The site of New Zealand’s running fertiliser trials under pasture is now up for sale – but the farming community is being reassured the long-term trial will be continued.

AgResearch, which has decided to sell, says the station northwest of Ashburton has been contributing to local and regional research for more than 72 years.

Winchmore was originally purchased in 1946, with a focus on providing local research into the use of border dyke irrigation. Long term fertiliser trials were started in the 1950s and together the site has contributed to more than 500 science publications.

But AgResearch director of infrastructure John O’Dea says projects and priorities have changed in recent years, which has seen more research conducted on commercial farms or smallscale intensive research. “This means the Winchmore site has primarily focused on the long term fertiliser trials.”

The 4.1-ha fertiliser trial has been in place since the 1950s, and will continue operating beyond the sale of the farm. 

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand has signed a 35-year lease with AgResearch to ensure the long-term fertiliser research trials at Winchmore continue.

FANZ chief executive Vera Power says the site has been providing extremely useful information for almost 70 years now.

“This has allowed us to track changes to pastoral land as agriculture evolves and supports our evidence base for sustainable management.”

Winchmore’s fertiliser trials complement the other long-term fertiliser trial, on North Island Hill Country, near the Manawatu Gorge.

John says the combination of Lismore soils and spray irrigation at Winchmore will enable a wide range of future cropping and grazing options.

“Modern de-stoning technology now means the stony Lismore soils are regarded as some of the most sought-after and productive soils for intensive vegetable and arable production.”

Crops on farm this season include potatoes, wheat, barley, maize, peas and specialist seed crops, with a small area retained in lucerne and permanent pasture.

Historically, the farm had limited winter-forage cropping, and was primarily used as a grazing property.

Originally 308ha, the farm is being subdivided into two parcels, either side of the Dromore Methven Rd, with the larger parcel of approximately 247ha to be sold on the open market.

Winchmore provides a range of buildings from offices, meeting rooms, workshop and implement sheds, to a woolshed and covered yards, and a new set of cattle yards with a concrete base.

The farm will be offered for sale by deadline private treaty, with offers to be received by the end of February if not sold prior.

In 2017, Winchmore’s irrigation was upgraded from border dyke (flood) irrigation to overhead sprinkler irrigation, in line with the transition across Canterbury to more water efficient irrigation systems. 

“The sale of Winchmore will enable AgResearch to invest in its wider research facilities, and thus continue driving prosperity by transforming agriculture,” says John.