We acknowledge the long-time support from Hawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRC) for projects

Carbon Farming Project 2008 (Garth Eyles - HBRC)
The project will be completed by July 2008. A Trust field afternoon is planned for local farmers.

This project compares the economics of a range of land stabilisation options using trees. Five tree-based options for land stabilisation on the property will provide estimates of tree crop productivity. For each option the amount carbon sequestered and water quality change will be modelled.

The following 5 scenarios are:

  • Kanuka/ manuka/ tawhinu regeneration
  • Mature native forest (QEII Trust area)
  • Spaced planted poplars with continued grazing
  • Planted eucalyptus spp 800-1000 stems/ha – run-off grazing
  • Planted Pinus radiata 800-1000 stems/ha – run-off grazing

These scenarios will be modelled (at the 1 ha level) using estimated productivity levels taken from farm records and sample plots.

Using local costs and prices, variations on the above scenarios will be run showing sensitivity of key variables on per hectare economics using discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Comparisons will be made with farming using local Farm Gross Margin/ha information.

  • Emissions Trading Scheme:
    McRae Trust – a study of issues around livestock greenhouse gas emissions and the implications for farmers

Sustainable farming Fund Project 2001- 2004
(HBRC & MAF Sustainable Farming Fund)

“ Growing the business from the ground up”
Soil testing and soil mapping techniques
Self-help soil testing for 12 other farm properties
Water quality preservation, Waitahora Stream riparian education/biodiversity
Winiata Block 30 ha steep hill land redevelopment
Fencing
900 Willow and Poplar Poles planted
Soil stability, pasture growth monitoring, fertility
cost benefit analysis - “financial returns are higher - a reasonable return”

 
Murray Jessen with a discussion group
Murray taking soil samples
from a farm track
Murray Jessen, right, presenting his soil map
in the Woolshed with Peter Manson, left.

The McRae Trust Sustainable Land Management Project 1994-2004
(HBRC)
Peter Manson, Facilitator for 10 years (HBRC)
Community six-weekly discussion meetings
Lectures, demonstrations, information field days
Soil conservation, riparian management, indigenous preservation
Climate change and climate management
Erosion control methods
New cattle yards
Water scheme development
Tree trials
Capital fertiliser applications
Beef Fattening Unit established
Central ridge access road constructed

Conservation and Land use Environmental Study of McRae Trust,
2001-2002:

Royal Society of NZ Teacher Fellow, Dawn Laurence
Initiated School field trips, trails, tree-planting
Specialist curriculum studies, worksheets, booklet devised

Pinus Radiata Plantation Joint venture (HBRC): Slips

Poplar plantings 1995-2008 (HBRC)

Demonstration Block of tree species 1981 (HBRC)

Westech 3 wells drilled for gas have been sealed off.

www.hbrc.govt.nz

 

  • McRae Trust Library
    McRae Trust has put the Trust library into the care of the Wairoa public library and will be adding to the collection each year. The books are available for reference only.
    Click here to view the collection