Lands And Survey Begin Pilot Dairy Farms On Aratiatia And Tauhara

Taupo Times, Volume XII, Issue 52, 6 July 1965, Page 6

Lands And Survey Begin Pilot Dairy Farms On Aratiatia And Tauhara

Lands and Survey Department has just begun to run its two pilot dairy farms near Taupo and stocking has been completed within the last or two or three weeks.

District farming interests, which opposed the e^tablishment of dairy farms on Tauhara without adequate tests, will watch the progress of the experimental farms with some interest. The two pilot farms are being stocked and run by the Department of Lands and Survey. One is in the Tauhara Block and the other in the Aratiatia Block. The Aratiatia Block Pilot Farm is being managed by Mr Merv. Hill. In his early twenties — he was married last month at Te Puke — he moyed into the farm with Madge, his wife, only four weeks ago. A fortnight later the young dairy herd of crossbred Jerseys began arriving . Except for the bulls the dairy herd is now completed. There are 91 "springing" heifers on the farm. And four have calved down, the first calf having been born last week. Shortly six sows will arrive, and, as there is expected to be plenty of skimmilk available, the weaners will be fattened for the pork and bacon trade. But the emphasis at Mr Hill's farm is being placed

purely on dairying output. For the pilot farm Y> he accepted as a success, the butterfat will have to reach a 16,0001b. mark in its first sea.son. That figure represents 1001b. to the acre for the Aratiatia Block Pilot Farm, like its counterpart in the Tauhara Block, is 160 acres. Because the first season's progeny of the heifers will come from sires unknown to the Lands and Survey Department, they will not be reared on the farm. But that policy is likely to be altered once the herd has become established. And because iio young stock is being reared replacements for the next two years will be brought in. But Taupo cannot expect a town milk supply to be started as easily as that. For two years milk will not be sold from the farms, and cream will go to the factory at Ngongotaha near Rotorua. If the pilot farms prove their worth, then 80 to 100 similar-sized farms for dairying could be opened up within a few miles of Taupo's boundaries if Lands and Survey Department's plans go ahead.