| 19 Drones regularly used for mustering Family photo of Rob and Lynne Woodhouse with their grandchildren Oscar, Nyla, Jonty and Maisie. Bernadette Cooney RURAL PEOPLE » Rakaunui Farm Rakaunui Farm in the Tararua District is testament to the resilience and adaptability of family owned and run, New Zealand farms. This sheep and beef farm managed by Alex and Katie Renner, spans 900 hectares south of Pongaroa and has been in the family for five generations, with Katie’s father, Robert Woodhouse, marking his 50th year on the farm, this October. This milestone highlights the farm’s history, dating back nearly 130 years, when Katie’s greatgreat-grandfather, J.G Woodhouse, first purchased 200 acres at Rakaunui. “It’s ten times the size now,” says Katie. Evolving from a farm where horses played a key role, to now being a modern sheep and beef farm where drones are regularly used for mustering. “Robert is a big part of Rakaunui, and he was the one who bought cropping and machinery including tractors,” says Katie. “My grandad was very much the horseman, but my dad was allergic to horses, so he brought machinery to the farm.” Katie’s grandmother helped write a local history on Tiraumea and Rakaunui Districts which outlines a lot of the farm’s history. Robert, still lives in the family home and remains actively involved on-farm, handling maintenance tasks and helping during crutching and other busy times. Katie and Alex live a short distance from the homestead with their two children, Oscar,7, and Nyla, 5, who both attend the local Pongaroa Primary School. The family are planning a celebratory dinner to mark Robert’s 50th year on farm and the family plan gifting a new farm sign to Robert which states Rakaunui – Established in 1895. When Katie and Alex returned home to the farm in 2015, they diversified into cattle. “We got 25 cows from Alex’s parents as a wedding present and that’s how we started our herd.” The farm currently supports 4500 Romney Texel ewes which they will cross over with straight Romney rams this season, says Alex, to enhance hardiness. The Renner’s also run a herd of 95 Angus cows and 16 Angus R2 heifers, which this season will be crossed over by Charolais bulls for the first time. “We’ve bought two bulls this year,” says Alex, “one from Paul Granger at Kia Toa Charolais out of Te Kuiti and one from A.J McIntyre at Windyridge Charolais of Dannevirke.” The introduction of Charolais genes is aimed at producing calves with good weaning weights and good muscling. “We’re sort of weaning a 260 odd kilo average weaner steer calf now and going to Charolais is aimed at adding a bit more weaning weight,” says Alex. Alex is optimistic about upcoming calving and lambing following an exceptionally kind winter and excellent pasture growth. Having purchased the drone for mustering following Cyclone Gabrielle, Alex is now so proficient that the use of drones saves him a couple of hours each day. “It’s cheaper than buying a heading dog and you don’t need to feed it.” B.B.S., C.A. Whatever your business and accounting needs, get in touch today.
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