Business Rural North Winter 2021

| 19 The hills are alive with the sound of ... Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Jarred & Sarah Coogan A nyone prepared to ‘sing the praises’ of farm- ing life on YouTube must really love it. During the Covid lockdown last year, Jarred and Sarah Coogan, their three children and Sarah’s parents Bryan and Helen Hocken did just that. Proclaiming the merits of mince over baked beans and how important agriculture was to New Zealand, the Taranaki sheep and beef farming family extolled the virtues of Silver Fern Farms, for its support of the farming sector at such a tough time. The Coogans have been on the farm 11 years and in their farming company MataRata Downs, with Bryan and Helen these past six years. How- ever; the history and family connection to the land goes back to 1946, when Helen’s parents and Uncle bought what was then approximately half of the current 465ha property. Bryan’s parents then pur- chased the farm from the Cartwright family in 1955. Situated at Tarata, north-east of Stratford, the farm has an even split mix of steep, rolling and flat land, making it ideal terrain for their 2,500 Romney breeding ewes and 660 replacement hoggets. Add- ing to the stock are 100 dairy grazers and approx 300 trading cattle. “We used to run Friesian heifers and get them in-calf to sell, however this year we’ve gone away from that and introduced Friesian bulls into the mix. From a business perspective they are a much more flexible stock to sell,” says Sarah. The cattle to sheep ratio has also changed over the years from 50:50 to 70:30 sheep to beef. Guiding environmental improvements on the farm is included in a comprehensive business farm-plan, which was developed during an AWDT Future Focus programme. A three hectare block has been fenced off in 2019 and an additional four hectares has been fenced of this April under QE11 covenants, with support from Taranaki Regional Council and New Plymouth District Council. “We felt it was important to identify and pre- serve these special areas on the farm, not only to preserve the trees growing but to increase the overall biodiversity on the property. It’s been a really worthwhile process and we can already see differences.” Asked how the sheep business itself is going Jarred says it is difficult with such low wool prices. “For the first time last June we made a loss on shearing our sheep, but lamb and mutton prices are good. We’re firm believers in the virtue of wool and we hope to see it come back soon, especially with the focus on quality, traceability and environmental footprint, that so many consumers are concerned about.” The couple have strong views on the array of issues facing agriculture generally, and farming in particular. Jarred describes it as a systemic problem, with a lack of understanding on the part of policy mak- ers as to what is really happening in modern-day farming. “We know the land, we’ve worked on the land in our case for several generations and there’s an un- willingness I feel on the part of those making policy to really engage openly and on an even footing with us; before decisions are made that impact directly on farmers,” he says. He’s also annoyed at perceptions those not engaged working on the land have of farming practices. “You know the real damage was done 150 or so years ago when huge tracks of land came into farming, with little consideration of the environ- mental consequences. Today, modern farming is all about sustainability and enhancing the environment; leaving it better than when we stepped foot on it.” A looming concern is the proliferation of Pine Tree farms. The couple feel the popular swing toward selling existing sheep and beef farms and putting down pine forests is short-sighted. “We’re not operating on a level playing field when it comes to the incentives offered by Govern- ment to those shifting to forestry. There’s not even any certainty that some of these trees will eventu- ally be felled. Further, it’s a mono-culture approach to use of land and I don’t know any sheep and beef farm in New Zealand which is a monoculture.” As ever though, Jarred and Sarah are optimistic about the agriculture sector as a great way of life and a business. “We’re really blessed to be where we are, with mum and dad actively involved and the children just love being out on the farm.” Spreading that news has also been a priority for the couple, with hundreds of school children visiting in recent years to experience a farm close up and learn about all the employment opportunities the rural sector offers. “We’re not talking just about jobs on the farm, it’s all the other service industries that farming support that all have great jobs attached to them. The efforts of the Coogan and Hocken clan were recognised in 2019 when MataRata Downs was Taranaki’s Supreme Regional winner in the Balance Farm Environment Awards. “For the first time last June we made a loss on shearing our sheep, but lamb and mutton prices are good. We’re firm believers in the virtue of wool and we hope to see it come back soon ...” Billy & team proudly support Jarred Coogan HarrisTaylor Ltd Positive Action Positive Results We Specialise in… • Accounting • Succession Planning • Taxation • Feasibility Studies • Budgeting and Forecasting • Honest Appraisal and Advice • Ownership and Business Structures • Share Valuations • Secretarial Services www Ph: 06 278 5058 67 High Street PO Box 141 Hawera 4640 .harristaylor.co.nz Taranaki sheep and beef farmers Jarred and Sarah Coogan and family and Sarah’s parents Bryan and Helen Hocken in full voice supporting Silver Fern Farms via YouTube during lockdown. Drafting newly shorn ewes is a family operation at MataRata Downs. 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