Crop Production
Excellence in Agribusiness
Main Farming Practices
Production Excellence is gained through six important farming practices.
Attention to Detail
1
Precision Farming
2
Quality Control
3
Irrigation
4
Environment
5
Skilled Expertise
6
Seed Crops Grown
White Clover Seed is one of the most common crops grown at Scottville along with Ryegrass seed. Pollinated naturally with bees this crop is very suited to the lighter, dry part of North Canterbury which under irrigation provides optimum controlled growing conditions to produce consistent quality and premium yields.
crop grown for South Pacific Seeds.
Scottville Farms main crops produced is Ryegrass Seed. High grade lines of Perennial, Italian and Hybrid types are produced for company’s like Agriseeds (owned by Barenbrug), PGG Wrightsons and Luisetti seeds. Strict measures are taken to prevent contamination between different varieties of grasseed.
Scottville Farm has been one of Luisetti Seeds key growers for reproducing high grade new strains of wheat and barley. Luisetti Seeds along with Plant and Food Research NZ use Scottville as one of their main growers in reproducing new varieties. The most recent include CRWT 218 milling wheat and Ruapuna feed wheat.
Hybrid Carrots are a specialist crop grown annually at Scottville Farm. This is a 14 month crop, generally sown in February and harvested the following year in March/April. The crop is normally contracted through Midlands Seeds, and takes extra attention to grow with pollination a critical aspect.
Hybrid Swiss Chard is another specialist crop Scottville Farm prides itself in growing for seed. This crop is grown for South Pacific Seeds.
Small areas of Mizuna and other specialist brassica crops are grown under irrigation here at Scottville farm. Mainly for South Pacific Seeds.
Hybrid Radish seed is a favored crop grown by Scottville mainly for South Pacific Seeds.
Scottville grows approximately 20-30 hectares of Maro-Fat peas for Midlands seed every year. These are mostly exported to Japan for the high value snack market. Some years garden peas are grown for other companies including Luisetti Seeds. Peas also make an excellent break crop.
Scottville Farm grows high grade breeders and basic lines of Barley for seed multiplication.
Crop husbandry
Spraying
Herbicide resistance is becoming an increasing issue. Scottville takes particular attention to use different modes of action and different chemical groups where ever possible to prevent this. We operate our own Miller Nitro sprayer which has state-of-the-art section control and hydraulic steering to minimize overlaps. Operating our own sprayer allows prompt response to any crop disease and pest issues. All 3 sprayer operators are Grow-safe certified and have Approved Handler certificates.
Fertiliser & Manures
Extensive soil testing is used to manage the fertility of the soil. Spreading of high analysis fertilizers is done with Bogballe Spreader with RTK gps for precision application. Super and lime are applied using Spreadmark certified spreaders. Extensive fertilizer planning is done with our fertilizer agronomist to match crop nutrient requirements to application thus preserving the environment from surplus nutrients leaching into groundwater. Organic manures are also used strategically to maintain soil structure and fertility.
Pollination
Insect Pollination is necessary for many of the specialty seed crops grown at Scottville. Beehives are well supported and many hives are brought in to complete pollination and maximize seed yields.
Good Stewards of the Land
Being responsible for stable and sustainable returns for our landlords
Onion Production
Scottville Farm also specializes in producing quality brown onions for export. They are planted in late August, and are lifted the following February and Harvested in March. Packing then begins in April and usually is completed by July once northern hemisphere countrys begin supplying the market. The onions are packed to orders and range in bag size from 5kg – 1 ton bags. The whole growing and packing process is Global Gap certified (G.A.P) ensuring quality is maintained throughout.
Growing
1
Harvesting
2
Packing
3
Available Produce
Straw
Ryegrass, barley and wheat straw is baled after harvest and available for sale as a feed supplement. Pea straw is baled and sold as a garden compost.
Hay and Baleage
High quality baleage and hay is produced annually and is available for sale. This includes medium and large squares of lucerne, grass and clover.
Seed
Non proprietary pasture seeds are grown in small quantities each year and are available for purchase. These include Annual, Italian and Perennial ryegrass, White and Red clover.