Farm Tech

PasturePlan

‘Galabank Farm’, Geoff and Katie Stark,

Location: Waikoikoi, near Gore.

Farm size & type: 323 ha. Predominantly a sheep breeding and finishing, with some beef cattle finishing.

Topography: Flat to rolling.

Rainfall: 900 mm/yr.

Climate: n/a.

Soil type: n/a.

Fertiliser regime: Phosphate levels are in the mid-twenties and the pH is approximately 6. 300 to 375 kg/ha of serpentine super applied each year.

Stock numbers: 3,700 ewes, 1,000 hoggets and summer graze 50 cattle bought in spring and sold the following autumn.

Carrying capacity: n/a.

Plot descriptions: (a) 2-yr ryegrass. (b) 25-yr ryegrass.

Detailed description: n/a.

Farmer's comments: "Our property is also a monitor farm for the area and we see PasturePlan as a valuable extension to improving the farm's performance. Recording how much grass is growing and seeing the variations between the different ages of grasses is beneficial." (Geoff Stark)

Results published: Otago/Southland Farmer.

Local Meat & Wool Innovation contact: Aaron Meikle, tel 03-203 9071, cell 025-846 377, aaron.meikle@mwi.co.nz