| 53 RURAL PEOPLE » Te Karoa Farms Adaptable farm system focus for couple Jeff Martin planting out a wetland on one of the blocks at Kaeo. Inset: Jeff and Helen Linssen have won multiple environmental awards. Russell Fredric Jeff Martin and Helen Linssen are rolling stones that gather no moss when it comes to running an adaptable farm system that is both profitable and environmentally responsible. The couple have won multiple environmental awards and specialise in beef bull production, managing three independent blocks in Kaeo with a combined area comprising 484 hectares, of which 258 hectares is effective. With steep hill sections looking over Otangaroa Valley in Northland and predominantly rolling pastures, the farms include a combined 80 hectares of native bush, 34 hectares in fenced off rivers, wetlands, gullies and water courses and 43 hectares in riparian planting. There is also 70 hectares planted in 1000 poplars and 60,000 pine trees which have been planted during the past three years. Jeff and Helen’s focus has been to adapt the farm’s system to carry the class of stock best suited to the land and of considerable investment in infrastructure including a 5.5 million litre dam, installing 15 kilometres of water line with nearly 80 troughs and placing 20 kilometres of fencing. Their focus is on production of premium 100 kilogram bulls, a simple system that produces favourable returns along with benefits for the land. These were previously bought late spring and summer, and sold at 15 to 18 months old as 350 kilogramR2 store bulls mainly to Waikato and Northland, however this has changed to buying spring and autumn born calves, which total 700 and 200 respectively, while the farm is also carrying 70 bulls that were born last spring. “A year ago, we just bought 30 autumn calves in August just as a trial to see how that would go.” Recent seasons have necessitated adaptability when it comes to dealing with the considerable variations in the weather which has swung from drought to deluge, and with an El Nino forecast, Jeff is already thinking about how to manage an extended dry period. “We will keep the flexibility there. This forecast is on everybody’s mind and so we are starting to pull levers now.” For Jeff, this involves looking at the available options and basing decisions of these while continuing to plan and strategise right through. “We are not panicking in any way; we will still be buying cattle and that’s the message I want to get out to other farmers as well.” A danger of many farmers destocking at the same time, which could potentially happen about mid-December, is that prices would drop significantly, but when this is followed by high demand for restocking after autumn rain the reverse will happen, Jeff says. “Start thinking about what that’s going to look like. The prices are going to go crazy. Maybe it’s better to do the maths to it.” In terms of short to medium term planning, options could be sowing a drought-tolerant crop, looking at ways of encouraging deeper roots in grass, planting shelter belts to mitigate the drying effect of wind, buying calves at higher weights due to them being more resilient, improving stock water availability and making sure the water system and pumps are in good shape ahead of time. “It’s not just El Nino, it’s all those other little things. There’s so many other factors that come into play, there’s so many variables to everybody. It’s still going to be tough, but doing all these little things means it might not be as tough as it could have been.” Congrats Te Karoa Farms from the Team at Kaitaia motorcycles and Suzuki Phone 09 408 1950 – www.kaitaiamotorcycles.co.nz · Livestock · Logs · Water · Readymix Concrete · General Cartage 09 406 0087 | mangonuihaulage.co.nz kaitaiagroundspread@gmail.com Eric Williams: 021 406 086 Lilly Earthmoving Ltd Northland, New Zealand 20+ years experience in all aspects For a good job/advice call Phone: (09) 408-5858 • Kym: (021) 573464 • Sel: (021) 408525 www.honeymoonvalley.co.nz Proud to be associated with Jeff and Helen
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