4 | Taking a proactive approach to the species Sheep and beef are spread across 1700 hectares. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Limestone Downs Station Kikuyu grass is a bugbear for many coastal farming properties. Limestone Downs near Port Waikato is aiming to take a proactive approach to the species adjusting its stocking policy to try to stay on top of it. “Kikuyu likes a coastal environment. It gets long and stalky and sheep and younger stock can’t eat it. Once it grows it is quite matted and nothing can get through. We need bigger mouths to keep it down to let ryegrass and clover through,” says Justin Lamb, sheep and beef manager at Limestone Downs.” Usually maintaining a 70-30 sheep to cattle ratio, Limestone Downs is now transitioning toward a more balanced approach. “Traditionally it’s been 70-30 sheep to cattle ratio and moving to 60-40 or even 50-50 to see how that goes for pasture control and reduce the worm burden for the lambs by running more cattle,” says Justin. Sheep and beef are spread across 1700 hectares with approximately 7,000 ewes and 2,000 hoggets. Roughly half the ewes are bred to terminal sires, either Suftex or Poll Dorset, with Romney forming the maternal base of the flock. The farm aims to finish as many lambs as possible, though seasonal conditions typically result in about half being finished on-farm with the remainder sold as store lambs. Justin and his team of two full-timers are adapting to the coastal farm’s tendency toward summer dry conditions. “Being a coastal environment it gets quite dry during the summer. So we are focusing on finishing lambs earlier to have the majority sold by Christmas. We need to be feeding the ewes better and having the lambs heavier at weaning, which is why we also need to keep the kikuyu down,” explains Justin. The cattle side of the operation comprises approximately 1,200 head including around 350 beef-cross calves sourced from the adjacent dairy farm. The dairy farm maintains a strict ‘no bobby calves’ policy, with Limestone Downs aiming to finish every animal on the adjacent sheep and beef unit. All livestock on the property are raised to approximately 24 months of age before being sold. An Angus cow herd numbering around 240 forms another cornerstone of the cattle operation, with expansion currently underway to build the herd up to 400. “We are building up the Angus herd for pasture control to keep on top of the rank feed and kikuyu grass to create some decent quality feed for the sheep,” says Justin. Parasite management represents another significant challenge, with drench resistance in sheep also driving proactive approaches to pasture and livestock management. “Our drench status is pretty good at the moment and we want to keep it that way,” says Justin. Limestone Downs’ rich history dates back to 1926 when Charles Alma Baker acquired the then- isolated 3,200-hectare property. Following Baker’s death in 1941, the estate passed to his daughter Judy Pottinger, who died childless in 1976. The trustees subsequently established the C Alma Baker Charitable Trust in 1981, partnering with Massey University to transform farming practices on the property. This collaboration introduced intensive management techniques including electric fencing, smaller paddocks, reduced flock sizes, rotational grazing, and higher-performing livestock. The property underwent further significant development between 2012 and 2013, when extensive drainage work on the coastal flats supported conversion of approximately 300 hectares to dairy production. Today, alongside its commercial farming operations, Limestone Downs maintains approximately 800 hectares of fenced native bush for natural regeneration and conservation purposes, reflecting a balanced approach to production and environmental stewardship as it continues to adapt to the unique challenges of coastal farming in New Zealand. hillcroftangus hillcroftangus.co.nz Fraser Crawford with and top 2-year-olds yearlings selected for heifer mating low birth weight 2-year-old herefords For all your Excavating requirements give Steven a call today! Servicing Matira, Ngaruawahia, Te Akau, Waingaro, Waikaretu & Huntly areas Steven Brooks 0273361366 • Matira Rd, Ngaruawahia SW Brooks Contracting Limited EXCAVAT I NG , TRUCK CARTAGE & S I LAGE SERV I CES
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