Jack's Report

Field Trip #2 – Lincoln University – 18 March 2010

One of the great things they do here at LU is about five times during the semester there is a field trip day. On these days, all classes are cancelled to avoid class conflicts for students and everyone goes on a field trip. The instructors for the courses just build this into schedule. Today was the second field trip for me. Both of the field trips I have gone on are a combination of 3 classes – Animal Science 203, Farm Management 203 and Plant Science 203. A great way to get integration of topics and expertise. Today we visited a non-irrigated sheep farm near Darfield in Canterbury (Canterbury is a region/section of the South Island, I think it is a similar designation as county in the US.) – about 40 miles west and slightly north of Lincoln.

There were three buses, about 130 students and 5-6 instructors. The farmer we visited was named Peter. I did not get a handout and missed his last name, so it will be just Peter for now. I also missed the size of his property, but he runs 2100 Corridale ewes. He grew up on this farm so he knows it well and is a good farmer, it was apparent. The connection LU came a few years ago when one of the agronomists from LU, Derrick Moore (?) spoke at a field day that was hosted in Peter’s recognition for being named Corridale breeder of the year.

I’ll use a series of bullet points to give an overview of the day and Peter’s farming operation:

· Soils are light with little water holding capacity, therefore management to retain and use available moisture is key to success. We learned several things he does to accomplish this.

· Annual forage budgeting is key to balancing supply and demand. Perennial ryegrass/clover pastures make up 60% of the crops; 30% in Lucerne (that’s alfalfa for the non-British); 10% in a green feed crop like Kale or Rape for use during winter months.

· Use of brassica forage crops like kale, turnips, etc. for winter forage for both sheep and dairy cows.

· Pastures start to green up in late September – November and March are the best pasture months. June, July and August are forage deficit months. The green feed helps fill the void, and he feeds alfalfa hay and barley straw to make up the difference.

· Sub-Mediterranean clover is his choice of clover, it’s an annual, produces a hard seed, withstands hot summer sun better than white clover since the white clover has above ground stolons that are susceptible to desiccation by sun and Sub clover is deeper rooted.

· The group of students are diverse, but seem to have a pretty good grasp of production practices. Most of the Kiwi students come from farms here in NZ. About 40% are international students so they are learning how farming is done here in NZ. It is good for them.

As we rode back on the bus after the field trip, I got thinking how fortunate Robynn and I to be here. It’s a great learning experience and a chance to refresh and reflect on where I am in my career and vocation. I’ve been able to write 3-4 manuscripts thus far and revise and improve some of the things I used in classes and extension teaching. The only regret is that the time is going by so fast. Seems like we just got here.