8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Awarima Station A dream they made into a reality The stock numbers are impressive: 8000 Romney breeding ewes, 300 breeding cows and their progeny, 2000 hoggets and 450 mixed-age dairy beef cattle. Sue Russell It’s been a period of expansion for Tim and Monique Neeson at Awarima Station, a thriving sheep and beef farm at Tokirima, west of Taumarunui and 20km south of Ohura in the deep heart of the King Country. The couple bought the 1200 ha home farm from Tim’s parents in 2020 and since then have added to the land-holding, with the purchase of 330ha of the neighbours farm that sold to foretry and leasing its remaining 500ha. “Having this 330ha has given us access to the other blocks which is a dream we made into reality,” says Monique. The Neeson’s have also just gone unconditional on a 100 ha,240 cow dairy farm in Taranaki, which Monique says, works in well with their beef finishing program. “It was about bringing more sustainable scale into the business, leading to more profit. It’s brought in better land, more suited to our calf rearing operation.” The stock numbers are impressive: 8000 Romney breeding ewes, 300 breeding cows and their progeny, 2000 hoggets and 450 mixed-age dairy beef cattle. “We’re fortunate to acquire excellent genetics with rams sourced from Keith Abbot and Craig Alexander. It’s important to be introducing the best possible fresh genetics into the business regularly, while pursuing our breeding goals.” Monique’s main responsibilities seasonally are around rearing the approximately 480 calves, nurturting them until they leave the calf shed. It’s a stunning property, with two iconic rivers, the Whanganui and Ohura, bordering its perimeter. There’s a feeling of being in a very special environment with the Forgotten Highway not too far away. Stunning native blocks punctuate the landscape with the couple committing 300ha to forestry, in those parts not suited to rearing stock. “Our bank manager gave us some really solid strategic advice. He pretty much laid out an investment strategic plan for us to follow. Succession now is a huge focus for Tim and I,” says Monique. That means growing the business for their three children, by diversifying as product and market opportunities present. While the two youngest attend the local school, their eldest, has been homeschooled this past year, an experience Monique Taumarunui Harrison Contracting harrisonharvesting@outlook.com Craig 027 313 1112 • Paul 027 671 9702 Specialising in: Bulk grass & maize silage, maize planting, ground cultivation, making and supply of round and square grass silage & hay bales. Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz PHONE: 07 873 7325 | FREEPHONE: 0800 482 928 Quality Service to Farmers & Businesses Bailey Ingham Ltd is proud to be associated with the Awarima Station and the Neeson family says has been extremely positive for him. “Heath will be off to boarding school next year. It’s not something we’re really looking forward to, but this year of being educated at home has really been a good thing.” Assisting the couple on the sprawling station are two staff, a farm manager and a general shepherd. Having solid staff makes a big difference with continuity and understanding as to how Awarima operates. And being situated where they are, very often the rain doesn’t stop for days, though Monique says compared to other farming areas of late, they have got off fairly lightly. Both celebrating the fact that the wool clip has at last seen improvement in market value, Monique and Tim have decided to put their successful ‘Shear Warmth’ woollen blanket business on the back burner, given the increase in cost to produce the luxury items, sold through their on-line store. “We’ve always been committed to having the blanket made in New Zealand. Provenance is an important element to our values and I always wanted the blankets to be in the affordable range. Now costs are putting them somewhat out of reach, so TAUMARUNUI: 07 896 7723 KING COUNTRY: 027 654 9387 TONY & GINA BIRKETT
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