Stock water pioneer given a Grassland Trust award

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 25

Stock water pioneer given a Grassland Trust award

The Grassland Memorial Trust has announced its annual awards.

They go to two grassland farmers in the South Canterbury region, to a man who was a pioneer in the development of stock water supplies on farms, and to two scientists to assist them to travel overseas to observe research developments in their fields. The awards were announced by the chairman of the trust, Dr R. W. Brougham, at the Grassland Conference in Timaru this week.

The Trust was set up in 1964 through public subscription. Each year the Trust makes farmer awards, and travel and special awards to people who have contributed significantly to the advancement of grassland farming in New Zealand. Since 1964 it has made 125 such awards. The farming awards this year were made to Messrs A. and C. Chapman, Geraldine and Mr G. K. Swann, Waimate.

Mr Robert Wise, Oamaru, has been acknowledged for his contributions to the development of stock water supplies in the South Island, and Mr Lester Fletcher, a science technician at D.5.1.R., Lincoln and Mr M. Hare, a scientist at Palmerston North have received travel awards.

Messrs Angus and Colin Chapman farm a steep Downland farm of 535 hectares at Kakahu near Geraldine. At present the property carries approximately 4600 Drysdale ewes, 1400 hoggets, a few wethers and the necessary rams. It also carries approximately 200 cattle of different classes. Lambing percentage last

year was better than 120 per cent and the calving percentage was 96. Wool production amounted to 41,700 kg and the average lamb carcase weight wa 14.9 kg.

Mr G. K. Swann manages “Kirimini Holdings” at Morven. Total farm, area is 620 ha, and soils are light and stoney. The irrigated area is 510 ha. The property is in the developmental stages and presently carries a Coopworth, Border Cross flock of 7500 ewes and 1600 hoggets with 80 rams. Last year lambing percenta'ge was 110 and average lamb carcase weight was 14.97 kg. Wool production was 40,100 kg. In a four-year period dramatic improvements have been made in carrying capacity and productivity per stock unit, while paddock numbers have been doubled. Mr Robert Wise of Oamaru has made a unique contribution in the establishment of water schemes in rural South Island, the trust said.

With a small beginning 25 years ago in the Windsor district within the County of Waitaki where 15 separate schemes have been subsequently put in place, the concept has extended throughout the South Island under his engineering expertise and under the control of appropriate county councils.

This has revolutionised the capacity of farmers to cushion against severe drought conditions and to increase stock rates, said the trust. In these schemes Mr Wise has had responsibility for design, fostering the co-operation of ratepayers,and building up pub-

lie relations to achieve cooperative efforts for the benefit of a wide spectrum of the farming industry. A travel award enabled Mr Lester Fletcher, to travel to the United States to study current research

into fescue toxicosis. This research has relevance to animal production on endophyte infected ryegrasses in New Zealand, as a very similar fungal endophyte is involved in poor animal performance on both grasses.

Mr Michael Hare was also assisted to travel to a seeds research conference in Australia to assess developments in seed production, seed deterioration and the effects of environmental factors on seed,crop management and yield.