Waitaki River Catchment Stock Potential

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 10

Waitaki River Catchment Stock Potential

Experiments and the results achieved by some farmers showed that the Waitaki river catchment could carry six million stock units in place of the present 830,000. Mr D. G. Reynolds, farm advisory officer of the Department of Agriculture at Fairlie, made this statement in a paper presented to the biennial refresher course conducted by the Association of Soil Conservators at Lake Ohau recently. •

Use and conservation of the resources of the catchment was the theme of the conference.

There had been a complete swing from pessimism to optimism so far as primary production had been concerned in the last 12 years, Mr Reynolds said. Stock numbers had risen from 750,000 to 830,000 since 1956 and there were probably now 35,000 cattle among these. Although stock numbers had risen only slightly, production had increased considerably. Lambing percentages had risen, death rates were lower and animal performance in terms of meat and wool had risen by at least 10 per cent in the last decade.

Speaking of the catchment’s potential, Mr Reynolds said

that the present ceiling was about six million units. Using purely theoretical concepts of soil and moisture, this ceiling could probably be raised to nine million which was. after all, only 4.5 sheep to the acre.

The limiting factor was the ability to breed additional stock. This meant that an absolute increase of not more than 25 to 30 per cent was possible. By the time the considerations of culling and immediate income requirements were satisfied, this would be reduced by half to 12 per cent. The physical limitations of management would lower this figure to a 7 per cent stock increase a year.

Judging by the present state of primary production it was unlikely that such increases would start for at least another five years. If this was so. then 1.7 million stock units could be expected by 1980-85 and 3.3 million by the end of the century. Development at present cost about £lO a stock unit for both farm and run improvement. Using that figure, £23 million would be required. That represented less than 10s an acre in the first year of development, ris-

ing to just under 40s an acre in the peak year. A gradual inflow of labour, probably at the rate of one unit to 1500 stock units, would be necessary. Production was already suffering from the lack of labour offering. A much higher standard of management would be required. The present technique of farcing the hopeless farmer into economic insolvency was just not good enough if sustained development was to occur.

“I suggest we are not ensuring that there are enough well qualified young men coming into the industry. The level of education of many farmers’ sons is not reassuring,” Mr Reynolds said.

Present sheep breeds were not entirely satisfactory. A much more versatile breed was needed for this variable environment. The ability to withstand sharp fluctuations in feed supply and in the type of feed would be important.

There would be movement of stock within the area and the breed should be capable of management at both high and low production levels. Any development in. this direction must produce an

animal which was acceptable in the more coastal regions for fat lamb production. A likely foundation was a medium fine halfbred crossed with the Border Leicester.

The present usage of 10,000 tons of fertiliser was only 5 per cent of what would be required in 2000 A.D. Research was also needed into what changes in fertiliser use were likely under sustained higher stocking. It must be appreciated that agriculture must have full use, provided it was economic, of water resources in the catchment. By the turn of the century irrigation would be needed on at least 20 per cent of the possible area.

Stock water reticulation would be necessary before irrigation and this must be based on the upper limit of potential carrying capacity. With prolonged dry periods so common, a sound water supply was essential. By the year 2000 all Class VII land must be fully used and 50 per cent of Class VIII should be used or about to be used. Methods of fodder conservation would have to be refined considerably in terms of cost, labour requirement and food value. Under higher production,

the effects of climatic extremes were likely to be intensified and effective fodder conservation would be the key to high carrying capacity. The selection of pasture plants capable of effective use where grown at different heights in different seasons must also be considered as a means of fodder conservation.

The production targets outlined could be realised, but income levels would have to be maintained if the capital stimulus was to be provided. Farmers, soil conservators, pastoral lands officers and farm advisory officers would have to be very much more outspoken if these increases were to be achieved.