Business Rural Autumn 2021

22 | Regulatory changes a pressure cooker Photos: Iain Wright with Sophie (14) and Dustin (11) helping in the wool shed in school holidays. Feeding out with a golden sunrise at Lauriston Downs. Karen Phelps P ressure on farmers regarding climate change and regulatory changes can take its toll. Something Hawarden farmer Iain Wright knows well. Not long ago Iain knew something was not quite right but couldn’t put his finger on the cause. It was only when he went online and googled ‘symptoms of depression’ that he worked out why he was feeling tired and down in the dumps. By acknowledging his health problem and taking the necessary steps Iain quickly got things back on track. He says it’s important for farmers to make sure they are keeping themselves well. “We have to make sure we are doing healthy stuff for our minds because if you let the pressure get to you it can quickly get you down. It’s about keeping an eye out for each other and talking about depression so it isn’t a taboo subject. Luckily there are a lot of resources out there now to help but family and friend support is also important.” Iain grew up on Lauriston Downs. The farm was originally purchased in 1919 by his great grandparents who emigrated from England. Today the 490ha farm is owned by his parents Marg and Lew. Iain’s wife Jacelyn works off farm as a hairdresser. They have two children: Sophie, 13 and Dustin, 10. Lauriston Downs runs 3000 Corriedale breeding ewes, 750 hoggets and 80 steer calves, which are taken through the winter and sold in spring for MEAT & WOOL » Iain & Jacelyn Wright cash flow. Around 10-20ha of barley is grown for dairy support.It’s been a great summer for Lauris- ton Downs with rain at all the right times resulting in phenomenal grass growth. Farming Corriedales – with wool micron at 27.5- 28 - the farm has also still received a good wool cheque. Iain says with regards to breeding they buy rams with mid micron wool traits, good foot scores (as their farm is foot-rot free), good bodies (to pro- duce good lambs going to the works) and excellent fertility. They have invested in Gold Mark rams.The aim of the Gold Mark scheme is to identify the top 10% of Corriedale genetics. “It’s a bigger investment but worth it. There are huge gains to be made by buying better rams,” he says. “We’ve been doing it for three years and are already starting to see the results – a more even line of ewe lambs. It’s about constantly improving and tweaking the genetics.” Iain is currently focusing on improving the lamb scanning score after a disappointing result last year. He has condition scored ewes and allo- cated feed accordingly to ensure the lighter ones improved condition before being sent to the ram, which he hopes will give a better result next time. It was in 2019 that Iain reached the finals of the New Zealand Ewe Hogget Competition in the fine wool section. It was the first time he had entered and has it in his sights to enter again to see if he can take out the title next time. “We have to make sure we are doing healthy stuff for our minds because if you let the pressure get to you it can quickly get you down. It’s about keeping an eye out for each other and talking about depression so it isn’t a taboo subject. Luckily there are a lot of resources out there now to help but family and friend support is also important.” Amuri Transport (1989) Ltd Livestock • Bulk Grain • Shingle • Coal • Fertiliser • Daily Freight Service Livestock - stock@amuritransport.co.nz Fertiliser - fert@amuritransport.co.nz Freight - freight@amuritransport.co.nz 56 St Leonards Rd, Culverden Ph: 03 315 3033 – F: 03 315 8413 Drilling & Cultivation Nick Abbott 0274 302 413 Proud to support Iain & Jacelyn Wright WILFIELD CORRIEDALES 1213 West Coast Rd, West Melton RD1 Christchurch 7671 03 347 8939 | 021 158 3866 Wilfield Sheep Stud are proud to support Iain & Jacelyn Wright • Open headed upstanding sheep • High Fertility – 5 year average 170% • Fine Wool Corriedales – 26.8 micron ram hogget average • Top ram hoggets CT scanned at Lincoln University t i i tilit i l i l . i t t t i l i it • Footrot Resistant – ALL rams tested • SIL recorded • Drought Resistant, Long Living and Fence Friendly • Proven Genetics and Quality Assured t t i t t t t I t i t t, i i i l ti lit