Created Date: 15/01/2019 Created Time: 4:40 PM Created By: anonymous
Top House Integrated Farm Plan
Central Otago Sheep & Beef Farm
March 2019
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The Bend Terrace
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Bendigo Terrace
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Bendigo Wetland/Bendigo Wildlife Reserve Regionally significant wetland (SN15). Provides habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species, with a high diversity of wetland habitat types that support a large range of indigenous wetland flora and fauna. Popular for recreational kayaking, fishing and seasonal game bird hunting.
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Top House farm
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Bendigo Scenic and Historic Reserves A rare shrubland environment with stunning views of the Upper Clutha Basin. Walking tracks weave through remnants of historic goldrush towns and past deep mine shafts.
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Rocky Point Picnic Area designated freedom camping site
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Top House Integrated Farm Plan Location and Context
Sheet 2 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Looking towards the Top House homestead from SH8
Ecological district and region Top House Farm falls within the Dunstan Ecological District 67.03 of the Central Otago Ecological Region. The Dunstan Ecological District is characterised by the tilted, block-faulted schist Dunstan Mountains and their surrounding lowlands, glacial outwash gravels and moraines. The climate is dry and subcontinental, with snow lying for weeks on the mountains over winter. On rolling, hilly and steep slopes the soil is shallow to moderately deep with variable loess cover. The soil is shallow to deep on terraces and fans in the valleys. Previously the vegetation in this area was mostly tussockland, but much of the area is now grazed. In the east are rare small remnants of Hall’s totara, with extensive areas of kanuka shrubland to the southwest. (Information from Ecological Regions and Districts of New Zealand, W. Mary McEwen [ed], 1987) Eco-sourced native shelter planting
Landscape character The landscape around Bendigo is characterised by the wide fluvial plains of the Upper Clutha Valley and its broad, flat glacial outwash terraces. Predominantly irrigated to provide pastoral production, the Upper Clutha Valley also has pockets of vineyards and orchards. Homesteads with their stands of trees, often poplars, are distinctive features of the Central Otago landscape as they stand out so clearly within an otherwise open landscape (Central Otago District Plan, 2013, p.2:7). With big, dramatic skies and sweeping vistas, the valley is hemmed in by the Pisa Range to the west and the rugged schist outcrops of the Dunstan Mountains to the southeast. Less than a kilometre below the Top House Farm, the Clutha River/Mata Au slows as it feeds into the top of Lake Dunstan, an artificial lake created by the damming of the Clutha River/Mata Au at Clyde for hydroelectricity. The Clutha River/Mata-Au from 300m above Top House Farm
adside Planting Plan //
Top House // 1:500
// Sheet 1 of 2
tion elevation Cattle grazing on farm
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Ecological District and Landscape Character
y breaking up the planting groups into overlapping blocks, the resulting undulations are designed to mimic the layers of the ountains. A group of low grasses and tutu allow views through the planting strip and to the paddock beyond
Winter pooling in the farm’s ephemeral wetlands. Dunstan Mountains to the left, Pisa Range to the right and willows lining the Bendigo Wetland.
Sheet 3 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
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Landform components relevant to Top House farm and immediate surrounding area
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Landform Components (1 of 2)
Information, charts and diagrams from Land Types of the Clutha Corridor (Ian Lynn; Landcare Research, 2006)
Sheet 4 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
G E
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Key Fluvioglacial outwash and alluvial terraces - Late Pleistocene outwash and alluvial gravels, some loess
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G
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Terrace scarps - Late Pleistocene outwash and alluvial gravels
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Low terraces - Holocene fluvial deposits
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Fans - Late Pleistocene and Holocene fan deposits
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Braided floodplains - Holocene fluvial deposits
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Meander floodplains and backswamps - Recent alluvial swamp deposits Low hard rock ridges - Predominantly high-grade schist of the Haast Schist Group
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Clutha River corridor - Broad river channels with recent alluvial gravel islands
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Clutha River delta - Alluvial sediment deposition in response to decreased water velocity Ephemeral wetlands in old river channels
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Top House farm boundary * Information derived from Land Types of the Clutha Corridor (Ian Lynn; Landcare Research, 2006)
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Top House Integrated Farm Plan Landform Components (2 of 2)
Information, charts and diagrams from Land Types of the Clutha Corridor (Ian Lynn; Landcare Research, 2006)
Sheet 5 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
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Willow and poplar river control Trees along driveway and around the house. Predominantly mature exotic trees with some natives and newly planted eucalyptus Native shrubs for road screening Walnut trees a remnant of the homestead orchard
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Poplar trees planted 15 years ago to increase river control and flood protection Scattered poplars
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Ephemeral wetlands at the base of the low scarps and in old flood channels. Interspersed with pockets of willow trees. An earth dam creates pooling much of the year above the largest patch of trees. Waen_5
Bendigo Wetland Flood and delta channels through wetland willows and rushes.
Manuh_1
Fenced permanent wetland that connects with the regionally significant Bendigo Wetland. Willows with an underplanting of flax and naturally occurring rushes.
soils Hind_39 Recent soil. Deep, imperfectly drained, silty loam soil. Very high soil moisture. Low N leaching vulnerability.
Ephemeral wetland pooling in compacted old river and stream channels. Connects with Bendigo Wetland when wet.
Manuh_1 Moderately deep, semiarid soil. Well drained loam over sandy loam. Moderate soil moisture. Medium N leaching vulnerability.
Mixed deciduous trees including willows and oaks planted in old Chinaman’s Creek outlet 35 years ago Chinaman’s Creek (ephemeral) Established native shrub revegetation planting
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Waterways, soils and vegetation
Waen_5 Shallow, moderately well drained loam. Low soil moisture. Very high N leaching vulnerability. * Information from S-Map Online https://smap.landcareresearch.co.nz/ app#
Sheet 6 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Occasional dry grazing in driveway block for sheep only (1.35ha)
Storage shed
Top House and surrounding garden (0.2ha) Fenced riparian willows and poplars (0.75ha) Native screen planting (0.2ha)
Cattle yards
K-line irrigated pasture (30.5ha)
Semi-permanent fence at top of scarp
Non-irrigated pasture. Due to good soil moisture and flood risk in these paddocks, Jonny has no intention to extend the irrigation to this area of land, although it does have irrigation consent. (8.5ha)
Pumphouse and race with road access
Fenced permanent wetland that connects with the regionally significant Bendigo Wetland. Willows with an underplanting of flax and naturally occurring rushes. (0.25ha) Moveable break fencing
Troughs
total farm area
42ha River access point Fenced deciduous trees (0.15ha) Access from road
Jonny’s nutrient budget Spring – 150kg/ha SOA & 50kg/ha S90 Late summer (if req.) – 75kg/ha N Autumn – 150kg/ha SOA or DAP 13S
Established native shrub screen and shelter (0.2ha)
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Current land use
Sheet 7 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
170 Bullocks
(544 stock units equivalent)
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170 bullocks brought in at 320kg per head in September (3.2 stock units per animal). De-stocking begins mid-February as the bullocks reach their target weight. By 1st of April there are generally 20-30 cattle left, with all bullocks off the Top House paddocks by end of May to avoid pugging and nitrate leaching over winter.
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500 Ewe Lambs
(500 stock units equivalent) Ewe lambs brought to the farm in April (1 stock unit per animal). The ewes are wintered on the farm and sold in lamb in August.
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Stocking Calendar
Sheet 8 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Hook erosion Willow tree dieback The powerful Clutha River is steadily eroding the bank above the farm, working its way in behind the established trees
Tree dieback due to lack of water with change of irrigation scheme from border dyke to K-line
Occasional flooding of the floodplains limits land use of this area, including potential for planting. The last flood event wiped out a fence
Hook erosion directly above Top House Farm
Stock access to ephemeral wetlands causing pugging and water contamination
Dieback in the tops of the riparian willows. Unsure of cause. Possibly giant willow aphid.
Dam causing pooling Pugging below willows
An earth dam causes the wetland to pool for long periods, especially after rain
Fenced wetland area needs to be expanded as it is not large enough in wet conditions
Compaction of the old flood channels stops drainage of water runoff
Compaction causing surface water pooling
Overland ephemeral water flow to Bendigo Wetland is unmitigated
Pugging and contamination of ephemeral water outlet to Bendigo Wetland
A built up farm track closes off occasional natural connection with the Bendigo Wetland through the northern end of the old flood channel loop
S wind up valley
Wild geese grazing and souring grass NW prevailing wind down valley
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Identified issues
Sheet 9 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Concrete anchored willows to protect from river cut and erosion. Replacement planting of old willows and layered planting further back. (In partnership with council and other landowners. Installation of drip irrigation lines to water existing trees along driveway. No irrigation needed for recently planed eucalyptus. Continue planting of drought-tolerant trees to increase tree cover. Occasional grazing of sheep only. (1.35ha)
A pipe cut through the dam controls water level and reduces excessive ponding, increasing the area for riparian planting
6m wide native shelterbelt to protect from NW prevailing wind down valley and cold southerly up valley. Gaps across the floodplains allow for flood passage (0.14ha)
Area of irrigated pasture now 28.46ha
Fenced ephemeral wetland with majority of the area planted in native riparian species . A pipe can be cut through the dam to control water level and reduce excessive ponding. (1.54ha)
Area of unirrigated pasture now 8.34ha 6m wide native shelterbelt to protect from NW prevailing wind down valley and cold southerly up valley. Gaps across the floodplains allow for flood passage (0.14ha)
Extension of existing fenced wetland area to allow for high water levels (0.35ha)
A rock sump at base of compacted area to allow drainage of the pools.
6m native shelterbelt to protect from NW prevailing wind down valley and cold southerly up valley (0.08ha)
Fenced and planted wetland area as riparian filter for ephemeral outlet to Bendigo Wetland (0.2ha) Deciduous trees underplanted and eventually replaced with natives to increase indigenous diversity and habitat (0.15ha)
Design statement A conservative farm plan, with changes made primarily in response to identified issues. The overall goal is to improve water quality and biodiversity and to reduce soil loss and GHG emissions, while maintaining productive pasture area. Areas of trees and wetlands can be increased as necessary and stocking rates reduced to counterbalance GHG emissions.
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Animal-based farm plan - conservative Option 1
Sheet 10 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Existing vegetation along driveway with additional eucalyptus planted (1.22ha) Top House (0.2ha) Existing willow and poplar trees with additional trees planted for increased river control and flood protection. Fenced from stock.
Fenced stock access lanes through native vegetation Pasture - currently irrigated (14.18ha) Two upper blocks of eucalyptus woodlots to maintain productive land use, increase tree cover and reduce the area of irrigated land (1.95ha) Ephemeral wetlands at base of scarp (1.77ha)
Non-irrigated pasture (6.3ha)
Fenced permanent wetland connected to Bendigo Wetland (0.36ha)
Native woody revegetation following the terrace scarps and old river channels (11.66ha excluding wetland areas)
Design statement
Existing deciduous trees (0.15ha)
A progressive farm plan that pushes towards the goal of a carbon neutral landscape. In order to accomplish this goal, the area of woody vegetation (both native and exotic) is increased to equal the area of pasture, thus offsetting the average carbon emissions for non-irrigated grazing.
Four lower blocks of eucalyptus woodlots to maintain productive land use, increase tree cover and reduce the area of irrigated land (4.95ha)
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Animal-based farm plan - carbon neutral Option 2
Sheet 11 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz
Eucalyptus woodlot (0.95ha) Old slaughterhouse repurposed as a hunter’s hut with bunks and a kitchenette for pest control of ducks, geese and rabbits.
Top House and driveway block with >50% tree coverage (0.6ha) Irrigated cropping (lucerne baleage, peas, wheat, barley etc) (5.9ha) Existing willow and poplar riparian river control (0.75ha) Eucalyptus woodlot, also providing shelter (0.7ha)
Irrigated cropping (lucerne baleage, peas, wheat, barley etc) (8.5ha) Scarps with marginal productivity planted in either productive forestry or native revegetation
Dry cropping (lucerne, hay baleage) (8.3ha) Fenced ephemeral wetland with native riparian planting. A pipe can be cut through the dam to control water level. (1.54ha)
Native revegetation (1.1ha)
Roadside produce shop (located on the straight stretch of road for safety), packing sheds, implement sheds and pumphouse area (0.3ha) Slaughterhouse repurposed as a hunter’s hut Orchards (apples, peaches, apricots, cherries, nectarines, plums) (5.5ha) Extension of existing fenced wetland area to allow for high water levels (0.35ha) Saffron (requires well drained soil, cold winters and warm, dry summers) (0.8ha) Eucalyptus woodlot (0.2ha)
Vineyards (3.68ha). There is alternative potential for this area to be established in hops, which are seeing increasing demand due to the expanding craft beer industry. Currently only grown in the Nelson area, it is believed that with adequate irrigation and shelter, hops could thrive in the Central Otago fruit growing district (Beyond the borders of Nelson: the opportunity for growth of the New Zealand hop industry, Payton, 2018). Farm track connecting community housing with packing sheds. Ideally would use electric motorbikes and farm equipment. Fenced and planted wetland area as riparian filter for ephemeral outlet to Bendigo Wetland (0.2ha) Deciduous trees underplanted and eventually replaced with natives to increase indigenous diversity and habitat (0.2ha) Community housing with 50% vegetation cover. Mostly permanent housing with some WoOFer accommodation that doubles as a B&B in the growing off-season (1.0ha) Covered spiralina ponds. Productive in summer only. Require daily care. (0.7ha)
Design statement A radically new farm plan that embraces options and diversity in the area of plant-based agriculture. With the exception of spiralina, selected land uses are based on already successful crops for Central Otago. Horticulture crops are located to the south of the farm, where there is slightly better frost protection than in the northern area (according to Grow Otago data 1970-2001). More intensive crops are also situated closer to the community housing area for easier daily access.
Extended area of native shrub revegetation (0.3ha)
Top House Integrated Farm Plan Plant-based farm plan Option 3
Sheet 12 March 2019
www.lucas-associates.co.nz