Business Rural North Spring 2021

| 39 RURAL PEOPLE » Puketotara Pamu / Jarred McGlone Major shift to cattle for Puketotara The farm has been divided into two blocks, each with its own block manager. Karen Phelps P amu’s Puketotara unit has just completed a massive transformation, which has seen it convert from a sheep station to an efficient beef system. Three years ago the 1,350ha total/850ha ef- fective unit located 15 minutes from Kerikeri was farming 4,000 ewes with a small trade stock com- ponent. Now it has been divided into cell systems ranging from 6-10ha and this year will winter 2,550 cattle. Farm manager Jarred McGlone took on the job knowing he would play an integral part in project managing the shift. He gives credit to his staff that have shouldered the day-to-day running of the unit while he has focused on the conversion. They are all highly qualified – two are completing level four Primary ITO courses and another level five. The farm has been divided into two blocks, each with its own block manager. The stocking rate is 3.8-3.9 cattle per hectare depending on liveweight. Around 1 May the farm moves to a 60-day rotation shifting cattle to another cell every four days. In each cell the cattle spend two days on one half of the cell before being moved to the other half to prevent pugging on the wet soils. Micro troughs at the halfway point of each cell are used as markers. Fencing is pegged down so stock just walks over it to the next cell when its time for them to be moved. The target is to have stock to 230kgs by June ending up at 380-400kgs by the end of their 18 months on the farm when they move to other Pamu units with any surplus sold on the open market. Jarred says sourcing good quality stock will be the main challenge going forward. Trusted relation- ships with good stock agents are key he says. Most stock pre Christmas comes from Top Notch and Farrelly before he looks to neighbouring farms then finally the open market. “We look for stock that has been brought up right – feed well on milk and meal to develop the rumen. When they arrive on farm we feed them on meal for another two weeks to make sure their rumen is fully developed and give them a good start before they go onto an all grass diet.” The pastures are now where he is turning his attention, currently putting together a re-grassing programme to bring the species up to the standard necessary to grow out good young stock. Pamu places a big focus on sustainability so this has also been part of the transition strategy. 1000 poplar poles are planted each year, including at cor- ners of the cells, to offer shade for stock. Riparian planting is also being undertaken. Jarred says Pamu decided to make the change to increase profitability, which was marginal when sheep were farmed on the land requiring cash crops for finishing lambs. He says that Pamu is already seeing the financial benefits of the decision to transition with profitability on the initial block that was converted two years ago up by 300 percent earnings before interest and tax. NZ Farmers Livestock and Livestock Specialist, Noel Baker are proud to be associated with Landcorp Farming Ltd – Puketotara. They are valued clients, and we are delighted with their At NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd we are 100% NZ owned and operated, and have a long- standing and established history in the livestock market. We are proud to have developed Ph: 09 401 1774 Mobile: 027 522 6248 rtitter@xtra.co.nz 55 Station Road Kaikohe