Business Rural North Summer 2021

| 7 RURAL PEOPLE » Rukumoana Farms: Brown family farm philosophy ment to environmental stewardship, which saw Rukumoana Farms named the Regional Supreme Winner at the 2020 Taranaki Ballance Farm Environ- ment Awards. They also received the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, Norwood Agri-Business Management Award, Synlait Climate Stewardship Award, WaterForce Wise with Water Award and Taranaki Regional Council Sustainability Award. Just some of the initiatives that won the family the accolades were its efforts to offset greenhouse gas emissions by planting 32ha of trees under the Afforestation Grant Scheme in 2011, plus 12ha of bush retired. Since then an additional 26ha of pine trees have been planted. Four wetland areas have been fenced off and many native plants put in. Poplar poles are used for erosion control and shade and predators proactively managed. The family has a no-tillage philosophy and a direct drill is used to plant fattening crops. It’s also given son Sam the opportunity to start his own contracting business and move forward towards his goal of farming in the future. Sam completes the direct drilling work for Rukumoana Farms and also takes on outside contracts under his company SB Drilling Limited. With a 190 horsepower tractor and drill he’s able to take on a variety of jobs for local farmers. He is also fencing with a local contractor. Photos: Jane and Robert Brown. Sam, William and Nick Brown shearing (right) with Emma Brown as wool handler. Lambs about to be weighed (bottom). Schurr & Ireland are proud to support The Brown family. NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street / 06 759 0105 ELTHAM 11 Stanners St / 06 764 8305 www.schurrireland.co.nz Empowering your ideal future. CAMPBELL & GREEN C O N T R A C T I N G South Taranaki wide Ph James Green 027 493 8484 Workshop 06 278 6663 Cultivating: Ploughing • Power harro wing • Rota ry H oeing • D iscing • Roller T iling • Ripping • Aera ting • Lev eling • Direc t drilling • Under so wing Roller drilling • Mai ze plan ting Other Services: Slurr y tan ker & P ond stir r er • H edge mulching • Vibra ting r oller • T ip trailers & bins • Mole ploughing • Maize Harvesting Hay & Silage : Fine chop grass • L oader w agons • M o wing • Turning • Swa thing • Bale stac king • Hay r ound & conven tional Happy to be working alongside Rukumoana Farmwith their success Marriner Groundspread Ltd Operating since 1996 Supporting the local community Ph: (06) 765 4345 118 Warwick Road, Stratford