16 | Biogro certification Healthy spring lamb and farm dogs at Black Pond Farm. Sue Russell Hamish Browne and Robyn Budd are devoted to their beef farming enterprise, taking great care to allow nature to work its wisdom, rearing organic beef, in a closed farming system. The 260 acre property not too far from Miranda, on the western side of the Firth of Thames, is home to 135 mixed age cattle, reared in happy family groups, on pasture full of variety and nutritious goodness. The couple know their farming system provides their herd with every opportunity to grow as nature intended, in a natural situation, to ultimately produce organic beef supplied to a select number of retail outlets. Black Pond Farm and its stock are Biogro certified organic, meaning their herd management practices and their land is fully organic, without any synthetic fertilisers or antibiotics and chemically based animal treatments used. It has been assessed through the conversion process and signed off as able to market using the Biogro brand. “We were encouraged, when we bought the farm, to go through the correct process to be registered organic. It takes three years for the land to convert fully to organic status,” says Robyn. And by healthy soils, Hamish says its a case of understanding how the biological activity impacts on soil health and what it can grow. “Worm activity is very important and the bacteria and fungus profile. One indicator is how long the dung stays on the pasture before it is broken down into the soil by all the good bugs.” Robyn and Hamish say living the organic farming approach is a daily reality. The herd is shifted into a new paddock every day. “Once you are fully organic it is more robust from a soil point of view as well as animal health. Fewer interventions are needed as everything is in balance with how nature intended it to be. We never drench and if an animal is off-colour we have homoeopathic treatments we can apply.” Calves are allowed to wean naturally at about 9 months of age and family groups remain tight-knit. RURAL PEOPLE » Black Pond Farm “Once you are fully organic it is more robust from a soil point of view as well as animal health. Fewer interventions are needed as everything is in balance with how nature intended it to be. We never drench and if an animal is off-colour we have homoeopathic treatments we can apply.” While the couple run the farm themselves, they do on occasions have a student from Hauraki Plains College, interested in farming, helping and gaining experiences. Both agree the farm is an ideal lifestyle and commitment for them. They are both intent on looking after the environment as best they can. While the cattle have plenty to eat and lots of variety, they are provided with haylage and balage in the very wet and very dry periods. When an animal is ready for processing it is sent to a private abattoir approved by MPI. Ngatea Prime Meats process the meat and package it, with top cuts sent to Pravda restaurant in Wellington, and casserole steak and mince being used by Coro Pies in Coromandel. Meat can be purchased through Thames Organic Shop, Miranda Farm Shop & Cafe , Urban Market in Pukekohe, Grey Lynn Butchery, Origin Northland in Waipu and Supie, an online supermarket. The farm is also home to 25ha of QEII covenanted bush with the main bush area over 100 years old. “We’re helping preserve and enhance this area by reducing weeds and pests and it is wonderful to see flora and fauna in abundance,” says Robyn. And their commitment to true organic farming practice also means the reality of additional costs, such as the homoeopathic products, compostable packaging materials and a recycling system. Because the farm produces, at any one time, a relatively small volume of meat, there are logistical costs in terms of its processing. “It is very costly to send small quantities in for processing. We don’t have the benefit of economies of scale operating.” Cattle are shorthorns, probably the best marbling cattle around Hamish says. Both he and Robyn say they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than enjoying the daily mahi that comes with tending their animals and their very special environment. “It’s just lovely to live on this property. Our cattle have real personalities and we work very hard to give them the best possible life. It is a privilege to look after them,” says Hamish. Proudly Supporting Black Pond Farm Butchery & Homekill Business +64 7-867 7876 ik1l4u@gmail.com
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