News

Improve the Quality of your Soil

23 February 2023
NZ Business Connect
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Categories: News

Author: Sharon Dean

Soil testing and soil sampling is critical to improving the quality and mineral balance of
your soil.
The vital point of soil testing is to determine if there are sufficient levels of the essential
elements for plants and livestock to grow at their best.

All physical things in the universe are made from 92 naturally occurring chemical
elements. Living things such as plants and animals are mostly made of certain elements,
depending on the life form. These are known as the essential elements of life, meaning
that if all the other elements are present, but if one of these elements is missing, then
the organism will fail.
There are 13 elements were needed for plant and animal growth, not just nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). A further three elements (cobalt, selenium and
iodine) are essential animal health and nutrition. If your soil is deficient in one or more
nutrients, your livestock and plants are not going to be able to receive enough of those
nutrients to grow properly.

If farmers are injection or bulleting animals for any deficient nutrients such as Cobalt,
Selenium , Iodine or any nutrient it is a soil borne disorder. Injecting, bulleting or
supplementing nutrients to animals overcomes the problem short term rather than fixing
the cause, which is a soil borne disorder. Its equivalent to taking medication rather than
fixing the root cause.

Testing of soil, pasture, clover only or animal bloods is relatively cheap. Coming in at
less than 1% of your total fertiliser costs, it is a cost-effective investment in the health
and wellbeing of your plants and livestock.
When it comes to your livestock, if the pasture they are eating does not contain correct
amounts of the right nutrients they will not grow in a healthy manner, or worse, become
sick.
Most dairy farms probably need only about 13kg/ha of P per year to maintain their
phosphate levels, but more than 70kg/ha is sometimes applied, leading to massive
expenditure. This money could be diverted to overcome any deficient nutrient.
Accurate soil testing also provides a significant management tool in creating an efficient
soil fertility programme, as well as watching out for potential soil issues.

Gordon Rajendram Soil Scientist

Email: rajendram@xtra.co.nz

Phone: 021 466 077

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonRajendramSoilScientist

Website: https://gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soil-scientist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoilscientistnz/

Award-Winning Business Splintas Firewood Hikutaia, Thames Coromandel, Launches New Product

1 December 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Little did Janella Munns know that a passing comment made to her husband one day about feeling the cold would see her husband buy her a wood splitter and develop into an award-winning business.

Splintas Firewood launched in 2018 in Kerepehi, selling bulk firewood to customers.

The business snowballed quickly, and Janella has just launched a new product, ‘Smoking Blocks’. The smoking blocks are proving to be very successful.

“The smoking blocks are a huge success already. We are servicing all of Thames Coromandel and Hauraki, and there is room for expansion with contacts already showing interest for 2023”, says Janella.

Splintas Firewood sells three key products;

  • Smoking blocks
  • Bulk firewood
  • Smoking chips.

Splintas Firewood is a kiwi owned and operated local business.

“We are a small, friendly local business. We have a unique product with a strong brand that keeps evolving into new products”.

Janella prides herself on staying in business this long. She has created a brand with her travelling mascot, ‘Ted’. Ted appeals to people of all ages and is a talking point with the customers.

Excellent customer service, a great work ethic, and a family/work balance are core values Janella holds in high regard.

Splintas Firewood is very community focused and supports many local events, including:

  • Positive Paeroa
  • Thames Valley Sports Club
  • Hikutaia School Fishing Competition
  • Westpac Helicopter
  • ‘I am Hope.’ (sponsored an auction in Paeroa)
  • Paeroa Youth Rugby Club – sponsorship towards t-shirts

Splintas Firewood has room for expansion moving forward.

If you ask Janella Munns where she would like to see her business in five years, she would tell you to have products available throughout New Zealand.

” I would love a giant warehouse for storage, to be a good year ahead of ourselves, and to eventually sit back and not be the person doing everything within my business”, comments Janella.

With a growing brand and a positive ‘get stuck in’ attitude, my money is on this savvy rural woman business owner achieving her goals much sooner than she thinks.

Splintas Firewood

Janella Munns

Hikutaia

Thames Coromandel

splintasfirewood@gmail.com

0800 7754 6827

Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy Is Holding Their Anual Christmas VIP Night

1 December 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Due to popular demand in previous years, the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy will be holding its Christmas VIP Night on December 16.

Invitees will have the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping with the following on offer for the evening:

  • 20% off all gifts
  • Free gift wrapping
  • Nibbles and drinks
  • Raffle draw entries with every purchase – the raffle will be drawn a week later
  • Goddie Bags

Invites will be sent via SMS and email. Please RSVP.

Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy

31A Bartley Terrace

Devonport

Auckland

https://www.devonport7daypharmacy.co.nz

Fertiliser or Lime?

30 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

With the high fertiliser prices this year it will be prudent to soil test, in particular to measure soil pH, and correct deficiencies by liming as lime prices have stayed relatively similar to last year.

A lot of farms in New Zealand’s Hill Country have low soil pH levels. Dairy pastures that do not perform are usually associated with low soil pH.  As it stands, there has been more emphasis on fertiliser at the expense of liming. However, both can be achieved within the farmer’s budget.

Pasture species do not like low pH soils as there is increased Aluminium in the soil solution which retards root growth, which in turn leads to less growth of herbage on top. Soil pH levels below 5.5 tend to have soil solution Aluminium levels >3.0 mg/kg, ideally you want the aluminium levels < 0.1 mg/kg. One of the cheapest ways to alleviate this issue is liming.  

There is scientific evidence to show that as soil pH increases up to ~soil pH 6.5 there is an increase in microbial activity.  Microbial activity plays a major role in nutrient cycling in the soil.  You may have 3 (500 kg) cattle running on top of your dirt, but you have about the equivalent (in weight) of 25 cattle or 250 sheep, in underground fauna, running below ground.

MAF’s recommendation is for soil pH to be between 5.8 and 6.0 based on the dry matter production.  The ideal pH is around 6.2 – 6.4 if you consider quality of feed, more clover growth, greater earth worms (which aerate the soil), more calcium in the diet, and phosphate less tightly held by the soil.

Because of the cost of flying lime on Hill Country, a lot of farmers are put off from trying it. Lime is normally $30 -$35 per tonne, cartage is typically ~$20 – 40 per tonne (depending on how far the farm is from the lime pit), but flying is ~$120/tonne.  There is not enough in the farmers’ budget when a normal Hill Country farm fertiliser and lime budget is ~$120 -$150 /hectare/per year. However, there are solutions to address this price issue.

Normally it takes 1 tonne of lime to lift soil pH by 0.1 unit, but much depends on the Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. A low CEC soil, such as a sandy soil, requires much less lime to lift pH by 0.1 unit.

With the greater rainfall this spring there will be greater leaching occurring and soil nitrates that leach below the root zone will take a positive ion such as calcium with it.  Generally, ~150 kg/ha/yr of Calcium is leached if no nitrogen is applied as fertiliser but increases as more nitrogen fertiliser is applied.

The problem with New Zealand farms is that farmers are not applying lime because of the above, so many soils are getting very acidic (< 5.5 pH), with soils getting down to as low as 5.0 pH.  This has a significant detrimental impact on pasture production and clover growth, which ultimately leads to substandard animal performance.

The solution lies in having proper soil and pasture testing as without testing you cannot know what minerals need to be added to your soil and in what amounts. Otherwise, it becomes a guessing game.  Expert advice is needed at the right time, with a plan to address the issue within the budget allocated.

If these steps are taken, there is enough in the farmers’ budget to both lime and fertilise in order to reduce soil acidification. 

Written by Gordon Rajendram – The Soil Scientist https://gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz/

Introducing the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy Team.

24 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Sleep Consultant:

Their Sleep Consultant Asma has 20+ years of experience in healthcare.

Asma started the sleep clinic in 2020 at Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy and has helped many people get their sleep under control.

However, due to Covid restrictions, the sleep clinic was paused. Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy is now relaunching with a special offer for their customers, offering 50% off sleep tests until the end of November.

Amsa herself has found benefit in the programme with an immense improvement in focus and deeper sleep.

Natural Health Consultant:

Shaheena is Their Natural Health Consultant.

In December, Shaheena will speak about Post Covid recovery and being Sun Smart.

Podiatry:

Registered Podiatrist and consultant Mrs Narges Kanani joined the Devonport 7 Day Pharmacy team on November 7th.

Mrs Kanani has over ten experience in clinics all around the North Shore.

Podiatry Clinics are every Monday from 9 am -4 pm.

Spaces are limited, get in touch here or call 09 445 4000 to book now.

The Importance of Business Budgeting and Forecasts with Chartered Accountants Drumm Nevatt & Associates.

24 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Futureproofing is a necessity for your business in a world of uncertainty. Plan for everything and be ready for anything!

So, what are budgeting and financial forecasts, and what is their importance in future business planning?

Budgets are tools companies use to establish goals like growth, future trends, or experiences of a company. It allows management to assess where the business is heading and quantifies future expected revenues for achievement. Budgets are set for a specific period, once, twice, or quarterly.

In contrast, financial forecasting estimates the amount of revenue/income more frequently and examines whether the proposed timeframe set in the budget will be met or not.

How does a more challenging economy affect your business?

  • Current customers stop buying
  • Fewer enquiries or leads
  • More challenging to make a sale
  • Customers return less often
  • Customers spend less on each visit
  • Increase in cost of stock

Whether collaborating on accurate forecasts, fine-tuning your budget, or planning predictive business modelling, you will face daily business challenges.

Budgeting and financial forecasting should work in tandem with each other – the budget creates the baseline to compare actual results and determines how far those results vary from a business’s expected performance. Financial forecasting determines how companies should allocate budgets for future periods.

What is involved with setting budgets and forecasts?

  • Profit and loss – annual and periodic
  • Working capital – debtors, stock and creditors
  • Finance – asset purchase and loan repayments
  • Cashflow – allow for drawings and tax

Ever wished you could look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds for your business?

Your business is your most powerful asset, so why not future proof it today by contacting registered chartered accountants Drumm Nevatt & Associated Limited?

Call the team at either their Howick or Tauranga office for your initial one-hour complimentary consultation today.

Howick Office

Phone: 64 9 534 4382

Email: office@dnaca.co.nz Ridge House

69 Ridge Road Howick Auckland 2014

PO Box 54 060

The Marina Auckland 2144

Tauranga Office

Phone: 64 7 576 2194

Email: admin@dnaca.co.nz 23 Myres Street

Otumoetai

Tauranga 3110

The Content Bucket – How to Create a Powerful Online Presence

23 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Content themes – or the content bucket method – are a brilliant way to help you create content and put together a practical social media plan for your business.

You want your social channels to be a fountain of engaging content for people to come back to. One of the biggest mistakes a lot of businesses make is just talking about themselves on their channels all day long, which can get a bit boring for your audiences.

But what else could you talk about? This is where the content buckets come in. The content bucket method will help you to diversify your content and share information that is relevant and helpful for your audiences.

Think about what your audiences are interested in, other than your business. Write down a whole list of potential topics. Some of these will then become your content buckets.The purpose of your content buckets is to ensure your content is interesting for your audiences so they want to follow you. This framework will also help you with an abundance of ideas and bring structure into your social media approach.

Here are a few examples and must-have content buckets for your business.

Authority content – how to 

This type of content is very popular. The purpose of authority content is to share your hottest tips and knowledge in order to build your authority and credibility. This type of content will help you demonstrate your expertise and build trust with your audiences.

  •  Hairdressers: How to style your hair in five minutes or less 
  •  Interior designers: The five interior design hacks that will transform your living room
  •  Consultants: How to put together your business plan with these three simple steps.

Industry news and trends 

Industry news and trends are another essential content bucket for your business. This is where you share information and the latest news in your industry. What are the latest trends? What does the future look like? What’s happening right now that might be of interest to your audiences? This type of content is especially popular on LinkedIn.

Here are a few examples:

  •  Chiropractors: The latest innovations in biotech
  • Restaurants: Food trends of the year
  • Graphic designers: The colour of the year.

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes content is one of the most popular content buckets. People absolutely love seeing behind the scenes of a business because it shows your humanity – so make sure you keep it real. This type of content includes introducing team members, showing your audiences your workspaces, a tour through your offices and a picture of your team at team dinner or movie night.

Read More

MAD Media Launches New Digital Billboard Site in Hamilton

21 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

MAD Media has opened up a realm of opportunities to cover a market with the best reach at the best price. Providing advertising that can update content regularly, is cost-effective and worth the investment for businesses for maximum distance.

The new digital billboard at the western end of Wairere Drive is an addition to the popular Pukete site.

Digital boards allow you to bridge the gap between old and new, captivating the ‘modern’ audience. Modern marketing has changed in a world tailored to attract and engage. As a result, they are fast becoming the go-to for many businesses marketing campaigns.

MAD Media is a local business that understands the challenges many small businesses/start-ups face when navigating their advertising.

Producing advertising that is both affordable and accessible is at the forefront of their minds.

MAD Media offers the most cost-effective advertising packages available on their sites from $150 plus GST per week for over 2000 advertisements. MAD Media has designed advertising packages with the SME market in mind, curating options to suit businesses marketing needs. Advertisers can now target a total audience of 133,000 visuals per day.

This combination offers an extensive audience reach at the lowest cost across two sites. For under $400 per week and 3000 advertisements, your business can reach a broad reach across Hamilton.

MAD Media also offers the following:

  • No installation costs or swap-out charges, no hidden fees -the prices cover everything
  • No long-term contracts or agreements to sign. You can start and finish at any time.
  • An in-house design team to work with you to create a design for you at absolutely no charge.
  • You can have multiple advertisements running at once.

We make it easy. Running a business is a full-time operation, so planning your advertising can be removed from the to-do list. We are here to help and have had great success with all types of businesses who advertise with us.

We love supporting local businesses – get in touch today and let MAD Media get your
business up in lights!

Contact MAD Media today:  https://mad.nz/contact/

Discover the secret sauce to successful networking events and the experiences that money can’t buy.  

16 November 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

Networking too often feels transactional and not relational. Who wants to talk to people when they are trying to sell you something all night? This is where the key to successful and most importantly, valuable networking comes to a tipping point. It is all about the people.

Relationships build trust and from trust you build partners. ‘Givers gain’ is the principle to lead networking with. More so, you are not a salesman all night, you become a relationship to other businesses. This doesn’t only build business between the relationships but it widens the scope for referrals. People refer you when they trust your output.

Appeal to like-minded business people that you can socialise with. You need to believe and trust in people before you can refer them to people in your already established network.

When people like others, they perceive a vision of success for them. Again, ‘givers gain’. Transactional business has no pride in it.

Networking becomes infinitely more successful when personal relationships are built. You start to believe in others, you want them to be successful. This is where the magic happens.

People love talking about themselves. Relate this to “flame and wax” attitude. When people are in their flame, they are excited, they love what they do and it breeds good relationships. People in their wax take the energy away, and it shows.

When you come with a ‘sell’ mindset, it comes across shallow. Transactional events feel slimy. Be open minded, discover new areas.

People want to know who you are, don’t be afraid to tell them. Networking events become priceless when it’s a human library, not a sales pitch.

Business Connect strives to build and maintain valuable relationships. At these events, you don’t just sit around and talk. You drink wine, eat good food, you build a community of success and fun. Culture is the secret ingredient to a successful organisation.

Apart from all the fun and food, there are valuable growth opportunities that Business Connect provides. These only become more valuable as more relationships are made.

Read More

A New Form of Networking

28 October 2022
Oliver Knight
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Categories: News

The Power of Networking Through Business Connect

Business Connect is the way forward in business networking connecting with like-minded people in business and making a difference in the world.

Networking impacts your business and network, enabling you to strengthen your business connections.

Interacting with people will keep your business on track, keep up with current trends and meet prospective clients, partners, and mentors.

Benefits of Business Connect Networking:

  • Fresh Ideas
  • Raise your profile
  • Advance your career
  • Access to job opportunities.
  • Gain more knowledge.
  • Career advice and support.
  • Build confidence.
  • Gain a unique perspective.
  • Develop long-lasting personal relationships.


Networking can be daunting, so Business Connect is an excellent place to start. It will help you to broaden your interaction with a diverse range of business owners and keep an open mind.

Prepare:

  • How will you introduce yourself and your business?
  • What three key points would you like someone to know about your business?
  • Are there areas of your business that need modifying?
  • Are there opportunities to collaborate with new suppliers or other businesses?
  • Are there new customer markets you would like to explore?
  • How can you make it easy for new contacts to follow up with you after the event, e.g. business cards and product samples?


The essential part of business networking is showing up. Regularly engaging with contacts strengthen business relationships, forming trust and supporting business goals.

Business Connect meetings can help develop relationships. Being in business can be stressful, so connecting, engaging with others and sharing ideas provide opportunities to overcome obstacles for business growth.


The power of networking provides:

  • access to knowledge and resources
  • improving your skill set and
  • It helps to develop your business and build long-lasting relationships.


Networking is both satisfying and empowering. So why not join the business networking trend and set your business on the right path with Business Connect?

Phillip Quay
CEO /Founder
phillip@mediapa.co.nz
Business Connect – By Media PA
P: 0274 587 724