North Spring 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Doing it now for the next generation Kotare Station is part of a pilot that is seeking to identify the carbon benefits of New Zealand’s native bush - Page 15
2 | Page | 6 Page | 39 Page | 55 Page | 20 Page | 44 Breeder proud of FE tolerance results Koanui celebrates 50th at June bull sale On recovery path after autumn floods Wairere goes nude with no-shear sheep Facial eczema tolerance has been a key focus for King Country perendale stud ram breeder Philip Brandon, and he’s very proud of the results. Five decades of breeding success was recently celebrated at Koanui’s 50th Anniversary Bull Sale, held on-farm in the Maraetotara Valley, near Havelock North. Sustainability & resilience are target traits The Terawhiti Station flock has been steadily improved with Wiltshire genetics to the point now where no docking, dagging or shearing is required. Focus to get Maori into the primary industry Bay of Plenty forestry trainer & employer Tane Mahuta NZ Ltd has won the Maori Agribusiness award at the 2022 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards. Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer Gavin Bowen, who manages Riverina Ltd, says the ongoing flood impacts are slowing ‘business as usual’ farming. Wairere Romneys has a new product it is about to release that stud owner Derek Daniell reckons could help Kiwi farmers to reduce losses from wool. Page | 14 CONTENTS >> Index | Page 68 These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. In the event of a failure on the part of the Company to insert advertising as instructed the Company may publish the advertisement at the first available subsequent reasonable date unless the advertisement features date sensitive material. Every care shall be taken to publish the advertisement in accordance with the advertisers instructions as to page and position but the Company reserves the right for whatever reason to place advertising in a different position and in doing so shall incur no liability whatsoever. Advertisers must advise business rural immediately of any error or omission in advertisements and shall work constructively to remedy the situation which in the first instance shall be a rerun of the corrected advertisement in the next available issue of business rural. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cutoff time acquiesce shall be taken as confirmation and acceptance. Corrections made by telephone shall be accepted but the Company reserves the right to decide whether a further proof should be faxed or mailed to the client. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty of 3% per month until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by the Company will be added to the account of the debtor. Views and opinions expressed in business rural are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Business rural welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Business Rural accepts no responsibilty for loss of photos or manuscripts. Printed by: Published by: North Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 PO Box 2581, Wakatipu MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Paul Mein paulmein@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Kelly Deeks, Hugh DeLacy, Russell Fredric, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Virginia Wright SALES ROOM Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins Mandi King, Allan J Knowles, Chris McPhee, Lisa Moffat, Colin Morais, Catherine Norton, Chris Pearce, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Ann-Marie Frentz, Andrea Benns OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz
| 3 RURAL PEOPLE » Anui Romneys Right genetics pay dividends at Anui Romney rams are sold privately each year on farm at Anui from late November. Inset: 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. Karen Phelps Using the right genetics continues to pay dividends for Anui Romneys with ewes scanning their best ever this year. Mixed ages ewes scanned at 220% and two tooths at 190%. “It’s about trying to do the basics well and keeping conformation and soundness correct as well along the way. We introduce one or two new sires each year to keep the gene pool ticking over,” says Willie Philip. The family business – Philip Land Company – comprises two properties. Willy farms 200ha Anui farm at Dannevirke while brother John and his son George and George’s wife Laura farm a 1011ha hill country block in Mangatuna east of Dannevirke. Between the two properties there are 4000 romneys at Mangatuna, 1200 stud romney, along with 300 Dorset Down ewes at Anui. They also run 250-cow Dandaleith Angus Stud at Mangatuna. 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. In recent years the focus has been on WormFEC and facial eczema along with structural soundness and fertility. The stud uses sires that have been facial eczema tested at .6 and worm resistant genetics. 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. 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. t 06 357 0640 www.nla.net.nz We focus on providing business advice and accounting solutions, so our clients can focus on what they do best! Let’s start talking sweatwork@gmail.com 021 066 0274 S P R I N G P A DDO C K S A 2 Y E A R A N D Y E A R L I N G B U L L S A V A I L A B L 1 0 2 L AWS R OA D , DA N N E V I R K E I N S P E C T I O N S W E L C O M E Willy Philip 102 Laws Road, Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 8857 Email: anui@xtra.co.nz @AnuiStudLivestock George Philip 923 Mangatuna R Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 2861 S P R I N G P A DDO C K S A L E S 2 Y E A R A N D Y E A R L I N G B U L L S A V A I L B L E 1 0 2 L AWS R OA D , D N N E V I R K I N S P E C T I O N S W E L C O M E Willy Philip 102 Laws Road, Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 8857 Email: anui@xtra.co.nz @AnuiStudLivestock George Philip 923 Mangatuna Road Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 2861 Willy Philip 102 Laws Road, Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 8857 Email: anui@xtra.co.nz George Philip 923 Mangatuna Road,Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 2861 G I VE U S A CA L L TO ARRANGE AN I N S P E CT I ON . - Fully SIL & Studfax performance recorded - Stud ewes farmed on hard hill country at Mangatuna, east of Dannevirke - We use eczema tested sires up to .6 - Sires DNA tested for sheep 50K - Worm resistance programme in place Willy Philip 102 Laws Road, Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 8857 Email: anui@xtra.co.nz George Philip 923 Mangatuna Road,Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 2861 G I VE U S A CA L L TO ARRANGE AN I N S P E CT I ON . - Fully SIL & Studfax performanc recorded - Stud ewes far ed on hard hill country at Mangatuna, east of Dannevirke - We use eczema tested sires up to .6 - Sires DNA tested for sheep 50K - Worm resistance programme in place A N U I S T U D L I V E S T O C K R OM N E Y | D O R S E T D OWN | T E F R OM - Fully SIL & Studfax performance recorded - Stud ewes farmed on hard hill country at Mangatuna, east of Dannevirke - We use eczema tested sires up to .6 A N U I S T U D L I V E S T O C K R OM N E Y | D O R S E T D OWN | T E F R OM - Fully SIL & Studfax performance recorded - Stud ewes farmed on hard hill country at Mangatuna, - Fully SIL & Studfax performance recorded - Stud ewes farmed on hard hill country at Mangatuna, east of Dannevirke - We use eczema tested sires up to .6 - Sires DNA test for sheep 50K - Worm resistance programme in place About 2500 lambs are brought to Anui for fattening 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. 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. Each spring two year old and yearling Dandaleith Angus Stud bulls are offered to the market by private treaty. Dandaleith Angus Stud has its origin in Scotland where it was started by their grandfather John. Their successful sale last year saw an average price of $9300 as buyers target their sound cattle that perform on hill country with fertility, ease of calving, good fats, IMF and growth.
4 | Boomer growing season at Te Pa Jim has a team of 5 permanents, along with cadetship students who spend a year on the farm experiencing all the station’s activities as well as a live-in cook. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Atihau-Te Pa Station Taihape Honda Proud Supplier to Atihau - Te Pa Station 06 388 1211 89 Hautapu Street, Taihape sales@taihapehonda.co.nz w w w . t a i h a p e h o n d a . c o . n z WE ALSO SUPPY BUILDERS MIX, BARK & STONE. CALL THE OFFICE FOR A PRICE. ROBBIE: 027 442 8686 (ENQUIRIES) EMAIL: ROBBIE@LILTRANS.CO.NZ 15 RAILWAY ROAD, RAETIHI 4632 • WOOL • TIMBER • FERTILIZER • GRAIN • METAL • POSTS • LIME • STOCK FEED SUPPLEMENTS PROUD TO SUPPORT ATIHAU - TE PA STATION DA WINDLE LTD Raetihi for all your livestock transport needs phone kerry on 027 222 3431 Jimmy Doolan has been happily managing Atihau Whanganui Incorporations sprawling sheep and beef finishing farm in the centre of the North Island, 10 km from Ohakune. Located at the Karioi end of the Oruakukuru Road, Te Pa Station is a beautiful property. Jimmy says this is one of the reasons he intends to remain in the role a very long time. Te Pa Station includes the land that made up Pah Hill Station, which back in 2007 won the BNZ Maori Farming Excellence Award, and Omerei Station. The award was recognition for the team effort that underpinned the farm’s success and today, Jimmy says, the same ethos exists. “I have a team of 5 permanents, along with cadetship students who spend a year on the farm experiencing all the station’s activities as well as a live-in cook. All staff are housed on the property and there’s a strong sense of mutual support between them to get the jobs done,” Jimmy explains. Since Rural North last spoke with Jimmy about a year ago, he says the station has experienced the best year yet in his tenure there. While it did get a little dry towards the end of January, subsequent precipitation has balanced pasture condition out. At times, that pasture disappears under snow, so feeding out to the stock becomes an important winter activity. Te Pa Station measures an impressive 5,700 ha (4,200 ha effective). It’s contour reflects the size of the property straddling flat, easy hill to steep ground. Soil underfoot is volcanic/ash and drains well, while water is supplied through reticulation, creeks and dams. The farm’s elevation is impressive as well, from 400m to 800m. Jimmy says dogs play an important role in managing the movement of stock. A station of this size and situation is capable of supporting a large number of stock – 40,000 su in total. “We have 18,000 ewes and 1,200 cattle. With all our cows we are chasing 100% Angus genetics.” All stock at Te Pa are finished before processing. Heifers reach a weight of 520 kg live weight (260kg carcass) and Steers reach an impressive 620kg (320kg carcass). This is an increase of about 20kg per stock unit and has been achieved through paying attention to supplying more feed and keeping the cattle in good condition. Late July, the team were flat-out break-feeding and three-quarter of the ewe flock were enjoying crops grown on the farm, to sustain them through the colder months of winter. Calving gets underway on 1st September, with the first calving by heifers over a 37 day period, while the mixed age cows calving window extends 53 days. “We generally leave the mixed age cows to just get on and calve but at the start of the breeding season, we keep an eye twice a day on the heifers.” Te Pa Station has good infrastructure, with a managers home and shepherds cottages, along with five wool sheds, sheep and cattle pens and 350 subdivided paddocks. The cadet scheme is a way for Atihau Whanganui Incorporation to encourage their shareholders to consider farming as a career. It’s in its third year of operation and is so far going well. “After they have a year with us, they move for another two years on to another of the Incorporation’s farms, where they can focus more specifically on a type of farming they are most interested in. It’s been a good thing to do, because while they are learning, they also get paid.” Te Pa Station includes the land that made up Pah Hill Station, which back in 2007 won the BNZ Maori Farming Excellence Award, and Omerei Station.
| 5 HINENUI 100% SIL Recorded Flocks NZMW + Meat 100% DNA Parentage 5K and 50K Genomic Evaluation FE GOLD Status - Over 30 years dosing Nil drenching of ewes GENETICS Proven Performance Genetics - Leading Facial Eczema Tolerance COOPWORTH - ROMNEY - ROMWORTH Ryan and Claire Teutenberg - 021 610 664 Phil and Deana Cook - 027 952 6048 Brett and Lucy Teutenberg - 027 446 3684 www.hinenuigenetics.co.nz GISBORNE Quality traditional hill country cattle bred with pride and care. Most bulls catalogued out of rst calving two year old heifers themselves. Only quality sire bulls proven under NZ conditions used to compliment our cows. Herd completely free of genetic defect carriers or suspects. Breeding cattle with PROVEN fertility, stayability and yield for over 50 years. 5th ANNUAL YEARLING BULL SALE Monday 19th September 2022, 12 pm Our Hampshires are known for... • Breed Quality • Excellent bone, excellent constitution & excellent length • Strong, fast growth rates • Longevity • Top eye muscle scanning • Being one of the only sheep breeds that has marbling in the meat Rams & Ewes sold throughout New Zealand Live exporters of Hampshires to Argentina, Brazil & Mexico Mike & Janeann Mouat 250 Collins Road, Knapdale RD3 Gore 027 480 9570 gevity marbling in the meat Rams & Ewes l throughout New Zealand i i i , il i Winner of the Carrfields Supreme All-Breeds Ram Lamb at the Gore A & P Show 2020 i l ll POLL DORSET RAMS MAKE THE BEST LAMBS! Both these breeders have put a heavy emphasis on breeding for facial eczema tolerance, meat and growth. GIVE US A CALL! Cliff & Alex Deery • Coastlands Poll Dorset • SIL 2216 South Auckland 09 292 2504 / 021 073 1620 Ken & Rebecca Haywood • Puketotara Stud • SIL 4688 King Country 07 877 8586 / 027 276 8540 For hardy high genetic merit rams, contact your local Supalamb® Poll Dorset member: RURAL PEOPLE »
6 | RURAL PEOPLE » Awaroa Perendale Ram Stud Breeder proud of FE tolerance results Awaroa Stud’s Philip and Audrey Brandon offer around 100 two-tooth stud rams for sale each year, mostly on farm by private treaty. Richard Loader Facial eczema tolerance has been a key focus for King Country perendale stud ram breeder Philip Brandon, and he’s very proud of the results. “FE is our biggest challenge in this region and if you’re not breeding for tolerance to it then you’re going downhill,” says Philip. “We’ve been doing sporodesmin testing for FE for eighteen years now and this year we will be testing at .55mg/kg. The benchmark level is set at .60mg/kg so we’re right up there. We’re the second highest in the Perendale breed.” Awaroa Perendale Ram Stud uses 5K DNA testing, which enables forecasting for a generation of traits including FE using the 5000 markers in a single gene. A tissue sample is taken from the sheep’s ear, which is then sent away for testing. “The markers can be taken out of the gene that are used for breeding values, including weaning weights, wool weights, growth rates and eczema tolerance. They are then SIL recordered.” About 100 two-tooth Awaroa stud rams are offered for sale each year, mostly on farm by private treaty but a small number also go to the North Island Perendale Sale in Te Kuiti in the middle of November. “I also take some up to the Frankton Ram Sale in the middle of January. I have about twenty clients from the North Island – Northland over to the East Coast and down to Taranaki. Awaroa Perendale rams have a good name out there, with good breeding values and eczema tolerance – that’s one of the biggest things around this area now.” Sixty-nine years young, Philip has been farming all his life and says it gets in your blood. “It’s all I’ve known really and it’s what I enjoy doing. I particularly enjoy the stud and trying to improve it.” “FE is our biggest challenge in this region and if you’re not breeding for tolerance to it then you’re going downhill.” Philip and his wife Audrey moved onto their current 130-hectare farm just out of Waitomo Village eleven years ago. The move was quite a big change as up until then Philip had farmed in partnership with his brother Murray on the family’s 1020-hectare sheep and beef station out towards the West Coast. The brothers’ partnership ended when they decided the family farm was no longer big enough to support all family members, and Murray bought Philip out. Philip had established the stud in the 90s and so he and Audrey moved to their new farm and brought with them 500 stud ewes, a mob of ram hoggets and a couple of truckloads of trade heifers for fattening. Today the flat to steep contour farm is home to 480 Perendale ewes, of which 330 are stud ewes. “We also have about 70 fattening heifers which we buy in as R2s in the autumn and sell again as R3s in the summer the following year. “When we first came here the farm had been used as a dairy run off and there weren’t many sheep proof fences on it. I’ve refenced the whole farm now with batons and seven wire fencing. The pastures hadn’t been renewed for years either so I’ve applied a lot of fertiliser and re-grass about five hectares a year.” Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui www.baileyingham.co.nz | info@baileyingham.co.nz We provide professional quality advice and friendly service to dairy, drystock, forestry, horticulture and rural businesses throughout New Zealand. Awaroa Perendale Ram Stud, near Waitomo Village. The 130 hectare farm is home to 480 Perendale ewes, of which 330 are stud ewes.
| 7 RURAL PEOPLE » Belle Chevre Creamery Goat lovers producing award-winning cheeses Sue Russell Nestled a couple of kilometres from Northland’s Waipu is a thriving boutique goat milk cheese making cottage industry. For owners Jennifer and David Rodrigues what is important is not the scale of cheese production but rather the overarching simple philosophy to pour their heart and soul into every part of the process. A true paddock to plate journey that Jennifer says they wouldn’t have any other way. “This is a fabulous community where many people carry the same life philosophy as we do. We’re just about living a simple life, taking care of our animals and the environment and getting a lot of enjoyment from supplying top quality cheeses.” Living with the goats on 40 acres, the couple feel very blessed. Offering sales from home-base and from weekly markets Jennifer says demand is growing for the unique range of cheese she creates. These include Chevre (goat in French) sold in logs, marinated goat cheese, feta, zalloumi and two very popular creations – Manaia Ma and Bon Bons. Being self-taught and carrying very much a pioneering attitude Jennifer joined the NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Association in 2017. Two years later, her careful approach to cheese making, coupled with an innate capability saw her awarded the trophy for Home Crafted Cheese and Cheesemaker of the Year. “That was a bumper year, obtaining MPI registration which meant I could start trading commercially.” And in 2020 Belle Chevre Creamery won three gold and three silver medals in the NZSCA Champion of Cheese Awards. Manaia Ma is a pyramid shaped cheese, named after the area’s distinct local mountain; a French mold ripened cheese, ashed to black and full of surprises when cut. Waipu couple Jennifer and David Rodrigues supply top quality goat cheeses from their Belle Chevre Creamery. This is sold at 21 days. Bon Bon’s are very popular with customers as well. Belle Chevre Creamery blends its basic cheese with freeze dried raspberry powder and locally sourced honey. These are then formed into ball shapes and dipped in melted dark chocolate. Freeze-dried raspberries complete the outer layer. Liking goats is an essential part of the success equation Jennifer says. “We both really like their personalities. They are a highly trainable family pet and produce a fantastic amount of protein through their milk and meat.” Belle Chevre Creamery goats are free to range and provided with good nightly accommodation that also keeps them inside in times of poor weather. Taking care of the goats runs fundamental to the whole business. When they first began they had no experience of large animal handling. Originally the aim was to supply goat meat but, Jennifer says, that wasn’t something they could do once they got to know the goats. “I do feel though that the goat meat market needs to be developed here. I would like to see a registered mobile abattoir operating. I think that would work well.” The business has grown sufficiently to justify employment of a farm worker two days a week. Jennifer says one of the hard things is to decide whether the kids are going to remain a pet. They have to be disbudded within two weeks. “We love the little kids and take good care of them. We do take them right off the mother before they can build strong attachments. “ Another point of difference for us is that we have a good spread of when the kids arrive, unlike most commercial goat milk farming operation where they want the kidding window to be just a few weeks. We do this to ensure we have peak milk during the peak demand period of Christmas and the summer months.” Cheese varieties are made between August through to April, giving the couple some necessary down-time. At this stage Jennifer says the aim is to grow a little bit and take on another employee to give them more time off. “We are going to stay very small though. That appeals to us and I think cheese-lovers like sourcing cheese from small cottage-type businesses.” Each year a new letter from the alphabet is chosen, from which all the goats are named. This year, that letter is ‘B’. Finding names starting with that letter is a mission in itself. This season Jennifer’s favourite name happens to be Beryl. Bookkeeping • Accounting • Taxation Business Setup • Planning • Advisory Certified Xero Advisers 09 431 3068 support@mytwocents.nz www.mytwocents.nz Collaborating with small business owners to create success through exceptional business support
8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Tumeke Farming / Carthew Genetics Mindful genetics for meaningful results Tumeke Landcorp Lamb Supreme and Suftex ewes with their twins. Sue Russell Simon and Pascale Carthew operate Tumeke Farming (Carthew Genetics), a sheep breeding business that has its roots back 55 years ago when Simon’s parents, Bill and Di Carthew began to performance record their sheep flock at Ngaturi, Southeast of Pahiatua, and became a registered Coopworth flock in SIL. Growing up on farm and experiencing his dad, a pioneer sheep breeder, it was a natural progressing for Simon to deepen his knowledge in that field. Following training at Lincoln University and a few years overseas, Simon returned to NZ in the early 1990s. Together with his parents they purchased Turnberry Farm, in Alfredton, Wairarapa, a steep hill country farm, where they expanded and evolved their sheep breeding operation. “Breeding is in my blood – I’m just passionate about sheep genetics. Back in the days when we attended A & P shows, sheep farmers didn’t have much of an interest in performance recording, unlike the dairy side, and following my Dad I was committed to change this,” Simon says. He began to view the stud’s performance more through the lens of breeding commercial viable animals. Simon and Pascale met in the mid 90’s. Three years and three children later they bought Turnberry Farm off Simons parents. An alliance formed with Landcorp and Carthews were introduced to Landcorps geneticist Geoff Nicholl who started the Landcorp Lamb Supreme breed. A big embryo transfer program was pivotal to establishing the now Tumeke Lamb Supreme Stud. “The white-faced terminal breed was perfect to introduce alongside our maternal Coopworth Stud and today we’re the only registered stud who have these sheep.” Simon describes the Lamb Supreme breed as a sensational performer and at the time way ahead of other breeds. “Selecting for thicker skin, intramuscular fat and finer shoulders in recent years, makes our Lamb Supreme an ideal hogget mating sire choice.” As can happen, long-term success in a farming enterprise isn’t a straight line of building year on year of success. In 2002, Simon and Pascale, bought Turnberry Farm in Australia and airfreighted 600 in-lamb ewes – the largest consignment of livestock to Australia at that time. “It meant our genetics were now readily available in New Zealand and Australia.” It was at the same time that clients were looking for a black face terminal sheep. The best Suffolk genetics were sourced and put over some of their top Landcorp Lamb Supreme ewes initially and in the last seven years top Suftex genetics were introduced, resulting in the Tumeke Suftex, a high performing, robust terminal sheep with colour for easy marking. Between 2008 and 2010 Turnberry Farm NZ and Australia were sold and all the NZ stud animals moved to a leased farm at Linton, Palmerston North. It was at this time that Romney genetics were introduced, using top stud rams from Richard Warren, in the Wairarapa – the Tumeke Coop Rom cross was born. From 2011 till today the couple have leased four steep hill country blocks, spanning from Woodville to Kimbolton and Rangiwahia. Asked what the most significant advantages their breeding system offers Simon says that since its inception, focussing on commercial gain and performance has been key. “Our recorded sheep receive no preferential treatment. They are performance recorded within a typical hill country sheep farm situation. Since working closely together with Guy Martin, Livestock Confirmation, going through his independent structural confirmation audit process and selecting accordingly, our sheep performance has reached another level.” Constitution and structural soundness have continued and remain the focus with all sheep scrutinised by Guy Martin, Livestock Confirmation. Pascale, who originates from Switzerland, has developed the innate ability to ‘see’ a quality sheep, without referencing to the records. When balanced with Simon’s approach of recording trait data, the couple have a full-circle approach to animal selection. Always pursuing genetic gain with a commercially focussed mind set is integral to Carthew Genetics history and Tumeke Farming’s future. When presented with the opportunity to buy one of the largest, well established and fully SIL recorded Romney studs in NZ – Kiwitahi – Simon and Pascale didn’t hesitate and are thrilled to now offer 100% Romney sheep alongside the other four Tumeke flocks. Today, Simon and Pascale’s three children are all involved in the enterprise “We’re very grateful to breed healthy and happy animals for a living as well as providing solid genetics for commercial farmers, our clients and be part of their success. To show our appreciation, all our animals have names. Naming the animals was just another piece to bring it all together and has resulted in a greater connection and interaction … they live off the land and we live off them in a cycle of life. We are a family business and it is personal to us.” 06 323 2944 027 2760963 t.kendrick@kinect.co.nz . . .nz Call us today! Manawatu Shearing TopService CompetitiveRates Covering Manawatu, Rangitikei &Wairarapa areas Proud to support the CarthewGenetics P 06 323 0255 M 027 928 8630 W farmworxbikes.co.nz - On Farm Service - New and Used Sales - Fully Equipped Workshop
| 9 RURAL PEOPLE » Foley Farming Premium products consumer driven Richard Loader Fourth generation Central Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer, Will Foley, says if we want to pride ourselves on producing a premium product versus a commodity, we need to become increasingly consumer focused. “In the space of rising costs, including input prices, we need to look at how we can increase our returns from our product. The way to do that is continually asking, surveying and checking in on our consumers, who have ever-increasing expectations around how the products have been produced. “The obvious ones there are animal welfare, and more recently the environmental standards on farms, particularly around the quality of water leaving the farms. The future is also going to focus on our carbon budgets – what we’re emitting versus what we’re sequestering. I’d like to see more focus on what’s happening with the carbon in our soils – is there potential to include carbon in the soils to be reflected in the budgets?” Will believes there will be increasing pressure put on the use of synthetic inputs like glyphosate versus natural inputs and has recently converted his home farm to a regenerative farming system. “Going down the regen path is partly to simplify the system by cutting costs. But it’s also being prepared if we can no longer use synthetic inputs. We want to be ahead of the game and know how to farm without those inputs. “The regen farm has been very much a journey learning how to farm along those lines, rather than be a possum caught in the headlights.” Foley Farms encompasses three Central Hawke’s Bay properties, two of which have historical links to Will’s parents and are owned by the Foley family. Each of the three farms operates as its own business unit. A 588-hectare medium-to-steep hill country breeding farm in Wakarara, on the foothills of the Ruahine ranges, has been in Will’s mother’s family since the 1870s and is used as a traditional sheep and beef breeding farm. A 430-hectare property in Takapau is predominantly used for lamb fattening, and supplies Silver Fern Farms, which is on its border. Will and Abbie own their 80-hectare block home block just on the outskirts of Waipukurau, and that is the property that is farmed regeneratively, with beef its main focus. “It’s livestock in a high-density situation,” explains Will. “The stock graze a small area and you shift them often. It’s a bit like techno-grazing, a bit like cell-grazing, but you’re trying to retain higher covers.” Foley Farms is home to 3000 romney ewes which go to a terminal ram, and 90 Angus cows that are put to a simmental bull. “At weaning we sell all our lambs in the December, and then start buying back in from March through to August. That enables us to farm to our resources and the climate. Everyone gets a break over the summer - we’re not busy shearing lambs, drenching and docking, and the droughts can come and go as they please. Progeny from the Angus cows are also sold store at weaning. We have a very good relationship with Silver Fern Farms but also enjoy supporting local businesses and service industries. We also do cattle trading and normally purchase Herefords/Friesian steers.” In addition to being a busy farmer, Will is completing his first term as a Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor and will be seeking re-election. “I’ve really enjoyed the personal development that has come with the role. It has taken most of the term to get my head around politics and the organisation, which is quite large. I’m hoping the next term I’ll utilise all of that knowledge to be more influential.” “The future is also going to focus on our carbon budgets – what we’re emitting versus what we’re sequestering. I’d like to see more focus on what’s happening with the carbon in our soils – is there potential to include carbon in the soils to be reflected in the budgets ?” • Cartage Contractors • Lime & Fertiliser Spreading Contractors • Livestock Transport • Transport Co-Ordinators & Consultants • Transport Operators Phone: (06) 857 8170 | Email: all@stephensontransport.co.nz | Email: hermycontracting@xtra.co.nz Proud to support Foley Farming Cattle grazing on Will and Abbie Foley’s home block on the outskirts of Waipukurau. The property is farmed regeneratively, with beef its main focus. A 430-hectare property in Takapau is predominantly used for lamb fattening.
10 | Cattle breeding, hill Kim Newth RURAL PEOPLE » Glenburn Station On the Wairarapa Coast, Glenburn Station is one of New Zealand’s oldest sheep and beef stations. With a farming history stretching back to 1873, the station has weathered good years and bad to produce sought-after stock long recognised as some of the country’s best. Upholding Glenburn’s reputation today is station manager Lachie McFadzean. His parents, John and Helen McFadzean, purchased the station in 2007 and John continues to have a hand in its operations. Hill country farming and cattle breeding are passions for the family. The McFadzean Family of Wairarapa, have been breeding Angus Simmental cross cattle since 1978. Their hill country weaners have topped the Masterton weaner fair for 35 years or more, and have often achieved the highest price in New Zealand. Lachie’s two brothers, Johnie and Corey, also farm in the Wairarapa. Johnie manages Glenbrae Station, west of Masterton. Lachie returned home to manage Glenburn Station in 2015. Corey manages Valdor, an 1100 hectare property north of Masterton . Glenburn Station has grown in size over the past 15 years and today comprises some 2900ha of which 2400ha is the effective area. Lachie’s father is renowned for his success with crossbred Simmental and Angus cattle. That breeding focus continues at Glenbrae Station, but at Glenburn, a straight Angus herd has been developed. “We inherited a Stabilizer X herd [multi-breed composite cattle] when we took over Glenburn and immediately put a team of Angus bulls over them,’’ says Lachie. “We have used McFadzean Super Angus bulls (7/8 or greater Angus-performance recorded) from Johnie for four years now and have seen another lift in calf size but more importantly muscle and weight. The terrain and variable climatic conditions at Glenburn test the do-ability of cows. The two and three year Super Angus cross heifers are giving us a lift in production, and are proving to be very strong in constitution. Younger brother Corey uses McFadzean Meat Maker bulls over his herd in the lower country. Glenburn winters some 6600 ewes, 2330 hoggets and 535 cows. Also in the mix are 100 hinds. Deer were rst introduced some four years ago for stock diversi cation. Lachie says they are well suited to the station’s higher altitude country at the back of the property. Also situated to the rear of the station is the farm’s lamb nishing block, planted partly in plantain and chicory. “The rst cut of lambs – some 1500 – go to my brother Johnie. We keep the next biggest males; they go to the back to be fattened.” Lachie says the multiplier composite ewes they started out with at Glenburn were “very uneven” and there were issues with foot lameness in the ock. His father brought in as many replacements as possible from Glenbrae to lift ock consistency and performance. Glenburn like Glenbrae has also used Turanganui rams to help fast track productive traits, including superior lamb survivability. Turanganui is part of the Wairarapa Romney Improvement Group; selection is for productive traits under commercial conditions. “Performance is tracking well. This last season is the best we’ve had for some time. One of the mixed age mobs scanned at 197%.”, the overall average was 182% Working with John and Lachie at Glenburn Station are two shepherds, a full-time fencer and an operations manager for cropping and development work, (shared with Glenbrae). While some stock work is still done on horseback, quad bikes are the main workhorse on the station for today’s team. Glenburn provides a fantastic opportunity for young shepherds who also enjoy outdoor recreational activities in the form of hunting and diving. Lambing is due to start on 1st September. Lachie says a very good autumn sets them up well for grass growth and feed, owing through to good stock condition. Meanwhile, demand for Glenburn Station’s range of traditional farm accommodation is holding up well and Lachie says backpackers are starting to return as borders open up again. Glenburn winters some 6600 ewes, 2330 hoggets and 535 cows. Also in the mix are 100 hinds, well suited to the station’s higher altitude country. 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| 11 country farming an enduring passion Horses are still used for some of the stock work at Glenburn. The historic station comprises around 2900 hectares on the Wairarapa coast. A straight Angus herd has been developed with a recorded lift in calf size, muscle and weight. RURAL PEOPLE » Glenburn Station Turanganui romneys proud to be associated with Glenburn Station and the McFadzean family Mike Warren 027 446 5312 or 06 307 7841 Guy Warren 027 848 0164 WilliamWarren 027 824 9327 Turanganui Romneys Stay a night at The Cottage at The Gullies with our Compliments, with every stock purchase. Richard Morrison 021 626 513
12 | RURAL PEOPLE » Hereheretau Station Awards ‘showcase all the hard work’ Drenching and fencing at Hereheretau. The 3480ha station has a history dating back to 1922 when it assisted Maori soldiers returning from World War 1. Karen Phelps Hereheretau Station is a finalist for the second time in this year’s prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy – BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Awards. “We’re very proud to be representing the Maori Soldiers’ Trust and showcasing all the hard work that’s been put into the station over the years,” says farm manager Dick Finnie. Hereheretau Station is situated on Hereheretau Road, some 25km northeast of Wairoa and access is gained via an unsealed Hereheretau Road,7kms from its junction with SH 2 at Whakaki. The 3480ha station has a history dating back to 1922 when it assisted Maori soldiers returning from World War 1. Today Hereheretau Station provides grants to the Maori Soldiers’ Fund and Sir Apirana Ngata Scholarship, benefitting young Maori from all over the country. The education fund became the major recipient of Hereheretau Station profits as its original beneficiaries, World War One soldiers, passed on. Hereheretau Station comprises predominantly steep land and farms approximately 9.8 stock units per effective hectare, a total of 27,000 stock units. It is almost evenly split between sheep and beef with a slight leaning towards the sheep side of the operation. The breed is Romney base with a black face used for terminal sire. The cattle are Angus Shorthorn and Gisborne/Wairoa genetics are favoured with Simmental bulls used from Karrah Simmentals stud next door. The station fattens and kills all its animals with sheep fattened on Whakaki Flat and lambs killed at 19kgs live weight. There is a small trading component with around 2000 lambs bought in each year. The aim is to kill all trade cattle before their second Christmas, killing heifers at 260kgs and steers at 300kgs. The station also buys in an additional 350 steers to fatten and kill. A little maize silage is fed on the sand dunes over winter to get the cattle off the steep hills and wet flats. A newer venture is bull farming to make the most of the land on the Whakaki Flats. Around 130 bulls are taken through one winter and killed at 18 months to provide more diversity to the farm income. Due to the lie of the land stock work Hereheretau Station is mainly completed on horse. Dick says this provides opportunities for workers to learn better stockmanship skills and means they can get to places not accessible by vehicle. No tracks means less damage to the land. Conservation values are at the forefront at Hereheretau Station. There is on-going investment in fencing, pasture regeneration and weed control. Around 172 hectares of native bush has been fenced off, and gullies have been planted with willows for erosion control and to provide stock with shade. Dick says at risk gullies are identified and the station works with Hawke’s Bay District Council to plant them in natives. Recently the community was involved in a planting day. Providing opportunities for the next generation is another focus. The station runs a shepherding programme with three shepherds. The shepherds move up the ranks gaining experience – even taking charge of employing the new incoming shepherds. Hereheretau Station has three other employees, including shepherd Paul Te Aho, who has been on the station for over 30 years. James Beattie and Lance Wesche are the general hands/fencers. Hereheretau Station’s farm supervisor is Peter McKenzie of Lewis Wright Valuation & Consultancy. “It’s pretty cool to work for a unique bunch of people,” says Dick. “We certainly run Hereheretau Station with a lot of mana, thinking of the Maori Soldiers’ Trust we work for.” “It’s pretty cool to work for a unique bunch of people. We certainly run Hereheretau Station with a lot of mana, thinking of the Maori Soldiers’ Trust we work for.” LIME - UREA - FERTILISER BLENDS - STANDARD FERTILISER Call us today to discuss your requirements Bulk fertiliser and Lime spreading across the Wairoa District Contact: Craig Henneker Phone: 021 751 235 Email: craig@wss.nz Locally Owned and Operated
| 13 RURAL PEOPLE » Hereheretau Station Hereheretau Station comprises predominantly steep land and farms approximately 9.8 stock units per effective hectare, a total of 27,000 stock units. It is almost evenly split between sheep and beef. MAHIA &WAIROA W A T E R S O L U T I O N S Farm Solar Pump Systems • ReticulatedWater Systems Pumps • Tanks • Pipe • Fittings Supply, Service & Installation PROUDLY SUPPORTING HEREHERETAU STATION Mike 027 538 8118 mwwatersolutions@gmail.com AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING Farmlands Wairoa 53 Bridge Street (06) 838 7209 wairoa@farmlands.co.nz Farmlands Wairoa is proud to support Hereheretau Station. For all your rural and lifestyle needs in-store and on the Farmlands Card.
14 | RURAL PEOPLE » Wairere Wairere goes nude with no-shear sheep Karen Phelps Wairere Romneys has a new product it is about to release that stud owner Derek Daniell reckons could help Kiwi farmers to reduce losses from wool. Wairere Nudies are the stud’s rst sheep with no wool. Purebred and rst cross Nudie ram lambs will be available for purchase in late February/March 2023. The idea came about when a JV partner, that enables Wairere to sell into the UK and European market, noticed the rise in interest in sheep with no wool. “He said we need to get into these so he found the ocks with the most potential for the New Zealand market,” says Derek. In April Wairere transferred 458 bare sheep embryos from the UK into recipient ewes and inseminated 637 Wairere ewes with bare sheep semen. These ewes were a mix of FE resilient, Tufguy (interbred Texel/Romney) and bare point Romneys. While currently only a small number of New Zealand farmers are breeding towards sheep without wool, Derek predicts that number will increase if wool prices stay at the current low level for another three years. “As each year goes by with low wool prices and increasing shearing costs more farmers are becoming disenchanted with wool. There are some good product developments happening but not fast enough. It’s a race against time to get value back into wool. We need a minimum short term price of $5 per kilogram and a medium term price of $10 per kilogram.” He says that Wiltshires rst arrived in New Zealand in the 1970s, four ewes and one ram from Australia, and most shedding sheep in this country are derived from that original importation, plus another ram imported from Australia in 1988. The Wairere importation will provide a major refresh of no-shear sheep in New Zealand. Derek says that while the jury is out as to exactly how Wairere Nudies will perform in New Zealand the rst cross progeny will bene t from hybrid vigour. “At Massey University’s Riverside Farm eld day in May 2021 a long term Wiltshire breeder commented that his Wiltshire composite was a better bet productivity-wise than the pure Wiltshire. A composite with bare points and tail will minimise dagging, and reduce shearing to once per year. Less wool but less than half the costs. What we also know is that the UK genetics, from which Wairere Nudies originated, have performed well in the UK for prime lamb production, reared under similar management and environmental conditions as New Zealand.” Wairere Romneys had its beginnings in Derek’s grandfather Len Daniell’s registered Akoura Romney stud, started in 1929. Derek’s father John selected the best Wairere ve-year ewes in 1967 and mated them to several top Akoura rams. A Wairere hill country ock was born and fully performance recorded from that year. Derek took over the stud in 1984 carrying on the family tradition. Wairere Romneys get well tested. The farm is 1070ha effective/1206ha total, of medium to steep Wairarapa hill country, rising to 532 meters above sea level. The climate is typically winter wet, summer dry, with average year round wind speed of 35kmph on the high ridges. Rainfall is 1125mm average, but the six months from November to April average around 400mm. Only 2% is at land. The farm runs around 9,400 sheep in total comprising 5,300 ewes, 1,700 ram hoggets, 2,250 ewe hoggets (with 2-300 dry hoggets sold in late July) and 150 rams and killers. Cattle policy is 360 cows, and 60 trade cattle. selling most weaners. Overall stocking rate averages 11su/ha, but will go up or down, depending on the season. The business also extends to a 900ha effective sheep farm in Victoria, Australia and a small joint venture ock in Chile. Wairere Romneys was in a 50% joint venture with Wairere UK from 2007 to 2021, selling rams into the UK and Europe. In New Zealand Wairere rams are sold by private treaty each year in November. But Wairere Nudie purebreds and rst cross will be sold by on-farm auction in late February or early March. Video of the ewes and lambs at weaning, and of the ram lambs in February will be available on the Wairere website. “As each year goes by with low wool prices and increasing shearing costs more farmers are becoming disenchanted with wool.” Proud to be Providing Shearing Services to Wairere Ltd. Juan (from Tararua Breeding Services) and Ian McDougall inseminating a ewe. Hair sheep in the UK (below). Farm Materials • Building Materials • Electrics Stock Feed • Water Tanks • Culverts • Hardware Proud to support Wairere Ltd We now stock Rural Direct products ~ more than just fencing ~ Phone Ross 06 374 8193 or email ross@turtons.co.nz
| 15 Kotare Station’s So e and Henry Gaddum with children Frankie and Guy. One of the fenced off blocks, with natives left to regenerate. RURAL PEOPLE » Kotare Station: Henry & So e Gaddum Native bush pilot key to biodiversity crisis Karen Phelps Kotare Station is part of a pilot that is seeking to identify the carbon bene ts of New Zealand’s native bush. Farming an hour inland from Gisborne at Matawai, Kotare Station is 767ha total/600ha effective with the non-farmable part of the unit largely in established natives and bush. Operated by Henry and So e Gaddum, Kotare Station is working with the team at Toha as a pilot farm to pave the way for Kiwi farmers to change the course of the biodiversity crisis. A one-of-a-kind global marketplace with climate and environmental impact at its heart, Toha’s vision is to make New Zealand the rst country to achieve economic prosperity by fully regenerating the environment. It has designed a way to reliably measure and prove regenerative outcomes allowing the true value of the actions that regenerate the planet to be recognised and traded in the market. The Gaddums have been working with Toha to build templates that will be used for other farmers once Toha is of cially launched later this year. Steve Sawyer from Ecoworks NZ has completed baseline measurements on around 150ha of the property, largely fenced off bush and gullies and freestanding natives, and will return at intervals to take more measurements to generate data for comparison. “We were concerned about the blanket planting of pine trees across the region,” says Henry. “We got introduced to Toha and wanted to show alternative or better solutions to what the ETS is currently pushing.” They believe biodiversity is the key and that New Zealand’s native bush could be a huge carbon sink. “We are measuring many things to do with biodiversity, for example seedling densities, tree cover, bird life etc. It’s about looking at the big picture. Using data collection, we are working towards proving out multiple points of value in native forests that will in-turn provide alternative revenue to land owners.” The sheep, beef and deer unit covers a mix of river terraces, easy rolling and medium hill and steep country. The Gaddums are the third generation to farm the land that was originally purchased by Henry’s grandparents in 1954. The sheep, beef and deer unit covers a mix of river terraces, easy rolling and medium hill and steep country. Henry grew up on the farm, studied for a Diploma of Agriculture and Farm management at Lincoln University then went shepherding around Gisborne before returning to the family farm in July 2020. So e taught at Gisborne Intermediate and now works on the farm as well as being a full time mum to the couple’s two children: Guy, 2 ½ and Frankie 9 months. The farm runs 1500 Romney ewes, 150 Angus cows and 200 Red velvet stags. The Gaddums are presently busy setting up pest control plans and planting a second layer canopy of 400 trees – rimu, totara, kahikatea among other natives – in one of the three-year-old retired blocks on the farm. Flaxes and shrubs formed the initial layer of planting. “We’re concerned about what environment our kids will grow up in. Current settings are steering our regions towards a blanket of monoculture exotics, susceptible to being wiped out by disease and a huge re risk as we head into warmer times. “We want people to know that this is not the way forward and there is great work being done on alternative solutions. “We need to press pause on mass plantings of exotics and focus on bringing value to what New Zealand already has and the work being done on the land around biodiversity. We should be working towards a more integrated and long term picture of land use.” GISBORNE | 743 Gladstone Rd | 06 867 9405 | gisborne@evs.co.nz WAIROA | 46 Freyberg St | 06 838 6099 | wairoa@evs.co.nz www.evs.co.nz Proud to be supporting Kotare Station L to R: Ross Mitchell, Daryl Fergus, Rob Fergus, Tim Petro, Luke Bates, Deano Brenssell. www.fergusrural.co.nz • admin@fergusrural.co.nz Gisborne: Wairoa: Rob Fergus 027 4496007 Deano Brenssell 027 8638923 Luke Bates 027 4211653 Daryl Fergus 027 2092787 Ross Mitchell 027 4048965 Environmental Solutions Consultant: Tim Petro 027 3390400 Livestock and Agribusiness consultants. AGRIBUSINESS
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