Business Rural Autumn 2026

Making use of the wide variety of land has seen Wye Hills win the Westpac Osgro Marlborough Farmer of the Year competition - Page 57 Diverse offering wins the race AUTUMN 2026 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

2 | Contents #businessrural #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Simon Davies �� 03 Ben and Sarah Dooley �� 04 Dan Devine - Awakino Station �� 06 Fernhill - Colin Phillips �� 08 Flagstaff Herefords �� 09 Glenbrook Station Shorthorns �� 10 Glentanner Station Merino �� 11 Hill Valley Simmentals �� 12 Hokotehi Moriori Trust �� 13 Kaituna Ridges �� 14 Longview Farm (2000) Ltd �� 16 Malvern Downs �� 18 Monymusk Herefords �� 19 Mt Nessing �� 20 Orari Gorge Station �� 21 North Range Partnership �� 22 Peter Adam �� 24 Longacre Station �� 25 Matariki Herefords �� 25 Colhoun Genetics �� 26 Ferniehurst Station Ltd �� 26 Locharburn Herefords �� 27 Fossil Creek Angus Ltd �� 28 Haldon Pastures �� 29 Bellamy Station �� 30 Albert Anderson �� 33 Green Meadows �� 34 Twin Creeks Farm �� 36 Bruski Farms 2001 Ltd �� 37 4 Rivers Farming Company Ltd �� 38 Cottesbrook Dairy �� 40 Hopcroft Farms �� 41 Kuljeet Singh �� 42 Michael and Shahn Smith �� 43 Silver Spring Farm �� 43 Sandle 2 �� 44 Scullys Transport Ltd �� 45 Total Harvesting Ltd �� 45 Altrive Red Deer �� 46 Oakleys Premium Fresh Vegetable �� 46 Hewson Farms �� 47 Chris Dillon �� 47 Birkett Farming Ltd �� 48 Marr Farms �� 49 Rangitata Holdings �� 50 Invernia Holdings Ltd �� 52 Neil and Jackie Kelly �� 53 Highgrounds �� 54 Mackenzie Highland A&P Show �� 55 Wye Hills �� 57 Cleland Contracting 2005 Ltd �� 60 FertLink �� 61 EMNZ �� 62 Hampshire Ram Breeders Association �� 63 Hazlett Ltd �� 64 Leith Shearing Ltd �� 66 McLeod Cultivation �� 67 Molloy Agriculture Ltd �� 68 NZAB �� 70 NumatAGRI �� 71 Pig Burn Contracting �� 72 Otago Airspread �� 73 Power Farming - Ashburton �� 74 RJ Preston Ltd �� 75 Southern Vegetation Control �� 76 Te Pari Products �� 77 Townsend Seeds Ltd �� 78 Wholesale Seeds �� 80 Hinds Seed Cleaning �� 81 FCANZ - 20th Anniversary �� 81 GJ Graham Contracting �� 82 Seedlands �� 82 Matakanui Station �� 83 Jordan Brand Contracting �� 84 Maniototo Sheep Handling �� 84 Baz Janssen Building Ltd �� 88 37 | Age is no barrier for Bradley Ray 49 | A broadened perspective on markets 68 | Big accolade for Molloy Agriculture 16 | Producing high-quality commercial sheep OUR PARTNERS: T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. 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| 3 Simon no stranger to facing a storm What is left of 7 bay hay shed after Wind in October 25. Russell Fredric Toko Mouth sheep and beef farmer is Simon Davies is no stranger to facing a storm. In October 2024, he faced $100,000 in damages and stock losses after severe flooding hit his 750 hectare home farm and 400 hectare lease block at the mouth of the Tokomairiro River near Milton, Otago. The storm dumped 270mm on the farm in 24 hours Less than a year later on October 23 last year it was the ferocious windstorm that hit the south that tested his own resilience and that of the farm’s infrastructure and paddocks. “It was a rough period, but what it has meant is that we’ve had two 10 day periods with no power. After the first one their were a few key tips that I passed on to a few people.” Having experienced the flood meant Simon was better prepared for the windstorm which damaged different infrastructure to the flood. “We had two hay sheds completely destroyed, a set of sheep yards has got seven macrocarpa’s lying through them so they are totally destroyed.” Simon spent six hours on a chainsaw to gain access to a water pump and power still had not been restored to some parts of the farm early this year due to trees obstructing access, “In terms of numbers of trees down – hundreds.” A very lucky survivor of the storm was Murphy, the family’s pet Labrador. “I thought he was a dead dog; his kennel took a direct hit. It took me 40 minutes to cut my way in. He was very relieved to see me and I was pretty keen to get him out.” It took Simon, his rural contractor and another helper five hours to cut their way to regain public MEAT & WOOL » Simon Davies GO FOR GOLD WITH RAMS FROM PETERS GENETICS PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTION & PRICE - THE WINNING COMBO road access to the south, and 10 hours the following day cutting trees and clearing power lines in the opposite direction to provide access for a power company crew. “We took the opportunity when the road was closed and we actually dropped a whole lot more trees, that if we had another windstorm we suspected would fall over. “We’ve been proactively working on removing that risk moving forward. I think that’s something that farmers need to be considering – looking around their own blocks and their own infrastructure, looking at trying to eliminate or reduce risk before the event.” Simon has had a 6.5kVa emergency generator for about eight or nine years which can power the house, water pump, electric fences and woolshed, but not all at once. “When you’ve got 11 days without power it becomes a Godsend.” With having to work long days, something Simon learned after the flood was the need to look after himself, consequently a neighbour offered to cook for him and a worker, as Simon’s family had temporarily relocated to Dunedin. “[After the flood] we worked like Trojans and we didn’t eat very well and we got really tired.” Simon acknowledges that despite the challenges, his situation was much less stressful than a dairy farm and the farm was isolated for just five days, which was much less than some. “We’re pretty resilient but we’ve had a couple of goes at it now. We could look after ourselves for two weeks probably relatively comfortably. One thing is probably making sure we’ve got plenty of fuel on hand. We didn’t run out, but depending on when our fuel delivery is, you could run out.” For all your Livestock cartage requirements give us a call.

4 | MEAT & WOOL » Ben and Sarah Dooley Ben seeing a small profit from wool Ben thinks the outlook for farming is bright, so long as the industry doesn’t get too unstable politically. Aimee Wilson In 2024, Wyndham farmers Ben and Sarah Dooley were facing their second year of solid losses, but this season it’s quite a different story. While their 2350 Turanganui Romney flock had a tough season lambing in the harsh wet Southland conditions, the 10-year high for sheep and wool prices definitely lifted their game. “It feels so good to be a farmer right now in sheep and beef,” Ben said. Their 260ha Southland farm has been in the family for generations, and includes 60 dairy beef - hand-reared by his wife, and a 20ha crop of swedes. Two years ago Ben’s wool clip only covered half the shearing costs, but this season he is seeing a small profit from wool. But it has still been tough going, and the high prices has just boosted farmers when they really needed it most. “We didn’t have the best lambing because of the weather, so it was probably on par with last year.” The past two wet seasons followed two drought years back in 2021-22, when the farm was running close to the edge - many would’ve been pushed to breaking point. “We were in absolute dire straits,” he said. Ben said the long dry summers followed by long, harsh winters took their toll, and it was a lot for them and the animals to get through. But this summer has been quite different - definitely a lot cooler, but Ben said they have plenty of feed for the animals. He remains cautiously optimistic for the future, especially with on farm costs still high, and the Government’s RMA reform underway. In his role as Deputy Chair (Meal and Wool) for Federated Farmers Southland, he reminds farmers why it’s important not to let those costs get out of control. “There are a lot of farmers that are finally set to make a bit of money, and they’ll have some tax due,” he said. Ben thinks the outlook for farming is bright, so long as the industry doesn’t get too unstable politically. He’s been involved with Fed Farmers for three years, which enables him to have an independent Turanganui Romneys Mike Warren 027 446 5312 or 06 307 7841 Guy Warren 027 848 0164 WilliamWarren 027 824 9327 Proud supplier of Maternal Genetics to Ben and Sarah Dooley Ben Dooley Proud to supply veterinary services & Animal Remedies for Ben & Sarah Dooley voice in the South, and since the Land and Water Plan and grazing reforms began, he was asked to step up. But a lot of the work is behind the scenes, with the information then fed back into the national board for feedback. Ben and Sarah love farming and have been involved with Turanganui Romneys for 15 years. Bred in Southern Wairarapa, he said the sheep suit what they do very well. “They are a good fertility sheep and they have good survivability - a good hardy sheep, but a larger sheep, giving bigger carcass weights.” He said they don’t have to do a lot of work with them during lambing. This season was the first in his working history (five on their own and six in partnership), that they weren’t under any financial cashflow pressure. “Since the end of October, you couldn’t have asked for a better season. Lamb, beef and wool prices are all strong and we have grass coming out our ears.”

| 5 MEAT & WOOL » Ben and Sarah Dooley Two years ago Ben’s wool clip only covered half the shearing costs, but this season he is seeing a small profit from wool. • Drainage & Excavation • Gravel & Rock Supply • Site Works • Bulk & General Earthworks • Aggregate Cartage • High Pressure Drain Cleaning • Muck Spreading Ken Adams - 027 445 5813 Craig Ross - 027 224 4880 admin@k2kontracting.co.nz K2 KONTRACTING LTD PADDOCK BY PADDOCK. CORNER BY CORNER. Using our in-depth knowledge of customers’ land, businesses and objectives, we tailor highly specific solutions that differ from farm to farm, even paddock to paddock. To ensure these agronomy-led solutions stay on track for success, we also regularly walk the crops corner to corner to make recommendations along the way. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz. Proudly Supporting Ben and Sarah Dooley

6 | MEAT & WOOL » Dan Devine - Awakino Station Land use rules may evolve in industry favour Dan Devine runs Awakino Station, a 7,500-hectare sheep, cattle and deer operation in the Waitaki Valley. Karen Phelps Change is once again on the horizon for New Zealand’s high country farmers and for North Otago station owner Dan Devine the mood is more optimistic than it has been in several years. Beyond his role as Federated Farmers’ High Country Executive Chair for North Otago, Dan Devine runs Awakino Station, a 7,500-hectare sheep, cattle and deer operation in the Waitaki Valley. The property winters around 24,000 stock units across a mix of sheep, cattle and deer, supported by six full-time staff including Dan himself. His wife Jaz Mathieson helps out as well alongside raising their three daughters. Attention across the sector is currently fixed on the Government’s proposed rewrite of the Resource Management Act, which Dan believes could significantly reduce compliance costs for farmers. “There could be a few positives come out of it with a bit of luck. We’re all watching with interest,” says Dan. “Farmers are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars sometimes trying to get consents. We hope that this cost will be reduced at least by half.” He also sees potential opportunity in how land use rules may evolve. “For example if there is an instrument within the policy to graze high country or DOC land that had been taken out of the system through tenure review, possibly opening up larger conservation areas to stock grazing,” explains Dan. Pest pressure is another issue firmly back on the agenda, particularly as numbers of wild deer and pigs rise in some areas. “In a nutshell the venison recovery is a huge win. Farmers can get some pest control done for free as long as the venison market stays lucrative,” says Dan. “What I would encourage people to do if they are getting higher in numbers is talk to your local helicopter operator as a few processors are taking wild venison off the helicopter operators so farmers could get pest control for free.” He adds that other wild game could also become viable options in the future particularly if regulation around home-kill abattoirs changes. 83 Main Rd, Kurow 9498 | 027 899 0321 | asicontracting2020ltd@gmail.com Providing construction service for the agricultural, commercial and residential community. CONTRACTING Connecting people, innovation and business Connect with us at deloitte.co.nz Accurate Professional Service EID Recording Foetal Aging 3 Way Drafting System 2-3 Experienced scanning on the bigger mobs Proudly Supporting Dan Devine - Awakino Station South Island wide Sheep Pregnancy Scanning Service Contact Us Jess Bell 0279038516 jessbellscan@gmail.com “Ministers are currently talking about this but we are waiting to see what they have put down on paper,” he explains. “There are a couple of small processors already taking rabbit and hare for petfood for example and have done for a few years so pigs are the only species that aren’t getting sold commercially yet although there are a lot of hunters taking wild pigs to their local butcher to be processed for personnel use.” At Awakino Station, improvement remains a constant focus. “We’re always trying to improve. No years are the same,” says Dan. Genetics are a major lever with an emphasis on lifting overall performance rather than just breeding elite animals. “Rather than improving the top 20% of our flock we’re working on the bottom 20% to get it to average or above average and the easiest way to do that is through genetics.” That philosophy extends across all stock classes. “We want to keep things as simple as possible,” says Dan. “With our rams it’s fertility and footrot. PHONE 027 433 5523 DAVID O'NEILL CONTRACTING LTD Proud to be associated with Dan Devine - Awakino Station • PLOUGHING & CULTIVATION • FINE CHOPPED SILAGE • MULCHING • FERTILISER SPREADING • DIRECT DRILLING • GENERAL CARTAGE • BALAGE • RUT BUSTING • GRAIN HARVESTING

| 7 MEAT & WOOL » Dan Devine - Awakino Station At Awakino Station improvement remains a constant focus. We combine EBVs with visual assessment to breed the best sheep we can. Top percentile Foot Resistance, EBVS available on Sale Rams STRONG MOTHERING ABILITY Merino, Poll Merino, Quarterbred & Halfbred rams sold by private selection. Bill Sutherland: 027 451 0342 | billsutherland.benmore@farmside.co.nz Andrew Sutherland: 027 243 8577 | deidre.andrew@farmside.co.nz www.benmorestation.co.nz BALANCE D TRAITS QUARTERBRED Mating ewes as hoggets. Two-tooth ewes scanned 175% & clipped 6kg of 20.5 micron wool. HALFBREDS The 5,000 commercial Halfbred ewes or joined to terminal rams, wean 165% & clip 6kg of 25 micron wool. POLL MERINO The 12,000 commercial Merino ewes are weaning over 133% & clipping over 6kg of 18 micron wool. GO FOR GOLD WITH RAMS FROM PETERS GENETICS PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTION & PRICE - THE WINNING COMBO With stags we target growth rates. Because we don’t breed any of our own stock, we buy in-calf hinds from Mt Hutt - we just want growth and that’s it. With bulls we still do a lot of our selection on visual looks - we want pigment round the eyes, good milk yield which provides growth for calves. With our Angus bulls we put over heifers we want birth ease.” Diversification through trophy stags has also become an important income stream. “We’ve been doing trophy stags for five years. We have a joint venture with Horn & Antler Safaris,” explains Dan. “That’s another income stream to help us along. We provide elk and fellow stags and Peel Forest Estate provides Red stags.” He says that demand can be politically sensitive. “With Trump people opened their wallets and with Biden they shut them pretty much overnight.” Dan says confidence is cautiously returning. “We’re basically waiting now to see what will happen with next year’s elections in New Zealand,” he says. “But things are looking really positive in the farming world at the moment - the most positive they’ve been for some years.”

8 | MEAT & WOOL » Fernhill - Colin Phillips Limousins deliver yield, profit and performance Fernhill Limousin, established in 1991 when Colin first brought Limousin cattle from a sale at Lorneville, Anne Boswell Tuatapere sheep and beef farmer Colin Phillips reckons dairy farmers are missing a trick if they’re not using Limousin cattle over their dairy cows. “I can`t believe more dairy farmers aren`t getting on the bandwagon” he says. “Limousin cattle have low birth weight, good growth rates and superior carcass characteristics, including a higher yield and dressing percentage and an exceptional eye muscle area. Fernhill Limousin, established in 1991 when Colin first brought Limousin cattle from a sale at Lorneville, comprises 100 Limousin cattle as part of a larger, 4300-stock unit operation over 538ha that includes a Coopworth/Romney commercial flock. Colin and son Jordan also run a busy earthmoving contracting business, specialising in dairy lanes and farm maintenance. Colin, who is President of the Limousin Beef Breeders Society of NZ, sells rising two-year-old Limousin bulls privately each spring, predominantly to dairy farmers; one dairy farmer has returned to Fernhill for almost 30 years for his Limousin genetics. While low birthweight and ease of calving make Limousin particularly attractive for use over dairy cows, what really stands out is the Limousin’s carcase performance. Colin points to a recent comparison on farm where his son hand-reared Friesian-cross cattle to two years of age, reaching 620kg liveweight, while Fernhill’s Limousins weighed in at 590kg. Despite the lighter liveweight, the Limousin cattle came back at 334kg on the hook, compared with the Friesian cross at 297kg. At $6.70/kg, the Limousins returned $246 more per head, purely through superior yield. “Limousin can be up to 10% better in yield than other breeds,” Colin says. This trait has also been formally recognised in the show ring. Colin has been a previous winner and place getter of the Otago-Southland Beef Carcass Competition. “Limousin are always right up there in the placings,” Colin says. “And ninety percent of the time, they win it.” Simon de Vries - 027 840 9867 Julie Heaps - 03 226 6212 Performance & quality you can trust multi Award winning Since 1924 The #1 nationally benchmarked commercial ock for performance and quality in pure Romneys for NZ and Australia in 2024/25. Proud to supply Fernhill. While the Limousin breed once carried a reputation for poor temperament, Colin says significant progress has been made. “There’s been a huge amount of work done on docility, and the change is remarkable,” he says. “New Zealand Limousin are now used as an example of how temperament can be corrected through breeding.” Because Colin is flat-out running the farm and the contracting business, he has a tried-and-true – if a little unconventional – method of buying his own new Limousin genetics. “I jump on a plane and fly to sales, and buy the best Limousin bull in New Zealand, regardless of the price,” he says. “I’ve done that for years. We don’t use any AI.” This year also marks an important milestone for the breed, with the Limousin Beef Breeders Society of NZ and the Australian Limousin Breeders Society Ltd coming together to facilitate a New Zealand tour in May, which will include a conference and respective AGMs. “The week will include visits to three Limousin studs, offering a valuable opportunity to showcase the breed, share knowledge and strengthen our trans-Tasman ties,” Colin says. FERNHILL LIMOUSIN 2 Dickens Rd, Tuatapere 9691 | e: c.jphillips@xtra.co.nz 03 226 6143 | 027 434 5128 HIGH-PERFORMANCE BEEF GENETICS • PRACTICAL, COMMERCIAL CATTLE PHILLIPS CONTRACTING LTD 2 Dickens Road, Tuatapere | phillips.jt@hotmail.com | Jordan 027 331 9629 | Colin 027 434 5128 Locally owned & operated · 20 T diggers (ditching, root raking, dairy lane & farm maintenance, all earthworks) · Roller · Grader · Tip trucks · D6 Dozer For all your excavation needs

| 9 MEAT & WOOL » Flagstaff Herefords Celebrating 50 years of breeding Herefords QuinineV32 - Son of Ajax. Karen Phelps Flagstaff Herefords will mark a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating 50 years of breeding Hereford cattle at Mahitahi in South Westland alongside the stud’s 29th annual on-farm sale. What began in 1976 by Thomas Condon as a small breeding operation has evolved into a highly regarded stud, known for steady genetic progress and a clear focus on the commercial needs of its clients. The upcoming sale will feature progeny from some of the most influential sires the stud has used in recent years. Of particular interest are the first calves by Wirruna Steakout, a leading Australian Hereford sire recognised for high intramuscular fat (IMF). “It’s really exciting,” says Thomas. “They are looking good, they’ve scanned up well, they are moderate-sized cattle with sound carcasses, and they offer great calving ease and fertility.” Another Australian sire, Ke Warra Maxwell, will also be strongly represented. More of his progeny will be offered for sale, following a successful debut crop last year. “One of his sons topped our sale last year,” says Thomas. “They are good, meaty cattle with a strong phenotype.” As Flagstaff Herefords reflects on five decades of breeding, Thomas says the journey highlights just how much the industry has changed. “As I look back at some of the goals we had in 1976 and where we’ve got to, a lot has changed,” explains Thomas. “I’m always looking for things to improve. There is never the perfect bull. It’s still a work in progress.” Advances in technology have transformed cattle breeding, with modern tools now central to decision-making. Genetic evaluations, scanning information and estimated breeding values allow breeders to make far more informed selections than was possible in the past. “I still have straws from the top bulls of the day back then,” says Thomas, “but a fantastic bull of his day in the 1970s wouldn’t match what we have today. There has been a lot of genetic improvement Your local animal health providers. Shoulder to shoulder with you across the coast. ESSENTIAL FARM SUPPLIES ALL ANIMAL HEALTH NEEDS 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE West Coast Vets NZ www.wcvets.co.nz Call 03 755 8361 PET CARE, WEAR & GEAR SOUTH WESTLAND TRANSPORT Stock Cartage | Owner Driver Phone Gavin Morgan 027 455 0136 Email: info@springcreekfarm.co.nz in the breed over the years.” That steady improvement, also reflected in his own herd, has been particularly rewarding. Over 50 years the herd has been refined with a clear emphasis on fertility, calving ease and efficiency. Flagstaff Herefords has long prioritised getting live calves on the ground, followed by strong mothering ability and milk production to ensure calves grow well in their first year. “We’ve been selecting for increased IMF for years,” says Thomas. “Now that niche markets are demanding marbling our sires can help our clients benefit from those premiums.” To support this focus, it has implemented rigorous performance recording for many years including scanning heifers and bulls for carcass traits. Temperament and adaptability are also key with only the most docile, hardy and efficient cattle retained. Additional attention is paid to structural and functional traits including udder and teat quality, jaw strength, eye setting and pigment. The annual on-farm sale continues to attract buyers from Canterbury, Central Otago and the West Coast, with Bidr giving those further afield access to the offering. Thomas says the 50th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past but a focus on the future. With Thomas’s children involved in farming and associated businesses at Mahitahi, succession planning is underway to ensure Flagstaff Herefords continues into the next generation. • General Freight Nationwide • Bulk Freight, Fertiliser, Hay etc • Refrigerated Freight • Rural Freight • Bulk Fuel • Home Heating Fuel • BP/Castrol Lubricants FREIGHTERS LTD 0800 756 666 • 03 769 9081 Greymouth • 03 429 8265 Hokitika freight@aratuna.co.nz SALE DATE: WEDNESDAY 16th OCTOBER 2026 2 YEAR OLD POLLED HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE PYRAMID DOWNS Polled Herefords TO BE HELD ON THE PROPERTY AT PYRAMID, RIVERSDALE, SOUTHLAND. 31ST ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE

10 | Glenbrook Station’s steady genetic progress The continued rise in demand for Shorthorn genetics is something the stud is witnessing firsthand. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Glenbrook Station Shorthorns Glenbrook Station Shorthorns is gearing up for its May private-treaty bull sale with a line-up that reflects both steady genetic progress and rising demand for Shorthorn cattle across the beef and dairy sectors. Around 30 bulls will be offered, all fully service tested and carrying solid Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), as the stud continues its focus on producing robust, versatile stock. “This year’s bulls are all looking good - moderateframed cattle that are a good cross for beef or dairy,” says Simon Williamson, co-owner of the stud. “The strength of the line-up comes from milking ability out of the dam side and the IMF and eye muscle out of the beef side, traits that we have consistently prioritised.” A key feature of this year’s draft is the influence of Canadian sire Dr Pepper, a bull increasingly central to the stud’s breeding direction. “Dr Pepper is a bull we are really keen on, with good figures and a good, sound build,” says Simon. “We’ve used him last year and this year. Some of the bulls offered this year are his offspring. His progeny are already attracting interest for combining structural soundness with strong carcass traits suited to New Zealand’s varied farming country.” The continued rise in demand for Shorthorn genetics is something the stud is witnessing firsthand. Longacre Herefords mark murphy - MARK.DANIEL92@GMAIL.COM longacre herefords · Docile · easy calving · low birthweight · early maturing · beef & dairy compatible · delicious 027 917 8519 · Hokitika “We have a good client base that covers a cross-section of beef and dairy farmers,” says Simon. “Our bulls seem to be slowly growing in popularity all the time. As people are paid for what they produce rather than the colour of the animal, I think we’ll see more go down the Shorthorn route.” He says though that Shorthorns are far from a new trend. “They were a staple cross with original breeds. For a while people got into exotics, the black cattle with the white face, but there’s been quite a swing back to Shorthorns, particularly in England, Scotland and Australia.” According to Simon, the shift is driven by practical performance rather than fashion. “It’s the milking ability. They are great milkers, so the maternal value is just as important to a breeder as the steak at the end of it. If your cow is producing more milk, the calf will do a lot better.” He says that the breed’s adaptability gives it an edge: “They have a summer and winter coat so they suit a variety of climates as well as being naturally high in IMF and eye muscle.” Glenbrook’s cattle continue to be run under commercial conditions, ensuring that only animals capable of performing in real-world farm environments make the cut. The stud aims for structurally correct cattle with good temperament, calving ease and strong meat quality. Alongside the cattle operation the wider Glenbrook Station also manages SH 8 Merino, a wool business affected in recent seasons by international tariffs. “The tariffs have affected things as the American market doesn’t have any scouring, spinning or weaving technology,” says Simon. “So the wool goes to China from here and there is now a 40% tariff. Last year our wool went to other markets but I believe the USA markets will come back over time as things change.”

| 11 Merino breeding the lifeblood of the operation The farm produces Glentanner Merino rams, both polled and horned, designed for New Zealand’s challenging high-rainfall environments. Photo: Ben Doubleday. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Glentanner Station Merino At Catherine Fields high-quality merino breeding is more than a sideline - it is the lifeblood of the operation. Owned by Mark and Kate Ivey the farm produces Glentanner Merino rams, both polled and horned, designed for New Zealand’s challenging high-rainfall environments. “The stud has been carefully developed over decades to produce sheep that combine excellent wool quality with strong carcass traits, suited to high-rainfall, gorge-type properties,” explains Mark. Taken over by Mark and Kate in 2017, Catherine Fields, near Lake Pukaki, was originally part of the 4,000-hectare Glentanner Station, which has been run by the Ivey family since 1957. The Glentanner Merino stud has roots in the mid-1980s, when Mark’s father Ross Ivey purchased horned merino ewes from the Grampians Stud in New Zealand. Horned rams were bred exclusively until 2008 when polled genetics were introduced in response to client demand. The stud was halved to allow equal focus on horned and polled lines. Today it comprises around 550 ewes, with 50 to 60 rams sold annually by private treaty at the end of January. Catherine Fields spans 485 hectares of sheep, beef, deer and a small cereal cropping programme, with barley grown as part of the rotation. The farm winters around 2,000 merino sheep, 200 Angus and Angus-cross cattle and 350 Red deer. The merino breeding programme is highly focused, balancing wool quality and meat traits to suit local conditions. “We produce a medium to fine-medium type with broad, crimpy, well-marked wool that’s well suited to the conditions. Using EBVs, we select animals with good eye muscle area and positive fat while maintaining wool cut and nourishment. While we want positive fats and muscle we believe you can’t chase it to the extreme without losing wool cut and nourishment to be suitable in high rainfall areas so it’s getting a happy medium.” Partners: Paul Wolffenbu�el | Jasveen Singh | Nick Krivan | Kalpesh Hari | Mark Evans | Emma Gilkison 39 George Street, Timaru 7910 | PO Box 125, Timaru 7940 Email: hcmail@hcpartners.co.nz | Phone: 03 687 9222 | Website: www.hcpartners.co.nz HC Partners LP are proud to support Glentanner Station Merino chartered accountants PARTNERSLP Your Agri business partner We partner with you so you can focus on doing what you do best. Give Brent a call for a free no obligation chat to find out how we can help you reach your full potential. Brent Love T: (03) 683 1871 | M: (027) 528 1537 | E: blove@kpmg.co.nz kpmgenterprise.co.nz | facebook.com/KPMGFarmEnterprise Phone Robert 021 090 45608, James 03 614 7080 or Donald 021 187 8186 963 Cleland Road, Pleasant Point www.sternangus.co.nz Feed Pads Since the early 1990s genetics have been sourced from Australia and Australian-based sheep classer Chris Bowman continues to advise on breeding decisions. Recent years have seen an emphasis on dual-purpose traits - moderate-framed sheep with plenty of twist, meat in the backend, and wool measuring 18 to 19 microns. “I think we’re seeing a trend back to chasing quality wool. The industry as a whole has in the last 15 years gone down the path of dual purpose animals, which has improved lambing percentages and meat yield in merinos which is great. But in pursuit of chasing that quickly the quality of the wool has suffered a bit so there needs to be more emphasis on that and wool weight. All our wool goes to New Zealand Merino, with a long-term supply contract with Icebreaker. We are breeding sheep that produce wool perfect for the active leisurewear market.” While merinos form the core of the enterprise, cattle and deer provide diversity. Angus calves using Stern Angus genetics are finished at 18 to 20 months while Red hinds are mated to a terminal Elk composite sire sourced from Peel Forest Estate and processed at around 11 months and an average of 57 kilos. Mark runs the farm largely independently, bringing in casual staff and contractors as required, while Kate operates Kate Ivey Health and Fitness, her highly successful online health platform business. The couple also have three children - Olivia, 15, Gus, 13 and Imogen, 11 – who are all showing various interests in the farming life.

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