Organics and farm forestry – a natural synergy?
New Zealand Tree
Grower August 2007
Neil Cullen
West of Hamilton, past the now closed Whatawhata research farm on the
road to Raglan, is the Waitetuna Valley property of Mike Moss. We
visited there on the fourth day of the conference on a warm clear
Waikato day. The farm is made up of flood-prone flats and fragile hills
dissected by many streams, drains and wetlands.
Mike and his family have long appreciated the worth of trees in farming
and during the early 1990s planted 20 hectares of radiata pine and
three hectares of Tasmanian blackwoods. The latter planting is
incorporated into a large QEII protected block of native bush. Not
content with this Mike started fencing of wetlands and waterways,
initially for stock control but now with the realisation that water
quality and flood control is also enhanced.
 Economically
it makes sense as well, with spending on cleaning drains greatly
reduced and no losses of expensive stock in bogs. Three quarters of the
14 km of waterways and nine hectares of wetlands so protected have been
planted with natives. These appeared to be well established and growing
at a rate southerners can only envy, and all without the benefit of any
release spray. Why no spraying? Because the 65 hectares have been
certified organic for the past four years.
Converting to organics
For two hours as he showed us around his farm, Mike explained the
background and process of converting to organics and patiently fielded
questions from a group that included its share of sceptics. Before
going down the organic path in 2000, Mike had been trying to increase
production using higher stocking rates, high inputs of urea and
supplementary feed. The problem with this approach was that
the increase in returns did not justify the higher cost of inputs.
 Secondly,
the stress on the land, cows and farmers was unsustainable. So a system
more in synchronisation with nature was sought and settled on.
The three year conversion period was the most difficult part as he
developed the skills and knowledge required to operate an organic dairy
farm. Cow numbers were dropped from 180 to 155 to provide for a buffer
for seasonal shortfalls. Organic farmers cannot fall back on use of
urea when spring is late arriving. Although production has dropped by
10% on pre conversion figures, this is more than compensated for by the
20% premium he is paid for the milk as well as reduced costs.
Improved animal health
 Animal
health has improved markedly with bloat, facial eczema, and metabolic
disorders rarely seen. Mastitis is the biggest challenge and when
homeopathic or herbal remedies fail to cure it, antibiotics are used
and the cow quarantined or sold. Mike is convinced that cows can self
medicate if they are given the opportunity, and as well as providing
shade and shelter in every paddock with plantings of paulownia, poplar,
alder and oak, he is increasing the availability of flax. Cows seek
this plant out to chew on as well as poplars and
benefit greatly from the tannins and minerals ingested.
Making and using compost
|
A row of organic compost
|
At the last stop on our farm tour Mike explained how he made and used
compost. The parent material for this is dung and bark from the stand
off pad. To this is added lime, elemental sulphur and chicken manure.
The mixture is then turned and aerated in rows until no parent material
is apparent and then applied to paddocks at a rate of about two tonne
per hectare. Mike credits the use of the compost for increasing worm
numbers from around15 per spade full to between 30 and 40. Lime and
seaweed based fertilisers are also applied.
Mike is converting the breed of his herd to Swedish Reds as he has seen
them farmed in Europe and considers them more suited to his organic
system and possibly also to once a day milking. Surprising to some was
the method of breeding – artificial insemination, which Mike uses for
the genetic gains it provides.
Although work on animal health is reduced Mike conceded weeds are more
of a challenge under organics with much manual removal involved. With
many paddocks too steep for mowing some thistles have to be tolerated.
Blackberry and gorse are the most difficult weeds but a pine oil
extract looks promising for their control.
A balanced system
The overall impression gained was of a farm well managed, with healthy
contented stock and natural features protected and enhanced by a
variety of plantings. Mike is convinced he has a farming system and
lifestyle more balanced than before and in harmony with nature. And
perhaps after our visit there will be a few more converts.
 |
 |
| Some of the plantings for shade and self
medication |
A rich mixture of grasses |
(top)
|
|
