Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 22, 2012

Young Farmer Contest #1

And so the journey begins.

As many Young Farmers around the country are partaking in awesome road trips to gather in Dunedin, I am sitting in Palmerston North Airport ready to wing my way there.

I remember going to national conference in about 1998 on the train from Palmerston North. It was such a fantastic trip – favourite moments: sending Pat running to the Liquorland in Timaru from the train station because we ran out of Tui (or did someone deliver it…. it had been a long trip) and playing all sorts of drinking games on the journey.  We picked up all manner of Young Farmers on the way.

Then there was the Mt Cook conference where the Ballance Club boys travelled on their .. there’s a name for it…. little motorbike scooter thingies.. mud bugs, something like that.

Anyway…. here I am on the way to the 42nd (I think) Grand Final of the National Bank Young Farmer Contest.

I will send you more details as we go – links to websites where you can find out who they are and what they’re up to, as well as photos from their endeavours.

It’s gonna be a long week 🙂

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 17, 2012

Indian call centres and bulls***

I just had fun with a phony phone person.
<Indian accent> Mrs Taylor, you are the main user of your computer right now?
Me: and just how do you know that?
Her: We are Creative Solutions phoning about the problems with your computer.
Me: I have never heard of you.
Her: We are Creative Solutions working to fix problems for Windows operating systems.
Me: I bet you bloody are.
Her: I beg your pardon Mrs Taylor?
Me: Just who are you? What is your company? (now I’m just curious what she’ll say).
Her: blah blah blah
Me: You just read a whole lot of English that you probably didn’t understand meant absolutely nothing. How did you get my number?
Her: blah blah blah – if you will just switch on your computer and we can go through your problems…
Me: the only problem I have right now is the phony computer person on my phone stopping me from working on my computer, which is operating quite well, thank you very much!!!! (so bugger off).
Click.
Hehe. Made my day. So much better than Beef Expo results for the Dom 🙂 No seriously buy a copy of the Dominion Post on the last Thursday of this month (you should be buying it all the time, then you could read what Jon Morgan had to say about it). Rural deliveries will get a free drop of the paper that day. I have some Angus stories and some generic Beef Expo stories including one about the highest-priced Hereford bull (and the second highest went to an Otapawa Herefords bull owned by some “old” Young Farmers colleagues….) as well as some profiles from the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Here’s a pic of someone who didn’t quite get the gist of the national bull sale…

Two and a half year old Chloe Cann from Hastings attending Beef Expo with her grandparents

and some familiar faces in the crowd 🙂

No names… if you don’t know who they are, I’m not giving away their secrets!

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 7, 2012

kids on the radio

Suzy Cato is a familiar name to thousands of kiwi kids (and their parents).

Formerly known as the Suzy in Suzy’s World, now this lovely lady does a radio show on community stations called The Great Big Kids Show (7am-8am Sunday mornings).

I am telling you this because I heard an ad on the radio a few weeks ago calling for children who were interested in co-hosting one of the shows with Suzy at our very own Central FM in Waipukurau. Lachlan said “yes” without hesitation. When he was selected, I told him I was proud of him for being willing to try something he didn’t know much about. “Mum,” he replied, with a voice dripping with more wisdom than a kid should have… “You never get anywhere in life without giving things like this a go.”

So we went. He did it, loved it and we will all be listening this Sunday.

Here’s a link to a list of participating radio stations if you’re keen to pop in for a listen.

As well as helping Suzy and another co-host Trevor with shoutouts, birthday calls and talking about his school and his soccer, they did a segment on Mother’s Day (goes to air May 13). The thing I’m not so keen on? Lachlan also telling the nation about my milestone birthday that very day.

Happy Birthday to me 🙂

and Happy Mother’s Day in advance – love you very much Mum.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 2, 2012

What would you do with a few million bucks?

Would you quit your day job if you won $26.5 million?

Would I? In a heartbeat. Writing is my passion but I would love to not worry about getting paid for it. Penning a novel would be first on my list… and you know what… it wouldn’t matter if no-one published it! What am I saying? I would publish it. Who would buy it? Doesn’t matter!(My Mum would).

So Trev from Te Kauwhata is no longer working at the local supermarket. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be.

He was probably genuine when he said he wanted to keep working there because he loved it, but hey, when your phone number is smaller than your bank balance (hehe I love that, his words though, not mine) you can’t expect to continue living life like you did yesterday.

Here’s a story from the Stuff website about Trev not having been back to work since the big win. He’s bought a car, he’s bought his mum a car and no-one knows where he is (well, at least the town of Te Kauwhata isn’t telling).

I’ve given away my secrets. If the big lotto win ever comes my way, everyone will know it was me.  My family and community will be so flush!

Shiny new cars will suddenly appear at my sisters’ houses.  One will open her farm bank account to discover the mortgage is gone. Another will have some land to add to the five acres they’ve just bought, another will get the luxury cruise around the world she’s dreamed of.

My tennis club will have all astro courts…  flood lit! The school will have a new bus, new books, new … well, you name it, the list goes on.

But it’s all a dream isn’t it.  But I am in with a chance. I do buy the occasional ticket (not like the joke about the girl who keeps praying to win lotto, over and over she prays, until one day there’s a clap of thunder right next to her ear and a voice says “can you at least buy a bloody ticket!!”)

Right now, I would welcome winning $10 on an Instant Kiwi. It wouldn’t allow me to quit my day job but it would make me smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 2, 2012

Anzac Day in Takapau

Anzac Day dawns in Takapau just like every other NZ town – no matter the weather, we’re there with poppies, kids in uniforms, to remember why we have our freedom.  War isn’t confined to history books – it’s all around us today – but our casualties and sacrifices don’t seem to compare to what our countrymen went through in the two world wars.

I love this quote by Jim Hopkins, which I found on a fellow blogger’s site (thanks Ele).

. . . If honour and duty and service and responsibility and courage and unity were values championed every day, this would be a happier, more harmonious and stronger nation.

Rediscovering that language is not just an opportunity for the leaders of our main political parties, it’s an obligation.

If we want a new focus, it’s easily found. The values of Anzac Day are there, waiting. We just need to be brave enough to rediscover them. Age does not weary those values – it’s the rest of the year that condemns us.  Jim Hopkins

Here are some photos from the service at Takapau, with special thanks to Takapau RSA president Andy Kells for his continuing efforts.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | May 2, 2012

A breakfast not to miss

I have been to a few AGMARDT Agribusiness Breakfasts now and they’re worth the effort.

If you’re close to Dunedin or in town for the National Bank Young Farmer Contest, don’t miss out.

NZ Young Farmers put out this release this morning:

License to operate: A regulatory barrier or market opportunity?

The AGMARDT Agribusiness Breakfast provides an annual forum to discuss issues of national interest to the rural community. This year’s theme is ‘License to Operate: a regulatory barrier or market opportunity?’ and includes presentations by Dr Andrew West, Bryce Johnson, Willy Leferink and Graham Stuart.

The AGMARDT Agribusiness Breakfast will be held on Friday the 25th of May on Level 4 of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, commencing at 7.30am sharp and will be hosted by AGMARDT’s Chairman Jeff Grant.

Jeff Grant

“In setting the theme for this year’s AGMARDT Agribusiness Breakfast, we wanted to raise awareness within the farming community of an issue that is going attract increasing attention in the years ahead,” said Mr Grant.

“We have an excellent range of speakers who will each provide a different perspective on the theme. I hope the attendees will leave the event feeling better equipped to make up their own minds on whether a license to operate is a regulatory barrier or market opportunity.”

Dr Andrew West

Dr Andrew West, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, will provide a high level overview on the theme and discuss its future potential impact on farming. Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive of Fish & Game New Zealand, will then provide an insight on his organisation’s views on changing public attitudes and the challenges and opportunities this creates for the farming community.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson Willy Leferink will provide a farmer’s perspective on this year’s theme. This will be followed by Sealord’s Chief Executive Graham Stuart who will discuss growing market opportunities built around actively pursuing environmentally friendly ways to undertake business.

The AGMARDT Agribusiness Breakfast is held in conjunction with The National Bank Young Farmer Contest and starts with a light breakfast at 7.30am sharp, followed by speaker presentations and then questions. The forum will conclude around 9.45am. Following the breakfast, attendees will be invited to watch New Zealand’s top young farmers compete in the Practical Challenge Day of The National Bank Young Farmer Contest.

If you would like to attend this event please go to www.youngfarmercontest.co.nz. Tickets are $30.00 each (+ booking fee), which includes breakfast. For more information about AGMARDT and its funding programmes visit www.agmardt.org.nz.

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | April 18, 2012

Hunter field day was great!

Congratulations James and Jane - who now compete against eight others for the national title in Wellington in June.

Here are some photos from the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Field day last week.

It was a great day – the yucky Easter weather turned into a few days of sunshine so the ground wasn’t too wet underfoot (under wheels, which was making me nervous!!)

James and Jane Hunter were great hosts – they farm coastal hill country property, Rangitoto, near Porangahau, south east of Waipukurau in Central Hawke’s Bay.

Please let me know if you would like a PDF copy of the handout – we talked about alternatives to grass pasture, drainage on hills, poplars and willows (erosion control and possible ETS/PFSI benefits), reducing soil and nutrient run-off, wetlands and regenerating bush and the farm’s Longa earthworm trial.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | April 18, 2012

The Farming Show

Hello Farming Show listeners……

Jamie’s in China and I had a lovely chat today with Dom instead. I haven’t been on the radio for a while… and I haven’t been on my blog for a while either!

I mentioned during the chat I had a DomPost feature publishing next Thursday and that’s what I’ve been busy getting through.

Lots of things have been tickling at the back of my mind, such as the HB Farmer of the Year (sorry, didn’t mention the A&P Society that runs it, they do a great job) and Garth Eyles winning the Laurie Dowling Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Hawke’s Bay.

Garth is well known for his land management roles in the HB Regional Council and a long involvement with organisations like Farmn Forestry.

Here’s so me info I wrote when he “retired” back in about 2007.

Garth started his land management career back in 1965 in Taupo as a MAF soil conversation advisor doing land use capability assessments.

He worked for the Ministry of Works in Wellington and Palmerston North (and an early stint in Hawke’s Bay lasted as long as the province held rugby’s Ranfurly Shield).

Worked in land management for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council from 1993-2008

“Farmers have become quite green, despite what the community hears from pressure groups and some individuals. Looking across Hawke’s Bay from Te Mata Peak in the 1960s you’d see hardly any trees. Now they’re everywhere… in the formerly pastoral dessert that was Hawke’s Bay. I think farmers here have done a brilliant job.”

Garth’s retirement will include some contract work, playing tennis and keeping his hands dirty at the Tutira Country Park, which had remained one of the “joys of the job”.

Garth is still involved with prviate consultancy work and was this year a judge in both the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards and the Hawke’s Bay Farm Forester of the Year.

The Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year was won by Mathew & Gemma Barham, Mangatarata Station, Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay. They farm 1020 ha (1000 effective )  with 9500 su (half cattle half sheep).  Their field day will be held on May 3.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | March 30, 2012

Define elderly

When I was a young journo, 40 was old.

Now I am approaching that very milestone  myself, I realise I am very much still a spring chicken!

As are many people I know, including a couple of awesome tennis players in their 50s and one of my netball team who has recently turned 50 as well (and whose body copes better than most of the 30-somethings lol).

When I was a young journo, “elderly” was 70 or over. Officially. But many 70 year olds are riding bikes, playing sports, tripping around the world…. not elderly at all.

One online definition says elderly is “being past middle age and approaching old age”.  (Lachlan has stolen my dictionary – one of his spelling words this week was portmanteau….)

I believe my mother, mother-in-law and several of the ladies at golf would object to being called elderly (Mum would probably chase you with a rolling pin, her golf clubs or her mountain bike!!)

What has brought this subject up? A www.stuff.co.nz story tonight about a crime in Pahiatua.

A tiny woman involved in the terrifying robbery of an elderly man who had showed her kindness in times of trouble has been jailed. Standing in Palmerston North District Court dock yesterday, Tina Reiri, 20, was barely visible above the glass skirting standing between her and freedom. But as she was led away to serve three years and nine months’ jail, her face was a picture of shock. The unemployed Pahiatua woman was convicted on a charge of being a party to an aggravated robbery, when a 65-year-old man’s home was invaded by Reiri, Peter Tumanako, 29, and a third man who is yet to be identified. The man was living alone after his partner died just a year before.

Besides the fact the robbery was atrocious and so unfair on the man, has he been dealt a second blow to his confidence by the media calling him elderly?

So – I was at the Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year dinner last night… more tomorrow. It was a good night, so it’s time for an early night tonight! Phoenix soccer team is one goal up over Sydney and the Highlanders wasted the Rebels in the rugby!

FYI: portmanteau [pɔːtˈmæntəʊ]

n pl -teaus, -teaux[-təʊz]

1. (formerly) a large travelling case made of stiff leather, esp one hinged at the back so as to open out into two compartments
2. (modifier) embodying several uses or qualities the heroine is a portmanteau figure of all the virtues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | March 28, 2012

Where’s my cut Pak’nSave

I’m going with the conspiracy theory.

Yesterday I blogged about Pak’nSave dropping its meatlovers week ad because some vegetarian in Wellington complained that was offensive towards her “beliefs”.

Well guess what? It is is bringing back its controversial meat lovers advertisement with a twist – vegetarian sausages.

I’ve been had! I want to meet that girl – there’s a Pak’nSave voucher in her handbag.

Very big ups to the marketing team. Well done. My blog might normally only get a few hundred views but yesterday almost topped the day Paul Henry got fired. Go figure.

 

 

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