Business Rural North Spring 2021

54 | Succession planning in full effect Karen Phelps B rothers Willy and John Philip are in the process of succession planning for their family farming business. John’s son George and wife Laura have recently become equity partners and plan to gradually buy the brothers out over time so they can take a back seat. Willy farms 200ha Anui farm at Dannevirke while John and George farm a 1011ha hill country block in Mangatuna east of Dannevirke. Both proper- ties are owned under their company Philip Land Company. Between the two properties there are 4000 romneys at Mangatuna, 1200 stud romney and TEFRom ewes, along with 300 dorset down ewes at Anui. They also run 210-cow Dandaleith Angus Stud. It was their uncle Don McDonald who started Anui Romney Stud. Willy bought the stud in the 1970s. His father Bill farmed mainly romneys but also had a flock of dorset downs. All are recorded on the Sheep Improvement Ltd database. Rams are sold privately each year on farm at Anui from late November. Around 100 dorset downs and 200 romney ram hoggets are usually offered. Willy says that fast growth rates have been targeted for the dorset downs, a breed renowned for its meat with large frames, less fat and high yielding lambs. The dorset downs are part of a ram lamb trial, which sees them measured from growth rates at weaning time until March to single out the best performing lambs. The best have been identified as growing up to 800g per day. Other traits measured are skin thickness for better lamb survival and eye muscle scanning. WormFEC and facial eczema are targets for the romney breeding programme along with structural soundness and fertility. The stud uses sires that have been facial eczema tested at .6 and worm re- sistant genetics with sires from Kikitangeo Romney Stud in Warkworth. Anui still focuses on the wool quality of the rams as well. Anui’s SIL records are linked with other stud breeders in the southern part of the North Island for greater accuracy. About 2500 lambs are brought to Anui for fat- tening from the commercial flock at Mangatuna. The aim is to raise lambs to around 43kg. Willy says the dorset downs can achieve this within 100 days and being able to send them to the works earlier is helpful if, for example, drought occurs. Summer crops are sown as part of a regrassing programme and used to fatten lambs. RURAL PEOPLE » Anui Stud: Willy and John Philip Dandaleith Angus Stud has its origin in Scotland where it was started by their grandfather John. The brothers are breeding sound cattle that perform on hill country with fertility, ease of calving, good fats, IMF and growth. It’s all part of the focus to breed well structured cattle. Especially with Alli- ance’s recent IMF grades, farmers can make 80 cents to one dollar more per kilogram at current prices, says Willy, making the carcass traits lucra- tive ones for farmers to target. Another recent change has been the addition of a neighbouring 325ha block. George has been in charge of bringing it into the farm system and Willy says the land will give them more options in terms of their business. t 06 357 0640 www . nla.net.nz We are proud to be a part of the Anui Stud team. We focus on providing business advice and accounting solutions, so they can focus on what they do best - providing quality genetics to their customers. 43 years in tractor industry Workshop & field service Hydraulic hose service Total Oil distributor Factory trained mechanics Engineering Air conditioning YOUR SPECIALIST SALES & SERVICES TEAM Y O U R O N E S T O P T R A C T O R S H O P , U S E T H E B E S T 8 Makirikiri Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 7731 Craig 027 246 8540 Proud to be associated with Anui Stud sweatwork@gmail.com 021 066 0274 John, Willy and (John’s son) George Philip on Anui farm. Dorset Down rams (right).