Farm Forestry New ZealandCase Study: McIntoshes estimated costs of planting
Returns from land identified for managed retirement from grazing will slowly decline but the costs of inputs will be eliminated. Furthermore, these are areas where it is easy to lose cattle, and the input costs can be targeted on other more productive areas of the property.
Estimated costs for afforestation projects (planting materials and labour only):
| Block | Species | Area (ha) | Estimated cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scrub-land species | 6.8 | $11,000 |
| 2 | Eucalyptus species | 3.0 | $3,400 |
| 3 | P. Radiata and C. lusitanica | 54.8 | $49,000 |
| 4 | P. radiata | 54.6 | $49,000 |
| 5 | P. radiata | 14.3 | $12,000 |
| 6 | Himalayan cedar | 14.6 | $30,000 |
| 7 | Blackwoods | 16.0 | $32,000 |
| 8 | P. radiata | 26.1 | $21,000 |
| 9 | Douglas fir | 2.3 | $3,000 |
| 10 | P. radiata | 8.3 | $7000 |
Estimated costs for associated fencing (materials and labour):
| Block | Length of fence (m) | Estimated cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | 260 | $3,250 |
| 3 | 620 | $7,750 |
| 3 | 270 | $3,375 |
| 5 | 580 | $7,250 |
| 6 | 630 | $7,875 |
| 8 | 420 | $5,250 |
Total estimated costs:
| Block | species | Estimated cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scrub-land species | $14,250 |
| 2 | Eucalyptus species | $3,400 |
| 3 | P. radiata and C.lusitanica | $60,125 |
| 4 | P. radiata | $49,000 |
| 5 | P. radiata | $19,250 |
| 6 | Himalayan cedar | $30,000 |
| 7 | Blackwoods | $32,000 |
| 8 | P. radiata | $26,250 |
| 9 | Douglas fir | $3,000 |
| 10 | P. radiata | $7000 |
Poplar and willow poles
Poplar poles will be spaced 10-12 metres apart over erosion-prone areas. This will vary between 40 to 80 poles/ha. It is proposed to plant 150 poles per annum at a cost of $1,695 - $11.80 per pole on prices as at June 2006, including 3m planting material, sleeve, laying and planting.
Poplar management - new plantings
At year 3, new poplar plantings will be form-pruned to remove double leaders and pruned to reduce the effects of pasture shading. Pruning should be undertaken to leave half the green crown, and to reduce the effects of regrowth, it should be undertaken in early summer. Once the property is in an annual planting program of 150 poles per year, the annual form pruning will also be 150 poles per year, at an estimated cost of $1.50 per tree and total annual cost for this work estimated at $225.
Summary of Annual Costs:
| Year | Activity | Estimated cost | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Debris dams Poles Afforestation Fencing |
$3,000 $1,770 $17,000 $13,125 |
$34,895 |
| 2008 | Poles Afforestation Fencing |
$1,770 $66,250 $7,250 |
$75,270 |
| 2009 | Poles Afforestation |
$1,770 $19,000 |
$20,700 |
| 2010 | Poles Fencing |
$1,770 $11,125 |
$12,895 |
| 2011 | Poles Afforestation |
$1,770 $63,400 |
$65,170 |
| 2012 | Poles | $1,770 | $1,770 |
| 2013 | Poles Afforestation |
$1,770 $49,000 |
$50,770 |
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