Budget now for farm erosion planting

Willow poles are an option for erosion control on farms.

Farmers around the country are being urged to budget for the buying and planting of erosion-control willow and poplar poles.

"It's important to plan ahead to make sure the money is in your farm budget not just to buy poles but get them to your farm, planted and protected," says Wairoa-based Hawke's Bay Regional Council land management adviser Peter Manson.

"Most nurseries need to have your order by late May at the very latest so they can be sure to supply what you need.

"Most have a good range of varieties to cover varying situations, such as hot and dry, wet and shaded or more visually appealing ... but you risk missing the best options for your farm if you leave it too late."

Poplars and willows stabilise pastoral hill country, increase water storage, reduce sediment transfer, improve water quality, benefit stock in terms of shade and shelter and enhance the general farm environment.

Research shows poplars and willows are the most effective trees for preventing erosion and reduce slippage by up to 95 per cent. The direct cost of the April 2011 Hawke's Bay storm was an average of $235,000 per affected farm (with 48 per cent loss of production and 52 per cent damage to infrastructure).

There are poplars and willows to suit each region and location. Regional councils have printed catalogues of poplar and willow varieties and detailed information and pictures can be found on the Poplar and Willow Research Trust website (www.poplarandwillow.org.nz).

Mr Manson says farmers can also directly approach their local regional council for specific advice.

"There are many different varieties of willows and poplars available and regional council land management advisers are able to give advice on which ones are best for your soil type and climate. Some new varieties are good in some regions but not in others."

He says most regional councils also offer grants for erosion control planting although these differ in dollar size and threshold.

"You need to buy 150 poles to qualify for grant assistance in Hawke's Bay, for example, that's a 35 per cent net grant as long as the trees are planted for erosion control purposes."

He says many farmers have regular planting programmes of 150-200 each year.
"There are the occasional properties doing substantial programmes - they may be dealing with bigger erosion or are simply a bigger-scale farm."

The price of three-metre poles can vary from $7.50 to $9.

"Smaller poles will cost less but they need special management. After adding the costs of protectors, transport and planting, the full cost of the pole in the ground on hill country could be $20-$23 - including labour and materials.

"It's not really economical for farmers to do the planting on their own, but many have access to farm labour or the use of fundraisers for a local rugby club is an excellent way to do the job. Labour is often the stopping point for many farmers. It's a labour-intensive job but the rewards are magnificent. It's hard to find a hill country farmer who regrets planting, because it makes such a big difference to any farm."

Now based in Wairoa in northern Hawke's Bay, Mr Manson has been in the industry for more than 30 years.

"I have seen first-hand the benefits of erosion-control plantings and definitely the benefits of the breeding programme undertaken by the Poplar and Willow Research Trust."