Mackenzie Country Progress Reviewed

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 16

Mackenzie Country Progress Reviewed

In a pamphlet which will be distributed to the public at the Mackenzie highland show next Monday, the Mackenzie branch of Federated Farmers outlines the spectacular progress which has been made in the high country in the last 10 years. “One of the contributing causes of deterioration before this was the infestation with rabbits, whose depredations had reduced the vegetation to such a degree that sheep production was seriously affected,” says the pamphlet. “Wool and lambing percentages were low and it was difficult to maintain flock numbers. Soil erosion was a serious problem and run-off from denuded and badly-depleted catchments intensified flood problems in down country farming areas. In 1948, rabbit boards were set up under the control of the Rabbit Destruction Council and the success of their operations has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. . . . Use of Aircraft “The success of operations for rabbit control would have been virtually impossible without the use of the aeroplane for poisoning because of the vast areas to be covered and the steep and rugged nature of the country. The aeroplane has also been successfully adapted as a farm implement for other purposes, and, in particular, has greatly facilitated the efficient performance of topdressing and oversowing, spraying of briar and other weeds and the packing of fencing material and rock salt. “The virtual elimination of rabbits emphasised the need for scientific information to enable the introduction of better pasture plants, especially legumes, to supplement the improved vegetation resulting from natural regeneration and reseeding. Trials with a variety of grasses and clovers and different fertilisers, carried out under varying conditions of rainfall, soil type and altitude, have already made possible the practical application of the information gained and thousands of acres have now been successfully topdressed and oversown. Both the aeroplane and machinery specially designed for this purpose have been used. Value of Sulphur

“A recent discovery of great importance has been recognition of the value of sulphur as a fertiliser in the Mackenzie Country ThiS is of particular importance in low rainfall areas, as present indications are that eventually it may be possible, through the use of this material, to establish clover without the use of machinery. Tree Planting

“Tree planting has also been carried out on an extensive scale. Steadily increasing numbers of trees have been planted yearly and it is estimated that since 1953 about 250.000 have been put in "Production figures from a representative group of Mackenzie Country properties indicate convincingly the value of the policy followed measured in terms of sheep production and carrying capacity from 1949-50 to 1956-57 In all cases there has been no increase in sheep numbers carried, but wool weights have increased from 7.71 b a head to 8.71 b and lambing percentages have increased from 70 to 82 per cent.

In addition, there has been a 34 per cent, increase in stock sales, indicating lower death rates as well as better lambing percentages.

“The improvement in the vegetation has also had other important results. Soil erosion and run-off have been greatly reduced, resulting in a reduction in flooding and siltation of natural waterways.” In keeping with this improvement and development, the pamphlet says that electricity has been introduced into the high country on a scale never attempted before anywhere else in the New Zealand back country and this work is now almost completed. One hundred and fifty miles of line have been erected, an average of 3.5 miles to a consumer. * Action on Hydatids It is also recorded that “realising the seriousness of the annual £2m loss to the farming community through hydatids as well as the menace to national health." a veterinarian has been engaged by the Mackenzie branch of Federated Farmers to organise the dosing of dogs and to advise on all aspects of their care and feeding. The disposal of offal has been given special attentioh “Results to date show what can be realised through the application of scientific knowledge and up-to-date farming methods, and also indicate that the full potential is far from being realised,” says the pamphlet, discussing the future of the high country. “This will be gradually achieved in the future, through further progress along the lines already shown to be sound, and promising so much in the best interests of the whole of New Zealand as well as the high country itself.”