Business Rural North Summer 2021

| 11 Perendale stud a focus at Glenochy Farm development at Glenochy near Whangamomona includes improving access tracks and planting poplar poles on erosion prone gullies. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Glenochy Farm: James MacFarlane L ocated on Mangaowata Road, 10 km north of Whangamomana is Glenochy Farm, owned by James MacFarlane and Rochelle Herlihy, who bought the farm from Mark and Clare Turner. The mainly sheep and some beef farm is on country well suited to the Perendale breed. The breed, a cross between a Romney Ewe over a Che- viot Ram, is ideal in constitution and form to cope with breaking in high-country terrain. Perendale is considered an easy-care breed, great lambing capability, good mothering and sur- vival. Lambs are easily finished to present a lean, heavyweight carcass. James has a flock of 1800 ewes and he says this past year, an emphasis on feeding them well has resulted in a higher scanning rate of 165%. “Our pasture quality has improved and growth rates have increased accordingly,” says James. Glenochy Farm sits on the Tahora Saddle and is 430 ha’s (400 effective). Prior to buying the farm James was leasing land in Piopio. The name Glenochy links back to Scotland where MacFarlane’s ancestry is from. Lambing on the farm gets underway early Sep- tember, with docking taking place in the first week of October, followed by one or two drenches. By the middle of December they are weaned and the ewes are shorn. “We sold 600 store lambs and 150-odd fat and were able to kill lambs at 18kg, a better weight than previous years.” Come mid-January six year old ewes are sold at the local Matau sale. “We get good money from this sale. It’s a great way to support our small rural areas.” Along with sheep Glenochy Farm is home to 60 mixed aged Angus/Hereford cows; 150 weaners and 20 two-year-olds. Asked what other improvements can be made to improve stock performance, James says he’s happy with soil pH levels, however more fertiliser needs to be applied to pasture, in the form of super phosphate. And home life is super-busy too with four young ones – Grace (5), Jack (3 ½), Rose (18 months) and Thomas (12 weeks), aged from just heading off to school to a few weeks old. James’ daughter Kyla (15 years old) lives in Hamilton. “It’s great that the school bus picks up Grace at the farm-gate. The community we’re in is really good and I think a farm is the best life for bringing up children.” To get the stud going, James bought 11 stud ewes and a ram from Snowden Station, in Canter- bury in March 2019. He says owners Annabel Tripp and Roy Veronese have been a tremendous source of support as the stud gets established. He bought 20 ewes from Russell Proffit and 15 ewes from Tim and Sue Anderson of Mt Guardian Stud. “With different blood lines from top studs it was a very good base to start our stud flock,” James explains. James is also registered with Perendale New Zealand as a breeder. He says that belonging to the organisation will provide ongoing support and good networking as the stud establishes further. “I have also had a lot of help from Russell Proffit from our district’s PerendaleNZ ward.” Work is also being undertaken at research level on harnassing the wool quality of the breed. The fibre from Perendale is slightly finer than Romney. And with only 50-odd stud ewes James says the immediate aim is to grow to a flock of 200 or so. “We plan to stay here. With the children growing and beginning school here and as we get to know the community more, we feel this is a good place to settle.” FARMLANDS STRATFORD ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT JAMES AND ROCHELLE OF GLENOCHY FARM For expert advice in-store and Farmlands team today. FAR_08376 Farmlands Stratford 295 Broadway, Stratford (06) 765 0020 stratford.branch@farmlands.co.nz Totally Vets Taumarunui, proudly supporting Glenochy Farm by providing all aspects of animal health care taumarunui@totallyvets.co.nz www.totallyvets.co.nz