40 | Rangitikei: Waitatapia Station The right solutions with good science T Karen Phelps The Massey Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre (FLRC) led trial is primarily funded by local farmers, including the Dalrymples’ at Waitatapia Station. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waitatapia Station on the West Coast is involved in a couple of trials that are providing some interesting results and could influence how farmers manage nutrient losses on their farms. Being undertaken in conjunction with Massey University scientists, the trials explore cost-effective technologies to limit nitrogen losses from farms with controlled drainage. The Massey Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre (FLRC) led, Innovative Drainage Management Technologies is now in its third year and on the Dalrymple farm involves a bioreactor that diverts low flow drain water. It is located in a pit with wood chip in the bottom to filter the water. Hew says the aim is to discover cost effective and practical solutions that work and data gathered so far has proved the method has been incredibly effective at reducing nutrient loss to almost nil from the trial area. The wood chip can also be spread back on the farm to make use of the nutrients. As the trial runs to its conclusion the Dalrymples will consider rolling out the technology on more of their farm. The other trial on their farm has involved piezoelectric tubes that collect ground water the width and length of the trial paddocks and measure nutrients at different depths. Measurements collected from around feed pad areas have been particularly interesting indicating very little nutrient loss. This trial has primarily been funded by local farmers, including the Dalrymples, because Hew says they saw the need for scientific information to provide farmers with clear direction. “A lot of decisions are getting made on perception and poor science. Farmers also need to understand what is happening on their farms better. It’s about working together for industry good and then taking responsibility for the findings of studies like these.” Hew admits that it is a risk and one many farmers are not willing to take but is adamant it is the only way forward. “It’s about better information. If we understand what is happening with good science then we can find the right solutions. On Waitatapia Station we like to think we are super proactive. Occasionally we might get a result from these scientific trials we don’t like but there is always a solution and a way to achieve a good outcome. We’re not scared of good science; we’re more scared of incorrect perceptions dictating the way farmers farm. Let’s front up and get action in terms of being ahead of the game. Historically farmers have been a little bit reactive.” The brothers have always embraced technology and science in their farming operation and been strong supporters and practitioners of sustainable and environmental farming. The 1500ha farm is located ten kilometres south west of Bulls and encompasses sheep, beef and cropping. The brother use global positioning systems on machinery to help reduce fuel usage and overlapping when cultivating and spraying, modern cultivation and seeding equipment, state of the art irrigation and fencing methods. The wetlands have been fenced off enhancing water quality with some re-planted and preserved for future generations. The brothers are past winners of the NZ Farming Environmental Award and have been used often as judges in the competition. Other environmentally friendly practices include using large quantities of chicken manure and other fertilisers and the usage of direct drilling and minimum tillage methods for planting. Large areas of the irrigated paddocks have soil moisture probes buried in them, which has the benefit of irrigation occurring only when required. Hew says that Waitatapia focuses on reducing soil compaction along with its strategically placed drains used to prevent water logged soils. The irrigation provides water on the warm soils enhancing a perfect environment for crop and grass growth. This significantly reduces nutrient loss through the soils with all year-round active roots feeding the above ground foliage. The large areas of trees planted on the farms totalling 36 individual woodlots act as shelterbelts for stock and have the effect of reducing wind erosion. The trees significantly contribute to carbon sequestration for the environment. The brothers also own two other blocks of land close to Waitatapia Station. Last season they traded 25,000 lambs and 1500 head of steer across the farms. The brothers focus on getting stock onto the farm then quickly out the gate to the works. They buy in lambs and hold them for just three to six weeks. Eighteen-month steers are brought in before winter and killed between October and April. Cropping is also a big part of their farming business. This year they have just over 650 hectares of cropping across two of the farms. To further maximise land usage there is around 357 hectares of forestry on the properties, which keeps the brothers’ logging business Waipine Logging, which specialises in clear felling of woodlots and larger forests, busy. They also graze livestock, undertake land development work on contract and are equity partners in GD Harvesting Limited, which undertakes harvesting of cereal crops in the Manawatu-Rangitikei. Financial success is more than just keeping your books in order; That’s why we go far beyond book keeping. ; ’ . Proudly supporting Waitatapia Station 06 357 5793 | office@lpw.co.nz | www.lpw.co.nz Bedding Plants Proudly supplying Waitatapia Station with quality vegetable seedlings. l l i i i i i li l li . 06 357 6219 www.perssonsnurseries.co.nz Potted Colour Potted Veges Cell Plant Production We are proud to support the team at Waitatapia Station Project
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