Business Rural North Spring 2024

North Philip and Julia Leaf’s multi-generational beef property Brierly Hill now extends over 600ha - Page 48 Positive move from sheep to beef Spring 2024 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

2 | Contents 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 Rural North 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 Rural North. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cut off 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 Rural North are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Rural North welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Rural North accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businessruralnorth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   26 | Strength of McNeil Farming partnership 52 | Demand strong for versatile Texels 40 | Perfectly suited to growing Kumara 10 | Innovative feed solutions further refined North OUR PARTNERS: Aorangi Farm �� 03 Awapai Farm Ltd �� 04 Awaroa Perendale Ram Stud �� 06 Ben Burmeister - Lockhart Jersey Stud �� 07 CDG Prouting �� 08 Carlos Delos Santos - Waerenga �� 09 Castlegate James �� 10 Glendonald Station �� 11 Eight Mile Farms �� 12 Fabish and Jackson �� 14 Hauiti Incorporation �� 16 John and Mary Allen �� 18 Korako Speckle Park �� 19 Ludlow Farms and Homestay �� 20 Mana Romney Stud �� 21 Mangaroa Station Ltd �� 22 Patrick and Isabelle Crawshaw �� 24 Peter Anich �� 25 McNeil Farming Ltd �� 26 Ranworth Farm �� 29 Sofus and Jacqui Hahn �� 30 Russell Tocker �� 31 Raupuha Stud �� 32 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 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Anne Boswell, Ange Davidson, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Tracey Edwardes, Russell Fredric, Alexia Johnston, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Rosa Watson, Virginia Wright. RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Colin Morais, Catherine Norton, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, AdamShirra, Leo Smith, 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, Alissa Crosby. OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz Flight Logging Ltd ��33 Richard Webby ��34 Romani Farms Ltd ��36 Scott Gower ��37 Stokman Angus ��38 Wakarua Station ��39 Walden Farms ��40 AgResearch (Invermay) ��41 Murrays Nursery ��42 Te Opu ��45 Sisam & Sons Ltd ��46 Brierly Hill ��48 Oromahoe Trust ��49 Ngahau Trust ��50 Motumatai Pastorals ��52 Equus Veterinary Reproduction ��54 Mills Honda ��56 NZ Humates ��58 Northland Seed and Supplies ��60 Tim Coombs Deer and Stock Ltd ��62 Highland Earthworks ��63 Owahanga Station ��64 Andy Whitehead ��65

| 3 Aorangi Farm showcase their business Jed on his horse Bud and Taylor on her pony George. Sue Russell Since winning the coveted Tararua Excellence in Farming Awards, Mathew and Marilyn Prior have hosted a very successful field day on 2 May, to showcase their farming business up close to about 130 farmers. Aorangi Farm extends over 740 hectares – 640 hectares effective, of what can be described as challenging hill country, mostly class 6 and 7. Just 10 hectares of the farm’s total footprint is cultivable land. The judges, in awarding this prize, recognised the years and years of hard work, careful due diligence, perseverance and innovation, that has hallmarked their farming journey to date, and will continue to guide and ground future decisions. The field day gave fellow farmers the chance to hear what the couple have set as their priorities, exchange ideas and celebrate the Prior’s achievements. “We’ve been working hard to build equity in our farming business, paying off a large sum over the last 8 years,” Mathew explains. Gary Massicks from BakerAg facilitated the field day, commenting that the turn-out was fantastic, despite the 15mm of overnight rain. Aorangi Farm, is situated at Makuri, a small farming community in the Manawatu / Whanganui region, about an hour from Palmerston North, between Pahiatua and Pongaroa. The couple came onto the farm in a partnership with Mathew’s parents, which has subsequently been paid out to them. The farm, Mathew says, has been profitable right from taking it over with the former owner having put a lot of fertiliser on it. The farm lambs 3,600 mostly romney ewes and about 230 weaner cattle and 100 18month-old cattle. Mathew says a real strength of the business is that he and Marilyn are prepared to think outside the square when it comes to their sheep and beef policies. The sheep policy is based around buying replacement ewes, mating all terminal and selling a mixture of store and fat lambs which allows more ewes to be lambed, while reducing workload. “We don’t breed replacements and this approach has paid off for us. Our resources are put into costs and activities that give us the best return.” The cattle policy is based around a trading margin of about 380 weaner-18month old cattle from their mix of bulls, steers and heifers. Their two children, Jed at 9 years old and Taylor at 7 attend the local small country school and both Mathew and Marilyn are involved in their community. And with a clear strategic pathway ahead, flexible enough though to seize opportunities as these present, the couple are well on their way to eliminating farm debt, to set themselves up for the RURAL PEOPLE » Aorangi Farm future. They started with 75% debt and are very proud of their cost control and the farm’s ability to pay down debt while developing the land with 18km of 8-wire fencing completed in the last 5 years. “We’re open to what will happen and when that might be, but the idea of an equity partner is appealing, as they have some skin in the game.” To prepare for the field day, the couple documented all the key aspects of their farming business, opportunities and challenges in a comprehensive field day booklet, made available to those attending. The document sets out in bullet-point form all the major historical events, financial situation, the key factors in their stock policies, where their strengths and weaknesses are. “We found that exercise to be really worthwhile and it meant we could see the journey to date and the pathway ahead, guiding our farming decisions.” And when not involved in local community activities, the couple and children are enjoying a spot of fishing in a recently purchased boat. “We found that exercise to be really worthwhile and it meant we could see the journey to date and the pathway ahead, guiding our farming decisions.” “For the real deal call Beale” For all your Rural Transport needs • 027 688 2081 • orders@bealetrucking.co.nz Cheri Henricksen ( NOT A BUS DRIVER ) Associate, B.B.S., C.A. we help drive your business forward PH. 06 376 7181 MOB. 0274 778036 Specialising in livestock cartage & general freight transport in the lower North Island region 61 Short Road, Pahiatua, New Zealand, 4982 brandfmurdoch@xtra.co.nz “We don’t wean until the middle of January so that gives us a window before hand to get away a bit.” All in all, with the fruits of their hard work recognised in the award, Mathew and Marilyn find themselves in a very positive farming business situation and with plenty of years ahead, it will be a question of wait and see, to see what they can achieve ahead.

4 | A successful sustainable working farm Awapai, which is in the WhanaWhana Valley, west of Hastings, runs about 5000 breeding ewes, 350 beef cows and their offspring. The family have positioned themselves to achieve premiums for their meat and wool products. Aimee Wilson Decades of work has gone into making Awapai a successful sustainable working farm, as recognised by judges, awarding owners the Regional Supreme winners for the East Coast Ballance Farm awards. Looking after the land has been a priority for six generations of Beamish’s, and is currently the responsibility of Hugo and Pip who manage the 2100ha sheep and beef farm. Hugo’s parents Simon and Josi are still heavily involved, but are looking to pass the responsibility on through farm succession. While Awapai has mostly recovered from Cyclone Gabrielle, the many slips will serve as a reminder on the landscape for a few years yet. A huge amount of work has gone into repairing fences, repairing tracks, and reinstating culverts. Awapai, which is in the WhanaWhana Valley, west of Hastings, runs about 5000 breeding ewes, 350 beef cows and their offspring, with all animals finished on farm. The trade cattle component is made up of Firstlight Wagyu’s. The farm bounds the Ngaruroro River and the Kaweka Forest Park, and ranges from easy RURAL PEOPLE » Awapai Farm Ltd Our Rural Specialists: Adrian Barclay • Lincoln Reid • Caleb Hensman Napier | Ph 06 835 3069 | www@slw.co.nz Incorporating S J Scannell & Co Proud to support Awapai Farm Ltd For all your Hay - Silage - Cultivation Phone Mike 021 733 918 mike@mikekettle.co.nz | www.mikekettlecontracting.co.nz

| 5 The farm bounds the Ngaruroro River and the Kaweka Forest Park. RURAL PEOPLE » Awapai Farm Ltd 06 858 9060 www.vshb.co.nz OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ANIMALS Vet Services are proud to work closely alongside many sheep farms with a shared goal of improving animal health & performance. Our sheep conveyor allows us to provide additional vet technician and sheep handling services to clients across Hawkes Bay, Get in touch if you would like to find out more or to make a booking. country that includes a centre pivot, to steeper hill country. Judges from the awards were impressed with their use of innovation, technology and modern ideas, all implemented within the framework of a well-established and enduring family business. Examples include utilising drone technology for spreading seed and fertiliser, and genomic testing of replacement heifers to increase the speed of genetic improvement. The family have positioned themselves to achieve premiums for their meat and wool products through producer supply programmes, which demand high environmental and biodiversity outcomes. The business is heavily invested in a successful lamb programme with Atkins Ranch which supplies Wholefoods supermarkets in the United States. Accreditation through the Savory Institute has meant they have supplied regenerative pelts for Ugg boots which is a useful value add item. While the previous generation was very good at cutting down kanuka, there is still plenty of mature kanuka that provides shade and shelter on the farm. A huge amount of riparian planting has taken place along waterways in an attempt to improve water quality, as well as increase biodiversity. There is just over 100ha of exotic forestry comprising radiata, redwoods, eucalyptus and cypress that serve to diversify land use. There is also over 400ha of regenerating native bush on the property that contributes to biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The property features an impressive five QEII national trust covenant blocks. Looking to the future, Awapai continues to explore the opportunities of regenerative farming practices, increasing biodiversity while decreasing their carbon footprint, and understanding how to remain profitable in a challenging farming environment. “We normally try to fly under the radar and do our own thing, but we are constantly looking for new ideas, and happy to share what we are doing,” Hugo said. A former civil engineer, Hugo spent time working in London before heading home to the family farm, and will bring his forward thinking to the role of farm owner, acknowledging his father has always moved with the times in farm innovation and technology. 0800 436 723 | waterforce.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS. WaterForce provides industry-leading knowledge, technical expertise and experience. IRRIGATION PUMPING WATER MEASUREMENT WATER FILTRATION SERVICES Contract Your local WaterForce Branch 0800436723 or visit waterforce.co.nz CLOSED GATE FENCING 027 586 6322 Congratulations to the entire Awapai Team for their success in the Balance Farm Environment Awards and their ongoing management plans that enhance both this fantastic property and the environment it is surrounded by. Shane Tilson and the Closed Gate Fencing team are a local Rural Fencing Company specialising in Rural Fencing and Stockyard Handling Facilities and are proud to be involved in the QEii project fencing and wider fencing projects on Awapai. 192 Shanley Road, Crownthorpe, Hastings admin@closedgatefencing.co.nz

6 | Philip Brandon proud of the results Selection of Ram Hoggets. Awaroa stud ewes. Richard Loader Facial eczema tolerance is 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 twenty-one years now and this year we will be testing at .58mg/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 recorded.” About 80 two-tooth Awaroa stud rams are offered for sale each November, mostly on farm by private treaty but a small number will go to the North Island Perendale Sale in Te Kuiti on Monday the 11th of November. There will be about eight other breeders from the North Island there, with a total of 60 rams on offer. “I also take some up to the Frankton Ram Sale in the middle of January. I have about fifteen clients from the North Island - Northland over to the East Coast and down to RURAL PEOPLE » Awaroa Perendale Ram Stud Flock: 510 EMA Scanned Philip Brandon 897 Waitomo Valley Rd, RD 7 Otorohanga 3977 Ph: (07) 873 6313 Email: pa.brandon@farmside.co.nz 21 Years of Eczema Testing 4 Star Rating 2024 Sires Dosed @ .58 For reliable, quality shearing contracting in the mighty King Country 027 636 0410 monkshearing@outlook.co.nz Monkshearing We provide professional quality advice and friendly service to dairy, drystock, forestry, horticulture and rural businesses throughout New Zealand. Bailey Ingham are proud to support Philip Brandon and Awaroa 18 Maniapoto Street Otorohanga 07 873 7325 41 Bank Street Te Awamutu 07 870 1888 | 29 Hakiaha Street Taumarunui 07 895 7315 info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz 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.” Philip and his late wife Audrey moved onto their 130-hectare farm just out of Waitomo Village thirteen years ago. Philip had previously farmed in partnership with his brother on the family’s 1020-hectare sheep and beef station out towards the West Coast and established the stud in the ‘90s. When he and Audrey moved to their new farm they 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 300 are stud ewes, and about 70 trade heifers. At seventy years young, Philip has been farming all his life and says it just gets in your blood. “I’m out on the land and the land is part of your blood. I like to see things done properly. When we came here the farm was in a poor state and I’ve done a lot of development, renewing fencing and re-grassing. The farm hadn’t seen a lot of fertiliser and we’ve fertilised every year. A lot of the flats hadn’t been drained so I cleaned out the drains, recontoured the land and regrassed so there was a good pasture afterwards. Development is on-going, even after thirteen years, but it makes you feel very proud with what we have done over that time. I particularly enjoy the stud and trying to improve it.”

| 7 “I don’t like a small Jersey, so I look for stature and capacity. You need bulls that will throw good size calves.” Annual sale is a real family affair Josh and Charlie feeding some of next year’s bulls. This years sale bulls. Richard Loader The Burmeister’s annual Lockhart Jersey Stud yearling bull sale held on the second Monday in September, is a real family affair with everyone taking a part in the event which is attended by dairy farmers throughout coastal Taranaki. Ben Burmeister, who owns the stud and the 90-acre support block in partnership with his parents Murray and Joy, says he get pretty nervous an hour before the sale commences. “I’ve never actually watched the sale, I’m always out the back sorting the bulls out. My father keeps the bulls in their mobs and lets them out of the ring, my mother does the catering, I have an uncle on the BBQ and my boys are handing out food all the time. It’s always a good day. We normally have about forty people there. Some people just come to get off farm. As farmers we get pretty isolated during spring and the sale is one of the first days where you get out and see your neighbour. “ The Lockhart Jersey Stud was founded by Ben’s Great-Grandfather, Albert, in the ‘30s or ‘40s on a small farm in the Manawatu. The stud was sold in the ‘50s to finance the dairy farm in Taranaki, and many of the cows were bought by Albert’s brother who had a windfall at the local races. In the ‘60s Albert was able buy the granddaughters of the herd bought at the disbursal sale, and continued on with the stud. “I’m the fourth generation to be caretaker of the stud. I enjoy that legacy, but there’s also the responsibility of keeping it going. I have always been good at breeding cows, and that comes naturally to our family. We’ve always been Jersey breeders.” Ben uses LIC and CRV for genetics, but also gets a bull from overseas for genetic diversity, and has used a Danish bull the last couple of years. He says polled bulls are becoming popular from an animal welfare perspective, and are also quite diverse in their genetics. “We breed for fertility, production, and size,” says Ben. “I don’t like a small Jersey, so I look for stature and capacity. You need bulls that will throw good size calves. With bull calves, the main thing is to get them up to size, because if they’re too small they can’t serve the heifers. We aim to have the bulls up to 300kg live weight by the 20th of August when they are yearlings. We make sure that we produce high BW bulls. A lot of dairy farmers are using high BW yearling bulls over their heifers so that the progeny can be reared as replacements heifers, and avoid the bobby truck.” RURAL PEOPLE » Ben Burmeister - Lockhart Jersey Stud ˫̳˫˫ ͇͍ ͎͎͎ ͈͈͌͐ ̫ ̫ The partnership derives 70% of its total income from the annual bull sale, and Ben says takes about 45 minutes to sell seventy bulls - about a year’s worth of work put into an hour. “This year there will be about 65 yearlings and four two-year-olds on offer. Last year’s sale was our best ever, so we are looking forward to this year’s. The sale will be held on the support block which is in the locality of Warea, towards Cape Egmont.”

8 | Good chance to compare your sheep In 2020, Corey and wife Kylie acquired the family’s 100-hectare farm located just north of Levin. Karen Phelps The Royal Show held in Levin this year was a big deal for the region and Corey Prouting was proud to stand alongside his grandparents Gilbert and Diana Timms who were the chief sheep stewards of the event. “A lot of people ask why bother with showing sheep? I think it’s a good chance to compare your sheep to other breeders and see where you can improve and with 350 sheep shown this year it was a good turnout,” says Corey whose sheep took out the Champion Southdown Ewe, Champion Two Tooth Ewe and All Breed Champion Ewe titles. In 2020, Corey and wife Kylie acquired the family’s 100-hectare farm located just north of Levin. The property has been in the family’s possession since the 1920s, with Corey representing the fifth generation to manage the farm. His great-grandparents primarily raised Southdowns on the land. In 1943, Corey’s great grandmother established the stud, which she later entrusted to Corey’s care in 2009 when at the time it was a small flock of around 40, that today has swelled to 180 breeding stud ewes. According to Corey, Southdowns have several appealing characteristics: good temperaments and excellent growth rates. The breed is known for producing lambs with low birth weights, which significantly reduces lambing complications. Additionally, Corey highlights the breed’s rapid growth rates. This quality is particularly advantageous for commercial farmers, as it enables them to wean lambs sired by Southdown rams earlier and send them to the works more quickly. RURAL PEOPLE » CDG Prouting Corey sells rams each November / December by private treaty and, in addition to the breed’s general qualities, is focusing on breeding for good solid muscling and animals that have good length. “They are a terminal breed so it’s all about the growth rate. They are also high fertility and we are looking at worm resistance as that’s become a real issue for farmers.” He says Southdowns “don’t mind the dry” making them ideal for regions such as Hawkes Bay. With his grandparents farming nearby Corey often heads there to help out when needed and they also share stock across the farms with his grandparents running other stud sheep – Cheviots, Polled Dorsets, Perendales and Romneys. Corey and Kylie’s farming operation also includes 30 stud Hereford cows, which are bred for the dairy market in conjunction with grandparents who have 50 stud cows. The Proutings also have around 250 commercial ewes and rear around 100 calves each year to 12 months old to sell as stores and buy in 1000 lambs each year and fatten them. Kylie works as a schoolteacher at Poroutawhao School and the couple has two children: Jack, 3 and Matilda, 1. Corey says he takes them out on the farm as much as he can to instil a passion for farming in the next generation. Other focuses for Corey include fencing off waterways and planting trees to leave the farm in a better place than when he took it over. He has been planting 1000 native trees each year for around six years through the Horizons Regional Council scheme. Off farm interests have always been important for Corey’s work-life balance and he is heavily involved in the hockey coaching scene. Highlights of his career have seen Corey named the New Zealand Community Hockey Coach of the Year, coaching the local Horowhenua Under 13 boys team to win the national under 13 title in 2019 and coaching the NHL women’s side where a lot of the players went on to become Black Sticks. “On the farm I am by myself and farming can be challenging sometimes so going to hockey is a good way to socialise and relax. You can’t control much with farming like the weather but with sport you can control your destiny a bit more.” Visit us at: 1370 Mairoa Rd, RD1, Piopio 3971 Phone Neil 07 877 8801 or Dan 021 042 5660 Bred on big hill country for: Strong Constitution - High Fertility - Good Wool Quality Flock No. 532 Sires facial eczema tolerance tested - SIL recorded

| 9 second term on the Vetora Bay of Plenty board and he says the position gives him insight about the challenges of the veterinary industry and allows him to offer support and hopefully solutions to management. “It is about governance and also about representing the members, who are farmers, and making sure Vetora Bay of Plenty provides the best service for its clients.” Carlos says he feels privileged to be part of these boards and contribute positively to the discussion. Carlos is looking forward to starting as a Justice of the Peace once he’s been sworn in by the District Court judge. He was nominated for the position by local MP Todd McClay, with support from organisations and individuals who he has had the pleasure of working with. Carlos says in all the rural communities he and Bernice have lived in since 2001, it is normally the farmers, who are the busiest people around, who are the ones who are more than happy to help and volunteer their time. “I’m just another farmer who likes to do that as well.” Towards the dream of farm ownership The Delos Santos Family - Back Bernice, Caleb, Carl, Carlos. Front Casey, Claire and Cara and the family dog Hunter. Kelly Deeks As he works his way towards his dream of farm ownership, 50/50 sharemilker Carlos Delos Santos takes some time away from the farm to get really involved in his local community, setting a good example to his children by doing something he considers important. Carlos and his wife Bernice have been in the dairy industry since 2001, working their way up and continuing to grow their business and their herd with farm ownership in their sights. Now in their third season 50/50 sharemilking 1000 cows at Hamurana near Rotorua, Carlos says he and his family will be settled in the area for the foreseeable future, allowing him the opportunity to get and stay involved in a number of community and industry organisations. “Farming can be mentally draining at times and that drives me to do something outside of the farm,” he says. “I think my drive personally to do these things is not only to give back to the community, but also for the learnings I can get from it, the networks and the knowledge from other people.” After completing Fonterra Governance Development Programme a few years ago, Carlos realised he had a passion for governance. He is now coaching two football teams, is a board member of John Paul College Rotorua, a board member of his local vet club Vetora Bay of Plenty, and is now awaiting being sworn in as a Justice of the Peace. Not content with sitting on the sidelines, Carlos wanted to be more hands-on with his five kids, their sports, and their education. Coaching two of their football teams and joining the school board has given him a great opportunity to be more involved. “I’m certainly busy,” he says. “By the time we go to the football practice, then there is a game every Saturday and that’s the whole day. It can be a challenge during the busy months on the farm, so I don’t put my hand up for everything, and I always talk to Bernice about what I’m going to do. She is the angel on my shoulder and she reminds me not to go overboard.” Carlos is a family man and won’t compromise time with his family. “But if I can be part of whatever sports or achievements my kids do at school, I’ll drop everything and go. It’s a balance of making sure I don’t let the farm down while taking on these responsibilities.” Carlos is now in his RURAL PEOPLE » Carlos Delos Santos - Waerenga

10 | Innovative feed solutions further refined Waikato team, Tom Rogers and Harry Newy enjoying their clients product. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Castlegate James As sustainability and efficiency are paramount in agriculture, Castlegate James is leading the charge with innovative feed solutions that promise to extract more value from every mouthful. Over the past two years, the company has been diligently working to improve feed values and offer alternatives to straight palm kernel expeller (PKE) for on-farm feeding, with its PK Brew range at the forefront of this revolution. “We offer four specialized PK Brews, all of which lower total usage of PKE while adding feed benefits,” explains Greg Pillar, General Manager of Commercial at Castlegate James. Greg says that what sets PK Brew apart is its carefully formulated composition. It provides a higher available protein level while lowering total NDF% (Neutral Detergent Fibre). Additionally, the inclusion of yeast in the mix improves rumen function and can contribute to overall cow health. Perhaps most appealing to farmers is that PK Brew comes at a better price point than straight PKE, making it an economically sound choice. The range includes four specialized blends: PK Brew, Sunny Brew, Flour Power, and Kibbled Brew. Each blend is tailored to meet specific nutritional needs and seasonal challenges. For instance, Sunny Brew, with its 24% crude protein content, is perfect for complementing maize silage. Flour Power, on the other hand, is designed to give cows an energy boost in early lactation, potentially driving milk production and overall performance. Greg says that since the PK Brew range was launched about a year ago it has been met with enthusiasm from farmers across the North Island. For South Island farmers Castlegate James offers a different product called Enhance PK to cater to the different conditions in that part of New Zealand. Enhanced PK is the company’s South Island option which uses flour, broll and oats to increase feed value and utilisation of straight PKE. Greg says the added benefit of a pellet in the mix allows for use in silos for direct in shed feeding or it can be used for younger stock and a boost to growth and to complement pasture or other feeds. Called James and Son in New Zealand until four years ago, a merger between this company and Castlegate led to Castlegate James. Castlegate James has made a name for itself in the industry by repurposing food that might otherwise end up in landfills into innovative products including speciality moist blends, dried blends, calf feed and value adding of PK, custom blending to meet farmers’ needs. “We use food to create food,” says Greg. “We’re re-purposing food that could head to a landfill and utilising it in our feed products.” This innovative approach involves processing expired products from human food production - including confectionery, chocolate, muesli bars, and bread - and transforming them into highly nutritious feed sources for livestock. The company’s specialised equipment allows it to de-package and process these products efficiently, creating what products such as ‘cookie crumble’ - a cooked product that’s particularly beneficial for younger animals due to its quick digestibility and high energy content. Greg says that Castlegate James’ success lies not only in their products but also in their approach to customer relations. Proudly working with Castlegate James for all your Bulk & Silo cartage requirements. For a competitive price phone 0800 707 404 - option 1 • Truck and trailer bulk units • Transporter hire • Aggregates • Race Pumice • Fertiliser • Stock Foods/Auger Truck • Reject Kiwifruit For professional and reliable service call the team at Addline Transport Ltd. PROUDLY SERVICING CASTLEGATE JAMES’ TRANSPORT NEEDS P: 07 542 4693 | E: office@addlinetransport.co.nz The company prides itself on building long-term, trusted relationships with farmers. “We become a business partner, not just a client. If they do well, they will keep buying and working with us. It’s about adding real value to their farming business.” This personalised approach involves regular farm visits, on-going communication, and the use of technology to predict and meet farmers’ feed needs proactively. By taking on the responsibility of feed management, Greg says that Castlegate James allows farmers to focus on other aspects of their operations.

| 11 Sale selection takes several months A group of the current year’s ram hoggets, from which some of the 2024 sale rams will be selected. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Glendonald Station Alan and Raewyn Evans moved from Glendonald Station at Bideford, north-east of Masterton to Patakanui, just south of Martinborough in 2019. Alan manages Patakanui, the smaller of the two properties owned or part owned by Colin Oldfield, and leased in an arrangement which sees he and Raewyn shareholders in the stock and plant on both farms, under the Glendonald Station Ltd business name. One of the first things that happened, when they shifted to Patakanui, was the beginning of an ongoing process of subdivision of paddocks, to better suit their Glendonald South Suffolk Stud which was established by Alan twenty years ago. “Because we operate with smaller mobs, we are gradually setting up Patakanui to suit operating a stud, with smaller and more manageable paddocks. Smaller paddocks are needed due to the smaller mob sizes, particularly with single sire mating,” Alan explains. Alan, along with a casual staff member, Richard Whiteman, who helps him two days most weeks, takes care of all the activity at Patakanui. When Rural North spoke with Alan in June, it was one of the quieter times of the year, with busy times approaching come spring with lambing. Because Patakanui is home to commercial and stud sheep the lambing season is extended, commercial ewes lamb first, then the stud ewes, so Alan is free to tag the stud lambs at birth. Glendonald South Suffolk Stud has approximately 300 stud ewes. An on-farm ram sale has occurred since 2021 in the last week of November. Asked how he makes sale selection Alan says it’s a process that takes several months. The catalogue order is established about six weeks prior to the sale, once this is done, a printed catalogue full of genetic information for each animal is published two to three weeks pre-sale. “I pull out the top group of rams based on SIL ranking, these will be sold at the front of the catalogue, providing they are suitable type wise, and our PGG Wrightson stud stock agent, Tom Suttor also comes to help select the rams. It’s important to me that we don’t just go on the figures as the ram has to look good as well, has to have the conformation, and physical soundness. Because we sell generally in pairs, we aim to have two very similar looking sheep auctioned off together in each lot. It’s a system which works well.” Breeding stud rams is a mix of researched analysis and ‘see what nature delivers’ as each generation is born. Alan understands that variations happen all the time, but also knows the fundamental rule, that if you are making good breeding decisions, the variations will reduce in nature and there will be more similar type sheep as a result. “In our case we want to start with a sheep that doesn’t have any birthing problems and the lambs have to be able to grow from day one. Terminal sires are all about growth. Lambs have to get up and running. Because most of my clients are using them over a maternal breed they get hybrid vigour,” Alan says. This translates hopefully into a large percentage of lambs at weaning which are either killable or able to be sold as heavier stores. He doesn’t normally retain any lamb that weans under 30kg, though seasonal variations come into play. Patakanui is located in a summer dry area, which is conducive to thoroughly testing the constitution of stock. Weaning weight is really our most important selection criteria, however we require lambs continue to grow after weaning, under their own steam, so each one is weighed at weaning and then again in autumn. “I’m not interested in sheep that haven’t grown by then. Commercial farmers need to have terminal sired lambs gone from their properties as soon as possible, preferably well before mating ewes. Colour-wise I’m looking for a darker head. When clients cross them with a maternal breed ewe, they want to be able to see the progeny easily in the mob, and have evenly marked lines of store lambs” Each season about 100 rams are sold, either on sale day or by private sale in the following weeks. Ideally rams stood up for sale are sold on the day. Alan says most of the rams are destined for the Wairarapa and Southern Hawkes Bay. The discussion shifts to any value add for the wool-clip and Alan says of recent times, he is sometimes able to access a contract with Wools of NZ, who buy his wool, given its fine high-bulk nature, and sell it to a customer for use in futon mattresses. Another breeding focus Alan says has been to focus on toughening the stud ewes up. He’s pleased with the inroads that have been made in this direction. “We use the Lincoln University developed DNA testing for sire selection, to rank sheep for their genetic resistance to footrot bacteria, and also cold tolerance which is an aid to lamb survival. I think years ago people just accepted that terminal sires would have bad feet and they were always priced cheaper accordingly as they were replaced regularly, so improving that has been a focus for me. I think the fact that farmers are now prepared to spend good money on terminal sires is partly due to the improved longevity, alongside the fact that sheep meat provides the major proportion of sheep farmers’ incomes. As a registered South Suffolk breeder Alan says he enjoys the opportunity each year to attend the North Island breeders field day in October, at the Feilding saleyards, and it’s South Island equivalent in Canterbury, at Ashburton in November. “We take our best few rams along so the local guys can see them. From that, they might bid at the sale and it’s great to see what other breeders are producing which we might be interested in trying”. APPROX 80 RAMS THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 2024 AT 3PM For all your agricultural requirements. Spraying, cultivations, direct drilling, baling and grain harvesting.

12 | Adapting to environmental challenges Central to the Buckley’s strategy is the use of Farmax, farm management software that helps track performance. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Eight Mile Farms Eight Mile Farms is aiming to help set the standard for how modern farms can adapt to environmental challenges while planning for the future. Matt and Olivia Buckley have taken a proactive approach to farming. “We need to front foot the current challenges and make changes to ensure we stay ahead of the game by designing our own future,” says Matt. The Buckley’s operation is impressive in scale and diversity. It includes an 800-cow dairy farm producing 275,000 kgMS annually, a 400ha dry stock property, and three sheep and beef properties totalling 1,670ha. Central to the Buckley’s strategy is the use of Farmax, farm management software that helps track performance and calculates greenhouse gas emissions. “We’ve been using this for six to seven years. It does several things – it keeps track of our performance. We have a strategy to get to 400kgs of net product (meat and wool) per hectare. It’s also a tool for making decisions and we use it to inform our stock policy for the particular season for best profitability. It helps us decide the pace at which we kill our livestock, how long an animal is on farm. Every kilogram of dry matter eaten produces greenhouse gases, so the less time the stock is on farm the better from an environmental perspective as well.” This data-driven approach has allowed Eight Mile Farms to increase efficiency without compromising production. “We haven’t lowered total emissions over that time as we have also increased our stocking rate, but we’ve lowered our emissions per kilogram of net product by having good grazing systems and animals that grow efficiently that ultimately spend less time on farm.” Environmental stewardship is another cornerstone of the Buckley’s farming philosophy. In the past six to seven years, they’ve planted around 65ha of pine trees, with about 40ha being new plantings. Additionally, they’ve planted approximately 60,000 native trees and entered this into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to claim carbon credits. Riparian planting has also been a focus, with about 300 Matsudana willow poles planted annually along riverbanks to stabilise banks, prevent sediment runoff, and create buffer zones for waterways. Their forward-thinking approach extends to their employees as well. With a team spread across their various properties, the Buckleys recognise the importance of their staff. “We really value our employees and have some long-standing ones. They are a key part of what we do. Without our staff, we wouldn’t be anything,” says Matt. Looking to the future, the Buckleys are actively engaged in succession planning. With four children - Maddy, Alice, Edward, and Grace - showing varying degrees of interest in rural vocations, the family is keeping options open. Olivia has also been honing her skills to help the family with its planning in this area. She has completed a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) through University of Waikato and also a Mayfield Governance Development Programme. She was also successful in gaining a position on the Ballance Agri-Nutrients board as an associate director to likewise learn more about this important aspect of farming. “We’re keen to see them involved in the future in the business, whether it’s hands-on or higher-level input. We need to be flexible and open to how that might look in the future.” www.pumpn.co.nz 40 Turongo St, Otorohanga 07 873 8673 www.pumpn.co.nz Proud to support Eight Mile Farms

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