Waikato farm a role model for riparian planting
A Waikato dairy farm which began its first riparian planting project 20 years ago now stands as an exemplar for rural land users, backed by science and clever long-term planning.
The farm stocks 570 cattle and 2086 sheep.
Layout is about 123 main paddocks and 10 holding paddocks with electric and seven-wire fencing, and post and batten fencing on the boundaries.
A five-year stocking record is available, so is a five-year history of fertiliser input for the same period.
Last financial year 132.8 tonnes of Superten/Sulphur Gain, DAP S Super, Pasturezeal G2 and urea fertiliser was spread. Over the same 2013-14 year the farm produced 141 bales of hay from its own grass and bought in 100 bales.
A wide laneway runs down the centre with side races either side. Farm water is pumped over the property from a stream to five holding tanks then gravity-fed to troughs in each paddock.
Bayleys Waikato spokesman Mike Fraser-Jones reports there are two homes on the property: a three-bedroom Lockwood type with double garaging, and a smaller three-bedroom home with a stable. Water for both is bore-fed.
Says Fraser-Jones, “Buildings include a three-stand woolshed, near new sheepyards with a curved three-way drafting race, a four-bay implement shed, hay barn, and cattleyards and pens leading into a loading facility.”
Tenders close on October 23.
