26 | Farming family with deep connection to the land Annually the family buys in 100 weaner calves and finishes them to 630kg liveweight, which is around 330kg carcass weight for the Salers and 325kg for the others. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » John Gerke For over a century the Gerke family has cultivated their land in Kimbolton, creating a rich legacy and a deep connection to the soil. John Gerke is the fourth-generation to farm there and proudly continues the tradition that began in 1886 when his great grandfather, Carl, and great uncle, Frederick, were awarded two 100-acre sections through a ballot. Today John and his wife Maxine, along with their daughters Amanda, Alice, and Emma, continue the family-farming legacy. The Gerke family’s tenure on the original piece of land sets them apart from their peers in the Kimbolton ballot block, originally known as the Birmingham Small Holders block. John, who took over the farm from his parents Laurie and Mavis Gerke in 1989, and has been intimately involved in the farm’s operations since his early days after leaving school. Now faced with the challenges that come with age, John recognises the need to gradually step back from certain responsibilities. The 330ha farm employs a full-time shepherd and daughter Amanda also works full time on the farm. While not directly involved in the farm John and Maxine’s other two daughters both maintain strong ties to the farming industry. Alice works as a vet tech at a local clinic and Emma is employed in the boning room at Affco in Feilding. The farm has a small Saler cattle stud comprising 24 stud cows and one breeding bull. It’s an unusual breed and John says there are only a small handful of Saler breeders in the country. “The breed hasn’t taken off as well as we expected. Initially the temperament was not good but all breeders now have bred good temperament stock. Salers are a great breed for crossbreeding and they are the third biggest breed in France.” Annually the family buys in 100 weaner calves and finishes them to 630kg liveweight, which is around 330kg carcass weight for the Salers and 325kg for the others. The Gerkes also run 2700 Romney ewes, 820 replacement hoggets and 50 rams and are faced with the current challenge of declining wool prices. With sheep bred primarily for wool production, the cost of shearing has become a burden on their operations. “I’m hoping the wool industry will come right but I’ve been waiting 15 years for that to happen,” he says. His disappointment was evident when the government awarded a contract for school carpets to a synthetic company recently. “That’s a real kick in the guts for every wool farmer in new Zealand. Wool is also fire retardant so is a much safer option.” Despite this setback, the Gerke family perseveres, exploring alternative options to address the wool problem and ensure the sustainability of their sheep farming endeavours. One such solution involves transitioning half of their ewes to a terminal breed, allowing them to obtain fat lambs directly from the mothers without the need As John prepares to pass the baton to his daughter Amanda, the Gerke family’s unwavering commitment to the land ensures that their legacy will endure for generations to come. “The breed hasn’t taken off as well as we expected. Initially the temperament was not good but all breeders now have bred good temperament stock.” “Proud to supply John Gerke” We are a no-frills fuel company supplying quality service. No loyalty scheme, no giveaways, just fuel at the lowest price possible. 0800 10 21 81 – WWW.FUELSUPPLY.NZ “Pr ply John Gerke” for shearing. For over a century, the Gerkes have weathered challenges and embraced innovation, remaining stalwarts of the agricultural landscape.
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