18 | Hononga flooded on the flats Hononga is part of a trial pod system, where each farm involved specialises in what it does well. Alexia Anderson RURAL PEOPLE » Hononga Farming Ltd HUTCHINSON EARTHWORKS Proud to support Hononga Farming Ltd hutchinsonearthworks@gmail.com +64 27 263 8812 Servicing Hawke's Bay with locations in Waipukurau and Hastings 068588983 & 068783289 sweatwork@gmail.com 021 066 0274 It is no secret this year has thrown its fair share of challenges at the rural sector and Central Hawke’s Bay is no exception. The district was hit with widespread destruction following Cyclone Gabrielle in mid-February, which left a trail of destruction in its wake. Marcus and Georgie Peacock have a 600 hectare sheep and beef farm in Waipukurau. Their family run farm was flooded on the flats, with fences lost and slips, says Marcus. “The flooding dissipated and our fences were easy to get to with a tractor to repair. Lots of mates just got smashed, so we were very fortunate. Some of them lost a quarter or more of their farm and it’s a slow grind back and it takes years. We were very fortunate compared to others.” Marcus does not solely blame the cyclone for the difficult year farmers have faced - a year he describes as “horrendous”. “The rain was relentless and while most farmers went into winter with more feed than ever, it just disappeared. “It was so wet the grass didn’t grow, livestock were just sulking really, you couldn’t blame them.” And, then the sheep prices dropped. Despite the challenges the year has presented, the Peacock’s farm, Hononga, has plenty to focus on, including its role producing for First Light Farms, an export company that sells premium 100 percent grass-fed wagyu into America. Hononga is part of a trial pod system, where each farm involved specialises in what it does well. There are four stages to the process - the breeder stage from birth up to 95kg, the nursery stage from 95kg to 200kg, the backgrounder stage from 200kg to 420kg and the finisher stage. Hononga Farming Ltd specialises in the backgrounder stage, where it knows it has the ability to get results. We are committed to providing a set number of cattle, on a set date, at a set weight,” says Marcus. “They become the number one priority. We set our farm up around that. The benefits of being part of First Light Farms is the fact it takes the volatility away. “It’s a great model and it allows us to specialise in what we do well.” Farmers in the pod system know each other and have their best interests at heart, therefore ensuring they are only passing on the cream of the crop to the farmer at the next stage of the chain. “It’s a direct relationship. We only provide great stock and we start with quality young stock.” Everyone in the chain is fully accountable. “It’s all about trust and a bit of respect.” Hononga Farming Ltd also supplies 100 percent grass fed lambs to Atkins Ranch, a local company that markets its lambs through Whole Foods Market in America. Both concepts were something Marcus & Georgie enjoy being part of. “They are quite boutiquey, we know where our stock is going and we enjoy that.”
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