MODEL SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25386, 18 November 1943, Page 4

MODEL SCHEME

IRRIGATION IN MANIOTOTO A STRIKING EXAMPLE Following the conference in Dunedin recently of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand, a party of visiting delegates inspected the irrigation scheme on Messrs Weir Brothers’ property at Gimmerburn, in the Maniototo district. This scheme is regarded as the outstanding example of irrigation in the district in view of the considerable amount of water which is pumped for a distance of about two miles from the Taieri River, irrigating an area of about 1200 acres. The farm covers about 4000 acres, and particulars of the development of its carrying capacity have been obtained by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce as a part of its investigation and publicity programme relating to the Maniototo irrigation scheme. In 1934, before irrigation was undertaken, the carrying capacity and production of the property was 3000 sheep, which produced 29,9761 bof lamb. The owners of the property were then able to obtain water from the Public Works Department, and with the creek water this amounted to approximately 400 heads of water which, by 1941, had raised the production to 55,2811 bof wool and 126,0261 bof fat lamb, the average weight being 38.181 b. This great increase was undoubtedly due to the 400 heads of water, but a further 400 heads would not give a corresponding increase, since the first 400 heads provides drinking water over large areas of land which otherwise could not be used for long periods during the dry season. The Maniototo district has a very low rainfall, averaging 17 inches per annum. An outstanding example of what can be done with water is afforded by a particular block of 500 acres which was considered one of the poorest sections of land in the district. It carried 250 sheep, which produced 61b of wool per head and 60 per cent, of lambs. These lambs had to be fattened elsewhere. One hundred acres of this land was ploughed, sown in grass, irrigated and top-dressed, and this area now carries for most of the year three ewes to the acre and 110 per cent, .of lambs, which are fattened on the property.