Business Rural North Winter 2021

42 | RURAL PEOPLE » Alan & Khim Hellyer Legacy of hard graft continues Sue Russell A lan Hellyer’s connection with Mahoenui, a sprawling 440 hectare sheep and beef farm 20 minutes or so north of Silverdale, Auck- land, goes back a century when his grandfather brought the property. “He bought this hill country property to extract the kauri logs on. He used to take the logs to Silverdale and then he started milking a few cows – back then it was all in scrub,” Alan explains. Alan and Khim bought a third share of 2500 acres, and bought another (350 Acres) from a brother. Today, the couple are rightly proud of what the farm has evolved into, with native and radiata pine blocks and seven planted wetlands. Last year the farm was entered in the Auckland Ballance Farm Environment awards, by their youngest son Jamie, who understood the years and years of dedication his parents had put into restoring and nurturing the property. “When I think about the incredibly hard years my grandfather and then father had on this land, it was so important to me to add value to that journey. “It’s part of the legacy I inherited and will be passed on in time to my family, all of whom want to see the farm retained in great working order,” Alan says. The farm has 3000 stock units with everything fattened on the farm. The older romney ewes are mated to terminal sires. He runs 1000 ewes 80 angus breeding cows. Heifers are fattened at 18-20 months and steers run through to 24-30 months. All lambs are finished from November to July. All the bush on the property has been fenced off and Alan says the wetlands look fantastic. Judges in the environment awards noted several positives, including an emphasis on securing the involvement of future generations in the operation of the farm, careful use of fertilisers and exceptional water management, making use of springs and streams on the farm to supply the stock. Alan would be the first to admit that while so much has been achieved on this wonderful prop- erty, the farm is very much a work in progress. “We’re going to plant up some slips to reduce run-off.” The couple have four sons and while growing up all were encouraged to take up a profession or trade. Paul has returned to actively work on the property and Alan is confident that the children “When I think about the incredibly hard years my grandfather and then father had on this land, it was so important to me to add value to that journey. It’s part of the legacy I inherited and will be passed on in time to my family, all of whom want to see the farm retained in great working order.” • to page 43 Northland’s longest running fixed-wing operator. SMS Certified MHL is a family run operation servicing Northland and beyond. With over 50 years combined experience in the topdressing and farming industry, MHL provide a trusted and high-quality service for your farm. @MHargreavesLtd 021 711 551 MURRAY HARGREAVES 021 281 5551 09 4318325 MARTY HARGREAVES Poland Motors Ltd, Wellsford | Ph 09 423 7788 | www.polandmotors.co.nz · ATV & SSV · Parts & Accessories · Outdoor Power Equipment · Mowers · Spray/Spread Don’t buy imitations, BUY THE REAL DEAL! • Celebrating 53 years of industry leadership breeding for FE tolerance & production • Currenly testing at 0.67 • DNA testing 5k & 50k • Worm fec 17 years • Sales nationwide, also available - Beltex X and Charolais X terminal sires ARDG KERERU STATION ROMNEYS Bob Steed 09 433 2616 or 027 777 0832 kereru_station@xtra.co.nz Rhys Dackers 09 433 2461 or 027 241 5564 helsnz1@xtra.co.nz @ardgkereruromneys “High performing hill country Romney Rams bred in Northland for Northland farmers” Alan Hellyer with farm dogs at Mahoenui, a 440ha sheep and beef farm near Silverdale.