14 | Bringing their own energy&commitment The Manuka Honey business is in its infancy but going well. Sue Russell Stepping back home to Taranaki from another life away some 9 years ago has given Ben Collier and wife Julia, who is from Mexico City, an opportunity to bring their own energy and commitment on to the generational family farm. Ben’s brother Tom, is also invested in farming as a lifestyle and career and runs another farm in Central Hawke’s Bay. The farm is home to 11000 su, of which 5,500 are mainly Romney sheep and 350 mixed aged cows. Trading lamb is the farm’s predominant business alongside beef, honey and forestry components. Ben has put a lot of time and thinking into how next evolve the farm, which at 2,500ha of mainly steep and steeper terrain brings its fair share of challenges. Upon return, he’s invested heavily into subdivision, fencing, capital fertiliser and reticulation systems, to get the best use out of every ‘farmable’ portion of land. Given its size and topography some areas are just not suitable to have stock on and most recently, the opportunity to make quality Manuka honey, with hives settled in places where Manuka trees are reestablishing, has added another string to the bow. “We run a once bred heifer system on the farm which means we sell our yearly steers and by yearly heifers which are then mated to a bull. Those heifers are finished prime as rising three year olds,” explains Ben. Additional income come into the equation through trading lambs to the store market and selling weaner calves. The Manuka Honey business is in its infancy but going well. Marketed under ‘Bee and Flow Manuka Honey’, gathering the delicious, health-giving nectar and selling through an on-line shop, has been a rewarding experience. “When Julia came back with me on to the farm, she didn’t come from a farming background herself and she wanted to find a way to contribute to the business, so she studied beekeeping. We already had some commercial hives over the farm, and it just seemed an obvious thing to get into considering all the Manuka that was regenerating.” The honey is gathered from their hives, processed and bottled in an MPI approved commercial facility. In time the hope is to establish export markets with a fledgling market already established in the Netherlands. Collier Farm is situated 30 minutes east of Eltham and runs down to the back of Hawera. The farm has been in the family three generations A very small portion of the farm is on good flat alluvial land, suitable for cultivation. Asked what, if any changes in farm management practices have taken place Ben says the ratio of beef to sheep has increased, in order to maintain and control feed quality. RURAL PEOPLE » Collier Farm Taranaki’s only authorised dealer for Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra & Iseki 101 Broadway, Stratford 4332 | 06 765 8643 admin@ eldtorque.co.nz | www. eldtorque.co.nz CONTACT US FOR ALL YOUR TRACTOR & MACHINERY NEEDS TARANAKI LIMITED Proud to support the Collier Family WHANGANUI • TURANGI • OHAKUNE | www.pkfdoyles.co.nz We remove the hassle and provide you with everything you need to thrive. The Accountants Dairymaster Milking Systems NZ Ltd. Tel: 0800 765 6075 • Email: info@dairymaster.co.nz • www.dairymaster.com “Ongoing research & development results in superior products & performance advantages including; more yield, faster milking, no slip and no teat end damage.” “We obtain our sheep genetics from Piquet Hill sheep stud at Te Akau. We’ve been doing so for 20 years now and they supply us with genetics that helps build in facial eczema resistance which is very important. With quite a lot of the farm being fairly low by the lake FE is something we’re always on the watch for.” Romney are well suited to the terrain and weather conditions. Good hardy doers with a strong constitution in wet conditions. Some 60ha’s of land has been retired and Collier Farm also has a significant 450ha QEII covenanted block, established by Ben’s grandfather in 1975. Ben says its great to have this beautiful space in the farm, protected ongoing from any development. “Seeing the new trees come through and grow and the fauna that is being attracted back is a neat thing and we’re proud to be a part of contributing to the survival of the tree, animal and bird species that flourish in it.” The family work in closely with South Taranaki Forest and Bird, who maintain a pest-control programme. Native falcon are enjoying the bush and surrounds and in time the hope is to establish kiwi into the block. “Our neighbours have already released kiwi into their block.” The local tramping club enjoys access to the farm and each year the family host the KC Collier Classic 30km run, in memory of dad Cam who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. “Dad loved running and the social side to it so we really enjoy that day. We have 50 or 60 locals come on to the farm for the event followed by a BBQ.” Ben says his time back on the farm has meant he’s able to carry on in the footsteps of his father and grandparents. “My mum Sarah is still actively involved on the farm and its lovely to have her here for our two children Bruno and Cameron. Off the farm, Ben, a former New Zealand Hockey player has been asked to get involved in establishing an Indoor Hockey sport structure here. “The sport is very popular and well-established overseas and this is something I’m looking forward to contributing to.” “We obtain our sheep genetics from Piquet Hill sheep stud at Te Akau, that helps build in facial eczema resistance which is very important.”
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