Farm Environment Plan
Farm Details: Avon Glen
Contacts
Farm Owner
Rikon Projects Ltd
RD7C,
Island Cliff 9491
91 Tilverstowe Rd
Brock and Gemma Hamilton
021 189 3061
brock.gem@gmail.com
Physical address and legal description:
193 Tilverstowe Rd: LOT 1 DP 23464
225 and 295 Tilverstowe Rd: Part Lot C DP 1385
91 Tilverstowe Rd: Lot 2 DP 461559
Description:
Dairy Supply Number 36151
Total property area: 385.3ha
Effective Area: 285ha
Irrigation Area: 272.8ha
Pivot: 149.7ha
Fixed Grid: 75.4ha
K-line: 35.4ha
Hard Hose: 12.3ha
Effluent: 98ha total discharge area.
Consents:
Effluent Storage: permitted activity.
Drop Test
DESC
Visual InspectionWinter Grazing Consent:
Consent RM.23.056.01 and RM.23.056.02
Winter Grazing Plan
Irrigation Management
Irrigation Design
Designs and sprinkler charts are available in the shed for pivots. Fixed grid designs available online in the FEP Maps folder.
The fixed grid is being self-installed in stages to replace K-line. A pivot is being assembled in W4/W5 to replace K-line.
Irrigation Scheduling
A calibrated handheld Campbell Scientific HS2 probe is used to measure soil moisture before irrigation is started, or restarted after rain to ensure soil moisture deficit can accommodate the irrigation application from each irrigation type as determined by bucket testing.
The HS2 is calibrated for Ngapara Silt Loam which is the dominant soil type on Avon Glen.
Ngapara soil has 58mm Profile Available Water to 30cm. For a pasture rooting depth of 300mm the Readily Available Water is 29mm.
Pahau soil on the flats has 47mm Profile Available Water to 30cm. For a pasture rooting depth of 300mm the Readily Available Water is 23mm. Most of this soil is irrigated by pivot and fixed grid but 13ha is irrigated by a gun which we run at faster speeds to apply 39mm every ten days. We also suspect this soil is not actually Pahau as per SMap, as it drains well and is not stoneless. Nevertheless, we manage the gun for the risk of over watering by running it for lower application rates and long returns which are extended further if there is rain and when cows are in the paddock (for about a week of each month).
The Hydrosense II soil moisture meter reads 45% Volumetric Water Content in saturated soil and 14% in soil with wilting grass.
For Ngapara’s 58mm PAW the readily available water on the Hydrosense II is in the range of 30%-45%, but with the upper part of that range being above field capacity we don’t irrigate unless we get down to 30%.
Irrigation applications are managed only by trained staff and are recorded online with records going back seven years.
Irrigation Water Optimisation
Brock and Kayne are doing online training through Irrigation NZ. On farm training is recorded for each staff member on a template. A library of training resources is available.
K-Lines are being phased out to reduce application depth and environmental risk while maximising efficiency of water use. The majority of irrigators are now low rate but there are still some K-lines which are shifted twice a day on a seven day return. These are shifted across the slope and lines or individual pods with their own taps are proactively turned off where there is risk of run off or ponding.
K-line shifting slideshow is used for reference.
Operations manual for K-Line as well as the installation video are used for training.Valley pivot manual is in pivot 7 door.
Zimmatic pivot manual is in pivot 1 door.
Hard hose gun manual is stored at the cow shed. Click here to see rotation map.
Fixed grid manual is available online. The fixed grid schedule is optimised to apply more in drier areas and less in wet areas.
Operating Procedures
Check forecast.
Measure soil moisture for irrigation trigger. Trigger at 30% indicated on the HS2. Soil moisture should go no lower than 25% and no higher than 33%. Saturation is 46%.
Check soil temperature when considering irrigation in August and in May.
If above conditions allow then start irrigator.
Check for leaks or other failures.
Incident Report Procedure
Irrigation is monitored between 5am and 5pm daily. CSA's are monitored for run off in passing. There are four key points to check for run off on the Watercourse Map.
When a leak, run off or ponding is discovered shut water off to leaking line.
Notify management and source resources needed such as parts, digger etc.
Repair, pressure test and continue to monitor before backfilling.
Record in maintenance or photograph as a record in the maintenance folder.
Maintenance
Preseason checks are guided by a checklist.
Light maintenance is carried out by staff and recorded. A historic maintenance summary is available, and maintenance is now recorded online or as a photographic record.
Heavier maintenance is undertaken by engineer Johnny Grumball (027 488 2099) or mechanic Aidan Maw (021 132 8655), and electrical work by Calect Electrical (03 436 0063).
Bucket Tests are carried out to assess performance of each pivot and Fixed Grid.
Irrigator Settings and actual application depth:
Fixed Grid is monitored for correct performance. Software is used to control, schedule and monitor the system. Spare radios and batteries are kept to swap out non-communicative or failed units.
End of season checks include draining lines, detaching K-Lines from hydrants and moving to fence lines, and parking pivots in wind safe spots. Fixed grid units are inhibited to conserve battery life.
Water Use (Non-Irrigation Water)
Water use efficiency is assessed in Effluent management as part of the Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator.
All stock water is reticulated, and troughs aremaintained.
Flow meters and pressure guages are monitored to indicate leakage in the stock water system.
All NOIC water is metered (including stock water).
Secondary cooler water is recirculated through a closed loop chilled water system.
Water is recycled as much as possible. Primary cooling water becomes wash water and then becomes green wash which washes the yard, and then is irrigated on pasture.
Soils and Nutrients
Avon Glen is managed to minimise the amount of nutrient that escapes the farm and becomes a pollutant, and to maximise the nutrient that stays within the root zone of the plants as a resource. Infiltration rate is optimised to minimise runoff.
Critical Source Areas are managed by only grazing when dry, using a 5m buffer if wet, and monitoring for run off.
The aim is to maintain good soil structure by using the relevant cultivation practices for the given situation, and minimise the period of soil exposure to wind and rain erosion.
Minimum tillage cultivation is used where soil conditions allow, and if full cultivation is necessary slopes are worked across. Steep areas are avoided where possible and weather forecasts are considered when deciding on cultivation timing. Care is taken not to work soil into fine aggregate sizes and a 5m buffer is maintained to waterways. There is minimal delay between cultivation and sowing to minimise the time that soil is exposed.
Run-out grass is cropped then renewed, except steeper paddocks which are renewed directly without cropping.
Imported feed now more hay than baleage, and with less palm kernal.
Feeding out in trailers to achieve minimal wastage.
Stock holding areas are positioned on ridges away from CSA's and waterways.
P applications don't exceed 100kg P/ha and not spread in Jun or July. Waterways are avoided and run off points are monitored.
Waterways are protected by fencing, vegetative strips and stock crossings.
Pugging prevention is achieved by giving larger breaks in wet conditions and cows are allowed to leave longer residuals. Young grass is grazed only briefly and in dry conditions only to minimise damage to the softer soil.
An understanding of nutrient loss is gained from Overseer which has informed the prioritisation of fixed grid installation to replace K-line, particularly on stony flats.
Soil Type:
S-Map
Ngapara Silt Loam
Brockmans
Brookstead
Kauru
Pahau
Fact sheets and further information available.Nutrient decisions are informed by agronomist recommendations and soil tests.
Nitrate
Annual 190 N limit complied with using heat maps.
All fertiliser including urea is spread by contractors Mainland Groundspread and Heliventures, both with Spreakmark or Aircare certification who use proof of placement (one example). All proof of placement available in Tabula.
A fertiliser exclusion map shows contractors where to avoid CSA's. Stock camps and trailer patches are avoided.
Applications are typically 60-120kg per hectare of product.
Fertiliser is not spread on hot or windy days, or when rain is forecast. No fertiliser is spread during June or July except chicken manure, nor on compacted or saturated soils.
Fertiliser is delivered by the spreading contractor on the day. Storage on farm is not used but is available in a silo if necessary.
All new irrigation is low rate with higher rate systems being progressively replaced. The higher N-loss areas have been prioritised.
Stocking rate is maximum 3.8 cows per platform hectare and 2.5 cows per hectare in total.
Crop rotations: run-out grass is cropped and put into a catch crop like oats as soon as practicable, then back into new grass without double cropping to reduce N loss and maintain cover.
Phosphate
Minimum tillage methods are used where possible but compacted soils are renovated. Cultivation is across slopes where it is safe to do so. Steep paddocks are not worked up at all if it can be avoided - regrassing is by direct drilling and only if necessary.
Detention dams work to reduce P loss down the gullies. P loss is further managed by the Winter Grazing Plan, and in particular the CSA Management Plan.
Olsen P is managed at optimum levels through soil testing.
Cows are kept of steeper paddocks in wet conditions to prevent pugging soils that are difficult to renovate, and where P loss is higher risk.
Weather forecasts are checked before cultivating.
DAP generally applied at 100kg per hectare which is 20kg per hectare of P.
Effluent
Effluent discharge subject to permit RM23.830. Storage is a permitted activity.
Winter Grazing
Consent RM23.056.01 and RM23.056.02.
See winter grazing plan.
Waterway and CSA Management
CSA Management
Refer to CSA management plan.
Waterbody Management
The Awamoko creek runs across the northern part of the property and four springs in the main gullies drain into the Awamoko.
The Awamoko is fully fenced with rank grass buffering.
Willow control and gravel extraction is undertaken to reduce erosion in flood.
Willow control also reduces water consumption from trees.
Gorse and broom is controlled to eliminate legume nitrate leaching.
Stock crossings are managed to minimise stock contact with water by actively supervising the crossing of stock and not crossing more than twice a month.
All actions in a Fonterra Riparian Management Plan are complete.
Springs and their spring-fed streams which feed the Awamoko are protected by fencing to exclude stock.
Detention dams are installed to reduce sediment reaching the Awamoko.
The stream from the spring in gully three is piped through PVC to the detention dam to avoid contact with stock. From the detention dam it flows through a grassy retired gully and is then piped again under the paddocks to the Awamoko so stock are permanently excluded from accessing the stream.
The stream in from the spring in gully two is fenced and flows overland to a detention dam and then down to the flats where it is piped under the paddock to exclude stock and prevent muddy damp patches.
The other two springs and their streams are in gully one and are fenced to exclude stock.
Paddocks next to the creek are not grazed intensively.
Soak holes are used to prevent wet patches forming where stock can access them and cause plugging.
Point Source Management
Silage stacks are located on high and dry locations where any leachate cannot enter a waterway. Stock are excluded from accessing the cover but can graze the face behind a hot wire in a controlled manner.
Baleage is used with wrap recycled in the Plasback scheme.
Offal pits are not used. Use of petfood operators is maximised, and composting is used to dispose of carcasses on farm on a high and dry location where there is minimum risk of contaminants entering water. Dead stock are to be composted in a timely way and are not left in sight of the road. In accordance with regional council requirements, dead stock are buried:
a minimum of 100m from any wells that supply water for domestic drinking or livestock
a minimum of 50m from any waterway, including lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands and groundwater
a minimum of 50m from the closest property boundary
in an area free from ponding, flooding, or erosion
away from any areas used for offal pits within the past five years
away from any areas of cultural, historical, or conservation significance
Farm rubbish pits are constructed well above the water table and where there is no risk of contaminants entering water.
Household rubbish is not allowed in the farm pit.
Carcasses are not disposed of in the rubbish pit.
Only steel unsuitable for collection, concrete, other clean fill and stone is disposed of in the pit if it can't be repurposed as fill for developments on farm.
Tanalised timber, chemical containers and other plastic is not burned.
Oil is captured and disposed of at a transfer station.
Non-burnable rubbish is collected by a wheelie bin service.
Sharps are disposed of via sharps bin at the shed which is taken to the vets.
Chemical containers are collected by AgRecovery. Chemical purchases are kept to a minimum and contractors bring their own chemical where possible so they can take left overs to their next job which avoids the need to store them on farm.
Mahinga Kai, Biodiversity and Biosecurity Management
Rock Art and other culturally important features such as a swaggers cave and fossils are found on Avon Glen and access is given to stakeholders such as iwi and academics to these features to inform their protection.
Some of the terrestrial biodiversity known to inhabit Avon Glen:
Fan Tails
Wax Eyes
Herons
Bell Bird
Little Owl
Pied Stilt
Pied Oyster Catcher
Plovers
An area of native bush is retired in gully three to allow regeneration.
Healthy stands of kowhai grow at the foot of the limestone escarpments which is a seed source.
Native plantings of flax, toi toi, tussocks, pittosporums and other species is ongoing.
Exotic pines and willows have been removed to remove excessive shade, water extraction, and possum habitat.
All actions in a Riparian Plan have been completed.
Gullies are grazed to control fire risk to native vegetation.
Stock are excluded from young plantings and weed control is undertaken to maximise survival rates.
Pests are managed:
Pests are managed by shooting rabbits, hares, possums, wild cats, pigeons and ducks.
Possums are trapped.
Rats and mice are poisoned.
Insecticide use is avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Besides crop preparation there is minimal herbicide use:
Sheep and dry stock are used to graze laneways.
Thistles and stinging nettles are controlled by spraying or grubbing, and the tanker track and irrigation boxes are also sprayed.
Docks are sprayed only if necessary to keep under control.
No area of the farm is undeveloped.
Biosecurity
A closed herd is operated as much as possible to minimise the chances of disease incursion.
More young stock is to be grazed on farm to minimise movements between farms.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management
Overseer calculates 8,217kg eCO2/ha in 2022 and shows a gradual downward trend.
Avon Glen was the subject of a Sustainability Assessment by Lincoln post graduate students in 2021 which gives a detailed assessment of Avon Glen's greenhouse gas profile.
Existing vegetation is enhanced and protected.
Further planting occurs as an ongoing project.
Carbon loss is mitigated from bare soil by planting cover crops.
Soil carbon is increased by targeting areas of low organic matter with effluent applications.
N fertiliser is capped at 190kgN annually.
Watering is timed for as soon as possible after N applications to minimise volatisation.
Fuel efficient vehicles are used in preference to less efficient vehicles, and conversion from K-Line to fixed grid reduces fuel use as there is less quad bike running.
GPS guidance is used on tractors to minimise overlap and therefore increase fuel efficiency per hectare.
Unnecessary transport between farm, suppliers and town is minimised by good communication when supplies are needed.
Back loads are utilised on transport companies where possible.
Freight sharing with other farms is used where possible.
Local transport companies are used preferentially to minimise empty legs.