20 | Embracing precision ag technology James involvement in industry groups such as the Foundation for Arable Research and his participation in a study tour to the United Kingdom last year have provided valuable. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Silverton Pastoral The biggest challenges facing Silverton Pastoral are increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and volatile market forces. In response James Abbiss, the farm’s operations manager, along with his brothers Hugh and Tim, and parents Mike and Donna, have cultivated a diversified farming approach that allows it to thrive amidst uncertainty. “There is probably no such thing as a weather pattern anymore – it’s very variable – which has a real effect on pasture supply and demand, utilisation, crop establishment, and final yield. A lot of these things are out of our control so we spread our risk around different crops to mitigate risks,” says Mike. The fourth-generation family farm 15 minutes north of Feilding spans 1100ha and the Abbiss family has developed a sophisticated mixed pastoral and arable operation, with approximately 60-70% dedicated to lamb trading and finishing, and the remainder devoted to a carefully planned crop rotation. One of the family’s primary strategies for dealing with unpredictable weather is their flexible approach to planting. “We split our planting window – autumn and spring sown crops of different things, so we’re not putting emphasis on one or two crops,” James explains. “This approach ensures that if one crop fails due to adverse weather conditions, others may still succeed.” The farm’s soil management practices also play a crucial role in its resilience. Since the early 2000s, Silverton Pastoral has employed direct drilling techniques, which help maintain soil structure and minimise disturbance. This is particularly important on the heavy, clay-based soils, which can be challenging to work with in extreme weather conditions. To further enhance their adaptability, the Abbiss family has embraced precision agriculture technologies. “We use GPS systems and regular soil testing to ensure inputs are minimised and applied only where and when needed.” These technological advancements not only help the farm navigate weather-related challenges but also address another significant concern: volatile market forces. By optimising inputs and improving efficiency, Silverton Pastoral can better withstand market fluctuations. “Controlling costs of production while maintaining a profitable business is one of our biggest challenges,” James admits. “Annual market fluctuations, especially in domestic markets where we’re competing with the price of imported grains, can be tough.” As part of its varied operation the Abbiss family has also developed a diverse livestock strategy. “Lamb finishing involves summer lamb finishing on forage crops, a winter system on ryegrass, and in the spring, we trade lambs late into the season as well as bring on hogget grazers,” James explains. “This means we’re not solely relying on buying in year-round.” The farm’s commitment to environmental stewardship also plays a role in its resilience. By focusing on soil health and implementing practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Silverton Pastoral is not only preparing for future regulatory changes but also improving the long-term sustainability of the operation. James’ involvement in industry groups such as the Foundation for Arable Research and his participation in a study tour to the United Kingdom last year have provided valuable insights and contributed to him winning the Emerging Talent title Ovation proudly supporting Silverton Pastoral Ovationnz at the Arable Awards of New Zealand 2023. “On the tour I learned how efficient our systems are in New Zealand,” says James. “Our integration between cropping and livestock systems is very good and almost world-leading.” Despite the challenges, the Abbiss family remains optimistic about the future of farming. “It’s about thinking ahead and being proactive around our system approach,” says James, “working smarter not harder, working with the tools we’ve got.” Proudly Supporting Silverton Pastoral At Malteurop, we do more than malt; we support brewers in making the best beers, distillers the best spirits and food companies the best products. We connect farmers, who dedicate their lives to Nature, with life lovers, who share authentic moments around natural drinks & food. www.malteurop.com 06 327 0077 Marton Office
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