Business Rural North Autumn 2021

| 29 Diversity focus of farm operation Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Nick & Sophie Brown H uinga-based farmers Nick and Sophie Brown believe that diversity is the key to a success- ful farming operation. It not only helps them meet market fluctuations and vagaries but also the uncertainty of climate change. Nick grew up on a sheep and beef farm at Mangamingi and completed a diploma in farm management at Lincoln University, where he met Sophie. They worked on the family farm for a year, did their OE then returned to manage parents’, Rob- ert and Jane’s 530ha farm in 2015. In July they will take over the lease, something they are incredibly excited about. “Mum and dad have pretty much given me free reign so there won’t be many changes now that we have the lease. But if I see an opportunity to buy stock for example it will be easier to do that sort of thing,” he says. The farm is around a third steep hill, a third easy to rolling and the remainder flat to easy rolling. They have FE tolerant Wairere romneys and winter 2100 mixed age ewes, 600 hoggets and replacements. They also have 60 dairy grazers and 400 R2 steers and bulls for trading. The aim is to finish everything. They docked at 150% this year and are on track to finish around 2700 lambs to sell. Eighteen kilogram carcass weight is the aim. They use 25ha of sum- mer crops for feed to achieve this. All trading cattle arrive at 400kgs and are finished at 600-650kgs live weight, killed at over 300kgs carcass weight. Part of the farm is already well set up for inten- sive cattle with water and fencing and the aim is to further subdivide and continue this work as well as improving fertility. Facial eczema is a challenge so they have been breeding for FE tolerance for some years and are starting to see gains. Diversity has become the focus for their farming operation. They have beehives and take a cut in any Manuka honey produced. It makes sense with Nick to work with nature rather than against it and take advantage of Manuka growing on marginal land rather than trying to eradicate it. “My grandfather and father spent their lives cutting it down but now it’s another income stream we can get off the land and there is little work involved for us,” he says. The farm also has some pine trees to harvest in the future and a portion of dairy grazing. There are plans to intensify better areas of the farm to create even more income streams. Nick is also keen to keep his wool despite a current trend to Wiltshires. “It seems crazy to me because diversification is key and I believe it would be foolish to let go of all the hard work put into wool over the years. While it’s down now in price it won’t stay that way forever.” Wider national issues are also important to Nick, who is in his fourth year as Meat and Wool chair for Taranaki Federated Farm- ers. But with two young sons, Seb, 2 ½ and Lachie, five months, Nick says his focus is increasingly on family. He sees technology as the future and is keen to see how it could be used to advance sheep and beef farming in this country. He already uses a drone to increase efficiency to muster sheep. “Technology could make a major difference to the profitability of sheep farming. I believe it’s a pretty exciting time to be a farmer in New Zealand.” Empowering your ideal future. Schurr & Ireland is proud to support Nick Brown NEW PLYMOUTH 562 Devon Street E 06 759 0105 www.schurrireland.co.nz 11 Stanners Street 06 764 8305 ELTHAM Marriner Groundspread Ltd Operating since 1996 Operating 3 spinner blower combination spreaders Ph: (06) 765 4345 118 Warwick Road, Stratford 4th Annual yearling bull sale Monday 20th September, 2021,12pm Quality traditionally bred hill country cattle bred with pride and care. Only quality New Zealand bred sire bulls used in last 10 years. Herd completely free of genetic defect carriers or suspects. Breeding for the best cattle, not the highest percentile, for over 50 years. All bulls registered, Breedplan recorded, BVD tested and vaccinated, 10 in 1 and Lepto Vaccinated. Herd TB status C10. Three year money back structure and fertility guarantee on all bulls sold. 36th Annual R 2 yo bull sale Monday14th June, 2021, 2.30pm 625 Jackson Road, Kumeroa Kevin and Megan Friel Ph 06 376 4543 Kev.meg.co@xtra.co.nz www.mtmableangus.co.nz or find us on Facebook. Taranaki couple Nick and Sophie Brown take over the lease on their 520ha Huinga sheep and beef farm in July. Inset: Nick with son Seb.