Decision making 101
by Sheryn Clothier
So you have bought a slice of Aotearoa and want to know what to plant on it?
Join the crowd. It is a question I get asked frequently and no doubt a main driver for many
members to join NZTCA.
So I have collated the following considerations to assist those with this important decision
— I hope it is helpful.
1.) What have you got?
This is the most important factor, but often overlooked.
Tamarillos do not grow in frosts, and walnuts suffer from blight in humidity. Don't fight Mother Nature to grow something unsuited to your land, but analyse your climate, soil, drainage, etc. to compile a list of possibilities. You want crops that like your situation, or you will need to factor in either a higher risk factor or higher set-up costs as you create an artificial environment.
The best way to see what suits your area is to attend the NZTCA field days and see what other people in your region are growing. Ask. Ask everyone and you will get lots of conflicting, confusing information – but amongst it will be the gems you seek.
2.) What do you want?
Make the wish list. You can't have it all so prioritise what is important to you and what your current and foreseeable circumstances are going to be.
– Is this a profit-making business? If so, what sort of returns do you need and what risks are you prepared / can you afford to take? Do a business plan.
– Do you want eventual self-employment? Maybe you need one or more yearly crops intermixed to spread the risk and/or utilise space?
Or do you need a steady, weekly income? Perhaps growing a range of crops for a farmers' market is the answer.
– Do you want an interesting, self-supporting, outside hobby where profit is a bonus rather than an essential element? – olives or lavender.
– Do you want to create a long-term but low maintenance income for your retirement? – walnuts or hazels.
– Do you want to create an asset for your children? – timber or truffles.
– Or is the main goal wholesome food for your family? – a diverse home orchard.
(Please note that the crops suggested are examples only — members must do their own research and make their own decisions. [A great place for help - attend a local field day and ask])
3.) How much are you willing to invest?
This is not only the obvious question of establishment costs but also ongoing time.
Mowing, pruning, spraying, harvesting, etc all take time, but some crops are more intensive than others.
The likes of soft fruit have an annual programme that is concentrated during harvesting. Nuts are less labour-intensive, while niche crops in glasshouses are a demanding commitment.
Do your maths – be realistic about your time investment and ensure the returns are worthwhile.
When costing out your equipment, look at the economies of scale. If specialised equipment is needed, will a larger plantation be more economic? If intercropping, is the equipment versatile?
4.) What is your market?
If there is a financial consideration, this is the question you really need to be able to answer.
And how much effort are you prepared to put into processing, marketing and selling your produce?
Recent articles in the TreeCropper have profiled a strong organisation in the South Island for adding value and marketing walnuts, olive growers are forming cooperatives to share processing equipment, various lavender stills are available for hire, there are independent organisations assisting with marketing in the feijoa and tamarillo industries, and then there is the recent upsurge of farmers' markets.
Your crop is worthless until sold – work out how you are going to sell it and some realistic returns.
5.) How much risk are you prepared to take?
Most crops have a time period between establishment costs and harvesting returns and, of course, the longer that period, the more risk of the market changing.
All crops carry a weather-dependant risk, some more than others, and global warming may bring even more extremes. Be realistic – don't budget for the best-case scenario. I like the one-in-seven formula that factors in a disaster every seven years. And hey, if Mother Nature is benevolent, it's a bonus.
Even established crops, eg the apple, have a risk attached. Marketing practice in this industry has seen a decline in NZ apple production and at NZTCA Conference 2008, we saw apricots left unharvested due to economics.
However, niche crops like the dragon fruit (see TreeCropper 53) require you to go it alone, doing all the processing, and not just the marketing, but creating and educating the market as well – are you prepared for that?
6.) Last but not least, past-president John Dean says it is most important to pursue a crop you enjoy.
If you enjoy flowers, peace and minute detail – grow saffron.
If operating machinery, building frames and a pruning/maintenance schedule is your thing – maybe nashi or a soft fruit.
If you enjoy masses of spring blossoms, think about almonds or cherries.
If it is large trees you appreciate – pecans and chestnuts.
Or do you like to be experimental and at the investigative edge? – gevuina and karaka.
Do it because you enjoy it, says John Dean, and you will profit in the good times and enjoy it in the bad.
So when people ask my advice on what crops to grow – I tell them to do their research, to take their time, to look around and to ask, ask and ask those who have been there and done it before.
Whatever you do, tree crops are a long-term investment. If you have the time and are dithering between a few possibilities, throw in some specimens this spring while you are researching.
You may learn something and if some flourish while others need more TLC than you are prepared to give, it may help your decision-making. If not, what have you lost?
A case study – me.
Steven and I purchased our 3.5+ hectares in 2006. Between us, we already had three separate businesses and had no desire for a fourth. While the temptation was there to do 'something' that would contribute towards the mortgage, the reality is, we just don't have time available.
We also decided our caretaking of this land would probably be only for 20 years or so. After that, we would probably want the freedom to travel without commitment or would want to sell our existing businesses and move on.
So, income not essential (though, of course, always preferable), available time limited and short-term goals only. Why had we bought land?
Because we wanted fresh, healthy food; an outside, physical hobby to offset our inside jobs; and we wanted room for the kids to ride motorbikes, build tree huts, play in the dam and run with the dogs, etc.
So we, very generously (!), offered to host a field day here for our Waikato NZTCA branch.
They arranged speakers on topics such as planning, shelter, and crops that do well in this area, and we provided a tent, chairs and barbecued hot water.
We advertised in the local paper and invited others with the same problems to join us, and, luckily, got a fine day.
It was invaluable.
Feedback came thick and fast but some we took on board included:
- Planned orchard too big to maintain – halve the size then plant individual trees out in the paddocks.
- Divide stock and tree areas – and separate with a good, very good, fence.
- Landscape and drain before planting.
- Plant our own shelter (don't rely on the neighbour's).
- And I think the best advice of all was to put things closer together. I had originally planned the orchard here, the cow shed there, the poultry over there, etc, but was told that if I walked through my orchard daily, in one hit, to feed the calves, poultry, empty the compost and burn the rubbish my life would be easier.
In retrospect they were totally right – it is not only easier, but even in winter I walk past each of my trees at least weekly as I take differing routes to do my chores and enjoy each new bud, note to trim a funny branch or catch any problems in-the-bud (excuse the pun).
Now, two years later, we have nearly 100 fruit and nut trees planted – some of which we hope will start seriously providing this summer, an established vege garden that almost completely feeds us and enough animals to keep the freezer full at no cost.
This is done in the time we have available (though there is always more to do), and while it does not MAKE us any money, we eat like kings and SAVE a fortune on our food bill.
And we love it. It is fun and enjoyable without any pressure – just what we wanted.
But of course, in editing the TreeCropper you are always hearing about these fantastic possibilities, the temptation is always there – maybe just a ....
From TreeCropper September 2008 Issue 55
