14 | Confidence returns to sheep and beef The 800-hectare property, located north of Ashurst in the Manawatu, is owned by Dave and Nicole Stuart. Anne Boswell RURAL PEOPLE » Komako Angus After enduring one of the toughest financial periods in recent times, the Komako Angus team is enjoying a welcome change in fortunes as confidence returns to the New Zealand sheep and beef sector. The 800-hectare property, located north of Ashurst in the Manawatu, is owned by Dave and Nicole Stuart who, alongside raising their three children, farm 200 Angus breeding cows, 3,350 Romney ewes and 1,000 replacement hoggets. The sheep, from a line of Hiwi Romney (Donald Fannin, Taihape), see docking percentages of 145150%. For a terminal option, the Stuarts use Polled Dorset or Suftex rams, and lambs are fattened to 80%+, ending up with an 18-20kg carcass on the hook. All cattle are purebred Angus, artificially bred by Nicole, an AB technician. This business diversity has proven valuable as markets now rebound back into prosperity after post-Covid challenges came to a head in 2025. “It was a real struggle,” Dave says. “It was one of the most financially challenging seasons we’ve ever farmed through. High inflation and low schedule prices in the years following Covid combined to create significant pressure on farming businesses across the country. “However, globally the market has picked up - and quickly, thanks to a bit of good fortune. We are lucky to be able to produce beef, lamb and wool, and ride that wave.” Like many farmers, Dave and Nicole were forced to take a hard look at every aspect of the business. Budgets were reviewed, spending was tightened and only essential maintenance work was carried out. “We looked hard at our cost structure and focused on controlling what we could control,” Dave says. “That meant producing the best lamb, sheep and cattle we could while keeping a very close eye on expenses. We spent a lot of time separating the wants from the needs.” Because of this strategy, Komako was able to emerge in a strong position when markets began to improve. “This year has really flipped around,” Dave says. “It is not often you see lamb, beef and wool turn a corner all at the same time. We now have the opportunity to reinvest in the farm and catch up on projects that had been postponed during the tougher years.” Beyond the farm gate, Dave says there is a noticeable lift in confidence throughout the agricultural sector. That optimism is particularly evident in the beef industry, where strong demand for breeding stock is driving excellent sale results. With the bull-selling season now underway, two-year-old bull sales have been performing exceptionally well. With the annual Komako yearling bull sale coming up on Friday, October 2, Dave believes that strength will flow through to the yearling market. “The outlook is good,” he says. “The market blair@ruahineplumbing.co.nz 027 393 8594 Domestic and Rural Plumbing Water Pump Installation and Servicing WEOFFERRELIABLE &HIGHQUALITY SERVICES FREEPHONE LEVIN 0800 GARAGE 427 243 SALES OFFICE AND DISPLAY PH 06 366 0184 Website: www.quinbuildings.co.nz Email: sales@quinbuildings.co.nz Call us about designing your next building has picked up quickly and we don’t see it dropping away again anytime soon.” The resurgence has also sparked renewed interest in beef breeding, with more farmers looking to increase cow numbers after several years of caution. With markets strengthening and farmer sentiment improving, Komako Angus is looking forward to the months ahead. “It is great to see the positivity in the whole agricultural sector at the moment,” Dave says.
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