New Zealand Student Tours with KANES
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Farming  in New Zealand
Generally, different zones offer distinctly different aspects for interested groups to experience.
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KANES arrange farming experiences according to the specific interests of each customer.  You can explore the annual farming cycles of various farm products, look at the ways land and soil are prepared and improved for best yields.

We often explore the economic aspects of various management systems. There are many different types of farms to study. Some NZ universities specialise in the studies of farms. Farmers we meet are happy to answer questions and explain the processes.

Farming in New Zealand
Fifty percent of the land area in New Zealand is used for farming.  Generally each farm is owned and operated by one farmer and his family.  The most common farm products include:- lamb, beef, dairy, fruit and grains but there are hundreds of other products as well.
KANES offer farm visits depending on the customers' interests and time available.

Animal Farms
Sheep and cattle are the most popular farmed animal species and there are many different breeds to explore, each with special strengths to thrive in different environments and different uses. In addition there are many other animals now being farmed for other food and clothing products.  Studies take us through the annual cycle of each, look at the breeding, feeding and, health of the animals and the farmers payment when the animals leave.

Farm Shows
These "shows" are excellent for visitors to obtain a short, concise introduction and overall insight into farming. Presentations are colourful, entertaining and provide opportunities to have close contact with different breeds of farm animals. In the South Island's  Desert and Adventure Zone an afternoon old time farming experience begins with a steam boat cruise to a lakeside farm and farm show.  Afternoon tea and cakes are provided for guests followed by an interesting insight into the work and animals found on remote farms. The farmer demonstrates his tasks including shearing and working sheepdogs.    Wool spinning demonstration shows how the ladies used to make garments from wool.   The North Island's Active Volcano Zone provides the popular Agrodome farm show with rollicking commentaries sheep dogs working and a selection of sheep that help you understand various breeds farms you see all over New Zealand.

High Country Farms
This type of farm lets the animals free on the mountains to search for their sustenance.  These farms are much bigger than the farms of the fertile lowlands. They have different breeds of grasses and animals, different routines and different types of people operating them.  See Alpine Trails Zone and Alpine Grandeur Zone 

Wetland Farming
In high rain fall areas require different techniques to operate successfully. See  also Mining & Milling Zone

Dairy Farms
Groups see the processes of milking cows and the  movement of milk to processing factories where it is prepared for supermarkets or transformed into powder and cheese for export.

Vegetable Farms

Fruit Farms
Otherwise known as orchards, fruit farms are found in most zones. Various weather patterns dictate the varieties of fruit their care and productivity. The Desert & Adventure Zone is well known for stone fruit, pip fruit and grapes.  Kiwi fruit and citrus fruit are most available at the north of the South Island, and the Northern areas of the Main Population Zone.

Grain Farms
These include wheat, barley and various temperate vegetables and they are found throughout the country especially near towns.

Fish Farms
Generally new and developing enterprises only a few fish farms are situated in areas on the normal tour route. They include salmon, mussel, prawn and abalone. 

Overnight Farm Stays
Larger groups on limited budgets  can experience a stay on a South Island high-country farm among the mountains. Small numbers of guests (2-4) can be  hosted at individual family farms for about the same price as staying at a 4-star hotel. See also Accommodation

Forestry
Plantations are found all over New Zealand  Timber (mainly pine) is a major export product and there are many opportunities to walk into the forests and observe the various stages of the growth, care, harvest and uses of this material. 

See also
VIDEO (sheep)  
VIDEO
(sheep shearing)    
VIDEO (feeding lambs)

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