8 All poles are sorted on the farm before delivery to ensure the quality of the poles meets the market requirements. The old tradition of mosaic planting is evident on the farm, a practice that is not always followed in forestry today. Sites due to be replanted have the species rotated, in this way Eucalyptus planted into an old Wattle compartment benefits from the nitrogen and vice versa. Wattle planted into old Eucalyptus compartments will replace the nitrogen used by the Eucalyptus – a practise that, as Matthew says has “no scientific proof but through observation and yield monitoring shows the benefit of doing it”. In the forefront, 6-month-old Pinus elliottii and the background showing the mosaic pattern of planting various species adjacent to each other. A well-constructed roads’ network is imperative, not only from a fire protection point of view, but also for the day-to-day operations being carried out. Considering the rains experienced this year, the roads on Fairfield Estates stood up well due to being well-constructed and maintained. Added to this, Matthew sweeps all the roads in winter so that they act as internal breaks that will assist in slowing down any ground fires occurring by breaking the continuous fuel load as well as making access for vehicles unhindered. Swept roads with well-constructed side drains. Weeding operations are carried out either by cultural methods or herbicides. The interrow is wind-boxed, the dying vegetation acting as a mulch layer, and the line hoed to reduce competition from weeds. Open areas are well maintained with the majority in a maintenance phase, burnt on a biannual basis to promote good quality grass growth for Matthew’s herd of Bonsmara x Brangus cattle. Those areas not part of the burning programme are grazed by the cattle to reduce the fuel load assisting in extinguishing a wildfire should it occur. Matthew’s Bonsmara x Brangus herd
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