22 | Ohineiti reflects more than a decade of consistent investment. RURAL PEOPLE » Ohineiti Station - Bevan Proffit 140kg CW/ha by the end of 2027; selling 60% of store lambs at or above 27kg liveweight by the end of December; and ensuring at least 90% of the ewe flock maintains a body condition score of three or better. Those goals are supported by detailed monitoring and input from BLNZ specialists, researchers and experienced farmers who regularly visit the property, challenge management decisions and contribute ideas through field days and discussion groups. “It’s massive. You’ve got a lot of people looking into your business, but you’ve also got a lot of extra people happy to give you advice and support. Yes, it creates a bit of work, but is that a bad thing?” On-farm changes already include a targeted capital fertiliser programme on low-fertility hill country, aerial oversowing of sub-clover on northfacing slopes and a network of pasture cages that measure monthly pasture growth across different aspects, altitudes and fertility levels. Although the Hub Farm programme is still in its early stages, one of its key lamb performance targets was achieved in the first season, helped by favourable growing conditions. The challenge now is to repeat those results under varying seasonal conditions. Outside the Hub Farm programme, Ohineiti reflects more than a decade of consistent investment. Since purchasing the property in 2013, the Proffit’s have upgraded fencing, tracks, reticulated water infrastructure and improved soil fertility. The station also generates income from manuka established through a contract with Comvita alongside honey production and carbon credits, providing valuable income diversification after several difficult Storth Oaks ANGUS Tim & Kelly Brittain 524 Paewhenua Rd, RD2, Otorohanga, 3972, New Zealand ph: +64 7 8732816 | mob: +64 275 935387 | www.storthoaks.co.nz | tim@storthoaks.co.nz Landfall Signature S1755 Storth Oaks proudly supplies leading genetics WR %HYLQ 3URI¿W DW Ohinetti Station. to Bevan Proffit at i iti t ti . OPENDAY TUESDAY3RD NOVEMBER 1pm-3pmat SH3, Mahoenui Tuesday 17th November 2026 ONFARMSALE 12 noon Hyland Shearing Wanganui 06 342 1848 027 342 1848 hylandshearing06@xtra.co.nz • from page 21 years. In addition, positive wool prices mean the station’s 30-tonne wool clip is at last contributing to the bottom line. “It’s made a massive difference. We’ve done the last three or four years of breaking even or losing money every time we shear, but we’ve done it for animal health. It’s very satisfying to actually shear and get paid. It’s such a good product.” Ultimately, Bevan and Mary have succession firmly in mind, with sons Aidan and Falcon both working as shepherds and being keen to return to the farm.
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