8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Rukumoana Farm Dung beetle trial latest initiative by couple Grandchildren Henry and Ella inspecting the Dung Beetle colony. Ange Davidson Bordering a predator proof fence has its benefits and its downsides and fortunately the benefits outweigh the negative for Robert and Jane Brown of Rukumoana Farms near Stratford. Farming within the halo of the 230 hectare Rotokare Scenic Reserve brings reduced pests and increased birdsong but with the decrease in stoats and other predator pests, Robert says he’s seeing more rabbits. “We didn’t have rabbits in these numbers before but I’m not 100% that the predator trapping is the reason,” laughs Robert. “What we are also seeing is kiwi that have been released on blocks of bush outside Rotokare Scenic Reserve, including in a bit of bush around our river. The kiwi have done so well inside the reserve. It’s a great success.” As part of the reserve’s Halo Project, the Browns host pest traps and live cat traps on their farm along the reserve’s border to keep the feral population at bay – and if a domestic cat is caught, it can be returned to its owner. The Halo Project provides sustainable protection for overflowing native wildlife, coupled with the creation of ecological corridors to other protected areas. It currently encompasses 4500 hectares of land and works with 15 local landowners deploying 1100 pest devices. Robert and Jane have been proactive in reducing their environmental footprint and improving biodiversity in the 37 years they been farming the three properties that make up Rukumoana Farms. With two of their sons farming and another working towards joining the family enterprise, they are keen to keep trialling new initiatives to make farming more sustainable. Direct drilling crops, exploring different sheep genetics and being early adopters of farm forestry on suitable and retired steep land are just some of their successful changes on farm. Their latest initiative is releasing two colonies of dung beetle at their home block, Mangamingi Farm. “We belong to a catchment group with nine other dry stock farmers in our area and as part of our investigations, we had a workshop on dung beetles. We were impressed and released them this summer where we’re rotational grazing on a techno system. We’re just hoping they’ve survived the wet weather!” says Jane. The hairy legged dung beetle is tasked with improving pasture and water quality by increasing the root biomass in grass which improves the soils water holding capacity and prevents nutrient run off. “The beetles bury carbon and nutrient rich dung down into the soil so it’s like adding fertiliser. They can tunnel from 15cm to 45cm beneath the soil.By removing dung from the paddock there should be less intestinal worms and reduce the summer flies,” believes Robert. Dung beetles are found in every part of the world, except Antarctica. New Zealand’s native beetles have evolved to live in the bush, processing bird droppings, not in open pasture with massive amounts of livestock dung. Introduced species are not a threat as they won’t colonise the bush and don’t eat anything other than dung which they suck, rather than chew. It’s estimated that there are now over half a million dung beetles in 1200 colonies on farms throughout the country. Eleven species have been introduced as each species is active at a different time. Office 06 278 0020 Steve Roylance 021 287 5335 Peter Laurence 027 252 2174 WilliamMoynihan 027 279 7099 CLAASHarvest Centre areproud tosupport RukumoanaFarm CAMPBELL & GREEN CAMPB C O N T R A C T I N G Cultivating: Ploughing • Power harrowing • Rotary Hoeing • Discing • Roller Tiling • Ripping • Aerating • Leveling • Direct drilling • Under sowing Roller drilling • Maize planting Other Services: Slurry tanker & Pond stirrer • Hedge mulching • Vibrating roller • Tip trailers & bins • Mole ploughing • Maize Harvesting Hay & Silage : Fine chop grass • Loader wagons • Mowing • Turning • Swathing • Bale stacking • Hay round & conventional Happy to be working alongside Rukumoana Farmwith their success Proudly Supporting Rukumoana Farm South Taranaki wide Ph James Green 027 493 8484 Accurate, Timely Fertiliser Application office@heli.co.nz | www.heli.co.nz | 0800 33 66 44 When you want it, where you want it! Product placement tailored to fit in with the business operation. NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street / 06 759 0105 ELTHAM 11 Stanners St / 06 764 8305 www.schurrireland.co.nz m ow rin y ur ea f t r E p e g o id l u u e. Schurr & Ireland are proud to support Robert and Jane Brown Proud to Support Rukumoana Farm WESTOWN AGRICULTURE 06 753 6611 Chris 027 220 9007 180 Cowling Rd | New Plymouth www.westownagriculture.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=