| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Laurieston Farming Taupo hospitality Karen Phelps Having control of their beef from farm to plate has helped Taupo farmers James and Elissa Cooper start a successful local burger bar, further diversifying their farming business. Jimmy Coops Lakehouse is a joint venture with successful local hospitality business owners Vaughan and Leanne Nairn. Situated on Lake Taupo’s waterfront, after opening its doors in 2021 Jimmy Coops Lakehouse serves burgers, toasties, salads, snacks and desserts and has grown its revenue around 80% in the past year alone. The Coopers also supply their Lakeman Brewing craft beer to Jimmy Coops Lakehouse. Back in 2009 Elissa was working as a veterinarian in a local practice and James had taken on a lease block and was farming sheep and cattle. When Environment Waikato found the freshwater quality of Lake Taupo was under threat a raft of changes were implemented which resulted in all farms within the lake catchment having their nitrogen inputs capped. James and Elissa purchased 120 hectares and farm 400ha total with a lease block. With a low nitrogen discharge allowance and regulations and the size of their operation their farming business was very marginal. It became evident in the first couple of years that they needed another income stream, which led to the birth of Lakeman Brewing. After much hard work it is now an award winning brewery supplying customers around New Zealand. On their farm the Coopers calve 165 Simmental cows selling the bull calve as weaners, around 8085, keeping replacement heifers with the remaining Sale date Tuesday 21st May heifers heading to Jimmy Coops, around 25-30. They use Kerrah Simmentals as the supplier of bull genetics. “It’s the maternal side of things we focus on. If you have a good cow, that’s your base. Kerrah Simmentals have good cows that are productive even in tough times and turn grass into profit quicker. We’re producing a leaner meat and by feeding the grain the flavours really come through resulting in a beautiful tender, juicy steak,” says James. Jimmy Coops customers are a mix of locals and tourists, all of whom appreciate knowing where the meat has come from. Demonstrating the interrelated nature of their enterprise, with the brewery sitting in the middle of the farm, the spent malt is fed to young cattle – which James says is a bit like having hot porridge on a cold winter’s morning. All wastewater irrigates surrounding paddocks, and the John Deere tractor is on hand to load the beer orders directly from the chiller into the delivery truck. James and Elissa are both involved in the day to day operations of all their businesses and James says having a good team has been key. “It’s not easy but Jimmy Coops and Lakeman Brewery have gone amazingly well. We have some very good chefs on board and some experienced brewers who are doing great things with our burgers and beer. Selling the end product, when it comes to the beef, is helping our overall profitability in the business going forward. It’s a diverse business but all works in together and is the only way we can survive. It’s fun seeing the businesses going forward.” Taupo farmer James Cooper. After much hard work Lakeman Brewing is now an award winning brewery supplying customers around New Zealand. We’ve been helping farmers get the most out of their sheep and beef farming operations since 1966. • Maternal composite • Romney • Sheddmaster • Suffolk • Angus Stud • FE testing for 36 years, & above FE Gold Standard for 9 years • Romney sires tested at 0.72mg of Sporidesmin/kg of live weight & Maternal Composites 0.68mg • Ewes run in commercial conditions under no drench policy • Modern & proli c ewes lambing between 140-150% on hard hill country • All rams guaranteed for soundness & structure for 2 years • Romney & maternal Composites have a lifetime guarantee against FE www.piquethillfarms.co.nz william@piquethillfarms.co.nz Will Jackson 027 739 9939 Building Better Bloodlines. “Our Romneys & Maternal composites come with a lifetime warranty against Facial Eczema.”
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