Thursday, March 21, 2013
Drought-proofing - Alan Diack gets it right
Present drought conditions are spreading and will remain with us for some time.
Short term, dairy production will suffer as will the welfare of cattle. Long term, sheep, beef and dairy production will be affected into next year.
There is little that can be done with this drought for animal welfare and production. However, let us look positively to the future.
I am of the opinion that the benefits of establishing tree lucerne as a fodder crop on farms to support livestock during stress periods because of feed shortages from whatever cause should be encouraged and supported by everyone.
Tree lucerne can be established in two years, will regrow in 40-50 days following hard grazing as well as being more economical than bought-in feed supplements.
Plants will grow on a range of soil types, trees will yield palatable and nutritious green feed over many years, feed material has a high protein content as well as crude fibre.
The tree is a free-seeding shrub and will thrive on a variety of soils in districts that may suffer prolonged drought. It has protein-rich branches, greyish leaves and lovely creamy flowers. The plant will withstand extremes of temperatures ranging from -9degC to 50degC. It grows high and wide, also providing wonderful shelter.
Tree lucerne can be used for stock food throughout the year, is not toxic, does not contract diseases and does not cause bloating. In fact, it improves animal health, at the same time lifting the nitrogen content of the soil.
Stock farmers, in particular dairy farmers, can use tree lucerne all year round and may reduce costs of other supplementary foods.
Best methods of growing and managing tree lucerne is by growing trees in strips 8m-10m apart and trees spaced 2m-3m apart and grazing by electric fencing.
Sound management and stock control will produce 11-16 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, at the same time controlling any regrowth by heavy grazing with sheep.
Growing tree lucerne has other benefits including providing food for bees, providing shelter, providing habitat for birds, preventing soil erosion and acting as a wind break for lambing. It will also recover following fire.
What a wonderful sustainable plant that will repay many times its establishment costs. Judicious planting, management and grazing of tree lucerne should be encouraged.
As a farming nation, we must review and promote any improvements possible in order to maintain a high standard of animal welfare and productivity. Come on - let's give it a go.
- Alan Diack is a Dunedin man who has worked in animal welfare for more than 50 years.
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7 comments:
With the opening lines I bet you next summer will be wet like last years.
Having said that we've already planted tree lucerne at our place.
What would also help is the ability for individuals to store water on their properties with dams and ponds to span the dry periods. Sensible precautions are blocked by the RMA and all the beureacracy at regional and district councils.
Why does the RMA block dams and ponds, paranormal?
Why don't you tell me RG. I'm sure you're just panting to.
I assume you think that it is a good thing. Stopping people working on their own land where there is no impact on the neighbours, or making it so expensive and difficult it's just not worth trying.
Have a go at answering the question I put to you, paranormal. It's not a trap, just a simple question to test the depth of your thinking.
Dams have an impact on neighbours paranormal. Dams that are poorly designed or operated or maintained can cause significant damage to neighbours. Can you explain how reducing controls on dams makes them safer?
AC - this is where the RMA and supporters of it are trying to reinvent the wheel. We don't need an RMA to make things 'safe'. I'm sure you know what the seminal case Rylands v Fletcher was about?
RG - Quite frankly the RMA is about empowering central planners rather than local communities that frankly would know more about the implications of a project than any beureaucrat.
I have no idea why some of the projects I am aware of have been scuppered by central planners. The ability for those with no local connection to an application to put in spurious objections is a major issue.
As for water, the control of runoff is an important element in the New Zealand environment that is not allowed for in central planners world. Accordingly I am stumped as to why they make it so difficult for farmers to control runoff with appropriate measures.
Yes I do paranormal, it's about putting an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, rather than a fence and some informative signage at the top. I put to you that the latter is preferable to the former.
I also put it to you that you are aware that dams are not only regulated by the RMA and suggesting that its repeal and the removal of bureaucracy (so that we might move up a place, to become the second least red-tape bound country in the world) is the panacea we need is disingenuous.
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