmers. Farm IQ’s mantra is ‘bringing it all together’ and that is what its joint venture with Figured is all about, says FarmIQ’s CEO Will Noble. “The FarmIQ software provides the core which integrates with all the other systems farmers are using so that they don’t have to rekey data.” Currently, farmers manage their stock reconciliation — the farm’s biological balance sheet — through FarmIQ but that data must then be rekeyed into Figured, the farmers’ nancial balance sheet. Those days are over, explains Will. “Having accurate numbers is really important, while rekeying data is a pain point, particularly if you’re running a large operation with multiple stock classes. The integration between Figured and FarmIQ is living our mantra of bringing it all together for the bene t of our farmers, giving them more time to farm. They just manage their stock numbers in FarmIQ on a day-by-day basis using our app, which they can use in the paddock to register births, deaths and moves. That data transfers seamlessly through to Figured, giving farmers a real time view of the entire farm system including the nancial and biological balance sheets.” Aside of the obvious bene t of having realtime data to monitor the nancial performance of the farm there are more profound bene ts. As new rural lending rules start to take e ect under legislation driven by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) the partnership and integration between Figured and FarmIQ will support farmers seeking to borrow at preferential rates. Now used by 5000 Kiwi farmers, FarmIQ was established eleven years ago, a part of a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) between MPI, Pamu — formerly known as Landcorp — and Silver Fern Farms. The original partnership sought to derive greater returns from the red meat supply chain, from inside the farm gate to the supermarket shelf. At the conclusion of the PGP project, FarmIQ was spun-out as a commercial entity and its capability extended beyond red meat to include dairy, via strategic partnerships with Synlait and CRV. FarmIQ remains farmer-focused, designed to make the planning and recording of everyday activities on farm simple and easy, with those records accumulating to make assurance and compliance reporting a breeze, taking the stress out of evidence reporting to regulators and processors. FarmIQ maintains data integrations with many on-farm systems, reducing the burden of rekeying data, such as yard equipment to record animal events, and precision agriculture capturing proof of placement for chemical and nutrient applications to the land. The farm map at the centre of FarmIQ is a real time management tool that includes farm environment planning and health and safety for farm sta and visitors. Re ecting on the success of FarmIQ, Will says it is undeniably its farmer focus. “Our number one value is farmer focus. In everything we do we try to look at the world through the lens of the farmer, to understand their needs.” FarmIQ—Keeping track of it all
The genesis for Figured came from two enterprising Kiwi farmer/accountants who believed there had to be a better way to provide farmers with visibility over the nancial performance of their businesses. Xero’s accounting software was gaining traction in the market and the two farmer/accountants set about designing a product that enabled farmers and their advisors to construct a comprehensive nancial plan for their farming operation. Connecting toXero, transactions update and refresh within the plan, providing a real-time helicopter view of how the farmingbusiness isperformingat any point in time, empowering farmers tomake informed decisions based on actual data. Eight years on and Figured has become New Zealand’s leading farm nance system, with a growing global presence. “We’re very well established in New Zealand, have a strong presence in Australia, a presence in the United Kingdom and a team on the ground in the US,” says John Gibson GMAustralia and New Zealand. “We’re very strong in dairy and livestock and we also have the ability to support cropping and horticulture.” The product has evolved from simply being a budgeting and planning product across a season to now having multi-year planning capability. “A farmer can model an annualised plan up to ten years. That helps them to understand the long-term plan and ambitions, expansions, diversi cation and succession. They can bring that back and work in the current season’s plan towards achieving those longer-term ambitions. For the accountants, we’ve just brought out a business intelligence solution, which enables ‘what-if’ scenarios to be run through the Figured system. We can create opportunities for the accountants and advisors to proactively reach out to their farmer network and advise what the impact might be and suggest a revision to the plan.” Figured believes Farmers should expect seamless integrated technology that’s just easy to use. As part of their mission they’re in partnership with FarmIQ and are working on an integration between the two systems. “We really like what FarmIQ are doing in the market and think there is a lot of synergy between the two companies. They’re the champions and market leaders when it comes to the physical and operational activities that happen on a farm— recording things like livestock movements, the application of fertiliser and health and safety. The piece that we’re really good at is nancial planning. The synergy is taking the physical information managed in FarmIQ and bringing the elements that have a nancial implication into Figured. The integration we’re developing with FarmIQ is taking all the livestock movement and seamlessly migrating that to Figured’s Livestock Tracker which is a reconciliation of all livestock on the property. We can take sales and purchases of livestock and nancially model that out within Figured. The problem we’re trying to solve for farmers is duplication of e ort.” Re ecting on Figured’s success over the last eight years, John says it is as simple as putting a product in the hands of a farmer that gives them an up to date and accurate view of the nancial performance of their farming business. “It’s empowering.” Two heads dare to dreambigger
10 | Preparing for big change at Ahuriri Ahuriri Station is currently part of the Pamu farm portfolio but is now being managed on the expectation that the station will transfer to Mana Ahuriri Trust ownership by 2023 or 2024. Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » Ahuriri Station Under the Ahuriri Hapu Deed of Settlement, which passed in Parliament last December, the Mana Ahuriri Trust has up to two years to elect to purchase Ahuriri Station. The Ahuriri Hapu Deed of Settlement is the full and nal settlement of all the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ahuriri Hapu (Napier/Hawke’s Bay). Ahuriri Station is currently part of the Pamu farm portfolio but is now being managed on the expectation that the station will transfer to Mana Ahuriri Trust ownership by 2023 or 2024. Managing the station in the interim is Lindsey Donoghue, who transferred from Goudies farm in Reporoa – a Pamu commercial stud farm – to take up the role last November. Working with her is Ahuriri’s previous manager Jon Douglas, now working as Pamu’s upper east coast regional business manager and overseeing seven sheep and beef farms from Napier to Tolaga Bay. Ahuriri Station is a mixed cropping, sheep and beef trading and nishing operation. The 1179ha coastal property, uplifted after the 1931 Napier earthquake. relies on an extensive system of pumps, canals and drains to keep seawater out and pump freshwater in. Farm infrastructure is in great shape after many years of investment by Pamu to upgrade water systems and facilities, and to install up-to-date weed screening systems. “That process is ongoing,” says Jon. “Our aim is to make sure the farm is well-presented and tidy for Mana Ahuriri. Our weed conveyor is fully operational and we’re fencing off the 6.5km drain, as well as keeping up with regular maintenance and upkeep. “There are cameras installed so we can see the weed conveyor and pump shed. You can drop water levels and manage pumps very easily from your mobile phone or laptop.” In the lead-up to the anticipated ownership transfer, the station is easing back on cropping and ensuring there is a good platform of grass. Over the past two years, cropping has been spread around the farm and 600ha has been re-grassed into permanent pasture. Maize has been dropped altogether as it didn’t t the trading and nishing system. “Instead, we’ve moved to a larger area of squash. We’re still doing peas too but this year we also put in a bit of feed barley to retain on farm to feed the ewes pre tupping.” In Jon’s rst year at Ahuriri, the station traded 25,000 lambs but this year is dropping back to around 20,000. “Next year we will look at dropping ewe numbers too as we go into the handover process. We want to make that handover as easy as possible and not have too much pressure on the system.” Ahuriri typically stocks around 3250 5yo ewes but Jon says they will reduce that to around 2500 by the time of handover. Ahuriri held an open day in March and has long maintained good connections with the community. The Whakaharatanga walking trail is at the top end of the farm, which is also bounded by a state highway and residential areas. “Public perception is important to us and we have always had a lot of focus on that and managing the farm accordingly.” “That process is ongoing. Our aim is to make sure the farm is wellpresented and tidy for Mana Ahuriri. Our weed conveyor is fully operational and we’re fencing off the 6.5km drain, as well as keeping up with regular maintenance and upkeep.” WELL DRILLING EXPERTS FOR OVER 70 YEARS • Domestic and irrigation water wells • Bore services and development • Bore security • Camera inspections • Ground water surveying - SES • Full consultancy services available 06 844 2167 | hugh@baylisbros.co.nz | www.baylisbroswelldrillers.co.nz 0274 835 027 m.webster@xtra.co.nz We can help you from hanging up a picture frame to building your dream home! Do not hesitate to contact us today for any rural work too. 8 Angus Place, Onekawa, Napier 4110 Post Box 577, Napier 4112, New Zealand Mobile: 027 609 9050 | Of ce: 06 843 8805 darren@napiereng.co.nz | www.napiereng.co.nz NAPIER ENGINEERING & CONTRACTING Problems with weed buildup in your pump station grates? Give us a call to discuss our automatic weed removal conveyors.
| 11 Life’s priorities in clear focus after heart attack Waikato farmer Alan Henderson says lying in a hospital after a heart attack provided plenty of time for re ection. Richard Loader RURAL PEOPLE » Alan Henderson (Cranleigh) There is an age old saying that if you want a job done give it to the busiest person, and apart from a few brief but tense moments when life gave way to death, that is something that Waikato farmer Alan Henderson is living proof of. Alan farms 400 hectares in the Paterangi district, northwest of Te Awamutu. His farming operation is primarily dairy but also includes 700 commercially reared calves, 80 drystock cattle that are nished and Angus bulls put over dairy heifers with calves sold into the early market. There is also a large cropping operation with 80ha of maize, and 50ha of chicory or turnips. In addition to a busy on-farm life, Alan was also a member of eight community organisations, and in most cases held leadership roles. Alan thought he was managing his farm workload, community involvement and stress levels pretty well. Last August Alan started feeling a tight chest while dehorning calves, but dismissed it as having pulled a chest muscle. Reaching the end of the week, lacking energy and not feeling well Alan decided to have a lazy day and rest up. It happened to be his 59th birthday. Concerned about Alan’s lethargy over the week Alan’s wife and son urged him to have it checked out, and that is when Alan says the journey began. “Hospital tests veri ed that I needed a triple bypass. Twelve hours later, at 4.00am, I had a cardiac arrest. They spent about 25 minutes doing CPR, during which I technically died. They gave me one or two electric shocks, which resuscitated me. “I was placed in the emergency queue but I had a blood clot that needed to dissolve before I could have the triple by-pass operation to ensure it didn’t travel to the brain during the operation.” It took three days to get the clot under control before the operation took place but either during or soon after the successful operation Alan contracted an infection. After two weeks spent at home, Alan was readmitted to hospital and over a 20-day period underwent ve additional surgeries to clear the infection. “I was stitched back up and now I have two permanent plates holding my chest together, which at the moment is causing on-going chest discomfort.” Alan acknowledges that his heart attack probably occurred while dehorning the calves the week prior to going to the hospital and says lying in a hospital bed provided opportunity for re ection. “I think the heart attack was brought on by stress. I think it was long-term stress that I felt I was managing. “The stress was exacerbated because of my community involvement. I don’t like being disorganized and inef cient, so a lot of my organisation got done between 1.00am and 4.00am in the morning when I couldn’t sleep.” Alan’s medical event has resulted in lower energy levels, less ability to sustain mental challenges, and his enthusiasm to carry on a high level of farm and community performance has become diluted. “It de nitely means doing less community work, cutting 80% – 90% of my community involvement. My advice to other farmers is to choose two or three things that are really important and focus those areas of your life, don’t try and be a ‘yes-person’ to all community and work situations — be con dent and brave enough to say no.” “My advice to other farmers is to choose two or three things that are really important and focus those areas of your life, don’t try and be a ‘yes-person’ to all community and work situations – be con dent and brave enough to say no.” Office (07) 825 9870 Mace 0275 397 602 Graeme 027 451 8143 Email: admin@gcl.net.nz 525 Te Pahu Road, RD5, Hamilton Goodwright Contracting Ltd is pleased to be associated with Alan Henderson Diggers • Bulldozer • Truck & Trailers • Tractor & Trailers • Effluent Ponds • Feed Pads Ground work • Ag Lime & Fert Cartage • All Grades of Metal • Sand .(A ͠;696/(5.( 1 Progress Drive | 07 873 4004 Logan Coffey 027 208 9002 Gary Dando (Jockey) Ph: 07 871 5272 Mob: 027 493 1879 · Email: dispatch@dibbletransport.co.nz · 1495 Alexandra Sta, PO Box 320 Te Awamutu WE STOCK: AG LIME WOODCHIP CHIPPER FINES Delivered or Pick up Ex Store All Farm Metal/Stock Food From the quarry or store of your choice. Fertiliser ex works or your local store. We will work with any local spreading contractor of your choice. WE SUPPLY AND CART: AG LIME / RACE FINES RACE ROCK / AGGREGATES STOCK FOOD ALL BULK PRODUCTS OUR EFFICIENCY ISYOUR ECONOMY! WE PROUDLY SUPPORT ALAN HENDERSON WITH ALL HIS BULK CARTAGE NEEDS
12 | Aratiatia Station’s deer milking project Prior to the first milking the team at Aratiatia prepared the deer by getting them accustomed to coming into the shed. In 2020, the team began constructing their first custom designed and built deermilking parlour. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Aratiatia Farm Pãmu (Landcorp) have for many years now been pursuing the commercial milking of red deer as a viable dairy product to market in New Zealand and overseas. Aratiatia Station, near Taupo, is the first property within the Pāmu collective of farms throughout the country, to develop the infrastructure and technique to harvest milk from specially chosen red deer, sourced from both the North and South Island. Mason Jones manages the deer operation at Aratiatia Station, coming from a background of working with commercial deer farms. He’s been with Aratiatia Station two years and says this is an exciting new development of activity on the farm. Prior to establishing the milking herd at Aratiatia Pāmu engaged for several years with the McIntyre family on their Benio Farm in Southland who have been milking red deer with some success. In 2020, Pāmu began constructing their first custom designed and built deer-milking parlour, an exciting time for those on the station. Prior to the first milking the team at Aratiatia prepared the deer by getting them accustomed to coming into the shed and eating grain as well as being feed grain outside. Observing which deer enjoyed being inside the shed and were happy to be cupped for milking meant that some deer were rejected from the milking herd. “It’s really important the deer are happy and calm in the shed and when being milked, so we took out time looking carefully at which ones were happy and which ones weren’t,” Mason explains. Last year was the first season for milking the deer, which takes place after the fawn has naturally weaned was a real pioneering moment for Pāmu and the team at Aratiatia Station, home also to drystock and sheep. “I remember the first time we put cups on a row of deer in the shed, none of them kicked, so we really felt we had come a long way in habituating them to being milked regularly.” The milking shed has two sides to it and this year, in its second season of milking, has produced 6000 litres. At peak, 125 hinds were milked between 10th January and 15th April. Asked, now that milking has been established, what is most important to be focussing on Mason says its going to be about fine-tuning identification of the genetic values that input into those hinds producing the best milk. “At the moment the sole thing we are selecting on is temperament but next season we will be able to select more on milk yield. Establishing deer milking is a process that can’t be hurried but so far we have achieved a lot and its gone really well with support of places like AgResearch.” Milk from the deer at Aratiatia is destined so far for places like South Korea and Vietnam where it is used in the cosmetics/skin-care industries. Here in New Zealand the milk is currently used at restaurants as an ingredient in desserts. Pāmu deer milk has already received the nod from judges at the prestigious Massey University New Zealad Food Awards and the NZ Food Awards. Research, using a controlled sample of people, is also underway at this time on the nutritional and health benefits derived from taking deer milk. This will clinically evidence the benefits deer milk provide and help inform the future development of consumer products and markets. Asked why he enjoys working with deer Mason says they are just a very different animal from any other, requiring respect, care and understanding. “You would never feel that they are completely domesticated and they must be handled accordingly. They have to want to be milked and so the selection of our milking herd is a slow and careful process.” He’s especially proud to think that within a short space of time the project has moved very much from start up to a fully operational activity at Aratiatia. “We’re at the start of a really exciting era in the farming of deer for milk and Pāmu has realised its great potential.”
| 13 Farming still a great family lifestyle Tim Neeson at work in the yards. Tim and Monique with children Ef e, Zadee and Heath. Monique crafting a Shear Warmth blanket, using wool from the Romney ock. Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » Awarima Station King Country couple Tim and Monique Neeson say farming today is a tough industry, both physically and mentally. Yet they are in no doubt that their rugged hill country farm, west of Taumaranui, is still one of the best places in the world to be raising a family. The couple’s three children – Heath, 9, Ef e, 8, and Zadee, 6 – are immersed in the daily rhythm of rural life on Awarima Station, located at the junction of the Whanganui and Ohura Rivers. “They are heavily involved with us on the farm,” says Monique. “Wherever we go, they go. There’s a lot for them to see and learn about and they nd it all quite exciting. When we really stop to think about ‘the why’ of farming, it’s because we love the lifestyle for our family.” Tim’s parents Lyn and Alex Neeson purchased their rst 350ha block at Tokirima in 1987. Over the years, the operation has grown considerably to include three separate blocks, plus a couple of lease blocks. Originally from New Plymouth, Monique married into the farm life some 15 years ago. She and Tim began leasing the family farm blocks in 2017 before stepping up to full ownership in 2020. They run 13,000 stock units, evenly split between cattle and sheep, though sheep still predominate on the hilly home farm. The farm’s annual wool clip is around 17 tonnes. “Compared to town this is paradise, but the environment is challenging,” she says. “It’s steep hill country and this summer has been hot and dry. Fortunately, we had 100mm of rain in February and that has seen us through.” The latest dry spell has provided a timely reminder on the importance of good water infrastructure. “We’re in the process of putting in water troughs and other things like that to ensure we will be more resilient in future,” says Tim. While the current global sheepmeat and beef trade is strong, Tim and Monique note that costs are rising fast and compliance issues are weighing heavily on farmers too. They say encroachment of carbon forestry businesses is also having a massive impact on local rural schools and communities, as well as driving up land prices and undermining employment in the farm service sector. “We’re also concerned at the potential impact of rubbish forestry on our rivers and creek systems,” says Tim. Within the changing rural landscape, this family farm remains a leader on diversi cation. In 2011, Lyn and Monique came up with a clever answer to add value to the farm’s wool clip. Together they launched Shear Warmth Blankets, using Romney lamb wool harvested from their own ock to create beautiful New Zealand-made wool blankets. “Tim and I have now bought Lyn out of it. We’re currently working on refreshing the brand. Our goal is to tell our story, why we do what we do and highlighting the raw quality of wool. We love being able to show our kids the whole process, from the lambs coming off the hill through to shearing and then how the wool is used to make the blankets.” They are pleased that a new industry group is being set up for the strong wool sector and hope it will lead to more proactive, smart marketing initiatives. “When we really stop to think about ‘the why’ of farming, it’s because we love the lifestyle for our family.” Totally Vets Taumarunui, proudly supporting Awarima Station by providing all aspects of animal health care taumarunui@totallyvets.co.nz www.totallyvets.co.nz Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz PHONE: 07 873 7325 | FREEPHONE: 0800 482 928 Quality Service to Farmers & Businesses
14 | Environmental plan Sue Russell Robbie Schaw, manager of Arohiwi Station, an hour or so inland from Napier has been in the role nearly two years. Asked, late April, how the weather-gods had been behaving Robbie says that a combination of not enough sun and too much rain has affected pasture quality. “When this happens its hard to keep condition up on the stock,” Robbie explains. And stock numbers are impressive, with 7000 Romney ewes and 400 Angus cows. About 90% of all progeny is nished at the farm with the balance sold store. Arohiwi Station is owned by Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) and the story of how this extensive property came into its possession is compelling. Known as The People’s Station, half of Laura Mitchell (nee Holt’s) shares in the property were gifted to PSEC 40 years ago. Laura’s grandfather, Robert Holt, was the original owner of Arohiwi. Then in 1991, upon Laura’s passing she bequeathed her remaining shares to PSEC, giving the organisation a 50% stake in the property. Fast forward a further 20 years and in 2012, PSEC took over full ownership, with the intention that pro ts from its operation would go toward supporting the myriad of social/philanthropic causes PSEC is involved with. Most recently, the original footprint has been extended with the purchase of neighbouring farm Paige Hill Station. This additional 437ha brings the total area of Arohiwi Station to 1478ha, enabling it to carry stock at its current number. The governance structure links to PSEC with a Board of Directors overseeing Arohiwi’s operation. RURAL PEOPLE » Arohiwi Station “I link directly with John Cannon, who sits on the board,” Robbie says. Steering the pathway of the station’s future is a seven-year environmental plan, which has, as its goal, to see Arohiwi fully environmentally sustainable. Extensive fencing of water-ways is one activity underway and a new water system has been developed, linking 75 troughs to springs underground. “We have a lot of springs running through the farm, so there is considerable fencing to control stock away from them as well as riparian planting to aid water quality and beautify the environment.” Native plantings on lesser productive country as well as erosion prone areas along with some small pockets of pine trees planted in areas where there is suf cient access are all contained within the environmental plan. Most of the station is rolling land with a very small percentage of steeper terrain. When Rural North spoke with Robbie there was plenty of activity engaging the team including weaning calves, moving the lambs and weighing the steers ready to be sent to the works. Every year 40ha is planted in swedes, with the land then reinstated in grass, so over time, pasture is renewed across most of the farm. Robbie says a big part of the environmental plan was driven by PSEC wanting to be involved in the farm’s development. “We had a planting day and staff and volunteers of PSEC came out and helped.” Robbie is also keen to see the farm extend the careers of young people working on it. “That’s really important to me. That whoever works at Arohiwi has the opportunity to grow. That this farm is a vehicle to grow good people who can go on and reach their own farming goals out the other end.” “That’s really important to me. That whoever works at Arohiwi has the opportunity to grow. That this farm is a vehicle to grow good people who can go on and reach their own farming goals out the other end.” Arohiwi Station is owned by Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC). Ngatarawa Rd, Hastings. 027 243 5330 e: kingstonfarming@gmail.com Proud to be associatedwithArohiwi Station Simon & Melissa Turner 06 839 8644 GLENHOPE ROMNEY Proud to supply Romney Rams to Arohiwi Station .co.nz When you want us there.. we’ll get in the air! 06 835 9450 aerospread.co.nz When it comes to Motorcycles Hastings Honda is your first stop in Hawkes Bay for Farm Quads, Side by Side's, 2 Wheeler's, Road Bikes, Motocross Bikes, Scooters & Commuters.
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