The state-owned farm, beneath the Kaikoura Ranges, is administered by the Department of Conservation under the Reserves Act and leased to Pamu (Landcorp).
Pamu strives to meet all the values associated with Molesworth including environmental, recreational use, conservation, farming and historic values, she said.
In many cases farming provides an ecological benefit with the release of the farm environment-operational plan aimed at bringing all the values associated with farming on Molesworth into the future.
“It’s a plan for looking after NZ’s farm.”
The report provides an operational plan developed for Pamu and is separate to the Management Plan for the Molesworth Recreation Reserve.
The Integrated Land Use and Farm Environment Plan for Molesworth, written by Erica van Reenen of AgFirst, demonstrates how farming not only supports the many values but can also enhance them.
“Farming on Molesworth is a privilege and being able to farm this iconic station on behalf of Kiwis is a responsibility Pamu doesn’t take lightly, Dewes said.
“We commissioned this plan because we need to recognise all of the values associated with the land and demonstrate how farming can support and enhance these values.
“Farm plans in 2020 need to be dynamic and living and must be able to respond to legislation, social expectations and the health of our natural world.
“The plan makes it clear that we have learned from past farming practice, which means the stock we run on Molesworth now are kinder to the lowlands and ensures the high country is not over-grazed.”
Pamu farms only about a third of the station at any time so it can better support the recreational and ecological values of the land while maintaining a profitable farm system.
“Our investment in pest and weed control has helped support other core values of Molesworth, such as recreation and to ensure the fire risk is minimised,”
The plan brings the relevant values associated with Molesworth together to provide an integrated land-use approach that recognises that history, culture, place, people and the natural world are all connected and interrelated.
Key findings of the plan include a 40% decrease in stocking rates over the past 20 years, phosphorus applications have halved and are applied to only 80 hectares of cropped areas now.
Total nitrogen loss has reduced by 9% and greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by almost 40%.
“Pamu has developed an integrated farm policy that works within the limits of the land and works with the rhythms of the seasons to minimise the impact of animals in sensitive areas while enabling a protective focus for the reserve – fire and pest-risk minimisation, infrastructure maintenance and integration of social, recreational and farming values,” van Reenen said.
The plan identifies a range of actions to further improve environmental outcomes on Molesworth.
They include encouraging cattle away from waterways, weed and pest management, minimising fertiliser inputs, cultivation and the use of cropping, managing high-risk areas, ensuring overgrazing does not occur and ongoing monitoring and data collection is occurring.
Dewes said the actions identified have been or are planned to be implemented.
The plan also outlines further opportunities for recreation by enhancing Molesworth visitors’ experience with a deeper understanding of station life and its place in NZ’s history.
“While there is often tension between the values associated with Molesworth it is the view of Pamu, supported by evidence, that farming has a place on the property which can support conservation values and positive environmental outcomes, a great recreational experience and protect the history and culture associated with this special place,” Dewes said.
