Our farm
HISTORY
Our farm is at the northern end of the Forest Hill range. The range lies to the east of the Southland plains. Fossils such as the scallop shell shown are embedded in lime rocks found on the farm. Their presence indicates the property was underwater some 20 million years ago.
Our farm is at the northern end of the Forest Hill range. The range lies to the east of the Southland plains. Fossils such as the scallop shell shown are embedded in lime rocks found on the farm. Their presence indicates the property was underwater some 20 million years ago.
A European community was established in the area in 1861 and included among them was William McGregor from Caithness in Scotland. One of his sons was William McGregor (Jnr) who as a WWI veteran was provided with a settlement farm. The title to this 35 hectare farm shows that it was first owned by William McGregor (Jnr) in 1926. At that time the entire farm was forest and swamp. Hard labour by the original owner and six subsequent owners sees the entire farm now in productive pasture.
We purchased the farm in 1995 and named it Tikana.
We purchased the farm in 1995 and named it Tikana.
TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS
Tikana is located 100 to 140m above sea level.
The farm comprises 35 ha of rolling hill country which lies to the north. There is a creek running through the farm which is a contributory to the Otapiri Stream.
The farm is a predominantly Te Mara soil type with a small area of Makarewa soil type adjoining the creek. The Makarewa soils comprise fine alluvial soil which has deep rooting depth and poor drainage and reflects that area of the farm which historically would have been swamp.
The Te Mara soils comprise limestone loess and colluvial soil with deep rooting depth and medium clay content in the topsoil.
In relation to Environment Southland’s Land and Water Plan, Tikana is all in the Bedrock/Hill country Physiographic Zone
LAND ENVIRONMENT PLAN
Tikana has a stocking rate around 16 Stock Units per hectare.
Routine biennial soil testing is undertaken to determine appropriate fertiliser requirements. Current Olsen P levels range from 24 to 33. Levels for pH are from 6.1 to 6.5
The creek is completely fenced to prevent stock access. Riparian planting is in place along the creek and winter grazing is managed to minimise nutrient losses.
A Nutrient Budget has been run using Overseer and our Nitrogen loss is 13kg N /ha/yr. Phosphorus lost is 0.5kg P/ha/yr.
Tikana is located 100 to 140m above sea level.
The farm comprises 35 ha of rolling hill country which lies to the north. There is a creek running through the farm which is a contributory to the Otapiri Stream.
The farm is a predominantly Te Mara soil type with a small area of Makarewa soil type adjoining the creek. The Makarewa soils comprise fine alluvial soil which has deep rooting depth and poor drainage and reflects that area of the farm which historically would have been swamp.
The Te Mara soils comprise limestone loess and colluvial soil with deep rooting depth and medium clay content in the topsoil.
In relation to Environment Southland’s Land and Water Plan, Tikana is all in the Bedrock/Hill country Physiographic Zone
LAND ENVIRONMENT PLAN
Tikana has a stocking rate around 16 Stock Units per hectare.
Routine biennial soil testing is undertaken to determine appropriate fertiliser requirements. Current Olsen P levels range from 24 to 33. Levels for pH are from 6.1 to 6.5
The creek is completely fenced to prevent stock access. Riparian planting is in place along the creek and winter grazing is managed to minimise nutrient losses.
A Nutrient Budget has been run using Overseer and our Nitrogen loss is 13kg N /ha/yr. Phosphorus lost is 0.5kg P/ha/yr.
