Planned Development of a Manawatu Hill Country Farm

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 99, Issue 5, 16 November 1959, Page 402

Planned Development of a Manawatu Hill Country Farm

By

J. A. GRAHAM,

Instructor in Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Palmerston North

TO get first-hand information on the costs and results of the I planned development of various types of difficult and deteriorated hill country, a number of hill country improvement projects have been initiated by the Department during the past 10 years with the cooperation of selected farmers in several districts. The first of these projects was the improvement of a small but typical hill country property near Palmerston North on the greywacke foothills of the western slopes of the Tararua Range. This article is an interim review of the development programme for the first eight years, during which the carrying capacity has been doubled. Though the initial development expenditure has been completed, the full effects of the programme have not yet been realised, as the pastures continue to improve as a result of the heavier stocking and improved stock management.

THE property, which is freehold, is farmed by Mr W. L. Elliott and is about 8J miles from Palmerston North near the city’s water supply dam at Tiritea. It consists of 512 acres and is divided by a road into two blocks, south-west 292 J acres and north-west 219| acres. There is practically no scrub or gorse, but about 13| acres is in native bush and the effective grazing area is just under 500 acres. The country is rolling to steep and is typical of thousands of acres of foothill country along both sides of the Rimutaka, Tararua, and Ruahine Ranges. Some of the flatter tops and gentler slopes could be cultivated, but owing to the numerous steep gullies and the situation of fences, there are no large areas suitable for the growing of forage crops. The height above sea level ranges from 600 to 1,500 ft and areas with westerly and northerly aspects are very exposed to the prevailing winds. Even in summer when the weather is calm and hot on the plains conditions on the exposed tops and faces are often windy and decidedly cool. The rainfall of 45 to 50 in. per annum is fairly well spread, with frequent summer showers, but the effect of these is often nullified by the persistent drying winds. Consequently the soil, especially, on the exposed faces, is frequently dry for long periods in summer and autumn. The main soil types are Makara and Ruahine silt loams, both of which respond to phosphate, lime, and molybdenum. It is probable that on the exposed faces, where stock graze but do not camp, there is a deficiency of potash.

Property before improvement Before the start of the improvement programme the property was divided into six main paddocks ranging from 57 to 125 acres. Much of the internal fencing was, and some still is, in poor condition, but the boundary fences were in reasonably good order. The pastures lacked vigour and comprised mainly danthonia, browntop, and sweet vernal, with some suckling clover, but were devoid of white and subterranean clovers, except on patches of higher fertility such as stock camps and sheep tracks. Stocking was about one ewe plus replacements per acre and 55 cattle. Though the pastures were poor, the farm was understocked, and with the paddocks as large as they were, heavy stocking per acre could not be achieved. Patch grazing was therefore inevitable, with the stock concentrating on the more, fertile areas and tending to neglect the steeper faces, especially when feed was plentiful. Consequently many of the faces were generally covered with rank grass of poor feeding quality throughout most of the year. Apart from 6 tons of superphosphate and some clover seed applied to an experimental area in 1948, no topdressing or oversowing had been done. The house, shearing shed, and sheep yards . were old and, in keeping with the farm as a whole, were generally in poor condition. Development Programme

The farm was (and still is) operated as a one-man unit and, like many other hill country farms at that time, was making little or no headway, owing to lack of finance and unavailability of labour for hand topdressing. Aerial

topdressing was then only in the experimental stage. In 1948 the farmer, seeking to increase production and so improve the living standard of himself and dependants, sought advice from the local officer of the Department of Agriculture.. As a result the Department initially carried out some large-scale topdressing and clover-oversowing trials on the property, but later it was decided that the whole farm should be used as a development project for demonstration purposes. In 1949 the Department entered into an agreement with the farmer and a programme of planned development began in autumn 1950. Broadly the programme was as follows: The Department agreed to provide the seed for one oversowing and the fertiliser ' for two initial topdressings of the whole farm. Blocks of the farm were to be treated in sequence over six years. The initial topdressings were to be followed by maintenance dressings of one third of the farm each year by the farmer. A scheme of mob stocking and rotational grazing was to be introduced, and to carry out the grazing management required it was decided to subdivide the property into 12 main paddocks; this was later extended to 15. The Department was to supply fencing materials and meet erection costs, such fencing to be bought later by the farmer at cost. Stock numbers were to be increased at the rate required to make the fullest

use of improvements in the pastures and this was expected to call for an average annual increase of about 80 to 90 ewes. It was estimated that the property would carry approximately 500 additional ewes plus replacements by the sixth year and; ultimately the carrying capacity should improve to about 2J ewes per acre plus replacements. . For various reasons, such as an initial lack of a handy airstrip and unavailability of labour for hand topdressing and fencing, the annual programme could not always be adhered to. Nevertheless, though progress was slow, especially in the first two or three years, the total development envisaged was completed within the stipulated time. Topdressing and Oversowing One hundred and sixty-one tons of phosphatic fertilisers and 20 tons of lime have been applied. Initially either straight superphosphate or serpentine superphosphate was used, but trials carried out on the farm showed that molybdenum gave worthwhile if not spectacular results and since 1954 only molybdenised superphosphate has been applied. Trials also demonstrated the value of lime applied at a low rate per acre and

though the only block treated with lime improved as a result, lack of finance has so far prevented greater use of lime. At first both subterranean and white clovers were oversown, but the results from the former did not appear to justify the expenditure and its use was discontinued after the second year of development. (It is not suggested, however, that other kinds of clovers should not be used on hill country where results warrant their inclusion.) Before 1954 all the fertilisers and clovers were hand sown, but since then the construction of a nearby airstrip and the improved financial position have permitted the use of aircraft.

Generally, the results of the oversowings with clovers were variable. On the more fertile, closely grazed areas they were satisfactory, but on the steeper faces establishment was not always good, because of rank grass growth, low fertility, and dry soil, Better results would perhaps have been achieved from early spring oversowing, as winter grazing, by cattle would have removed much of the rough growth and soil moisture would have been more favourable. Certainly other farmers in the Manawatu under

similar circumstances have had excellent results from topdressing and oversowing in early spring. The use of molybdenised superphosphate would also probably have improved some of the earlier sowings, for there has undoubtedly been an improvement in establishment where it has been used.

Pasture Management and Subdivision Pasture management and production have improved in relation to the increase in subdivision, topdressing, and stock numbers. Initially, owing to the small number and large size of paddocks, it was difficult even with mob stocking to clean up the rough, unpalatable herbage on the steep faces with sheep because of the relatively low concentration of stock. Some of the paddocks were then well over 100 acres and with less than 500 ewes on the farm the greatest possible concentration was sometimes less than 5 ewes per acre. Now, with the paddocks averaging just over 30 acres and more than 1,000 ewes available, paddocks can be. stocked at 30 ewes per acre.' As subdivision and stock numbers increased pasture utilisation improved, but a few areas still need closer grazing to allow clovers to come away. Cattle grazing, particularly in winter, and heavy concentrations of sheep in summer and early autumn have, however, been very effective in bringing rank growth under control. Once this is done and the clovers are given an opportunity to grow, palatability and fertility. improve and it is then relatively easy to keep pastures in good order. Improvement in the pastures has been gradual rather than spectacular and even now they are still very poor in parts, particularly on the exposed faces. Light reseedings with clovers have been necessary in some places, but the spelling of paddocks in early summer to allow the clovers to reseed has resulted in a marked improvement in the clover content of several of the pastures. With an intensification of phosphate topdressing and periodical use of lime and molybdenum further marked improvements can be expected. Because of the high cost of posts and battens, lack of fencing timber on the farm, the rocky nature of the soil in places, and the need to manhandle materials for considerable distances owing to the steepness of the country, it was decided to use Huntertype fencing instead of the more costly orthodox post and batten type. Apart from some rusting of the chains, due to poor galvanising, this type of fence has proved very satisfactory. Stock and Grazing Management v Paddocks are rotationally grazed for most of the year, including the lambing period, but the system has always been flexible. Frequency of stock shifts has been governed largely by such factors as the time of the year, the number of sheep in relation to the

quantity and quality of feed available, the class of stock (ewes and lambs, hoggets or dry sheep), and whether feed was being conserved for later use. The needs of both stock and pastures have to be taken into consideration in any system of good management, and modifications as a result of experience have been made to meet the various requirements of both. The general practices being applied on the farm at present are broadly as follows: Throughout winter all the ewes are run in one mob and are shifted frequently, often daily, to a fresh paddock, with the hoggets grazing the same paddocks a few days ahead of them. The aim here is to graze the pastures leniently so that they will recover rapidly. During lambing the ewes are shifted daily, the ewes with lambs being left behind. Every few days the ewes with lambs are shifted forward and grouped in one paddock and by the end of lambing most of the paddocks are filled up with the requisite number of ewes and lambs. From then on set stocking or alternate grazing of two paddocks is practised until shearing, when mobbing up begins again. Shearing usually starts in late November and as the farmer does the job himself, it is very convenient to have the sheep in relatively small mobs. From the start of lambing right through to weaning, when they join the main mob of ewes, the hoggets are set stocked in one paddock or graze two paddocks in a part of the farm where they will not interfere with the normal rotation of the ewes. After lambing the dry ewes are grazedwith the hoggets. The gradual mobbing up of ewes and lambs as shearing progresses coincides

with an improvement in pasture growth, and during December one or two paddocks are closed to grazing for the dual purpose of allowing the clovers to reseed and to provide a mature type of feed for lambs when they are weaned in January. After weaning all the ewes, including the 2-tooths, are run as one mob and are again rotationally grazed right through to lambing. During summer and autumn the mob is sometimes confined to paddocks for several days to clean up rank growth. This allows the spelling of other pasture and mature feed to accumulate for the hoggets and also conserves feed for flushing or for winter feed for the ewes. The cattle are shifted round as required to clean up any rough feed left, by the sheep. As water supplies and tracks are adequate and there is very little gorse and manuka, development of the farm has been fairly straightforward. Lack of finance has been the main limiting factor. A farm of this type and size can be managed efficiently by one man with the employment of labour for shearing and the construction of new fences. Shepherding and maintenance of fences are the main duties, but with a system of mob stocking and rotational grazing the time spent on shepherding is kept to a minimum and this leaves the farmer free to spend some time on improvement work such as fencing. On an all-grass farm such as this there is no need for elaborate equipment; in fact, apart from a hack and dogs, the main requirement is a suitable vehicle to cart out fencing materials. An old crawler-type tractor and sledge have been used for this, but because no cultivation is done, little use is made of the tractor and

a light 4-wheel-drive truck would probably be more suitable, as it could be used for other purposes. Results The practices applied have worked fairly well so far and results have generally been good, but further improvements can still be effected. There is sometimes a fairly acute shortage of good feed before and after lambing and if stock numbers are to be increased, greater provision will have to be made for this period. Greater restriction of grazing, after tupping to conserve feed for later use is perhaps the logical solution, but the growing of an area of winter crop may have to be considered. However, this would entail a fairly considerable outlay on implements and might not be economical, and, in any case, there is a fairly limited amount of cultivable land. Feed is often short on most hill farms in early spring, but early growth is closely related to fertility and as it improves on this farm so will the supply of feed. However, despite periodic shortages of feed the lambs are generally fairly good. Not only do the best wether lambs usually make top prices at the local sheep fair, but the percentage of tops continues to increase each year. With the provision of good, mature feed hogget illthrift has not occurred and, with the exception of one year when the hoggets were not drenched for parasites, losses have been extremely low. The increase in sheep numbers, though slow at first, has been faster in recent years and the expected increase ultimately eventuated. Because of the need for increased numbers of sheep it has been necessary to

retain some of the older ewes for an extra year and to keep all of the ewe lambs that could be expected to survive the winter. Consequently no attempt has been made so far to select breeding stock on a quality basis, and as might be expected under the circumstances there has been a resultant decrease in the average fleece weight. Breeding Cows A herd of black polled breeding cows is run, mainly for pasture control. Numbers have been increased only slightly, as the need for cattle has decreased as the pastures have improved, but it would probably have been advisable to have used more cattle to clean up roughage in the early stages of development. The general policy has been to sell yearling steers and aged cows in spring and to keep all of the heifers for breeding, but sometimes heifers have been sold to regulate the size of the herd. The increases in carrying capacity and wool weights are set out as follows.

CARRYING CAPACITY AND WOOL WEIGHTS 1950 1954 1958 Sheep Ewe hoggets .. 143 184 326 Ewes .. .. 497 680 1,012 Wether hoggets .. 11 12 6 Mixed age wethers 12 7 20 Rams .. ..20 14 30 683 897 1,394 lb lb lb Wool weight .. 6,674 8,035 11,700 Cattle Breeding cows .. 23 25 30 Heifers under 1 year ....... .. 5 8 12 ■ Heifers 1 to 3 years .. .. 8 13 10 - Steers under 1 year 14 9 13 Steers over 1 year 3 8 1 Bulls .. 1 1 1 Dairy cows .. 2 3 2 56 67 69 COST OF DEVELOPMENT £ s. d. Fertiliser: 161 tons of superphosphate, 20 tons of lime, cartage and spreading .. 2,558 18 4 Clover seed: 825 lb of white clover, 490 lb of subterranean clover, 50 lb of Lotus uliffinosus .. .. .. 331 11 3 Fencing: Materials, cartage and erection .. .. .. 1,149 10 0 Total cost .... .. .. .. 4,039 19 7 An analysis of these figures shows that the total improvement cost per acre was £7 17s. 9d. Wool weight increased from 13 lb per acre in 1950 to 22.9 lb in 1958 and ewe equivalents

per acre from 1.8 to 3.2. Altogether about 6.2 cwt of superphosphate was applied per acre, or about 4| cwt for each ewe equivalent increase. The length of new fencing was 171.2 chains and the cost per mile was about £530 or £6 12s. 6d. per chain. Clover seed used averaged 2.6 lb per acre, costing 12s. lid. Conclusions Though the original programme has in the main been adhered to, slight variations had to be made to meet particular circumstances, and no matter how well planned a programme might be, mistakes are bound to be made and unforeseen problems arise. Perhaps the most serious mistake made on this farm was in developing the higher, harder, and more exposed south-west' block first instead of the easier, more fertile north-east block. It is now an axiom in hill country improvement to develop the better land first; to endeavour at the start to raise the level of the poorer country to that of the better areas is unsound. Undoubtedly the better land should be made to produce at a higher level before an attempt is made to increase production on poor, back areas. Phosphate is the essential fertiliser on the hill country and 2 cwt per acre dressings applied to the farm . were probably . inadequate, especially the

initial dressings, when clovers were being oversown. A dressing of at least 3 cwt per acre would have been advisable to establish high-producing clover on low-fertility areas, and regular applications for two or three years afterward should have followed. However, as, initially anyway, subdivision, fertiliser supplies, finance, and means of applying fertiliser were all limited, it is probable that the topdressing

policy was correct under the circumstances. Adequate Stocking a Problem One of the greatest problems with hill country improvement is undoubtedly that of providing the additional stock necessary to effect financial and physical improvements. Usually where carrying capacity is low income is correspondingly so and it is often

difficult to finance development from revenue, especially in the early stages. On farms where this applies it may be possible to obtain finance through the Marginal Lands Board to pay for subdivision, water supplies, track construction, and the initial topdressings and oversowings.

This would enable the farmer to retain the maximum number of lambs to build up his flock. This has a snowballing effect and after a few years the additional income obtained can be used to effect further improvements and, repay any loan money. Further, with more stock being carried, not only is the fertility of the land being built up, but replacement stock can be selected on a quality basis. Consequently more and higher quality wool can be clipped and better lambing percentages can be expected. The improvement of hill country pastures is closely related to grazing management. In addition to regular topdressing and oversowing controlled grazing can result in a substantial increase in Overall production on most hill country farms. In far too many instances, as on this farm, the full benefit from the topdressing done is not yet being obtained, nor is the increased pasture growth being fully utilised, through understocking and lack of adequate subdivision. The key to better grazing management is undoubtedly adequate subdivision, but because of the high cost of fencing this is usually a long-term project on most properties. However, it is always a wise first step to draw a plan of the farm and site the fences in relation to water supplies, tracks, sunny faces, and dark faces, or, where practicable, to separate the flatfish tops from the steeper faces. Adequate subdivision permits intensive or rotational grazing and stock can be fed according to their age and needs throughout the year. It is not suggested that this farm should be used as a model, for many hill country farmers have had far more spectacular increases in production, but the results have illustrated that careful attention to long-range planning will usually yield worthwhile dividends. Long-range Plan Any hill country improvement programme should be based on a longrange plan to embrace the building up of fertility and carrying capacity through regular topdressing with the correct fertilisers, oversowing with the right kind of clovers, stocking, to the limit, and better subdivision to enable systematic and controlled grazing to be carried out. Where initial development cannot be financed entirely out of income, consideration should be given to borrowing to assist with this early work. Map on page 402 by Department of Education.