Hill country cropping with no land-based equipment

Abstract

A series of demonstration/proof of concept trials conducted on four sites in northern North Island hill country from 2001 over 3 years, identified practical techniques to establish a high-yielding brassica crop as part of a pasture renewal programme, using a helicopter. Practices similar to no tillage flat-land operations were identified, but they also take into account the risk associated with aerially applying fertiliser, seed and pesticides onto steep hill country. Keywords: hill country, cropping, aerial application