40 | RURAL PEOPLE » Ora Station: Dave and Charlotte Wright Soil fertility, stock rates focus for manager Kim Newth Dave and Charlotte Wright have been farming for 12 years, previously based in the Hawke’s Bay, before a desire for a fresh challenge saw them move to Manawatu-Whanganui to manage Ora Station, east of Dannevirke in December 2021. The couple share their rural lifestyle with their young son, Oscar and are gradually putting their own stamp on this large sheep and beef station. The total farm area of 2400ha includes manuka country and pine forestry, plus a dedicated hunting block (home to Glenora Hunting), leaving an effective farm platform of 1200ha. While the station, owned by Hamish and Pamela Armstrong, has been improved in recent years with new fencing and a reticulated water scheme, Dave says there is still much work to be done. Dave says a big challenge at Ora Station is its relatively poor soil fertility but he’s working hard to turn that around and get the country performing well. “When budgets are tight, fertiliser is one of the things that get cut, but it’s also one of the most important things at the same time. Last year, we put 150 tonnes of lime on the hill country, 120 tonnes on the flats, along with 50 tonnes of a specialised mixed fertiliser for regrassing and cropping.” Eight months after that fertiliser was applied and with spring in the air, Dave hopes it won’t be too long before they start to see the benefits coming through. “It will stand us in good stead going forward and we hope to repeat that fertiliser application again this year.” A tight lid is being kept on other costs. “We’re looking to budget all the time and save a few dollars where we can while still doing what we have to.” One of the big changes on the stocking side of the equation this year has been a move away from trade lambs. “We picked a good year to do that,” he says. “We have lifted our ewe numbers by a couple of hundred and we have done 135 R1 Friesian bulls and kept steer calves at weaning time. The trouble with trade lambs is they can starve your capital stock of performance. “By reducing the stocking rate, we can feed our ewes better so they will tup better and have more lambs.” Capital stock wintered was just over 7500su sheep – 3500 mixed age ewes, 1200 2-tooths, • to page 41 The station includes manuka country and pine forestry, plus a dedicated hunting block. 115 YEARS of ANGUS BREEDING 2023 115 YEARS of ANGUS BREEDING 2023 PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ORA STATION [cell] 0274 333 381 [email] ross@dyerlivestock.co.nz Proud to support Ora Station in servicing their livestock requirements Dave and Charlotte Wright manage Ora Station, a 2400ha sheep and beef station east of Dannevirke.
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