4 | Top beef breeding on Hauhungaroa 2C Block Predominantly Romney genetics. Russell Fredric Wool retains an important place in Hauhungaroa 2C Block’s annual production cycle, especially with a change in its wool supply chain adding vital value to its bottom line. Located on the western shores of Lake Taupo and owned by a Maori Incorporation, the 1010 hectare effective sheep and beef breeding and finishing property operates under a nitrogen cap within the Lake Taupo catchment, on a total of 3227 hectares. The farm supports a total of 10,700 stock units, comprising 70% sheep with predominantly Romney genetics and 30% Angus-cross cattle. General manager Cam Brown says he is a big believer in the wool industry, consequently the sheep are bred with this in mind as well as for survivability, milking ability and growth rates. “It’s fair to say that we are on the right side of the ledger so far with our shearing; we are more than covering our costs, and that’s purely down to what the wool clip is,” Cam says. The Romney flock produces 38 micron wool which is suppled directly to French yarn manufacturer company Segard Masurel, one of New Zealand’s major wool exporters. The company is a wool broker/direct selling operation with a fully integrated supply strategy which means there is only one company acting between the grower and the end user. While the Hauhungaroa 2C Incorporation management was perfectly happy with the previous company it supplied its wool to via an auction process, the move to Segard Masurel has eliminated an intermediary and the wool clip is now supplied direct to the European market. More than 60% of Segard Masurel’s wool is sold to clients producing globally recognised brands. “We are probably getting closer to its true value than what we may have done in the past, but something the [farm’s] owners feel strongly about is where our products go.” This applies both to wool and the meat, and knowing where the farm’s production goes is a step in the right direction, Cam says. “Hopefully that will lead to other opportunities in terms of supplying more for certain contracts.” Hauhungaroa 2C Block’s team is “pretty particular” about how it presents its wool and this requires some attention to achieve the best possible colour RURAL PEOPLE » Hauhungaroa 2C Block (Cam Brown) and the least vegetable matter possible, subject to operational demands, from one shearing per season. Despite ongoing challenges in the wool market, Cam believes the medium-term outlook for it is better now than it has been during the past three to five years. “There’s a big change in people’s perception in the use of nylons. I still think there’s a big cost involved in getting the wool from the sheep’s back and in apparel form to the public, and part of the decision in doing what we did was to try and cut some of that cost out of the system.” Hauhungaroa 2C Block is one of the many trusts or incorporations under the control of Tuwharetoa iwi, with the Maori ownership providing members of the iwi access to employment opportunities, training and mentorship. Huka Honda: #1 on farm and backing our community since 1982. Visit us today and check out our brand new, purposebuilt facility; leading the way for Honda in NZ. Our passionate & experienced team bring you the best products and services with honest and knowledgeable advice. 07 378 5508 32 Curlys Way, Taupo sales@hukahonda.co.nz www.hukahonda.co.nz HUKA HONDA Totally Vets, proudly supporting the Hauhungaroa 2C Block farming operation. taumarunui@totallyvets.co.nz | www.totallyvets.co.nz Totally Vets Taumarunui 07 895 8899 Of the 3227 hectares, the farm includes 1142 ha of leased pine forest, 104ha of its own wood-lot planted in young tree stock, and about 770ha in native bush. The property runs from 460 metres to 800 metres above sea level on rolling to steep contour with 380 ha intensively farmed and 630 extensively farmed, wintering about 4600 Romney breeding ewes and 330 breeding cows. Bill Morrissey -Casual, Mitch Brown -Senior Shepherd, Cam Brown -Manager.
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