Off-farm Activities

The last month has been busy and as a result I have not spent much time on farm. 

In late March we had our AgFirst Pastoral Conference in Rotorua (http://www.agfirst.co.nz/) followed by Farmax (http://www.farmax.co.nz/).  Great opportunities to get with other consultants to talk about what is happening out there and to sharpen up on our skills. 

The following week was spent in Auckland on a training course.  Early April, our discussion group met at a farm in Ngaroma, with the focus of seeing the Pastoral 21 trial.  This has been funded by Beef+Lamb with our levies, but has been kept fairly hidden at this stage, so was a priveledge for our group to go and see it. The site we visited is 1 of 4 around the country.  Many thanks to the guys at AgResearch and the farmer for allowing this to happen. Back ground to the project can be viewed at the following link:  http://www.agresearch.co.nz/publications/annualreport/highlights-2010-2011/Pages/pastoral-21.aspx



Tom Fraser (AgResearch) talking to the group whilst standing in trial plot of alternative species



Grant Rennie (AgResearch) talking to the group whilst standing in trial plot of different spring management and impact on summer quality

It was great to have Tom Fraser, Grant Rennie and Warren King at our disposal to talk about the work they were doing and to finally see some on-farm trial work.  The group also provided some additional suggestions ... the overall focus is growing grass and profitability on hill country, especially in critical periods, with a focus:

• on summer/autumn quality with varying management in the spring period.  This was mowing plots at different heights to see the impact. It is also about understanding the reasons for the changes (if any).
• Establishing new plant genetics into non-cultivatable land.  There were 16 different treatments, looking at spring sowing and autumn sowing. 
• We also talked about several issues to do with clover fixation, rhizobia, thistle control, impact on farm systems, pasture composition and resilience, root development etc.

The feedback from the group was positive.

On Easter Monday, the local Waimai Bush Sports was held.  This was the first year we have made it to the sports.  We took the family down, picnic lunch and was entertained by the antics in the arena.  It caters for all ages and level of horse riding, and also kids events such as the sack race.

Our neighbour going over one of the jumps

Apple race - get thrown an apple and have to drop it in a bucket at other end

Kids doing thread the needle - Part 1

 

Kids doing thread the needle - Part 2

 

Mal also had some time off farm, with a visit to ITM400 - Hamilton (http://hamilton.v8supercars.com.au/).  Unfortunately it was the last year in Hamilton.  With the excellent weather, the watching was great apparently.