Business Rural North Summer 2021

8 | RURAL PEOPLE » Kapiro Station Boomer spring launchpad for Kapiro Kapiro Station farms a diverse mix of enterprises, which includes Pamu’s 600 cow Rangitane Angus Genetics Breeding programme, sheep and dairy grazing. Riverview School students help plant out a fenced-off wetland. Karen Phelps I t’s been a spring out of the box and Pamu Farm’s Kapiro Station in Northland is gearing up for a great season. It was a year or so ago that fluctuating weather conditions saw the station adjust its farm manage- ment plan giving more flexibility. Sheep numbers have been reduced and cattle increased because of higher animal health costs in Northland for sheep. The farm has cut back commercial cow numbers placing more focus on the trading component of the business. Farm manager John Hallgarth says it’s a matter of having ‘levers’ to pull if need be so animals can be traded if weather is inclement and kept longer if the weather is good. Needless to say this season due to good weather the focus will be on maximis- ing live weight gains across the board. The farm has also shifted towards a stronger store component with regards to sheep only keep- ing replacement ewe hoggets on after weaning recognising that hot humid weather – January, Feb- ruary and March – makes it difficult to grow good lambs with worms and fly strike being additional problems in this type of weather. Kapiro is a 2000 effective hectare property located 10 minutes north of Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands. The station farms a diverse mix of enter- prises, which includes Pamu’s 600 cow Rangitane Angus Genetics Breeding programme, sheep and dairy grazing. Pamu is also looking at other alternate land use options to add value to the overall business. The station stock units comprise of 600 Rangitane Angus cows, 300 commercial cows, 3000 romney breeding ewes and 1000 replacement ewe hoggets. It also provides replacement ewe lambs for other Pamu farms. Kapiro provides support for Pamu’s Takou Bay dairy farm and is also playing a part in Pamu’s drive towards a zero bobby calf policy by taking more of Takou Bay’s Angus cross cows at 100 kilograms to spend one to two seasons on Kapiro Station, the time frame once again being weather dependent. It’s one example of how being part of a larger group of farms means Kapiro can work in with the other farms as needed, says John. Because Pamu has a strong environmental focus in all its operations there has been considerable investment across the farms, including Kapiro, in gorse control, fencing of waterways and paddock subdivision. As Kapiro is under the Rangitane Angus brand John says the farm continues to build on its strong WAIPAPA EARTHMOVERS Phone 09 407 1452 - house sites - driveways - bulk cartage - all truck and digger work waipapaearthmovers@gmail.com P.G. Smith Ltd. TOPDRESSING  Topdressing  Orchard Spreading  Fertiliser & Lime Proud to be associated with John at Kapiro Station Kaikohe / Kerikeri – 09 405 2229 office@pgsmithltd.co.nz BAY OF ISLANDS VETERINARY SERVICES Proud to be supporting Kapiro Station Kaikohe 401 1536 Kerikeri 407 7354 Waipapa 401 6654 Kawakawa 404 0842 base of maternal traits such as ease of calving and birth weights while chasing eye muscle and positive fats. The aim is for a nice efficient smaller cow, looking to lower mature weight estimated breeding values (EBV’s). Kapiro relies on seven full time staff, including John, and employs one or two casuals from August. John says Covid-19 has prompted Pamu to develop robust health and safety policies for working at various levels. Having well-qualified staff has also helped as when John cannot speak face to face with people a phone call is often sufficient.