54 | Area prone to hobbits and hairy-footed sheep Russell Fredric Hairy feet happen to be a common element shared by two nearby Piopio farms, but the reason for this genetic curiosity is literally worlds apart. On one of the properties, Mat Sherriff and his wife Kim Tatham farm is just a few kilometres from the farm-based set where the Trollshaws Forest scenes for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was lmed. Of the 1150ha, 350 hectares is leased and the 500ha home block, Rotomate, has been in Kim’s family for 85 years. The couple have lived and worked on the farm for 10 years and purchased it from Kim’s parents three years ago after also acquiring a neighbouring block seven years ago. A dentist by profession, Kim and Mat set up Piopio Dental in 2017 with Kim being the sole dentist The farm comprises class 4 to 7 rolling to steep hill country and supports 3000 Romney breeding ewes, 700 hoggets and 150 beef cows. It also aims to fatten around 800 cattle per year, predominately Friesian bulls, subject to seasonal conditions. Ewes pregnancy scan at about 180% and wean at 135% to %140%, but Mat is aiming to increase this to 150%. When Mat and Kim rst moved to the property they took over a Highlander ock, but Mat did not like their constitution. “I’ve grown up with Romney’s, we used to have Romney’s when I was a kid so I went back to them.” Despite this connection, Mat confesses to perhaps having taken a too-traditional approach and is looking to the Kelso genetics to achieve some speci c genetic gains. Mat and Kim with Max 13 and Zoe 10. Cows and calves in the drive paddock. Rural People » Mat Sheriff & Kim Tatham “They’ve got a bit too woolly and we need to get some better lamb growth. They’ve got wool growing out the bottom of their toes at the moment. We want to open up their points and face,” Mat says. The farm is in a wet, humid area and facial eczema is becoming a major issue. “It used to be a one in ve year issue, now it is more like one in two. For this reason he has also been selecting high eczema tolerant rams. Depending on the season, the farm supports a total of about 1100 cattle. These comprise 650 bulls which are run in a cell system on the better country, plus 140 steers, 140 heifers, 130 in-calf cows an 20 in-calf heifers. “We try and keep the right class of stock in the right class of land.” The farm has been well planted and fenced over the years with more then 25,000 trees planted in the last 30 years and 90% of bush and wetland areas fenced and retired. Because managing through measuring is an important element of the farm system, Mat has had a Gallagher weigh scale system with an integrated EID reader installed. Coupled with cloud-based software this enables weights to be instantly uploaded, while animals’ performance can be retrieved anywhere on a mobile phone or personal computer. Cattle account for about 70% of the farm’s income. “It is really important, to monitor liveweight gain so our cattle roll in and out all year round. “ A new woolshed has recently been built and while this might seem like madness considering the price of wool, Mat says, he has faith in the industry and feels that the values of wool t the current global push towards sustainable products. Mat and Kim are also looking to use their new woolshed as an off-the-track venue for corporate retreats and team building weekends. Frosty morning at the duck pond The inside of the new woolshed set up for a small function. Masterminding Brighter Tomorrows Proudly supporting Mat Sherriff & Otorohanga Agriculutural Development www.jacalsouthisland.nz
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