|
Animal Manure only Fertiliser on Block
This article was written by journalist Sandra Taylor and published in
March 2004 in the southern edition of Country-Wide as part of a
collection of stories about Duncan and Fiona Ensor.
The Ensors don’t apply any fertiliser to the Holtech block, relying on
animal manure to feed nutrient cycles in the soil.
However fertiliser is used on the hill blocks, with a bulk
application flown on every two years.
Duncan and Fiona have undertaken extensive development on
their hill blocks, sub-dividing blocks that were too big, and creating
new water systems to ensure a reliable water supply all year round.
Troughs have been placed on the tops to stop cattle wandering
down hill looking for water.
They have also sprayed bracken, burnt and re-sown bracken
covered slopes and broken in 180ha of paddocks adjoining the hill
blocks.
This development has enabled them to double their stocking
rate on the hill from 4 su/ha to 8 su/ha.
Since developing the Holtech grazing system they have lifted
the stocking rate within the system from 9su/ha to 16su/ha.
Replacement heifers and cows are wintered out the back of the
property, while ewes run on the lower native country.
The last few years has seen a change in sheep breeds on the
traditionally Corriedale/Merino property.
Duncan says he sent the last of the Merinos down the road, to
be replaced with the Rockdale, a breed the couple have developed to
suit their harsh winter, summer dry environment.
So far the results are impressive.
The breed, which includes East Fresian, Texel, Finnish
Landrace, Corriedale and Perendale genetics has been bred with the
focus on sound feet, cold tolerance as well as mothering ability and
performance.
All rams are DNA scored for footrot tolerance and are scanned
for eye-muscle measurements.
|