6 | RURAL PEOPLE » Aerial Station Continuing to lift sheep and beef performance He values the hybrid vigour of an Angus cow crossed with a terminal Simmental bull. Kelly Deeks Aerial Station east of Matawai is continuing to lift performance across its rugged hill country through a targeted approach to breeding, genetics, and land stewardship. Fraser Tombleson and his wife Jamie are the second generation to run the 1006ha sheep and beef farm, recently taking over from Fraser’s parents who originally purchased the land in 1973. Medium to steep terrain defines the property, climbing from 300m to 1000m above sea level, and shaping a system geared toward hardy sheep, manageable cows, and fast-growing progeny. The station currently runs around 3700 ewes, 150 in-calf cows, and a mixture of steers and bulls, with most bulls processed at 18 months old. Fraser returned home in 2015, gradually purchasing the farm from his parents and refining the operation with Jamie while raising three children and supporting Jamie’s jewellery studio on-site. Fraser says the farm has historically run Simmental cattle which in recent years have got a little too large for the steep hill country. So he has introduced Angus heifers to downsize the breeding cow herd, while maintaining high growth rates through Simmental terminal sires. He does not retain progeny, instead purchasing replacement heifers and focusing on producing even-tempered, fast-finishing bulls. He values the hybrid vigour of an Angus cow crossed with a terminal Simmental bull, saying it has reduced cow size while maintaining exceptional carcass performance. Simmental bulls have been used at Aerial Station since 2013, sourced exclusively from Gold Creek Stud. Fraser has worked closely with stud principal Tom Sanson over the past five years, selecting bulls with strong temperament, high growth rates, and structural soundness suitable for the station’s challenging country. The approach has delivered consistent results, with Fraser’s cows typically scanning between 90–100 percent, weaning progeny at 230–250kg, and sending bulls to slaughter at 550kg plus at around 18 months. Fraser aims to avoid carrying bulls through a second winter due to feed pressure, terrain, and performance setbacks, saying the current system has proven both efficient and profitable. On the sheep side, which accounts for about 65 percent of the business, are Romdale ewes, chosen for their ability to handle hill country and cover ground. Fraser’s father formerly ran a Romdale stud, however Fraser elected not to continue stud breeding due to time and workload, preferring instead to purchase high-performing rams commercially. The station now sources its rams from St Leger, a Gisborne ram breeder focused on fertility, mothering ability, growth rates, fleece weights, and FE tolerWORKSHOP MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN OPOTIKI JOIN OUR TEAM CONTACT TIM 027 224 4499 ance. Fraser says St Leger’s scanning and lambing results have been pleasing, with rams genetically suited to the same climatic and terrain constraints Aerial Station faces. St Leger has integrated DNA testing, EID tagging, computer-generated mating lists, Ramguard FE testing, and a nil drench policy for mature stock, supporting progressive dualpurpose breeding. As Aerial Station continues to focus on sustainable progress, Fraser and Jamie are working toward regenerative certification and aim for long-term environmental and economic resilience, with the ultimate goal of passing the farm to the next generation. Cartage of livestock, fertilizer, and general farm supplies
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=