94 | Now focusing on supporting the 4th generation Edward (13), Dan, Harriet (10), Tabitha (16) and Tash. Kelly Deeks Third generation sheep, beef, and arable farmers Dan and Tash White of Willowbank Ag are now focusing on supporting the fourth generation with their agricultural endeavours, with their three high-achieving kids proving their mettle both on the farm and on the national young farmer competition circuit. 16year-old Tabitha White was in the first place winning team from Rangi Ruru at the 2024 Canterbury Clash of the Colleges competition in November, after taking out the title of Tasman FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year back in March with team mate Mikayla Molloy. They then took out sixth place overall at grand final in Hamilton Meanwhile Edward White, 13, was in the Longbeach Farmwise team from Longbeach School which placed second in the Aorangi AgriKidsNZ title in July, and took out second place overall at the grand final in Hamilton. Harriet White, 10, is patiently and passionately practising a multitude of farm tasks at home and has competed in the Agri kids competition for the past two years. She is hoping to follow in her siblings’ footsteps and make it to the grand final one day. “They are all very passionate farmers, always out and about helping on the farm,” Tash says. “We love to see them engaged with the sector and learning some very valuable lessons at this young age.” Tash’s passion for growing young farmers extends to the local Longbeach School where she has helped support and teach the AgriKids teams over the years. With the home farm having been in Tash’s family since 1949, she hopes it will be one of her children running it when it receives its Century Farm award in 2049. Willowbank Ag is situated south-east of Ashburton near Lake Hood, on the banks of the Ashburton River. The 400ha farm comprises about 300ha of cropping land and 100ha of lighter country for fattening lambs and cattle. Tash and Dan start buying in early lambs in February and can continue buying in until May. There is a potential for high store lamb prices this year with supply being down from both North Canterbury, which has had two years’ of drought, and from Southland, which had a bad run of rain during lambing. RURAL SERVICES » Willowbank AG On the cattle side, a handful of angus are brought in from Tash’s parents’ high country property, then predominantly friesian bull calves are purchased from a select group of local dairy farmers, chosen for their quality calf rearing programmes. “The rising cost of raising a bull calf means we’re not seeing calf-rearers like we used to. We have to be more organised and make arrangements with the dairy farmers we want to buy from. Higher calf-rearing costs mean we have to pay more for each calf, and that’s why we choose people who raise calves well so we know we’re getting a good animal.” The arable side is currently proving to be the most challenging. The cost of growing crops has risen and prices for grain and seed haven’t moved in line with these increases. Choosing what to grow next is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. There are many LEMKEN: SOLITAIR DT JAMES MCCLOY 027 782 7606 JOHN BRADY - SOUTHLAND 027 251 9801 SEAUN LOVELL 027 611 1892 239 ALFORD FOREST RD, ASHBURTON Efficient & light-weight Incredibly easy to tow, integrated compact disc harrow, comfortable operation and a large, optionally divided seed hopper – that is LEMKEN’s new Solitair DT seed drill. Now available in working widths of 4, 6, and 8 metres. factors taken into consideration like paddock history, isolations and what›s on offer to grow, this depends on a lot of factors like what production is coming out of the Northern Hemisphere and domestic and international markets. Back home, New Zealand’s arable industry often fluctuates in line with the dairy industry, so with the milk payout now close to a record $10 per kg milksolids, that could have a positive spin for the arable industry. “We’ll wait and see,” says Dan.
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