34 | New tools that improve performance Tunanui runs a lean staffing structure, with Kieran and owner Andrew Russell overseeing about 700 effective hectares and a large livestock finishing programme. Russell Fredric RURAL PEOPLE » Tunanui Station Technology is helping Tunanui Station sharpen decisions from paddock to processor, with digital animal monitoring, automated weighing and advanced pasture testing becoming increasingly important tools. Located near Sherenden and covering 928 hectares, operations manager Kieran Wills says the business continues to assess new tools that can improve performance, including a potential investment in virtual fencing. The farm already uses Gallagher’s Auto Weigher system and has been trialling FecPak’s digital microscope technology, which analyses facial eczema spore counts and faecal egg counts. “We’re really impressed with how the auto weigh system has gone and the trial work with FecPak and their microscope is a really good bit of kit.” Virtual fencing is the next technology under consideration. While labour savings are part of the equation, the greater opportunity lies in feed utilisation and pasture control on land that is predominantly rolling hill country. Tunanui runs a lean staffing structure, with Kieran and owner Andrew Russell overseeing about 700 effective hectares and a large livestock finishing programme. More frequent stock shifts and tighter grazing management could improve pasture quality and feed conservation. “The big benefit is probably going to be pasture management. It’s got to pay for the collars and some. I’m not happy with just covering the cost of the collars; it’s got to make money.” That focus on measurable returns reflects the station’s broader approach. Several years ago, Tunanui moved away from a traditional breeding model and now concentrates on trading and finishing livestock, allowing stock numbers and sale timings to be adjusted as required. A key part of the system is the Rissington Cattle Company breed line programme. Through the initiative, beef genetics developed by Rissington are used over Kiwi-cross dairy cows, producing calves that move through a connected supply chain involving dairy farmers, calf rearers, finishers and processors. Tunanui sources many of its calves through Southern Pastures before finishing them for Taylor Preston and Wilson Hellaby. Detailed carcass and yield information is then fed back through the chain, helping inform future breeding decisions. “It’s a sort of closed loop. We know what genetics are going into the cows, we get the calf, and then we’re getting data feedback around carcass yield, eating quality and boneless yield. Because all the data is shared and there’s transparency, the group as a whole is going to get faster gains.” The station’s feeding programme is designed to support that performance from an early age. Newly arrived calves are grazed on specialist chicory, plantain and clover crops, with supplementary feed used when required to maintain growth rates. Each year, about 20 to 25 hectares are established specifically for young stock, while older pastures are renovated with additional forage species to lift quality. Seasonal conditions have tested the system recently. Hawke’s Bay endured another dry spring, limiting pasture growth through much of the critical early production period. However, the flexibility of the trading model allowed stock numbers to be adjusted quickly, helping maintain the balance between feed supply and demand. 027 369 0948 finndurant5@gmail.com We cover all aspects of Rural Fencing, Design and build of sheep and cattle yards, Post and rail Fencing, Wetland and forestry fencing, subdivision fencing. Proudly Supporting Tunanui Station Proud to support Andrew Russell For all your Hay - Silage - Cultivation Phone Mike 021 733 918 mike@mikekettle.co.nz | www.mikekettlecontracting.co.nz “We haven’t had a proper spring for two years. But I’m still really impressed with the resilience of the system. We managed that supply and demand with feed really well through the spring, and because of the pricing we still made more money than we’d budgeted.”
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