Business Rural North Autumn 2021

| 25 ‘A lot of finishing power’ with merger PHOTOS: Tolaga Bay stations Iwinui and Titirangi combined nearly three years ago with total land area now totalling 2400ha and employs six full time staff. Russell Fredric T he merger and development of Haunui Incor- poration’s Iwinui and Titirangi stations has created considerable efficiencies and gains in productivity. The Tolaga Bay stations were combined nearly three years ago at the same time as general man- ager Michael Gunn took on his role. The stations total 2400 hectares/2100 hectares effective and winter 20,000 stock units. The stock units comprise 6000 romney breed- ing ewes, 1700 hoggets and 550 angus/hereford breeding cows, with the cows’ progeny being car- ried through to two year olds. Heifers are sold as yearlings and bulls are kept entire and go the station’s finishing unit. The property finishes about 8500 lambs and, depending on the nature of the season, buys in 8000 trading lambs and finishes around 500 friesian bulls. The scale of the operation means six staff are employed. Before merging, Iwinui and Titirangi were 1300ha and 1100ha respectively. The merger was a logical decision, Michael says. “The opportunity came when both of the manag- ers left from both blocks and it was time to join them up. Obviously there are efficiencies with the larger scale and they are right next to each other so it made sense. “Iwinui was more the finishing side and Titirangi was steeper breeding country and they actually complemented each other pretty well.” The 2400ha comprises about one third each of flats, medium hill country and steep hill country, a combination that works well across the various aspects of the operation. “We’ve got a lot of finishing power, hence quite a big trading component. “We’ve got massive flexibility really - we can do what we please with the amount of flats and hill country we’ve got here - but it’s finding the balance between the breeding and the trading, especially in this climate, it can get quite dry.” Achieiving hybrid vigour in the Angus/Hereford cattle is a focus, targeted at the bull finishing op- eration to achieve favourable carcass weights, while the cow genetics are focused around a medium- RURAL PEOPLE » Iwinui & Titirangi Stations: Michael Gunn framed animal suited to the hill country and that will produce a good quality calf for the bull unit. The Romney genetics are sourced from Piquet Hill Farms, which over decades has focused on improving facial eczema and worm resistance, two of the major inhibiting factors to profitable sheep production. These two traits are paramount in the station’s ewes, Michael says. “The biggest thing that we are breeding for down here is facial eczema, which we can get hit pretty hard with. We’ve got a fairy good base of FE toler- ant stock in our ewes. Worm resistance is also a big focus going forward.” Another strong focus has been a five year plan involving tile drainage over about 40ha a year and pasture renovation, regrassing about 100ha a year, along with weed control, scrub clearance and fencing. The drainage and regrassing are achieving great results. “We are already starting to see it in a couple of paddocks we tiled last year and you are looking at just about doubling your carrying capacity on those flats; it’s incredible what the drainage is doing to some of these wet flats. “The increased production is phenomenal.” Being run under a Maori incorporation, the sta- tions provide great employment opportunities, both for greenhorns and experienced workers. “We’re pretty lucky, we’ve got a good team and a good mix of older experienced guys and also the younger guys bring the energy and enthusiasm and the older guys bring the cool calm head.” “We try to teach them as much as we can and furthering their careers is certainly a big priority of mine.” Obviously there are efficiencies with the larger scale and they are right next to each other so it made sense. Iwinui was more the finishing side and Titirangi was steeper breeding country and they actually complemented each other pretty well.” CUSTOMER PROOF / This proof shows your final advertisement, prepared accordance with your instructions. It shows layout, b final print quality, colour or scale. Please see yellows final print dimensions for your ad size. Please check carefully. To request corrections or changes you mus writing by email at Arthelp@yellow.co.nz or fax at 09 than 5 business days from the date of this proof or th relevant directory is closed for publication (whicheve Otherwise you are deemed to have approved this pro publish the advertisement without further changes. Customer name Directory Classification Date printed Ad size Cust. ID Ad ID Changes required? Please email Arthelp@yellow.co.nz or fax to 09 523 7647 (conditions above). 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