| 27 View of Puketoro with Mt Hikurangi in background. Everyone is anticipating the ninth annual farm sale at Puketoro. RURAL PEOPLE » McNeil Farming Ltd Burne went to Tolaga Bay to take over their mothers’ block, Manga Station, after Cyclone Bola devastated the region in 1988, and he and Tennant then formed their first partnership. Over the next two decades they bought up neighbouring land to Manga Station, as it came up for sale. The property grew from 404ha to 1944ha and 18,000su which Burne and Tracey manage. “In 2003 Leigh and I moved from Tapuaehikitia to Ngatimita atTahunga, an hour southwest of Gisborne. We put a managing couple at Tapuaehikitia, John and Violet Puha, who are still there today”. In 2016 we had the opportunity to purchase Puketoro Stationwhere Burne and I had both shepherded in younger days. Puketoro looks onto Mt Hikurangi, and is an hour inland from Tokomaru Bay.” Tennant and Leigh then moved to take up the management of Puketoro in 2016. Puketoro comprises of 8,420ha of medium to steep land, a 15,000 Romdale ewe flock and 5000 ewe hoggets, with 3000 mated. There are 1500 breeding cows and 300 pregnant 18-month heifers. “We shear annually in early July, for easier lambing in September, and the 2-3mtr rainfall and river crossings can make that somewhat challenging. We lamb the hoggets in October and fatten 36% of our lambs here and rest go onto crops at Tikitiki”. Puketoro has an annual Farm Sale in January and sells 7000 sheep comprising of 5yr old and 2th ewes, and 700 yearling steers. “Most are repeat buyers now and we’re all happy that the stock goes on and does well for them. A New Generation “Burne’s son Hayden and partner Nikki are taking over the management and running of Manga Station, while Burne and Tracey continue supervising the other farms. Tracey and Burnes middle son Scott has been managing a lease block for the Company at Rangitukia near Tikitiki and is about to move onto managing Pauariki Station at Tokomaru Bay”. Their daughter Jessie, who works for Ballance Fertiliser, and her partner Tom McLean will soon take over managing at Puketoro.“Like Burne, I’m stepping back into a supervisory role up here.” “We’ve no plans to buy more land, but always PROVIDING PROGRESSIVE FARMERS EXCELLENT SOLUTIONTO IMPROVE THEIR PROFIT MARGIN WITH ROMNEYS, GROWBULKS & ANGUS BULLS Proud to provide Bulls and Rams to McNeil Farming Ltd Contact Forbes Cameron 0275294050 Angus Cameron 06 329 4711 James Jarden 027 3167590or068388776 triplej1916@gmail.com Sheep&CattleScanning Trusted byMcNeil Farming Ltd look at how we can improve things - that’s in our nature”. Meanwhile, everyone is anticipating the ninth annual farm sale at Puketoro on January 8th 2025. “The sales are great fun, everyone’s welcome, not just the buyers - and there’s always a hell of a party afterwards!”
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