Business Rural North Winter 2021

32 | Picturesque family farm spans three Kim Newth M aurice and May Blackwell left the King Country in 1951 to take up farming at Te Popo in inland Taranaki. Seventy years later, their son Robin and family are still farming in the same area, over the next ridge from Te Popo, with Maurice and May’s granddaughter now part of succession planning to carry the legacy on into the future. “I was born here in 1957 and I’ve been here ever since,” says Robin.“Dad was always there to assist me until he retired.” Robin and family started out with an 80ha block in 1980 and have progressively grown Mangaotea Farms into an effective area of 623ha, nestled in the productive rural district of Tariki, near the base of Mt Taranaki. Maurice had a love of trees that Robin has inherited. Some 500 trees a year have been planted at Mangaotea Farm over the past 25 years and approximately 3ha is protected by QEII covenants, (with another block also earmarked for QEII cov- enant protection). Robin and Jacqueline’s exemplary care of their land, including extensive fencing and riparian planting, was recognised in 2014 when they won a sheep/beef Ballance Farm Environment Award. “We’ve seen a big increase in tui and pigeons around here over the years,” Robin observes. “Tui love the flaxes.” Mangaotea is primarily a bull breeding and dairy support operation, running Angus, Hereford and Murray Grey cattle studs along with a Southdown sheep stud. LIC recorded Jersey bulls are reared on contract for the annual service bull sale in Septem- ber and the operation also supports sheep, beef and dairy grazing. Around 10,500 stock units are wintered on the property, with all cattle break fed. Supplementary winter feed is sold into the dairy industry. Biosecurity measures are strictly adhered to, with three separate NAIT systems used and set areas allocated for the different breeds and dairy grazing. “Any dairy grazing coming on has to be vet verified for vaccination and good health.” Last September’s sale of around 180 top quality two year old and yearling service bulls was well attended. Presented at the sale was an impressive line-up of Mangaotea bred, registered pure bred bulls. A charity auction to support community needs RURAL PEOPLE » Mangaotea Farm is also held every year following the bull sale. “Our beef bulls are all bred on the farm. We’re a reliable source and do everything right in all aspects. We don‘t hire bulls out to anybody and can back up all our breeding. The prices reflected the quality of the stock we sold on the day.” Jacqueline founded the farm’s Hereford dynasty in 2002 and has a passion for breeding quality, well-structured stock for the bull sale, with the Angus Stud being established in 2006. Daughter Zarrah owns the Murray Greys and shares the focus on achieving good constitution, Billy & team proudly support Mangaotea Farm Proudly supporting MANGAOTEA FARM www.taranaki-vets.co.nz Juliet St, Stratford Clinics - Stratford · · Manaia Hawera Patea · · Waverley Proud to support Mangaotea Farms moderate birth weights, easy calving and good temperament. “Zarrah is running the Angus now too so my role is really as an overseer. “She has taken on most of the responsibility for the home block and is buying into the livestock side this year. “The dream is for the farm to be carried on by someone in the family and she is very passionate about farming and the land.” The couple’s two sons, Daniel and Hamish, work respectively as a London-based software engineer and a Marlborough-based rural contractor. The family’s succession planning is geared towards fairness and supporting the next generation to achieve their respective goals. “Zarrah is running the Angus now too so my role is really as an overseer. She has taken on most of the responsibility for the home block and is buying into the livestock side this year.” Mangaotea is primarily a bull breeding and dairy support operation, running Angus, Hereford and Murray Grey cattle studs along with a Southdown sheep stud. Inset: Robin and Jacqueline Blackwell with the Herefords. Not using interest-free money makes no sense. Buy a Suzuki KingQuad now, put it to work straight away, pay it off in 2023, all at 0% interest. Ask the boss, ask your accountant, ask the bank manager - it’s too good a deal to miss. Pay 1/3 up front, 1/3 next year and 1/3 in two years’ time. Too easy. 0 NO INTEREST NO BRAINER 1/3 1/3 1/3 % Price excludes GST. Finance offer based on new Suzuki KingQuad ATV from 20 January - 30 April 2021, or while stocks last. The offer is based on 0% interest rate over 24 months and an up-front payment of one third of the MRP, $300 documentation fee and $10.35 PPSR; a further payment of one third to be paid in 12 months; and a final payment of one third in 24 months. Normal UDC lending and credit criteria apply. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotion SEEDARYL: PHONE (06) 2784160•141Glover RoadHawera•0274567875