| 59 Rapidly expanding their farming operation Heather leases 360 hectares of the 560-hectare family property Glencorran and, with Mike, has purchased Tawai Farm, a 300-hectare property just 3km from Glencorran, where Heather holds a one-third share. Karen Phelps Twenty-eight-year-old Heather Gee-Taylor and her father Mike are rapidly expanding their farming operation in Manawatu-Rangitikei, with Heather bringing fresh perspective gained from her governance roles to their growing business. Heather served on the regional executive of Federated Farmers for two years. “My experience with Federated Farmers gave me a better understanding of the sector and the legislation around it,” says Heather. “It also gave me a better grounding of how important it is to be a decent farmer including bringing through the next generation and encouraging them into the industry. For me that means upping our staff management, better environmental understanding and management of risks. We’ve recently done a whole farm integrated plan covering every aspect and looking at the risks associated with those.” This comprehensive approach includes careful land management decisions. “Not stocking rutty hill country with large numbers of heavy mixed age cows during the winter and maybe using weaners instead,” says Heather. The emphasis on staff development remains central to Heather’s farming philosophy. “We’re committed to getting staff doing one thing a year for their own development outside the farming business to go off farm and learn about aspects of the job to gain a different perspective.” Heather leases 360 hectares of the 560-hectare family property Glencorran and, with Mike, has purchased Tawai Farm, a 300-hectare property just 3km from Glencorran, where Heather holds a one-third share. Glencorran runs 2,000 mixed age ewes, 650 two-tooths, 650-700 replacement hoggets, 160 mixed age cows and 50 heifers. Tawai Farm supports 1,000 ewes, 50 breeding cows, 20 weaner heifers, 160 dairy grazers, and offers seasonal grazing. Heather has also focused on enhancing sheep stock resilience by transitioning to Romdale ewes. “They are stronger and survivability is good. They do better in hard times,” says Heather. Recognising the need for extensive fencing work on Tawai Farm, the father-daughter team established a fencing contracting business under the same name, currently employing one full-time fencer. They have also diversi ed into manuka honey production, fencing off waterways and planting manuka trees on 28 hectares of land. One of Heather’s true passions lies in horse breeding, maintaining ten brood mares and a stallion at her small stud, which she aims to expand. “They are well rounded horses, good for people to use for whatever they like,” says Heather. “Growing up on hill country the horses understand where the feed is and are well balanced and are reliable, adaptable and rideable horses.” ON FARM » Heather Gee-Taylor Currently producing 8-10 foals annually, she rears them for show jumping or all-round use, training them for jumping before selling them through private arrangements. Despite her busy schedule managing farm operations while her father primarily handles the fencing business and repairs, Heather also continues to train dogs for trialing – another personal passion. Heather says high interest rates and low commodity prices in the previous season, compounded by a signi cant worm burden affecting lamb development have been the main challenges of late. With commodity prices increasing and interest rates lowering she says the farm is still recouping the loss from last season. Heather’s commitment to giving back extends beyond farming. She currently serves on the Nga Tawa Diocesan School board, contributing to the institution she credits with giving her so much during her formative years. Future plans involve implementing a retirement strategy for her parents when they decide on their preferred course of action, a matter still under discussion. Wednesday 4th June@2:30pm on farmat Rata 2 YEARBULL SALE 2025 Proudly supporting the Gee Taylor family at Glencorran Typical Merchiston Sale bull Big strong cattle with performance RichardRowe 027 279 8841 WilliamRowe 021 242 8181 Email: mercang@farmside.co.nz * catalogue online at Angus NZ ; Genetics ; see sale catalogues.
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