| 9 Third generation of Blackwells on farm Emma Bailey Mangaotea Farm is now firmly in the care of the third generation of Blackwells with daughter Zarrah and husband Richard Giddy now managing the Taranaki property. The family began farming part of the 400 hectare block near Inglewood in 1963 when her grand parents bought it. Her father Robin took over along with buying adjoining land. Zarrah and her brothers’ Daniel and Hamish grew up there and have fond memories of always being outside, building huts, going camping and riding horses or motorbikes Daniel now works in IT in Wellington and Hamish owns a contracting business and vineyard in Marlborough. Mangaotea is a busy operation of Hereford, Angus, Murray Grey and Southdown studs, dairy heifer and cow grazing, supplement feed sale, jersey bulls and a commercial Romney flock. For Zarrah, 37, it’s a great privilege to now be raising their nearly three-year-old daughter Bonnie there. “A lot of people say how lucky we are she’s growing up in the rural life. She’s really outdoorsy and loves being on the farm.” Zarrah gained her certificate in agriculture and went shepherding for a few years in the Hunterville/ Taihape area before working for CRT as a grazing agent in the South Island, she moved to Australia for five years working on vast cattle stations at the top of Western Australia, three hours form Broome before returning in 2017. “It was a pretty amazing experience, I learnt a lot about cattle and horses. It is just so different over there. The properties and so extensive, you are in the desert dealing with a wet season and a dry season rather than the four seasons we get here.” After moving back she met Richard, 42, who was an owner driver for Moratti Contracting. A rural lad himself he grew up on a dairy farm in Kaimiro near Inglewood. In 2021 she started farming alongside her dad Robin and in 2023 Rich bought out her dads 50 per cent holding in the operating company and they RURAL PEOPLE » Mangaotea Farm also purchased a small block of land on the farm with a farmhouse on it. The couple were even married on the farm. Her dad Robin and his wife Jacqueline now farm 100ha next door after downsizing last year. For her making sure the farm is efficient while also maintaining the quality they have become renowned for. “We are trying to be as efficient as possible without being stocked up to the eyeballs and also focused on making it a bit easier to manage feed, so PGG Wrightson livestock -Helping grow the country All the best to Mangaotea Farm Andrew Gibson 027 444 0108 Servicing Mangaotea Bull sale and grazing requirements “Ongoing research & development results in superior products & performance advantages including; more yield, faster milking, no slip and no teat end damage.” every year we have tried to streamline it as much as possible.” The farm is known locally for its on farm bull sale each year in September. Giving back to the community is very important so they also hold a charity auction following the sale which generates around $20,000. “ The money is now donated to rural support. Mike Green was a massive driver for that and the trust does really important work supporting farmers. The farm is known locally for its on farm bull sale each year in September.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=