Farm Tech

PasturePlan

Sisam & Sons Ltd

Location: Taneatua, Whakatane.

Farm size: 1,550 ha total.

Topography: 80 ha on the flat, balance easy hills with a few steep sidelings

Rainfall: Even.

Climate: Temperate.

Soil type: Pumice soil, which needs rain about every three weeks for optimum growth.

Fertiliser regime: Fertiliser is applied on the intensively subdivided area, with maintenance fertiliser going on the balance of the paddocks. No supplements are used, but nitrogen is flown on to cover predicted shortages.

Stock numbers: Cattle finishing operation with 2,500 cattle, 3,000 breeding ewes, 1,000 hoggets

Carrying capacity: n/a.

Plot descriptions: (a) Old rye/clover mix, flat, (b) Old rye/clover, north-facing hill.

Detailed description: The two cutting sites are on the extremes of the farm. (a) Old rye/clover mix, flat, sheltered, grazed as part of bull rotation, 1ha cells, daily shifts. (b) Old rye/clover mix, grazed with sheep and cattle, north/west facing, easy hill.

Farmer's comments: "It is important to form a base of production to budget for the future. If you don't know what's happened in the past, it is more difficult to budget and predict for the future." (Bob Prout, farm manager)

Results published: Coast and Country, middle of each month.

Local Meat & Wool Innovation contact: Sally Hobson, Cambridge, tel 07-827 3818, cell 025-924 751, sally.hobson@mwi.co.nz