Another example of the Farm Forestry Model: Glenmore
Neil Cullen
New
Zealand Tree Grower May 2008
The decades of the 1970s and 1980s saw a great transition in
landowners’ attitudes towards their farms. Development of the land from
tussock, bush or wetland to pasture had been the driving force on many
farms as farmers, encouraged by government subsidies, rushed to
increase their stock numbers.
Converting indigenous forest to exotic
In our corner of the country, the Catlins in South East Otago, large
areas of indigenous forest were cleared during the 1970s by chainsaw,
bulldozer and fire. Land in bush was regarded as valueless and the
government was actively engaged via the New Zealand Forest Service in
converting indigenous forest to exotic forest.
The transition in attitude was part of the world-wide awakening to the
concepts that there are limits to the planets resources. The various
ecosystems are interlinked, humans have to learn to work with nature
and conserve what remains of the unique features, flora and fauna in
every region.
First plantings
On our farm in the Glenomaru valley more than 130 hectares of bush had
been cleared or damaged by fire during the 1970s and early 1980s. At
the same time, with the aid of the Forestry Encouragement Grant Scheme
and advisors such as John Edmonds, the first of the forest blocks had
been established.
 These
plantings of radiata pine were on steep south facing slopes of
low natural fertility where money spent on fertiliser and fencing was
difficult to justify. Much of the remaining native forest had been
fenced of from stock. By the time Pam and I took over in 1991 about 45
hectares had been planted in radiata pine.
We continued with the planting of radiata and using seasonal workers
from the local meat processing plant, completed the silviculture on the
early plantings. In 1996 an adjoining block of 120 hectares was
purchased and immediately ten per cent of that area was planted out on
a steep south facing slope. As this newly acquired land was exposed to
the prevalent south-westerly wind we started to provide shelter using Eucalyptus johnstonii,
E.cordata, E. rodwayii
and E.niphophila
in shelter belts and along with macrocarpa in some of the larger
gullies.
Soil types
To assist with better planning of development priorities a soil
scientist provided a report on the various soil types on the farm.
Being part of the geological feature known as the Southland Syncline,
the farm consists of a series of east-west running valleys and ridges.
These are overlayed with lowland yellow – brown earths with various
degrees of leaching. The most heavily leached and podzolised soil type,
Hinahina makes up about half of the total farm area.
The report and soil map helped confirm which areas on the farm were
most suited to forestry and where potential for greater grass
production existed. Using the model of planting trees on the less
fertile soils and less favourable terrain, and at the same time
improving the carrying capacity of the better country, allowed us to
maintain our stock numbers but increase the forested area to the
current 114 hectares. Erosion has not been a big issue except when high
rainfall occurs over a short period as it did in February 1991, when
200 mm fell in 24 hours. Sheet erosion from that time is still visible
in the district and serves as an indicator where forest cover
may be needed.
Fencing off streams
Attendance at a Regional Council field day in the late 1990s on
riparian management prompted consideration of how we could better look
after the Glenomaru Stream and its tributaries which flow through the
property. Starting in 1999 we began fencing of unprotected sections of
the stream and planting the banks with a variety of natives.
Although there have been many losses with these plantings they are
gradually becoming established and we are told just keeping stock out
and having long grass as a filter improves water quality. Provision of
alternative water supply for stock is part of this process and we have
used ponds and spring-fed troughs, as well as pumping water around the
easier country.
On one tributary where unfenced bush adjoined the waterway we obtained
assistance with the fencing and in return protected the bush under a
QEII covenant. This protection has been applied to other areas of
native forest as well and counting three new blocks that are in the
pipeline about 100 hectares of the 130 hectares remaining on the farm
will be under covenant. There is considerable flexibility in the
covenanting process which can include areas of exotic forest and, as we
saw at the Wardle’s property recently, on a conference field
day also allows for management of native forest.
Harvesting
From 1998 we began harvesting small areas of the original radiata
plantings and in most cases replanted with alternative species. In 2003
a block of 31-year-old trees was harvested. My parents and brother had
retained ownership through a forestry right for these trees. They were
fortunate to harvest when prices were at a peak and as can be seen from
the table below, returns were very satisfactory. The sale was tendered
on nett rate per tonne harvested.
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| Returns from forest harvest 2003 |
Quite obviously there is no way this area of steep, relatively
unfertile land could have produced a nett return averaging $1,437 per
year by any other means. A reduced area has been replanted in radiata
with a strip adjoining the Glenomaru Stream being allowed to regenerate
with natives that flourished under the pines. Although this block was
beside a road, harvesting was complicated by the fact that most of the
logs had to be hauled across the stream. Resource consent was obtained
to install a temporary culvert to minimise damage to the waterway.
It was not until harvesting took place that I really appreciated the
importance of placement of forests in relation to roads. Too many of us
have planted away merrily without enough consideration for extraction
issues such as provision for roading and skid sites and potential
environment problems. Another lesson learnt from harvesting is the
importance of insistence on contractors cleaning their gear before
arrival on your property. Introduction of weeds like gorse and broom by
this means is clearly unacceptable.
Recent planting
Planting in the last ten years has included a range of species with
varying success. Douglas fir is growing well where not too exposed to
strong winds. Redwoods are very site specific and growth rates are slow
compared to further north. Sitka spruce, tried as a coastal alternative
to Douglas fir, is doing well in small numbers but the spruce aphid
looms as a threat. E.
nitens as elsewhere grows prolifically in moderately
fertile soils but their use, apart from being chipped, poses a few
problems.
Of the natives, red beech, which does not occur naturally in this
district, shows great promise with good form and growth rate. Can
existing mixed podocarp native forests be managed for future timber
extraction? Quite possibly, but not as successfully as with single
species beech forests. The biggest hurdle is probably a mental one. For
those used to 30 year rotation radiata the change to 200 year growing
time is quite a leap.
Cypresses appear to be the best option in this area as an alternative
to radiata. Canker has not been a significant problem here with our
macrocarpa woodlots but recently we have used lusitanica and the
nootkatensis hybrids as insurance against that threat.
Forest ownership
The retention of ownership of a tree block by my family until harvest
obviously helped in the transfer of the property to Pam and myself.
Forest ownership can also provide connection to the land for those
family members who choose career paths other than active farming. With
most of our larger plantings being on one block with a separate title,
the splitting of this from the more productive farm land is an option.
There are still at least 60 hectares of land that I believe would be
better planted in forest or allowed to revert to native forest. If or
when this occurs will depend on future circumstances and availability
of funds. There is no one template for the farm forestry model, as each
farm and each landowner’s circumstances are different. But on our farm
as on most throughout the country, farming and forestry are a natural
mix.
Some farm statistics
- Total area 648 hectares
- Approximately 160 hectares cultivated
- 530 hectares purchased by the family in 1968
- Pam and Neil take over 1991 − 120 hectares added in 1996
- Stock wintered 2008 −2500 ewes, 400 hoggets, 100 cows, 90
calves, 130
deer
- Rainfall 1150 mm average
- Distance from coast12 km
- Altitude 50 to 450 metres
- Forest species:
Radiata
pine 90 hectares
Douglas fir 11.5 hectares
Cypress 6.5 hectares
Other 6 hectares
Native 130 hectares
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