| 83 delivering a pulse much like a dog collar. Beef cattle aren’t as responsive as dairy cattle who keep to a routine. We’ll be starting a new trial in April with an improved version of the collar. It’s an exciting space to be in,” believes Brent. The area has plenty of gold mining relics from a rush that started in 1861 and peaked with around 2000 people in the area. The collars are intended to keep animals safe from mine shafts and other hazards as well as keep historic relics from being damaged by cows. Brent largely looks after the business and staff side of Waipori with two stock managers working with the livestock. An average of 250 hectares of winter swedes is grown each year along with a mix of rape and pasture for additional winter feed. One hundred hectares of the swedes are strip tilled and precision planted to increase yield and reduce costs. This partial cultivation method also mitigates any potential erosion or soil movement. Plenty of changeable weather at Waipori Electronic cow collars are now in use at Waipori station. Ange Davidson MEAT & WOOL » Waipori Station In the big tussock country between Lawrence and Outram is Waipori is New Zealand’s largest Pamu farm, the brand name for State-owned enterprise Landcorp Farming Ltd. The 12,500 hectare station surrounds Lake Mahinerangi and reaches up to 988 metres above sea level, an elevation that brings plenty of changeable weather. That doesn’t deter people from wanting to work at the station and there is generally a waiting list of keen shepherds attracted by the innovative farming practices, horse work in the high country and the lure of weekends pig and deer hunting in the hills. With 1413 hectares under QEII covenants, 1,000 hectares in pine trees and increasing and 2,500 hectares in unimproved tussock, there is plenty of scope for change-driven work and recreation for the 13 full time employees and season staff. At the helm is Farm Business manager, Brent Pilet who says Waipori has plenty going on especially in research and development which is the mahi of Pamu farms around the country. “One of our main focuses over the last three years has been introducing fine wool sheep to the flock to get below 25 microns as this is where the market is for us currently. We are sourcing merino rams from breeders across the South Island and trialling for strong feet and good constitution to cope with our wetter climate,” says Brent. “We put a Merino ram to 25% of our Romney ewes and narrow down on the replacements. We’ll be sharing our findings with the industry as most farmers know that something has to happen with wool. There are innovations in the market like wool in surf boards, boats, and plastics but they are currently small niche markets and there’s not much demand,” he says. Alongside the Merino Romney cross for wool, Waipori run 25% of the older end of the flock as unmarked Romney terminal sire that are largely sent for processing straight off mum and the remaining 50% as internal replacements. Our half-bred lambs are recognised in the Silere meat market capturing the AOM premium. Another trial at Waipori is virtual fencing with collars on the Angus beef cattle which is getting mixed results to date. Waipori use Pamu Angus with around 2000 calving cows and heifers. “The collars are primarily designed to keep cattle out of waterways and other sensitive areas by “The collars are primarily designed to keep cattle out of waterways and other sensitive areas by delivering a pulse much like a dog collar.” Retaining Walls, Sheep & Cattle Yards Rural Fencing, Residential Fences, PO Box 19 Lawrence Email: stationhousenursery@gmail.com Rex & Sharon Macdonald Call 03 485 9190 D Sheep in the snow at Waipori Station. David Graham 027 474 8325 dave@irritech.co.nz Roger Simpson 027 474 8324 rog@irritech.co.nz • 16B Connelly Way, Cromwell • admin@irritech.co.nz • s • Agricultural irrigation design • Stock water design and supply • Supply of irrigators and material • Project management • Installation of system • Commissioning Irritech Otago are happy to be working alongside Waipori Station
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=