| 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.
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