Business Rural North Spring 2021

6 | RURAL PEOPLE » Better Eggs collects and packs the eggs in trays. These are then delivered to a nearby grading, product packing and distribution facility. “We have invested in leading technology with everything measured and monitored; you won’t find systems like this anywhere else in New Zealand,” observes Gareth who says the investment in auto- mation also frees up more time for animal welfare, hygiene checks and maintenance. The venture plans to directly employ 20 staff and much of their time will be spent walking the houses and range area and making sure hens are healthy and happy. Better Eggs combines three family-owned qual- ity egg producers – Heyden Farms Ltd, Henergy Cage-Free Ltd and Rasmusen’s Farm Ltd – with a pooled experience in the NZ market spanning four generations and dating back to 1937. Eggs from this exciting new venture are currently being sold under the Heyden Farms Free Range brand. “We are an intergenerational, family owned and operated business with the flexibility to think longer term and sustainability is a key element for us.” To date, 31,000 trees have been planted on the farm, with the next planting phase due to com- mence in August and September. “This site was effectively a blank canvas for us to design and lay ‘Best of both worlds’ on free- range forestry and farm block • from page 4 “We’re finding the hens really love to forage in our rough areas like cliff faces and rocky outcrops too. It’s great seeing them out in the rolling country here – it’s like their adventure playground! Once they are ready to come back inside, they then have a warm house waiting with food, water, perch bars and nest boxes.” PHOTOS: The state-of-the-art hen house (top) and opening day at the Tokoroa farm. Eggs from the new venture are currently being sold under the Heyden Farms Free Range brand. out when we took it over, so we were able to go and do the earthworks and site development fairly quickly before starting on tree planting.” Hens heading outside will first encounter low growing Manuka before reaching avenues of young oak and poplar. These deciduous trees were select- ed to promote healthy soils, grass growth and good ground for worms and other insects for inquisitive hens to find. Farther out, pines and a mix of native species and redwoods are being established. “We’re finding the hens really love to forage in our rough areas like cliff faces and rocky outcrops too. It’s great seeing them out in the rolling country here – it’s like their adventure playground! Once they are ready to come back inside, they then have a warm house waiting with food, water, perch bars and nest boxes. It really is the best of all worlds.” Gareth’s own background is in corporate finance. With his family involved in dairy farming, they ventured into egg production and supply 15 years ago by joining with an extended family member. He sees the Better Eggs’ forest free range venture as very much geared towards meeting consumer demand for ethically sourced food while also deliv- ering a natural and safe environment that is best for chickens. “We all find it very motivating. The whole team is very proud of what is being achieved here. It really is a win-win for all involved.”