Business Rural North Spring 2021

44 | Environmental award Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Raupuha Stud: Russell & Mavis Proffit 2 021 New Zealand Farm Environment Trust Finalists, Russell and Mavis Proffit, from Raupuha Stud, say they entered the awards to showcase what they are doing on their farm in the hope that other farmers might gain inspiration. The couple took out the Massey University Innova- tion Award and Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award. The Proffits have invested heavily in fencing waterways and planting 25,000 mainly home grown native plants over the past four years. They are setting up their paddocks to suit modern farming concerns in terms of drain placement, size, fencing etc. “It’s a mind reset,” says Russell. “We have to change the way farmers have traditionally farmed.” He is a believer that small incremental improve- ments, especially if all farmers make them, can have a big impact. They are also innovators and are involved in research projects including one in con- junction with King Country River Care and Massey University, which sees them monitor their sediment traps to determine what is working well. Russell hopes the resulting data will benefit other farmers. They are also involved with AgResearch in a pro- ject to reduce methane emissions from agriculture. This sees AgResearch come onto the farm once a year to measure sheep through a special chamber to measure the gases they produce with the aim being to move towards breeding lower emission sheep. Raupuha Stud, the Proffit’s sheep stud operation, is recognised as a leader, having the highest FE tolerance flock with all stock fully DNA recorded. The Proffits have a family history of breeding rams for 45 years so the stud’s success is no surprise. The stud comprises 5579 sheep and the Prof- fits also farm 1000 beef cattle producing rams and bulls for commercial sheep and beef farmers around the country and fattening stock bred on their property. They will have around 200 rams available for sale over summer in the third week of November. Another innovation which caught the award judges’ eyes was the fact that the Proffits have set up their own plant nursery established five years ago to produce native seedlings and grow native plants for their own use. The nursery was born out of a shortage and potential demand for eco sourced seedlings to plant up their own farm. It’s success has seen them expand the operation to meet demand and sell to local farmers. It’s Mavis’s baby and she primarily take the lead on the nursery. Russell’s parents originally bought the farm in 2003 and Russell and Mavis took over ownership in 2008. The farm now comprises 1100ha total (1050ha effective) with the majority class 3 and 4 hill country. Soils are predominately Mairoa Ash and Ma- hoenui Clay. Actively expanding their farm through lease and purchase has improved scale over the years, enabling them to diversify as well as secure their stud operation. Leading by example is something that under- pins their whole business. From taking care of the environment to being involved with Growing Future Farmers and taking on a cadet to grow the next generation of farmers the Proffits are firmly focused sustainable farming and getting things right first time. “It’s a mind reset. We have to change the way farmers have traditionally farmed.” Photos: 2021 NZ Farm Environment Trust finalists Russell, Mavis and Uriah Proffit (front row) joined by Lyn Proffit, Bevan Proffit, Melissa Jones, Rosemary Longuet- Higgins, Dawn Jones, Robyn & Bruce McLennan. The Massey University Innovation award won by Raupuha Stud. Stud sale shorthorn bulls. Breeding Better Business CamHeggie GeneticsSpecialist,Auctioneer 0275 018 182 KevinMortensen Regional LivestockManager 0274 735 858 As part of New Zealand’s largest Livestock network, our team of Genetics Specialists have more contacts, more reach and more market in uence. If you’re looking for a planned approach to success, give us a call today. Bull insurance? Yes, we can help. www.pggwrightson.co.nz/insurance Refer disclosure onwebsite. fb.com/pgwgenetics instagram.com/pgwgenetics BDO is proud to support Raupuha Stud. Vision and performance. Backed by BDO. BDO, 10 Young Street, New Plymouth 4310 T: 06 759 9034 E: newplymouth@bdo.co.nz Audit | Tax | Advisory www.bdo.nz Backing Inno ation From Start-ups to Succession Planning.