Moving from dryland to irrigated farming will be the focus of a field day at Hororata next week.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand will be hosting a field day at Shelterdale farm in Rockwood Rd, Hororata on Tuesday, February 27, from 1.30pm discussing the challenges of converting from a dryland operation to using irrigation.
''Many properties in the Hororata area are part of stage 2 of the Central Plains Water [CPW] irrigation scheme and are at various stages of changing their farm systems,'' field day facilitator Dr Tom Fraser said.
''This will be a great opportunity to see first-hand some of the potential and the challenges of converting dryland to irrigation and how these major management changes impact on the day-to-day management.
''Farmers in central Canterbury have made, or are in the process of making, massive investment in infrastructure to convert to irrigation, so there will be discussion on what are some of the farming options available to make a financial return on this investment.''
Dr Fraser said animal nutrition expert Dr Charlotte Westwood would be discussing management options to maximise ewe conception, and other animal nutrition topics relevant at this time of the year.
''Charlotte has a wealth of experience and talks farmer language, so attendees will go home with some good practical messages.''
Transition requirements for sheep on fodder beet would also be discussed as farmers finalised their preparations for winter.
There will be a farm tour of winter fodder beet, kale and swede crops as part of the afternoon, allowing farmers to see the difference between the irrigated and dryland crops, and pasture options for both dryland and irrigated areas will be covered.
Representatives from CPW and Environment Canterbury will provide an update on district plan requirements and answer any questions or concerns farmers may have about the intensification of their farming operations.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's central Canterbury field day will be held at Shelterdale, 1207 Rockwood Rd, Hororata, from 1.30pm, followed by a barbecue at about 5pm. Registration is not required. For more information, contact Tom Fraser on
021-122-0356 or email fraserpastoral@xtra.co.nz.
-By David Hill
