Farm Tech

PasturePlan

‘Tungacres’, Denis and Jacky Busbridge

Location: Tomarata, Wellsford.

Farm size & type: 195 ha. Sheep breeding and dairy heifer grazing.

Topography: Rolling country.

Rainfall: 1,200 mm/yr.

Climate: Typical sub-tropical Northland climate. Tends to be summer/autumn dry. Occasionally hit by the tail end of tropical storms.

Soil type: Mahurangi clay.

Fertiliser regime: 400 kg/ha super phosphate per year. 2.5 tonne/ha lime every four years.

Stock numbers: 1,000 ewes, 320 replacement hoggets, 12 rams, 135 dairy heifers. Al breeding ewes go to a Romney ram. Graze heifers all year round, and around 35 calves Nov–June.

Carrying capacity: 10.5 su/ha.

Plot descriptions: (a) Old ryegrass, flat to rolling, north. (b) Old ryegrass, flat, south.

Detailed description: (a) Rye/clover, 50-yrs, flat to rolling, north, end of paddock, grazes sheep. (b) Kikuyu/rye/clover, 75-yrs, semi-flat, south, middle of paddock, grazes beef.

Farmer's comments: The Busbridges say they are looking forward to being part of the monitoring programme.

"It's good to get an idea of how much grass you are growing and then look at ways of growing more in the future." (Denis Busbridge.)

Results published: Northern Advocate.

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