Chestnuts: production shelter belts on a Waikato dairy farm: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

The rural recession , experienced during the mid eighties caused many farmers to question the sensibility of having all their resources and capital tied to one operation. Many farmers sought investment opportunities off farm. In considering the climatic conditions many of us are blessed with in New Zealand and the tax incentives still in operation, on farm investment holds great potential. The recent forecasts of another drop in income for dairy farmers serves to highlight the cycle by which market forces dictate income . Diversification is a justifiable option in countering these income fluctuations.