Helicropping - early adopters' experiences

Authors

  • P.M.S. Lane
  • B.E. Willoughby

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.573

Abstract

Abstract Aerial establishment of pasture and crops in hill country in New Zealand has received mixed publicity. Popularly referred to as 'spray and pray' this detracts from the success some practitioners have achieved with 'helicropping', a highly structured process that has the potential to markedly change hill country farming. Four farmers with an average of 4.5 years (range 2 to 7 years) of helicropping in New Zealand hill country were interviewed using a semi-structured snowball technique. Cross-case analysis was used to analyse themes of learning experience of helicropping, crop establishment, utilisation and economics, and the management of potential risk of soil loss from hill country cropping and harvest. Generally, all aspects ranked highly in terms of success. However, there was a strong message that this was attributable to strictly following a prescribed process that reduced risks both to a profitable return and to soil conservation. Keywords: hill country, soil conservation, pasture renovation, no tillage

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Published

2017-01-01

How to Cite

Lane, P., & Willoughby, B. (2017). Helicropping - early adopters’ experiences. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 79, 131–134. https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.573

Issue

Volume 79, 2017, Whanganui

Section

Past volumes

License

Copyright

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