40 | Kelso sheep are the preferred breed Kelso sheep are the preferred breed on the farm, valued for their facial eczema tolerance, strong lamb growth, high meat yield, and fertility. Nicki Woodlock RURAL PEOPLE » Ramaroa Farm Partnership Ramaroa Farm Partnership is a family run 942-hectare drystock property, located on State Highway 4, just 30 minutes from Te Kuiti and 40 minutes from Taumarunui. Owned by Peter and Wendy Spencer, the farm runs 3,500 breeding ewes, finishes lambs, and farms 255 beef heifers alongside 260 grazed dairy heifers. The land spans rolling to steep hill country, with a stream flowing through the heart of the farm. The farm is run by a team of three - owners Peter and Wendy Spencer, who have farmed together for more than 25 years alongside their two children, plus one shepherd. Peter and Wendy took over the Spencer family farm in 1994 from Peter’s late father’s estate, where Peter was raised - before expanding the property by adding neighbouring farms in 1998 and 2012. Wendy, who comes from a dairy farming background, previously worked at a dairy research centre in Hamilton. Kelso sheep are the preferred breed on the farm, valued for their facial eczema tolerance, strong lamb growth, high meat yield, and fertility. Cattle - primarily Simmental, Angus, and Charolais - are purchased at Autumn weaner fairs, grazed for one winter, and processed the following autumn to reduce impact on the farm’s ash soils. Wool is sold to Elco Direct in Cambridge. Ramaroa Farm Partnership offers dairy heifer grazing to four farming clients, grazing 260 weaned dairy calves returning to their farms as in-calf heifers. The farm makes use of a range of technology and projects, including drones for mustering and FarmMax software for recording actual farm performance data. The Spencers are part of a farm business growth discussion group run by AgFirst. The AgFirst discussion group members are a collection of several neighbouring farmers who discuss each other’s individual farm operations and discuss best practice. Peter says: “It’s great to hear about the performance of other farms and get ideas from what other farmers are doing. Other farmers can also offer suggestions of ways we could do things on our farm”. The Spencer’s have found the current farming environment to be excellent with a lot of demand and competition for stock due to a shortage of both cattle and sheep. When asked what makes a good farmer, Peter says: “You need to be committed, care for your stock, have a love for the land, and have a good work ethic. You also need to be good with people and be patient”. Peter’s love of farming is evident. Peter states: “Farming has been good to us. We love the variety. Every day is different. We love being outside. We love the freedom we have. We are our own boss”. Recent projects on Ramaroa Farm include the felling of 2 hectares of pine trees alongside the farm’s 750-metre stream, which the Spencers are replanting with natives such as manuka, kahikatea, totara, and flax. Supported with funding from the Waikato Regional Council, the project is expected to be completed within 12 months. Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz PHONE: 07 873 7325 | FREEPHONE: 0800 482 928 Quality Service to Farmers & Businesses CALL US TODAY 0800 2 ROTOR (0800 276 867) OR CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE WWW.ROTORWORK.CO.NZ AGRICULTURAL HELICOPTER OPERATORS THE COMPLETE ON FARM HELICOPTER COMPANY Planned projects for the future include upgrading farm infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, completing the waterway fencing, and farm water system which is about 90% complete. The Spencers are also beginning to consider succession, with hopes that their children will one day take over the farm.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=