50 | Rangitikei: Atihau Whanganui Inc Awhi operations diverse, productive T Richard Loader Situated in the foothills of Mt Ruapehu, Atihau Whanganui Incorporation was established to protect Maori land and create employment. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T to page 52 Embracing a total of 42,000 hectares between Ohakune and the Whanganui River, Atihau Whanganui Incorporation’s agricultural operations are diverse and productive. Founded in 1970 and currently owned by 9500 shareholders, all descendants of the original owners of the land, the incorporation traces its roots back to 1904 and the Aotea District Land Council, which was established to administer Māori land on behalf of the Māori owners and with the primary goal of protecting Māori land from sale. When the Atihau Whanganui Incorporation (Awhi) was established, protecting Māori land remained the primary goal along with creating employment so that the land was farmed by Māori, for Māori. Today, of the 42,000 hectares of land owned by Atihau, 20,000 hectares is in pasture and encompasses nine separate farms, predominantly in close proximity to each other, if not neighbouring. In addition to sheep and beef properties, including two finishing farms, the farmland includes a small 400-hectare dairy unit along with 3600 productive hives on an apiary. Of the remaining land, 778 hectares is in plantation forestry, 18,000 hectares is either in native forestry or other native plantings including manuka and 3000 hectares is currently leased out to other people. Apart from some grain bought in for the dairy farm, all supplement is grown on farm. From the 400-hectare dairy unit, 700 kiwi-cross cows produce an average of 250,000kgMS each year, with all young stock run on the dairy farm as well. “We calve in spring and milk seasonally,” says CEO Andrew Beijeman. “It starts off twice a day but generally after Christmas we have a once a day herd. At the moment it’s all once a day. The dairy farm is quite high up at 600metres above sea level, so our stocking rate is quite low.” Six sheep and beef breeding farms are home to around 80,000 ewes and 4000 Angus breeding cows, with surplus progeny either finished on farm, or transferred to the finishing farms where they are grown out and finished. “We finish 80% of our own lambs on farm with the rest sold store. We finish all our cattle and buy in additional store cattle for finishing. All cattle product, the majority of which are Angus, goes into special programmes like Angus Pure, and some goes into our own market through FoodChain in Auckland. “There is a big focus on eating quality, keeping the animals in a low stress environment while improving some traits, like marble score through genetics. “On the lamb side of things, we mainly supply Ovation and we are also NZGAP certified, which means the lambs that make the grade can go into Wholefoods in America, through the Atkins Programme.” PLUMBING LIMITED 7607 Valley Road, RD 6, Raetihi Phone: (06) 385 4718 Mobile: 027 436 1075 B&M Plumbing Ltd is proud to support Atihau Whanganui Inc. For all of your Plumbing, Drainlaying, Septic Tanks, Pumps, Fires, Water Filters, UV lamps, Farm Water schemes and More. 5 Ton Digger with Augers & Truck Hire. 45 years experience and Local knowledge. Your local Master Plumber/Drainlayer in the Waimarino area servicing Raetihi, Ohakune, National Park, Waiouru and Pipiriki. “There is a big focus on eating quality, keeping the animals in a low stress environment while improving some traits, like marble score through genetics.”
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