38 | Contact: Forbes Cameron 027 529 4050 | Angus Cameron 06 329 4711 PROVIDING PROGRESSIVE FARMERS EXCELLENT SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR PROFIT MARGIN WITH ROMNEYS, GROWBULKS & ANGUS BULLS For farmers, by farmers Established in 1992, Kaweka Contracting has a vast knowledge of the area. Emma Bailey Knowing the lay of the land is the secret to Kaweka Contracting’s success. Established in 1992, the company has a vast knowledge of the area between the Ngaruroro and the Tutaekuri Rivers, with their experience making them experts at cultivating and direct drilling the land. After a challenging season, with the majority of the area experiencing four to five months of below average rainfall and early summer temperatures, the busy season is coming to a close, Martin says, with a few direct drills to go. “It had been very dry up until recently, which meant we were having to direct drill a bit deeper” It is this sort of knowledge that keeps the same clients coming back year after year. “Majority of our clients are sheep and beef farmers and knowing the area is crucial” Martin says. A surge in interest Karen Phelps Pukemiro Station’s two-year cadetship programme, now in its seventh year, has seen a surge in interest, with 60 applicants vying for just three spots this year. “As the years go on, we have seen the calibre of good keen young people get better and better so it makes our job selecting the best three even harder. The cadetship is growing in popularity as more people hear about it. As we progress and more of our cadets enter the workforce our reputation keeps increasing, which is probably why we are seeing so many applicants,” says farm manager Sam Mann. He thinks that farming in general is becoming a popular career choice for young people. “Young shepherds get well paid these days with all the other benefits the job offers and young people are identifying that.” The programme, which is facilitated by the Eastern Institute of Technology, focuses on both practical on-farm experience and classroom learning. Cadets work towards qualifications such as the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Operational Skills) Level 3, the New Zealand The cadetship’s unique approach to pastoral care sets it apart from others. RURAL PEOPLE » Pukemiro Station / Kaweka Contracting Ltd Proudly supporting Pukemiro Station Hewitt Motorcycles Ltd Phone: 06 374 7701 Address: 27 High St, Dannevirke Proud to support Kaweka Contracting Ltd Power Farming Hawkes Bay | 06 879 9998 Proud to be associated with KAWEKA CONTRACTING LTD 027 260 0906 | marcus.donovan@ginsure.co.nz Certificate in Agriculture (Farming Systems) Level 3, and the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Breeding Livestock Farming) Level 4. Sam says that smaller class size and a more boutique approach means the cadets get a lot more direct one-on-one time with farm staff and tutors. The result of the programme is that all of the cadets that have finished the two years have gone onto various shepherding roles throughout the country. The cadetship’s unique approach to pastoral care sets it apart from other programmes. Cadets live on-site in their own cottage, and for one week every eight weeks, one of the cadets is responsible for cooking for the staff and cadets, as well as maintaining the cottage and keeping the lawns and gardens tidy. “This teaches cadets those practical life skills that they will take to their next job,” Sam explains. “We’re really big on those soft skills, carrying ourselves with pride in the community and the things we do.” Sam believes this well-rounded approach makes the cadets all-rounders, with a wide skill base, which ultimately makes them more employable. For business partners, Martin Jones and Gavin Sparkes the bulk of the tractor work begins from August to early September and after that, it’s busy through to the end of April. Crops of rape, kale, chicory, plantain, grasses and oats are sown in spring and autumn with the hay and baleage being made over the summer months. Things quieten down over the winter, however the wheels keep turning as they are contracted to do reach mowing in the forest, clearing the vegetation on the side of the road to keep vision clear for the logging trucks. A sheep and beef farmer himself, Martin likes to ensure he follows up with the farmers and check everything is going to plan. “This year in particular there have been a lot of crickets around, which can cause significant pasture loss and damage, so I always let the client know what I see and what they need to monitor to ensure they get the best results.” The business incorporates the family. His wife Shona and daughter Courtney, manage the farm Sam says that the cadetship offers many benefits, not only for the participants but for the industry as a whole. “I’m probably getting a call every second week from farmers looking for trained shepherds, but the training opportunities are missing, so the cadetship helps fill that gap.” When it comes to selecting cadets, Sam says the station looks for three key qualities: “Keenness and wanting to learn, initiative, and teamwork.” The Pukemiro cadetship programme is constantly evolving to meet the industry’s current and future needs. Pukemiro Station is looking to expand its infrastructure and accommodation to increase the cadet intake from three to four each year. Pukemiro Station has an open day in mid-June for prospective cadets to get a taste of what the station’s cadetship two-year programme offers. Pukemiro Station is a 1,000-hectare mixed breeding and finishing property, home to 5,000 Romney breeding ewes and hoggets and 125 Angus breeding cows. The property also winters 500 trade cattle of which the majority are homebred and 2000-3000 trade lambs depending on the season. It is supported by a 700-hectare block called Otawa, located 30 minutes south-east of Pukemiro. Otawa runs 3,500 ewes and hoggets and a 200 head cow herd. All replacements are retained and the balance sent into Pukemiro for finishing. Otawa is run by a farm manager who lives out on the farm and the second year cadets spend a week at a time on farm. over the contracting season. During the busy season they are driving alongside Martin and Gavin, David, Ben and Courtney. “You want the right people for the job with the right experience on the machines.” Kaweka Contracting also make sure they have the best equipment for the job. “We run pretty modern gear, to give the best value for money. Our baler for example is only two years old which means we can produce bales of baleage that are between 850kg to 950kg, which means there is more dry matter per bale and you don’t have to feed out as many bales, making it more efficient.” After the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle, Kaweka Contracting did what it could to help their neighbours and clients. “We leased a bulldozer and after the land dried up would help clients by tidying up slips and fences and laneways. We did it as a service, it wasn’t a money-making thing”. Thankfully with that time behind them Kaweka Contracting is looking forward to another successful season ahead. To get the best advice for your contracting needs contact Martin Jones 027 200 0114 or Gavin Sparkes 020 407 28566.
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