Business Rural North Winter 2021

| 21 Infrastructure, pasture quality a farm focus Rangedale Farm near Pahiatua covers 1578 hectares and ranges in altitude from 170m to 640m above sea-level, primarily medium to steep hill country. Sue Russell RURAL PEOPLE » Rangedale Farm: Simon Hull ‘Challenging’ farming climate • from page 20 90% of their stock internally from other Pamu farms helps with this process. “It’s very different from anything I’ve ever farmed before,” he says. “Although it’s flat, it’s a challenging farm. We’re at high risk to adverse weather. If it starts going dry we’re normally among the first in the Hawke’s Bay to go, and in rain events we are at high risk of flooding – it’s a challenging climate for farming.” Being located behind the Airport with the Napier walking track going through the farm, Jon is very aware of the public perception. “We need to be spot on all the time with what we’re doing, which keeps us sharp on farm, but on the flip side, it’s great for family life,” he says. With eight-year old twin boys, Max and Beau, and a two- year-old daughter Millie, the work-life balance that being close to town offers Jon and his wife Yvette, who teaches History at Napier Girls High School, more than makes up for a little public scrutiny. R angedale Farm, 35 minutes east of Pahiatua is a sheep and beef (Pamu) property and Simon Hull has been its manager on the 1578 or 1383 effective hectares, these past two years. The farm is due, in time, to be returned to Iwi as part of a settlement claim. An additional 80 hectares is in QE2 native blocks, while pine forestry occupies a further 100 hectares. Rangedale Farm ranges in altitude from 170m to 640m above sea-level and is fundamentally medium to steep hill country with lime-stone and clay soil mix. “The limestone gives us really high quality water on the property,” says Simon. The farm raises 6,500 Romney breeding ewes with internally sourced rams along with 350 heifers and cows, which are predominantly Angus. Helping Simon on the farm is full-timer Brad Jones and a couple of casual staff. Before the summer drought 2020, that impacted on all farms in the district, was an OK spring and a very kind winter. The animals are 100% grass-fed. Simon says that in the past two years he’s put a lot of time and energy into improving farm infrastructure. “It was quite run-down when I took over,” Simon explains. Another focus has been on driving pasture qual- ity, through improved policies. “At the moment a lot of store lambs are supplied internally and we have a policy that all store lambs are gone by 1 April each year. This hopefully sets us up for the following season, the goal is to make what we do repeatable.” As part of the Pamu network, Simon interacts with his own farm business manager and the farm operating budget is set by Simon and his business manager Paul, he says he is left free to run the budget. “We have to work within capital constraints, as all property’s do, that means you really have to think hard about where you apply the funding.” Asked what propelled him into farming Simon says that either being on farms or around farms all his life led to his passion to ‘just grow good animals’. Feeding them well and watching them grow, sup- plying the market with forward stock is what is something Simon finds very satisfying. “It’s has always been just a part of us and hope- fully our kids will be in a position to carry on in farming if that is their choice.” Through this time of uncertainty globally, with the impact of Covid-19 ravaging the world, Simon’s pleased he’s in an industry that, no matter what, just keeps delivering. “We’ve had to charge on through Covid and I think there’s now a better appreciation by the gen- eral public about the important place the primary sector has for our health and economy.” His three children, Charlotte (12), Josh (10) and William (6) all attend the local full primary school in Makuri. With only 18 children enrolled the school plays an important part in the life of the district. “We have two teachers at the school and the community is very supportive with fundraising to help resource the school well.” Simon says with a lot of hard work the farm is beginning to really operate at a higher level, ena- bling him to focus, in time, on off-farm activities. “I think it’s very important in farming that you have other interests as well. If not, you can find yourself just always on the farm and this has been, within the industry, one of the issues impacting on mental health and quality of life for our rural families.” Rangedale Farm is one of three Pamu NZ farms in the Wairarapa. Pamu is a State-Owned Enter- prise operating farms, either owned or leased, pro- ducing milk, beef, lamb, wool, venison and timber. “At the moment a lot of store lambs are supplied internally and we have a policy that all store lambs are gone by 1 April each year. This hopefully sets us up for the following season ...” 8 Angus Place, Onekawa, Napier 4110 Post Box 577, Napier 4112, New Zealand Mobile: 027 609 9050 | Of ce: 06 843 8805 darren@napiereng.co.nz | www.napiereng.co.nz NAPIER ENGINEERING & CONTRACTING We have a crew to meet your needs. When you want it, How you want it. Pleased to be supplying shearing services to Rangedale Farm 06 375 8488 / 027 4407 021 tararuashearing@xtra.co.nz Transport Ltd 4 Short Road, Pahiatua • Phone: 06 376 8128 • Fax: 06 376 6644 Dean’s Mobile: 027 444 7413 • Email: fitsy.trans@xtra.co.nz We are proud to work with Rangedale Farm and congratulate them on their achievements.