Business Rural Autumn 2025

Sharemilker Karen Bennett and sister Laura have acquired an online business, adding a new dimension to the farming operation - Page 17 Increasing milk production all around Autumn 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

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Rural South accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businessrural #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Ian Anderson �� 03 Avonmore Farm �� 04 Sam Young and Emma Shaw �� 06 Graham Talbot �� 07 Chris and Desiree Giles �� 08 Chris and Samara Wech �� 09 Robert and Cate Willis �� 10 Kaihoka Farm Stay �� 11 The Grange - Oxford �� 12 Canlac Holdings �� 13 Claxby Farm �� 14 Lighthouse and Beacon Dairies �� 15 Stephen Todd �� 16 Sam and Karen Bennett �� 17 Jon Pemberton �� 18 Omega Milk Ltd �� 20 P & J Riley and J W & R Johnson �� 21 Te Mania Stud �� 22 Orari Gorge Station �� 24 Pourakino Downs �� 25 Kaiwara Angus �� 26 Ferniehurst Station Ltd �� 27 Fernvale Genetics �� 28 Fossil Creek Angus �� 30 Glenbrook Station Shorthorns �� 32 Gunton Farms Ltd �� 33 Hamish Galletly �� 34 Stern Angus �� 36 Koromiko Farm Ltd �� 38 Ballandean Ltd �� 39 Ben and Jenny Rutherford �� 40 Monymusk Herefords �� 42 JJJ Farms Ltd �� 43 Nithdale Station �� 44 Parawa - Maurice King �� 47 Blytheburn Farm �� 49 Tamar Meats �� 50 Toko Spraying Ltd �� 52 High Country Helicopters �� 53 A&M Wilson Contracting Ltd �� 54 Agronomics �� 56 Clutha Vets Animal Health �� 57 Airborne Solutions �� 58 Aqus Waitaki Water �� 60 Botting Bros Ltd �� 62 CP Lime Solutions - Optimise �� 64 Canterbury Plains Contracting �� 66 Central Rural Services �� 67 Sinclair Transport �� 68 HeliOps Southland Ltd �� 71 Summit Earthmoving �� 72 Hunter Contracting �� 73 Jock Martin Wool Harvester �� 74 Joe Herbert Contracting Ltd �� 76 Keith Hay Homes �� 77 Kings Rural Transport Ltd �� 78 Outram Contracting �� 79 Mainfert �� 80 Precision Spraying / Central Seed and Chemical �� 82 Roughan Holdings Ltd �� 83 Rural Building Solutions Ltd �� 84 Fry Contracting �� 86 Wendon Creek Contracting �� 86 Survus Consultants �� 87 South Island Seed Dressing and Storage Company �� 88 Southern Baling �� 90 TA Arnold Transport Ltd �� 92 WE Perrin Ltd �� 93 Willowbank AG �� 94 Titiroa Transport �� 95 Baz Janssen Building Ltd �� 96 Lorneville Small Engines �� 97 44 | Top sheep stud & commercial operation 57 | Directly accountable to the farmers 94 | Now focusing on supporting the 4th generation 13 | Hard work rewarded by rapid progression OUR PARTNERS: RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan. 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| 3 Farming with the seasons at Dansey’s Pass Along with the 5800 ewes, the station is home to 1500 ewe hoggets and a few hundred cattle. Kim Newth In mid-April, high country farmer Ian Anderson will be out mustering to bring down all his ewes from steep snow-prone pastures to the lower country, which is much more winter safe. All the Romney/Merino ewes are grass wintered with no supplementary feed. They are tough selfsustaining sheep, with the right foraging instincts for this southern country. “It has been a good growing season for us – it got off to a slow start, but it is pretty good now,” observes Ian. “Hopefully, if we can squeeze in a little more growth, we should be going into winter in not too bad shape.” Once down from the heights, the ewes will be belly crutched, with the rest of the coat left on for warmth. Belly crutching ensures the sheep can move freely through the winter months without getting snagged or accumulating clumps of mud. The ram will go out in the first week of May. Traditional blade shearing, which leaves a layer of wool on to protect sheep from the elements, takes place in August. Around half of the station’s quality wool clip is supplied to the Smartwool brand, ultimately ending up as premium socks and other quality wool wear products. Ian knows this land well, having grown up among the tussocks. His father (originally from Ben Omar Station) bought Ben Ledi Station - at Danseys Pass, inland from Oamaru - and his mother grew up on the property next door. Ultimately the two stations were combined. Following tenure review, some of the land went into the conservation estate. Today, the property is around 3618-hectares in extent, rising to 1400-metres at its highest point. Along with the 5800 ewes, the station is home to 1500 ewe hoggets and a few hundred cattle. ON FARM » Ian Anderson Partners: Doug Harvie, Craig Wyatt, Brett Challis, Robyn Friedrich & Tom Saul. Harvie GreenWyatt is here to help youmaintain & grow your agri business. Our rural business accounting, business and planning disciplines. Software solutions , including Xero, Figured, Focus and tailored payroll solutions Business advice and planning Tax guidance and returns Cash owmanagement Succession planning PROUDLY SUPPORTING IAN ANDERSON Heifers go to the bull as two-year-olds, calving as three-year-olds. Through the winter, once the grass stops, all stock apart from the ewes will go onto a daily supplementary feeding regime. Ian feeds the hoggets well on quality lucerne baleage that he buys in. Ian has an active role beyond the farm gate as Federated Farmers High Country chair. Last year, he spoke out over difficulties he’d had obtaining a fire permit to control snow tussock. He noted how controlled burning of snow tussock had been a common practice on high country stations for many decades and getting permission to do it used to be straightforward. Now, resource consent is required. Ian had to get an ecological survey done and was told he’d also need a Wildlife Authority permit, (though no endangered wildlife has been found on the particular block in question). He’s still waiting for the permit. “We need to able to control snow tussock as it can grow very tall and block pasture growth. Unfortunately, the local council has not been very unhelpful and demanded that DOC be involved. What should have been a simple process has instead become very complicated.” Ian will continue serving as the Federated Farmers High Country chair through to June this year. “Hats off to this current government though – they have made good progress with unravelling some of the red tape that was previously in front of us.” jayamy.stringershearingltd@gmail.com Ranfurly Otago For AQuality, Prompt and E cient Shearing & Crutching Service, Woolpress &VanHire + Accommodation and Laundromat Facilities Call JayOn027 444 9158

4 | ARABLE » Avonmore Farm A specialist producer of unique crops Karen Phelps Avonmore Farm’s mixed-crop operation has evolved from traditional farming to become a specialist producer of unique crops, including the increasingly popular superfood quinoa. Located in Methven, Canterbury, the farm spans 300 hectares and the journey into specialty crops began 15-20 years ago when grass weed problems prompted a search for alternative broadleaf crops. “In 1962 my father brought in around 20 different types of seeds after a Young Farmer trip abroad including canary seed and Hungarian millet, which we still grow. We were searching for something reliable and we like growing unique and different crops,” explains Andrew. A meeting with a mill in Timaru over a decade ago further sparked Andrew’s interest in ancient grains, leading to trials with quinoa and amaranth. After careful evaluation, quinoa emerged as the clear winner due to its superior yield and value compared to alternatives. “It’s a whole food in itself – high in amino acids and protein,” says Andrew, who has continued to refine his quinoa production by importing new varieties from Denmark and the Netherlands that offer better yields and lower levels of saponin – the bitter coating naturally found on quinoa seeds. He says quinoa is still a niche product with a handful of growers and two main marketers of quinoa in New Zealand but that there is strong interest in flaked quinoa which is more versatile and like rolled oats whereas the seeds cook like rice or porridge. Operating under the brand Canterbury Quinoa, Avonmore Farm products are locally grown, spray-free and produced using organic practices. Andrew says benefits for the conscious consumer include reduced food miles and the fact that Canterbury Quinoa product requires minimal washing before cooking due to the low saponin content. It’s just one part of the variety of crops Avonmore Farm grows including Hungarian and German millet, certified malting barley, garden peas, linseed, canary seed and grass seed. The German millet is primarily sold for making gluten-free beer while the Hungarian variety heads to the bird seed market. Gluten free grains have been an area of interest due to gluten intolerant family and friends. Avonmore Farm also trades in lambs during the winter and Andrew says animals are an integral part of a cropping operation for weed control, grass growth management and to hopefully result in additional profitability. “Trading lambs is not a sure thing and takes a lot of effort,” says Andrew. “There is much talk about the wheat market value, which has dropped but costs haven’t. One minute we get an indication of mills wishing to support locally grown but then they import cheaper grain from Australia. The grass seed market has also been very poor due to a glut, which occurred when China reneged on a contract. One saving grace is our interest rate on our mortgage has settled near 6% down from the 8.3% that it reached over the last two years though I am first to say when I first took the opportunity to go farming my mortgage was 12.1%!” Andrew’s partner, Gaewynne Hood, assists with packaging, marketing, invoicing and deliveries, but much of the farm operation relies on Andrew and international trainees brought in to help at harvest time through Rural Exchange New Zealand (RENZ). RENZ works with partners worldwide to find young overseas people keen to broaden their practical agricultural experience, arranging all work permits through an NZ Immigration-approved work exchange scheme. Rural Exchange New Zealand (RENZ) provides Kiwis with the opportunity to work abroad in agriculture, viticulture, hospitality, and even the building trade! We work with trusted partners in America, Canada, and Europe. RENZ is also an independent organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for young people from overseas to live and work in New Zealand in agricultural and horticultural industries. Talk to us about the different placement opportunities that are available. +64 27 6111143 www.ruralexchange.co.nz amanda@ruralexchange.co.nz ruralexchangenewzealandltd ruralexchangenewzealand @RuralExchangeNZ Through this system, Avonmore Farm benefits from workers who have at least 12 months of practical experience and the willingness to adapt to a different culture. “It’s a very good programme and RENZ filter trainees so they can place them with the right farm,” says Andrew. Looking ahead, Andrew, now 58, sees another decade of active farming in his future. “In the future as I retire we’ll lease land out and grow what we want to market – definitely including the quinoa and millet. I’ve got diesel in my blood and I love driving a tractor, I’ll always be a cropping farmer.” Located in Methven, Canterbury, the farm spans 300 hectares.

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6 | ARABLE » Sam Young and Emma Shaw Sam as a child with his late father who inspired him to get the stud going again. ‘Always liked the Hampshire sheep’ Karen Phelps The Bushy Park Hampshire Stud, once de- registered, has been rejuvenated in recent years, earning recognition at agricultural shows and developing a growing clientele impressed by the stud’s performance. “I’d always liked the Hampshire sheep, they’re a bit different with the black face and left good finishing lambs. There is a lack of Hampshire breeders in New Zealand so I decided to get it up and running again,” says Sam Young, who alongside his wife Emma has revitalised the stud his parents Debbie and Lindsay Young started. Sam grew up on Bushy Park and is the fourth generation to farm the land. To restart the stud, Sam acquired a ram from the La Mac Hampshire Stud near Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. “Ben Butterick from the stud has been a real help in getting us re-registered,” says Sam. Set on 45 hectares in Outram, part of the original family farm, Bushy Park functions primarily as a sheep and beef fattening unit. The Youngs farm 150 commercial Romney cross ewes with Hampshire terminals, producing between 300-350 lambs annually. Complementing this the farm also fattens approximately 20 cattle each year. The Hampshire stud itself comprises around 40 ewes run alongside the commercial mob, with Sam employing strict selection criteria to maintain quality. “We’re keeping it small to keep quality high. If a ewe doesn’t produce a lamb it’s out the door. Also if they are not producing good weighted lambs we get rid of them. We select our ewe lambs from the early heavy weighted lambs for replacements,” explains Sam. He says advantages of Hampshire sheep, particularly in New Zealand’s farming context, are becoming increasingly apparent. The breed is renowned for producing well-marked lambs with heavy yields, characteristics highly valued in today’s market. “I’ve looked at the UK and they are now recognising the Hampshires on grass-fed as the fastest finishing. It’s interesting to see them taking over from other breeds on a grass-fed system, which suits the New Zealand farming system,” says Sam. This is particularly evident at Bushy Park, which operates on a 100% grass system. Perhaps most significantly though the breed demonstrates remarkable resilience in challenging conditions. “We’ve noticed on our farm, and also our clients’ farms, that in years where the sheep might be under pressure they still put on weight,” says Sam. The stud’s quality was recently validated at the Taieri A & P Show where one of their Hampshire ewes was awarded Champion Ewe of the Show across all breeds. While the overall championship went to Rob Hall’s Southdown ram from Gore, the recognition was a significant achievement for the relatively young stud. “It was amazing to take that out. I said to Emma when we were getting the sheep in for the show ‘what beats that sheep?’ I don’t want to sound cocky but I knew there wasn’t a lot I could do to make that sheep any better,” says Sam. With a 40-acre run-off block used for grazing replacement ewe lambs, the farm has established solid foundations for future growth. Bushy Park is already selling select two tooth rams and customer feedback has been consistently positive, with both returning clients from his father’s era and new farmers expressing satisfaction with the Hampshire sheep’s performance. “It’s all promising,” says Sam. “There is a lot we want to do to keep improving the breed as a whole.” Sam Young & Emma Shaw Show Champion ewe from Taieri A and P Show.

| 7 ARABLE » Graham Talbot Farm history extends back to WW1 The farm’s family history extends back to the dawning of WW1 when current owner Graham Talbot’s grandfather and his brother bought 1200 acres. Sue Russell As the crow flies, 11 km straight west of Timaru sits historic Kingsborough Farm, a cropping/sheep enterprise sitting on 700ha of good rolling land, suitable for growing cereals on and growing sheep. The farm’s family history extends back to the dawning of WW1 when current owner Graham Talbot’s grandfather and his brother bought 1200 acres, working it together. When Graham’s great-uncle returned from war the property was split into two separate operations. Skip forward a generation Graham’s father Edwin then took over running the farm, along with his brother, farming the property as a partnership. When Uncle died in 1973, Edwin kept farming it until Graham, who returned to the farm upon leaving school, gradually assumed control. “We actually added some more land as opportunities presented, so today of the 700ha, we own 550ha.” When Graham first returned home a small portion of the land grew cereal, with the bulk of the farm operating as a sheep farm, getting up to 6000 ewes and 1500 hoggets over time. “We’re now back to 1500 ewes and we’ve substantially increased our cropping footprint to 450ha. This land is suitable for cropping. We don’t carry any irrigation, but our heavyish clay soil holds a bit of moisture.” Graham says the farm is thriving with a good mix of the crop and sheep activity now well established. “We buy in lambs and autumn finish them. We do 5000 winter lambs. It provides a good solid reliable income stream and spreads the risk.” On the cropping side, the farm grows feed barley and wheat, peas and grass seed, crops suitable for dry-land cropping. The combine harvester used to gather the crops actually sits on tracks and 4-wheel drive because Graham says every three or four years the ground gets very wet. “This year we had two massive rain events on our spring barley crop and then it turned dry, so our yield dropped to 50% of what we would normally harvest. The rain events are almost worse than the dry, in my opinion.” Cropping runs through a five year rotation, which Graham says suits with the winter lambing activity. Three crops are harvested every two years. Along with overseeing all the farm activity Graham is a great supporter of Federated Farmers. He’s South Canterbury’s Arable Chair which takes him into meetings with other Executive members, where a raft of agricultural issues are openly discussed. “One of the things about Federated Farmers is that its very much seeking and representing the farmer on the land, facing their challenges daily. We’re big on advocacy and carrying these concerns up the chain to National Council and into forums where our concerns get aired in spaces to influence policy decisions.” Another huge positive in being involved in the organisation is that it offers farmers to socialise and rub shoulders with other successful farmers. In the case of the Arable farming cohort, Graham says one thing Federated Farmers has advocated for is to allow these farmers to use their own seeds and in terms of the sprays these farmers needs to produce healthy crops. With an attitude that ‘you’re better to be in the room doing something, than being shut out of the room doing nothing, Graham says Federated Farmers adopts a mature approach to engaging with legislators and policy decision makers. He also believes that ‘Groundswell’, did a lot of the heavy lifting to get the public on side. “It was a great initiative, getting people on the streets and woke the government up a bit.” Another concern Graham and many in Federated www.standrewstransport.co.nz Cell: 027 329 555 Phone: 03 612 6605 Main Road, St. Andrews PO Box 137, Timaru Email: satrans@xtra.co.nz Proud to be associated with Graham Talbot Helping build businesses from the ground up. Foundry56 — we dedicate ourselves to crafting innovative solutions for our clients. Proud to support Graham Talbot +64 3 688 6644 office@foundry56.nz foundry56.nz Level 1, 56 Bank Street, Timaru Jess Williams (03) 684 5184 jess@turnbullgrainandseed.co.nz Sam Thacker (03) 684 5184 021 0839 3321 sam@turnbullgrainandseed.co.nz Farmers, is just how busy farmers are every day, attending to compliance, reporting, auditing obligations ongoing “I would very much like to see greater uptake in membership too. We need all farmers to come on board to give us greater financial capability to fight the good fight and to provide the array of services we do.” Graham’s been four years in the role of Arable Chair for South Canterbury and says while he doesn’t necessarily attend every forum, he enjoys the engagement at national and local level.

8 | ENVIRONMENT » Chris and Desiree Giles 2025 is looking positive for the family The farm currently operates on a grass-only system with all stock wintered on-farm. Karen Phelps With a good dairy payout and interest rates dropping 2025 is looking positive for the Giles family as they sell their dairy farm Waimumu Downs. Owned in an equity partnership, including Chris and wife Desiree, since 2014 the farm offers 268 hectares of effective area including a substantial 206-hectare milking platform. “We’ve streamlined operations to make it a turnkey property for the next owner,” says Chris. “Through strategic management and well-planned infrastructure, we’ve managed to keep our staffing lean with just one full-time employee and a calf rearer. We’ve invested heavily in pasture improvement, essentially re-grassing the entire property. When we started, we were milking 400 cows on 143 hectares. Now, we’ve added two extra blocks and increased our herd to 550 cows.” Chris says that getting staff, a common bugbear for farmers, has never been an issue due in part to the farm’s location: “We live close to town, just a 20-minute walk, so that helps secure good staff members. We also run really simple systems. Our previous staff member served for 13 years before recently departing,” explains Chris. The farm currently operates on a grass-only system with all stock wintered on-farm, achieving production levels of approximately 520-530 kilograms of milk solids per cow. Its infrastructure includes a 50-bail rotary shed equipped with DeLaval plant. The couple has also taken an environmental focus with the operation, which earned them recognition as finalists in the 2020 New Zealand Farm Environment Trust competition. Working with the local Runanga and Environment Southland, the Giles family has helped grow trees for local projects and schools. They have also developed a two-kilometre walking track on their property, hosting school visits so children can learn about things such as pest management, trapping techniques and water quality. The family has plans for additional environmental work through their local catchment group, including making settlement ponds on neighbouring farms and organising community planting days. The local catchment group in conjunction with Thriving Southland has organised the 2025 Southern AgriTech and Innovation Day on 1 May with a variety of speakers. “I helped set up the local Gore catchment group, I’m a sucker for saying yes to everything,” jokes Chris. The sale of their farm represents not an exit from farming, but rather a strategic transition. The couple has already identified a smaller 135-hectare property nearby, which aligns with their goal of direct farm ownership and pursuing new agricultural projects with continued environmental focus. The Giles family includes children Danielle, 14, and Andrew, 11 and the family has the support of Chris’s parents, Alan and Debbie, who have also been involved in the farming operation. Off farm work is also important. Chris maintains significant community involvement as vice- chairman of the Southern Field Days for the past decade, an event that last year saw record attendance with 40,000 visitors and 20,000 in a single day. “It’s about giving back to the community. There are a number of volunteer groups who come to help and most of the money generated by the event heads back into the community,” says Chris. As preparations begin for the next Field Days, he advises potential exhibitors to get in early to get the position they want as “sites tend to fill up fast.” 0800 SGTDAN (748326) Gorton Street, GORE Ph: 208 3965 E: admin@sgtdan.co.nz Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd Farmers, are you concerned about improving your fertiliser efficiency and environmental footprint? Then Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd can help, as we have helped Gladvale Farms Ltd The ONE System which through independent trials shows a doubling of response to N. And more recently, our Revolutionary Compound Urea/SOA product where every granule contains both forms of N. Contact Shane Harold on 021 0235 6491 or shane@fertwholesale.co.nz

| 9 ENVIRONMENT » Chris and Samara Wech Attained a self-sufficient farming system Contract Milker Ellesar Tabang (right) with his worker Herbert Gabia. Sue Russell When Rural South spoke again with Otautau, Southland-based dairy farmers Chris and Samara Wech. The enterprising couple have attained a selfsufficient farming system, thanks to having two runoff blocks close to the 136ha effective dairy unit. Supplying Open Country has been a positive decision says Chris. “We get paid more upfront than we did with Fonterra so we’re not getting hit with overdraft interest rates.” “The ag sector at the moment is in a good space and our herd is in very good health considering how the spring went this season. We’re milking about 385 cows at the moment, down from 430 calved in spring. We are only down 5% from last season (last years total ms 235,000ms) and this is pretty good considering everything that has gone on” says Chris. Pregnancy scanning this time around resulted in a 14% empty rate, something Chris isn’t surprised about considering the season they have had. Asked how the very wet spring impacted the farm - Chris describes the last Spring as a really tough time; and he’s still got a fair bit of scarring in the paddocks now. Currently he is thinking about aerating more area of the dairy platform, trying to give the grass a helping hand to fix the soil structure. “During the hard spring we had to make the hard call and stand the herd off for upto 10-12 hours a day on the pad; this was mainly to look after the pasture”. Putting the cows on to a 16 hour milking rotation also helped the situation under foot at that time. “We did a test for Johne’s disease end of last season and were surprised by how many were affected; so we did another one in October 2024 through herd test. It’s a chronic and contagious bacterial infection that effects the small intestines of ruminants like cattle, sheep and goats. When cows get stressed the disease comes out. It was a tough decision to cull every animal that tested positive, but we just had to do it. Our animal health in the herd overall is much better as there is not a lot of underlying issues. Working with Chris and Samara is a new Filipino Contract Milker - Ellesar and Jercy Tabang. Chris says he enjoys the temperament and work ethic that they bring on farm. Ellesar and Jercy employ a full time worker and also has a couple of relief milkers on hand. Chris and Samara have five children, three now have left school and forging their own careers with the younger two still at high school. Their youngest two boys, Jesse and Travis still help on farm with the necessary tractor work – keeping them very busy on the weekends. Jesse also relief milks for a couple round the road. The plan is to dry off at the end of May, however Chris is keeping an open-mind as to how the weather behaves. “We also intend to boost our regrassing percentage up to 50%. Currently we’re sitting at about 10%.” Like many farmers Chris has thoughts regarding the ‘unnecessary’ reporting and compliance costs that impact the bottom line. “It’s good to see some groups have pushed the deadline out some way in terms of when reports are due in.” He’s also concerned that there are fewer cows on farms, with pressure for farms to convert to forestry, taken up for roading or life-style blocks. “Environment Southland don’t want to put a line in the sand. It’s a challenging relationship and I just wish they had science-based reasons for their standards and regulations; and the regulations are not the same throughout the differrent areas in New Zealand. There seems to be more regulations in southland. Chris says he’s a firm believer that when Government ministers are appointed they need to have the life experiences and knowledge of the sector they are governing. ELEVATOR SCRAPER, BOBCAT & ATTACHMENTS, LANDSCAPING, TRENCHING AUGERS K J SUTHERLAND GRAVELLING & AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTOR 2475 OHAI-CLIFDEN H/WAY ORAWIA R.D2 OTAUTAU 9682 Ph 0274 367 934 GRADES OF CRUSHED & SCREENED GRAVELS, ALKATHENE LAYING, ROOTRAKING, FARM TRACKS, DAIRYLINES Complete Silage, Baling, Cultivation, Effluent, Spraying & Excavator Contracting Service Phone: 03 225 8488 Rabco Ag Ltd E-mail: admin@rabco.nz Web: www.rabbitt.co.nz “You cannot beat NZ Wool it is naturally grown from grass” Main West Coast Road, Yaldhurst, RD 6, Christchurch 7676, New Zealand Phone: +64 3 342 6223 Email: ywlwool@nzwool.com Web: www.nzwool.com “That would be a good start, to see some rational science-based thinking rather than the politic rhetoric. We are the best in the world for what we do in the agriculture section but our politicians don’t give us the recognition we deserves. In the terms of voting The Rural Sector have become the minority yet we are one of the biggest tax payers for the economy.”

10 | News gone down like a wet blanket Russell Fredric ENVIRONMENT » Robert and Cate Willis Southland dairy farmer Robert Willis sees himself and others facing considerably more than a winter of discontent over the Government’s recent recommitment to the Paris Agreement. Climate Change minister Simon Watts announced the Government’s new nationally determined contribution (NDC2) goal late January, to reduce emissions by 51 to 55 percent below 2005 levels by 2035. This increased target follows on from NDC1 for the period 2021-2030 which aimed for a 50% reduction in net emissions below gross 2005 levels by 2030. For farmers like Robert and lobby groups such as Groundswell and Methane Science Accord, the news has gone down like a wet blanket. Robert and his wife Cate own a 112 hectare dairy unit at Gummies Bush, Southland, run by 50/50 sharemilkers Gregor and Lynne Ramsay. It winters 330 cows and grazes 90 calves and 90 yearlings on a support block run by Robert under contract to the Ramsay’s, along with the Willis’ also grazing 60 beef cattle. Robert foresees a bleak financial future under New Zealand’s recommitment to the Paris Agreement and the revised targets. “When I looked at what it will cost me through enforcement coming from the councils and the Government to allow me to farm, as a dairy farming operation it could become unviable.” He highlights that many of the world’s largest emitters – such as China, India and Russia – are ignoring the Paris Agreement. President Trump also signed an executive order late January to withdraw the United States from the agreement and Robert would like to see New Zealand do the same. “We don’t need to participate in this global ideology about the influences of carbon and methane on the temperature for the survival of the human race, and we now seem to be in a place in the world now where I can’t have that opinion,” Robert says. “Because our government has committed us to certain things and these things have no impact on the final outcome of what the [climate] claims are and more money will just go out of our pockets nationally and internationally, and we’ll be no better off. Climate warming claims made by organisations driving global climate policy are grossly overstated, while there has not been enough account taken of on-farm sequestration of carbon, nor of the efficiency of New Zealand farmers, Robert says. He is concerned an emissions tax will not only suffocate farmers’ budgets, but also stifle their ability to invest in environmental and other farm improvements. Robert and Cate have invested considerably in environmental improvements on their farm and in 2020 were recognised in multiple Ballance Farm Environment Awards. “The impact on profitability and the survival of the farm is going to be impacted severely no matter what way they take it if they stay in the Paris Agreement and follow the route “that we are all going to die if we don’t do these things”, which is not true.” “Are we going to have meet these targets by expelling more farmers or [reducing] stock numbers and look at different alternatives; are we going to penalise farmers to shrink down the cows numbers; are we going to make it that much more painful that only the big survive and the small ones fall off. “The contentiousness with the current Government is that they haven’t made a stand on any changes to the status quo; they’re not talking about changing.” “New Zealand has always been uniquely placed and uniquely sought after and that can still be our advantage.” Proudly supporting Robert and CateWillis p: 03 218 6179 e: Greg.Munro@mcp.co.nz w: www.mcp.co.nz At McCulloch + Partners we are a local business run by local people. We pride ourselves on being friendly, accessible and experienced accounting specialists no matter the industry you’re in. Robert: 027 439 5096 Email: rivertonfarmdrainage@xtra.co.nz RURAL TRANSPORT Robert and Cate have invested considerably in environmental improvements on their farm. Robert is concerned an emissions tax will not only suffocate farmers’ budgets, but also stifle their ability to invest in environmental and other farm improvements.

| 11 Diversification key for Kaihoka Station Joyce Wyllie with her family celebrating her pension party (top). Joyce with farm in background. Karen Phelps TOURISM » Kaihoka Farm Stay At Kaihoka Station on the isolated northwestern coastline of Golden Bay, Joyce and Jock Wyllie have found that diversification is helpful for survival in today’s challenging farming environment. The couple, who run a 1000 hectare sheep and beef operation, have developed multiple income streams to supplement their farming business. “We aim for a simple system as Jock is the only labour unit – low input, low labour. It’s a big operation for one person so that’s the only way we can do it, especially as sheep and beef income has been bad,” says Joyce. “It’s improving with wool and red meat prices lifting, although certainly not taking off, but the costs have really gone up as well so we are only just starting to keep ahead. It’s challenging.” The farm runs 220 Angus cows and 2,600 Romney ewes. Their simple farming system focuses on selling steers as weaners and maintaining a straightforward sheep operation by selling lambs early to manage drench resistance and minimise labour. To supplement their farm income, the Wyllies have turned to several innovative sidelines. One of their most successful ventures has been utilising vacant staff houses as holiday accommodation. “It’s given income for maintenance,” explains Joyce. Initially she handled the cleaning herself but found it too time-consuming, especially given their remote location which made it difficult to employ staff. Their solution was to offer an economical self-service option where guests bring their own bedding and towels and clean before departure. “They know the house, what they need to bring etc,” says Joyce, noting that many visitors return annually, attracted by the farm’s proximity to walking trails, beaches, fishing spots and Kaihoka Lakes. Another unexpected income source came when film director Peter Jackson chose Kaihoka Station as a filming location for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. “That was a lovely bonus cash injection. We’d like a bit more of that,” says Joyce with a laugh. Joyce, who originally trained as a veterinarian at Massey University and worked as a locum across New Zealand before settling in Golden Bay, has developed her own portfolio of supplementary income sources. She writes regular articles for the Golden Bay Weekly newspaper and serves as a marriage and funeral celebrant. “Being a celebrant is a wonderful privilege to stand with families at significant times in their lives,” she explains. Joyce is also active in the community, serving as president of both her local and provincial Rural Women branches, coordinating an informal sheep/ beef group for Golden Bay farmers and is involved in local church fellowship. Jock, born in nearby Collingwood, has spent most of his life at Kaihoka, which has been in his family Haven Road, Collingwood 7073 Phone: 03 524 8370 Email: office@nvmiller.co.nz N V Miller Ltd For all your automotive needs. Service station & vehicle repair shop. Talk to our team DON KARS Nelson/Marlborough/Canterbury m 027 450 0769 ANDREW CURTIS Nelson/Marlborough m 027 239 3115 GRANT HARRIS Southland m 027 689 1866 NICK REDDING Southland m 027 289 1866 Segard Masurel is a global company that exports New Zealand wool to markets worldwide. WOOL S I N C E 1 8 4 6 since 1947 when his father and grandfather purchased the property. The next challenge for the Wyllies is that of succession planning. Their son Johnie works as a shearer, returning occasionally to help on the farm with his fiancée Keri, while their daughter Mary has worked in orcharding and is now employed at a chicken farm in Nelson. “Farms are so expensive these days and are valued far above of the income capacity sometimes, especially beautiful coastal properties like ours,” says Joyce. “It’s an issue knowing how to be able to pass it on and something we are currently thinking through.» 03 525 9843 | www.sollys.co.nz For all your Transport and Logistics requirements Freight | Storage | Bulk Cartage Livestock | Stock Feed | Feriliser

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