| 19 Soil resilience tested after the floods Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Hugh Ritchie CHOTE BROS Ltd Bulk and General Transport Fertiliser - Airstrip Delivery Hay and Baleage Grain and Seed Metal Supply and Cartage Wool General Farm Cartage - Machinery Timber etc For a complete bulk and general transport service with great pricing and service. Contact William Chote 027 448 2014 chotebros@yahoo.com Anyone gazing at Hugh and Sharon Ritchie’s Hawkes Bay farm would think that it was business as usual after the flooding caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Despite the macro appearance, where crops seemed to have been planted seamlessly across the farm, the micro-level intricacies revealed a longer path to recovery. “From a macro perspective, you probably wouldn’t tell too much had happened. From a micro level, it’s different and will be a longer fix,” says Hugh. Spanning over 2000 hectares across two units, Drumpeel Farms’ long-term emphasis on strip tillage and direct drilling played a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of the rapid river flow that swept through the property. While the water did cause some soil loss, the technique helped stabilise the soil. While the rapid flow stripped things away when the water settled it deposited silt. Rather than removing the silt Hugh and Sharon chose to incorporate the deposited silt into the existing soil and have focused on rebuilding the organic matter. While this approach yielded positive results, especially for larger crops, fine seed beds like carrots faced quality issues due to the silt’s clod-like nature, which resulted in forked carrots as the crop tried to grow through denser soil. Dealing with craters created by the floods presented other unique challenge. The sandy material washed out lacked structure and organic matter, limiting its ability to hold moisture and nutrients. This impacted crop establishment and response, prompting a reconsideration of farming practices. The Ritchies plan to increase organic matter in affected areas by incorporating pea vine from pea crops back into the soil instead of selling it as pea straw as they would normally do. Hugh estimates a 5-10 year timeline to restore the soil to its pre-flood resilience. “This period may also necessitate adjustments to the types of crops grown. The need to creatively and differently approach farming becomes paramount in ensuring sustained success,” he says. But the silver lining could be increased knowledge preparing farmers better for the future as the floods might have served as a catalyst for awareness, pushing farmers towards sustainable and soil-friendly practices. The recent surge in fuel prices has likewise prompted a rethink in tillage practices, thinks Hugh, with a growing awareness among farmers about the critical importance of prioritizing soil health. Drumpeel Farms is involved in soil trials monitoring different damaged areas and the Ritchie’s solution to give knowledge and learnings going forward. Recently crowned the Arable Farmer of the Year for 2023 Hugh’s journey towards sustainable farming is not a recent development. For over two decades, he has championed reduced tillage, drawing from practices learned during his Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2000. Transitioning to strip tillage and direct drilling, Hugh embraces a holistic approach to farming where soil health takes precedence. This not only led to environmental benefits but also made economic sense, reducing fuel consumption and promoting sustainability. Livestock integration into Drumpeel Farms has further diversified income streams, providing stability and profitability, particularly in the face of unforeseen challenges like Cyclone Gabrielle.
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