Business Rural Autumn 2021

18 | Outlook remains positive for diverse Photos: Cows tuck in to their feed in a covered pad at Heriot. The 2500ha Avenal Station at Millers Flat carries 10,000 stock units, including 4500 ewes. The better tussock country is under constant development. Kelly Deeks MEAT & WOOL » Avenel Agriculture: Austin garden W orking across the agriculture industry in sheep, beef, deer, dairy, and forestry, Austin Garden, of Otago’s Avenel Agricul- ture, sees a positive future for each of his different enterprises. The 2500ha high country Avenel Station, runs up to 1000m in parts at Millers Flat, Central Otago, has been in the Garden family for more than 50 years. Currently running 10,000 stock units, including 4500 ewes, 230 cows, and 300 hinds, the better tussock country is under constant development, being turned over and put through crop. For the past 40 years, the Gardens have been planting plantations and shelter belts of radiata pine and Douglas fir, and for the past 10 years, have been harvesting trees. The 290ha dairy farm at Heriot, West Otago runs 700 cross bred cows. It is great, flat dairy country which was formerly a finishing farm for lambs, calves, and deer, until 10 seasons ago when Austin converted it to dairy. He says diversification is a good thing, and despite added pressures and constraints from the Government around environmental issues, the Covid crisis has brought agriculture into the minds of the people as to how important an industry it is for New Zealand. “The whole industry kept going right through lockdown and it’s a very important part of our economy,” he says. “I’ve always seen a good future in agriculture, and primary produce is always going to be needed. Similarly forestry is another export material which had minimal effects from Covid, and it’s very much a big part of the New Zealand economy and the Otago economy.” Going forward, Austin believes there will be more processing happening in New Zealand, but at the same time feels government regulation to force it would send the wrong signals to industry. “New Zealand companies are doing a good job in terms of adding value to meat and milk. There is a lot more value that can be added to the products, but it’s a difficult and slow process to turn these commodities into added value. We supply Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms, and I think they try very hard to add value and they’re doing a good job.” This season so far has been a bit of a mixture, with a wet and cold spring bringing lots of grass, but stressed grass – a lot of quantity but not a lot of quality for the summer – so lambs and ewes are a bit lighter than expected. “We’ve still got time to put weight on and with all the rain and a bit of heat, we will get good grass growth, so I’m really positive for the second half of the season,” Austin says. After 10 years of operation, the dairy farm is in a steady stage and has a good outlook with a stable high payout from Fonterra. On environmental compliance, Avenel Agriculture has changes underway. “It’s not just about physi- cal changes, it’s also a change of mindset and it doesn’t happen overnight,” Austin says. “Farmers are now starting to see there are things we can do that are quite easy but make a big difference, and we are all working on it.” “The whole industry kept going right through lockdown and it’s a very important part of our economy. I’ve always seen a good future in agriculture, and primary produce is always going to be needed. Similarly forestry is another export material which had minimal effects from Covid, and it’s very much a big part of the New Zealand economy and the Otago economy.” Are you applying the fertiliser that you really NEED? For independent fertiliser advice Call Bruce Hore 027 5760 303 Harvie GreenWyatt is here to help you maintain and grow your agri business. Our rural business professionals understand the ups and downs of farming as we deliver the full spectrum of accounting business and planning disciplines. For more information check out our website www.kelsokontracting.co.nz Or call us, Hamish: 0274 306 869 Office: 03 204 8112 • Stabilising • Rock Crushing • Stump Grinding & Mulching • Reefinator • Earthmoving & Excavation • Laneways