4 | RURAL PEOPLE » Ahiweka Station Fencing the main priority post cyclone Slips taking out fences caused the bulk of the damage at Ahiweka Station. Storm damage from Cyclone Gabrielle (top) and after repairs were carried out Sue Russell Ahiweka Station is situated near Flemington, in central Hawke’s Bay, 35 minutes from Waipukurau. At 900ha (830ha effective), the property carries an array of stock. Manager and co-owner Michael Gunn has been in the role two years, since he and two other owners purchased the block. “We liked the situation of the farm. It had scale and a good balance of finishing and breeding and while hot in summer is summer-safe,” Michael says. Of the effective area, approximately 450ha would be described as steep, or very steep with the balance a mix of easier hill country, with 300ha cultivated. The station is situated at an elevation of 300m – 730m. Working with Michael is one shepherd and on a day to day basis stock work is the main activity. “Stock performance takes priority. We are doing a lot of fencing at the moment. Repairs from the cyclone early last year. Our aim is make better use of the land, so we’ve focussed on subdivision to control feed to the animals.” Ahiweka Station is mainly a breeding property with 3,500 ewes and 120 Angus cows. A Charolais bull is put over the Angus. Replacement heifers are bought in. In terms of trading stock, the property finishes around 200 Friesian bulls. “We finish all our own lambs and we also trade another 2000 lambs. We’ve made quite a few little changes, mainly bringing in the trading component. It gives us the opportunity when lamb prices are poor to make good income trading them.” Mating hoggets was another breeding programme that’s been introduced of late. The historic Romdale is changing now to straight Romney, a better type of sheep Michael says, for the situation of the farm. Asked how the cyclone affected the station Michael says the bulk of damage was in the form of slips with these taking out fences. “We also had a couple of dams blow out but as we were going into winter we could work around the water-source dam. Fencing was the main priority.” Michael says it took about 3 months or so to get some sort of structure in place, but fences are still being worked on over a year later. Three students from Lincoln helped with the repair work, with materials made available through Rapid Relief, which Michael says, was very well organised. Grants from MPI were also accessed. Fences have been relocated to ridges where, Michael says, they should have been positioned, so while there’s been disruption and a lot of work, ultimately the farm now is in a better situation than before the cyclone. “Where we are, in the greater scheme of things, we were not impacted as badly as other parts of the region. We are rebuilding our dams and putting in better spillways to future proof the Station’s water supply.” A farm environment plan is guiding where and what is being planted to enhance Ahiweka’s environmental footprint. Plans are to undertake more native planting and also retire some areas. “Everything in farming takes time. andersonreisima@gmail.com Proudly supporting Ahiweka Station Ben 027 819 2792 1237 Ugly Hill roadWaipukurau 4282 It’s about steady incremental improvement to ensure the outcome is sustainable.” Reflecting back on his farming journey Michael says he was pleased to be in the position, after many years of hard work managing a station in Tolaga Bay, Gisborne. “It’s taken 10 years or so to get to the position where I could invest in this property. This is certainly where I intend to stay and mark my own footprint on the land and farming systems.” sweatwork@gmail.com 021 066 0274
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