| 27 Fast expansion for Tawanui Herefords Ellie Downs, Lance Downs, Millie Downs, Joe Werder, Blake Fabish, Bryn Williams, Theo Werder, Petra Hornblow. All family, friends and staff pitching in to get the job done. Karen Phelps Janelle and Lance Downs at Tawanui Farms have experienced rapid expansion acquiring five neighbouring properties over the past four years and say this has created not just a larger operation, but a pathway for young people to enter an industry that can seem impossibly out of reach. “We have found opportunity and growth often comes at unexpected times and when it arises, we believe it’s important to jump at those opportunities,” says Janelle. “They may never come round again and no time is ever perfect. Be bold and be brave.” That boldness has transformed the operation from adjoining blocks into a 3,100-hectare enterprise, set to expand to 3,350 hectares by June 2026. Located 25 minutes from Stratford, Tawanui Farms now runs 920 cows, 8,500 ewes, 2,800 lambing hoggets, keeps all cattle through until two years old, holds two bull sales annually, and fattens nearly all the lambs. But for Janelle and Lance the real achievement lies in what this growth has enabled: the opportunity to employ young people and give them a start in farming. “Lance and I both feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity of farm ownership at such a young age and we feel very strongly about passing it forward to the next generation,” explains Janelle. Seven years ago they employed their first young staff member, Adam Swainson, just 16 years old and straight out of town. But the former school teacher in Janelle couldn’t let him leave without completing his year 12 qualifications first. “The day he completed that last assessment he was on our doorstep with a single bag of clothes, rearing to go,” she says. “Seven years later he is still part of our team and has stepped into a new manager’s role with confidence.” Through the Growing Future Farmers (GFF) programme, now in its third year as farm trainers, the operation has welcomed more young people into agriculture. It has kept first student Gus Waite on as a casual employee between his shearing contracting work, employed 2024 GFF graduate Ryan Williamson, and taken on another student, Ben Hardiman, this year. Combined with Lance’s parents Kevin and Jean, the team now numbers seven. “Taranaki is mostly smaller sheep and beef farms with owner-operator husband and wife teams which doesn’t require extra staff,” says Janelle. “This can make it extremely hard for any young ones with an RURAL PEOPLE » Tawanui Herefords interest in shepherding and farming to stay in the area.” Navigating a staffing team all under the age of 25 comes with its own challenges, Janelle acknowledges, but the couple are proud to offer these opportunities. The ethos comes from Lance’s father, Kevin Downs, who has helped several young people into farm ownership through guarantees or lending support. Starting with leasing 75 hectares to Adam, Janelle and Lance hope to follow in Kevin’s footsteps. “Getting into farming without help is near on impossible,” she says. “We hope that one day we too are in a position to live up to Kevin’s legacy and further support more hard-working farmers into land ownership,” says Janelle. The expansion hasn’t been without its pressures. Acquisition came during challenging times for the agricultural sector, with low meat prices and high interest rates. Rabobank and its managing team backed the vision. Phone: (06) 762 2728 Address: East Road, R.D. 22, Stratford ITKEN TRANSPORT TOKO SINCE 1952 Proud livestock carriers to Tawanui Herefords Aitken Transport Ltd Toko Specialists in: Livestock • General Cartage fuelled by Delivering what matters to you, shaping your farming future together Schurr and Ireland are proud to support TAWANUI HEREFORDS At Schurr & Ireland, we understand farming is more than a business – it’s a way of life. Our team of rural accounting specialists are farm owners too – we live and breathe agribusiness. Here to support you with: • Personalised, practical advice from rural experts • Tailored accounting and tax solutions • Strategic business planning • Unparalleled agricultural insight Trusted by farmers for over 40 years, we partner with you to go beyond the numbers and help your rural business thrive. NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street / 06 759 0105 ELTHAM www.schurrireland.co.nz 11 Stanners St / 06 764 8305 “They could see value in the system we were trying to create and the benefit to our future business and family,” explains Janelle. “They backed us during some pretty tough times and we are forever grateful for their support.” With children Ellie, 10, Tim, 8, and Millie, 6, representing the fifth generation on the home farm, the Downs family are building more than just a farming operation. “We will keep employing young people, investing in their future and hope that they keep us feeling young.”
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