Irrigation doubles carrying capacity

Press, 4 March 1983, Page 24

Irrigation doubles carrying capacity

Working as a drafter, fanning a small property north of Culverden and maintaining sporting interests demands a hectic pace from Mr Tom Jordan, the president of the Amuri A. and P. Association this year. Tom spent some time as a farm manager on a property in the Scargill Valley, as well as a spell as a high-country musterer. In 1966, he came to Culverden as a drafter for the North Canterbury Farmers at Kaiapoi and remained in his job until three years ago when there was a change of shareholders in N.C.F. At this time he transferred as a drafter to the meat and general exporting firm of C. S. Stevens.

“Drafting has changed a lot in the last five years," Tom says. “The drafts are smaller, but more frequent."

Drafts have to be more selective because the requirements of overseas buyers vary, Tom says. He also owns Lyndasfarne, a 50-hectare property, about 11 kilometres north of Culverden. He runs a Poll Dorset stud of 55 ewes and has between eight and 10 hectares in crops.

Irrigation has boosted the carrying capacity by more than double — from four to nine stock units. About 20 hectares of his property are irrigated, and there is a visible difference in growth. “This year, we have been

able to cut meadow hay in January instead of November or December," Tom says. But irrigation does have some disadvantages. The rapid growth also means an influx of weeds such as Scotch thistle. Outside farming, he is an active sportsman, playing both tennis and golf. Tom

plays senior A tennis for Culverden and is a past president and club captain of the Culverden Golf Club. His wife. Barbara, is a keen tennis player and golfer. She has also served on many community organisations. The Jordans have three children — Mark (17): Anna (15) and Lisa (12).