Farm Tech

PasturePlan

‘Springlands’, Andrew Taylor

Location: Clinton.

Farm size & type: 1,200 ha. Mixed sheep, cattle and cropping. Plant 40 ha barley and 30 ha swedes each year.

Topography: Rolling hills to tussock.

Rainfall: 900–1,020 mm/yr.

Climate: Evenly spread rainfall.

Soil type: n/a.

Fertiliser regime: 300 kg/ha/yr sulphur potassic super.

Stock numbers: 5,000 ewes, 1,000 hoggets, 200 breeding cows and 100 rising 2-yr heifers.

Carrying capacity: n/a.

Plot descriptions: (a) New rye/clover/cocksfoot/Timothy mix, flat. (b) 12-yr rye/clover/Timothy/cocksfoot mix.

Detailed description: n/a.

Farmer's comments: "I haven't done pasture monitoring before and I'm looking forward to having a good idea of when the growth seasons are and seeing the difference in paddock production over the next three years. Instead of just an eye appraisal I will be able to do a feed budget for the place so I can feed my stock appropriately and not waste what's there."

Results published: Otago/Southland Farmer.