Farm Tech

PasturePlan

Waipuna Partnership, Donald and Alistair Polson

Location: Mangamahu, near Wanganui.

Farm size & type: 2,000 ha. Sheep and cattle finishing operation, which identifies sheep that perform well in this hill country environment. Breeding criteria include tolerance to facial eczema.

Topography: Mainly steep hill country, with river flats.

Rainfall: 1,000 mm/yr.

Climate: Typical west coast.

Soil type: n/a.

Fertiliser regime: n/a.

Stock numbers: 22,000 su — 11,000 ewes, 4,000 hoggets, 1,000 cattle.

Carrying capacity: n/a.

Plot descriptions: (a) Old, flat, (b) Old, south-facing hill.

Detailed description: n/a.

Farmer's comments: "We have not monitored pasture growth to this extent before. It is a good discipline to be able to get a feel for when the grass is growing. It helps better equate stock demand with feed supply. It's another tool that helps the process of farming effectively." (Donald Polson)

Results published: Central Districts Farmer.