Beef + Lamb New Zealand is holding a field day at Flock Hill Station, on State Highway 73 near Arthurs Pass, on May 3.
''Flock Hill is an iconic high country station that people drive past on the way to the West Coast, but few people have an opportunity to have a look at the farm operations and the extensive development work that has been undertaken in recent years,'' field day facilitator Dr Tom Fraser said.
He said the day's highlight would be a farm tour to look at some of the development and stock work.
The station was located in a harsh environment that made sustainable farming particularly challenging, so it was a good opportunity to see the range of types of country and the different management systems in place.
Dr Fraser said wilding pine control, pest control and the farm's lucerne grass forage systems would be discussed.
Merinos were farmed at the station and the New Zealand Merino Company would be present to discuss the success of merino wool.
Environment Canterbury would discuss water quality and nutrient-loss obligations for high country farmers, and biosecurity challenges would also be discussed.
The May 3 field day begins at 1pm and finishes with a barbecue at 5pm. Registration is not required. For more information, contact Tom Fraser on 021 122-0356 or email fraserpastoral@xtra.co.nz
-By David Hill
