This is a farmer-led project which aims to help farmers and landowners to integrate poplar and willow trees into livestock farm systems for multiple uses, namely:
The project is funded for three years, mainly by by MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund, with additional funding support from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Massey University, and Meat and Wool New Zealand.
The project team comprises farmers and regional council land managers in the lower North and South Islands, with technical support from Massey University, Crown Research Institutes, and consultants.
Poplars and willows are an integral part of many rural landscapes, ranging from hill country (used mainly for soil conservation) to gently undulating land (shelter, shade, riverbank protection). Many old trees have become too big to manage effectively and this will become an increasing problem as they age.
It is vital to determine what to do with these trees - we need to develop robust guidelines on optimum tree management and future planting patterns. Regular tree pruning will prevent potential hazards to farmers, livestock, fences and buildings. These trees can provide supplementary fodder during summer drought, poles and timber for on-farm use, and can increase understorey pasture production. At the same time however, pruning management must not unduly compromise the effectiveness of the trees for soil conservation.
| |
|
An option for sheep/beef farms with boggy areas is to establish tree-pasture systems (browse blocks), which have dual roles of increasing feed supply and environmental enhancement through nutrient and water management. On intensive dairy farms where effluent management is an increasing issue, alternatives to the commonly used method of spray irrigation of effluent on to pasture are needed. Tree-pasture systems offer potential environmental benefits and can supply supplementary fodder (by browsing and/or cut and carry) on smaller land areas.
This project will:
We will conduct demonstration trials that include existing trees of various ages, and established browse and pollard blocks on farms, and new plantings. We will communicate our findings here and through a regular newsletter PWNews, by articles in farming magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, and field days.
The project's newsletter is distributed to project participants and other interested parties. PWNews will be produced every six months and is freely available.
This project is a sequel to two recently completed projects, one on fodder from trees, principally poplar and willow, and the other on managing fresh dairy shed effluent using coppiced poplar and willow. Summaries of these in PDF format are available below.
| Fodder Tree Project | Dairy Effluent |
|
Reuse of Farm Dairy Effluent |
* HortResearch's contribution to this collaborative initiative includes providing a web presence for the project on our website.