14 March 2014
DIARY UPDATE
For immediate use
Trees on Farms Workshop
Dairy Farmers: Riparian plantings
27 March 2013
Reporoa
The first Trees on Farms workshop for 2013 focuses on riparian plantings, a hot topic for the country’s dairy farmers.
The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord is set to be in place for the start of the dairy season in August, and will cover
all of the country's 12,000 dairy farmers, not just Fonterra suppliers. Every Fonterra farmer’s annual Farm Dairy and
Environmental assessment and the company’s conditions of supply require all Accord-type waterways to be fenced by the
end of this year. But fencing off waterways is only part of the sustainable dairying equation - dairy farmers also need
to get their heads around how to plant and manage their riparian areas.
This straight talking workshop has been specifically designed for dairy farmers, by dairy farmers, all locals and all
experienced tree planters, and will particularly look at how riparian planting can provide cost effective, sustainable
long term land use solutions.
The good news is that planting trees as part of an integrated land management strategy not only helps address problem
spots on-farm but can add value and cash flow as well.
The morning session at the Reporoa Rugby Club (on SH5, just south of the dairy factory, starts at 11am to give
participants time to finish feeding out due to the drought. As well as presentations on the practical aspects of
riparian planting, and the role of trees in the wider farm environment, it will also feature video case studies of dairy
farmers Kyle Brennan and Benjamin Lee, and deer farmer Vic Clark, who have all integrated trees into their successful
farm operations.
In the afternoon the workshop will visit the nearby 90 ha dairy farm of Madelein and Kyle Brennan. [Subs: correct – no
‘e’ on Madelein] Madelein and Kyle won the Central Plateau Sharemilker of the Year Competition in 2006, and are members
of the Taupo and Districts Branch of the NZFFA. Their farm is rolling pumice country with the odd steeper sideling.
“The trees on our farm are there to do a number of different jobs. We believe if the right tree is put in the right
place, milk production need not be compromised,” says Kyle Brennan.
“Obviously, we run a business and wish to derive as much profit out of the farm as possible, but having plenty of trees
around the place and making money need not be mutually exclusive and the farm is simply a nicer place to be.
“On a dairy farm there are three locations we feel are suitable to establish trees with minimal effect on grass
production - boggy gully bottoms, short steep sidelings and areas adjacent to fence lines. Our focus on riparian areas
is to fill them up with natives. Although a little effort is needed to get them up and clear of long grass, once
established they will provide years of trouble free re-vegetation.”
All are welcome to attend this free workshop, which is being run by the Taupo branch of the NZ Farm Forestry Association
(FFA) and funded by MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund, the NZFFA, Tane’s Tree Trust, and Agfirst. Workshop participants who
register receive a free copy of proceedings and a DVD featuring interviews with local farm foresters, and electronic
handbooks.
Lunch will be provided. Please register by 25 March for catering and to reserve your free information package. To
register contact: Kyle Brennan, phone 07 333 8664, email: kyleandmadelein@xtra.co.nz. For more information about Trees on Farms workshops contact Angus Gordon, phone 06 388 1571, email: angusg@xtra.co.nz.
Programme
11.00am, Wednesday 27 March 2013
Reporoa Rugby Club, SH5, Reporoa
10.30-10.55:Registration, coffee and mingle
11.00:Welcome
Videos of local farm foresters – Brennan, Lee and Clark
Sustainable dairying
The economics of tree planting in the farm landscape
Establishing & maintaining riparian plantings
Species options:
Using natives
Options for exotics
Panel discussion
Lunch:Lunch at Brennan property, followed by discussion in field
Regional council activities
Land use discussion
Riparian planting options
Tree planting options
3.00pm Finish
ENDS