Grace Farm field-day focuses on profitability and sustainability

Farmers and lifestyle block owners get an opportunity this weekend to learn how soils and landforms affect the profitability and sustainability of their properties. The Auckland Regional Council (ARC), in conjunction with the Farm Forestry Association, is holding a field day at Grace Farm, north of Tihana on Saturday 21 September, starting at 10:15am.

“In the Auckland region there are over 220 different soil types, all with different responses to land management practices”, says Tony Thompson Senior Land Management Officer at ARC.

The ARC has been working with farmer, Ray Hollis, on his 105 hectare property (Grace Farm). From this work, a series of maps have been developed detailing the soil types or ‘land use capability.’ The maps will be on display as part of the field day.

ARC Environmental Management Committee Chair Brian Smith said, “In simplifying this complex soil information we hope to provide landowners with a better understanding of their different soil types, and encourage land management practices with maximum productivity while ensuring farming methods are sustainable.”

“Our research shows that steep class six and seven land, of which there is quite a bit in Rodney, can be costing farmers money to work, eating into the profits made from flatter country”, says Mr Thompson. A better option would be to investigate a change of landuse. Planting a block of trees, for example, on some land might be more cost efficient.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, bring your own lunch.

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