| 43 Quality-focused Karen Phelps Karen Phelps By aligning their farm with premium producers the Peacock family have transformed their Waipukurau-based sheep and beef operation into a highly efficient, quality-focused business. Marcus Peacock says the model has been so successful they have leased an additional 200 hectares to add to their 600 hectare operation Hononga Farming Ltd. They produce for First Light Farms for their Wagyu and Atkins Ranch for their lambs. Previously only 20–30 per cent of their herd were Wagyu but that figure has now risen to 80–85 per cent. “This First Light system we are part of is called backgrounding taking the cattle from 200kg to 400-440kg over 10-12 months. It’s a really good fixed price model,” says Marcus Peacock. “You own the cattle, but the purchase and sale prices are fixed, which means we can concentrate purely on putting weight on them. This focus allows us to master our niche rather than trying to be a jack of all trades. We recognised that we background cattle really well rather than finish them. I have direct relationships with the dairy farmers who supply the calves and with the finishers. That personal accountability is crucial to how we operate.” The Peacocks buy autumn-born calves at 200kg during December-January and spring-born stock at similar weights in May. Summer crops such as chicory, kale and brassicas are strategically planted to meet commitments to the finishers, ensuring steady weight gain. Approximately 1,100 cattle pass through Hononga each year, with a one-month break in April to grow pasture. “It makes me a better organised farmer and more accountable. We can tell finishers what weight cattle will reach before we even take them in, and we use FARMAX software to monitor performance.” Hononga’s operation also benefits from technology. The farm was part of a Halter collar trial through First Light Farms tracking rumination, grazing and behaviour in 300 of their Wagyu cattle. “It’s been sensational. We’ve learned so much about what the animal needs. It gives live data that guides our decisions and provides security over how our stock is performing at all times.” Marcus says that their tightly run farming system also requires some flexibility, which they get from RURAL PEOPLE » Hononga Farming Ltd / David Turner - Eltham Marcus and Stacey Giddens (staff member). All massive Warriors fans. the sheep and beef side of their operation. “If we have a dry autumn then I wouldn’t buy as many trade lambs. And I’ve kept around 60 weaners as I am confident I can handle that this year but if not I wouldn’t keep them. We also calve around 90-100 cows and get up to 200 over the summer.” The Peacocks apply the same value-focused approach to their lamb business finishing 40006000 each year. “The lambs are Global Animal Partnership GAPaccredited and the Atkins Ranch pool payment system ensures both the supplier and we have a vested interest in providing quality stock. We buy our lambs off Doug MacKenzie in Wairarapa and he gets paid a store price up front. Then last year for example the pool payment was 50 cents per kilogram which we split with Doug. This means he also has a vested interest in providing us with good lambs.” The family also has a mob of 450 drench-resistant ewes, which help manage pasture worms. The farm employs one full-time staff member and Georgie takes care of the administration and assists on the farm as required. Their children, Hana and Jimmy, help when home from university. By positioning themselves with First Light Farms and Atkins Ranch, Marcus says it has created a low-risk system that has directly translated into a more enjoyable farming experience. “We absolutely love it and have never enjoyed farming as much. The focus on quality, efficiency and personal relationships has made all the difference.” Standout season A standout season has delivered exceptional results for David and Samantha Turner’s South Taranaki sheep and beef operation, with abundant summer rainfall and unprecedented grass growth allowing the farm to push livestock performance beyond its usual benchmarks. “This year the summer grass growth was out of this world. It’s allowed us to hold onto stock a little longer and really make the most of them,” says David. The plentiful feed has enabled the Turners to rethink their approach to finishing stock this year, focusing on adding extra weight rather than bringing in additional animals. “We’ve been trying to add more weight onto everything that goes out the gate this season because we’ve had the grass and cover,” says David. “So rather than buying store lambs for example we’ve been using the stock we’ve got to add a little more weight.” That strategy has paid dividends across both sheep and cattle. Prime lambs, typically drafted at 45kg liveweight, have been held an extra week and sent at a minimum of 46kg this year. The beef cattle, historically targeted to 650kg liveweight, this year have been pushed to 680kg. Even the dairy grazing side of the business has thrived under the favourable conditions. The season stands in stark contrast to the more typical challenges of farming in the region. “Most years it’s hand to mouth, doing the best we can on the feed nature provides,” says David. “This year the conditions have given us a chance to be a bit more strategic with how we manage the stock.” Alongside strong production, the farm’s commitment to sustainable and responsible farming remains a priority. Certified under New Zealand’s national farm assurance programme, NZFAP Plus, the operation has silver-level accreditation for animal welfare, biosecurity and environmental management. “It gives benchmarks as to where we are at and pick up things we can do better,” says David. “It also provides a track record from year to year of progress we’re making.” Part of that progress comes from the Turners’ wider environmental initiatives. They have long invested in riparian planting and fencing off waterways to protect soil and improve livestock shelter. “I’m quite big on fencing off waterways where we can and putting a lot of thought into the impact that everything we do has on the land,” says David. “The riparian planting also provides shelter for livestock and subdividing paddocks has helped with water access and pasture management.” Regenerative grazing techniques have also been applied, with deferred grazing and multi-year chicory crops supporting soil health while enhancing livestock nutrition. “We try and farm with as minimal footprint as possible,” says David, “so practices like strip grazing and using last year’s chicory alongside new crops really help with that.” The farm is very much a family operation, with Samantha working off-farm as a Deceased Estate Manager, while his children Sarah, 20, and George, 17, maintain strong connections to the property, with George showing particular interest in farming. Despite the strong season, David says rising input costs have tempered the financial benefit. “Financially it’s been a great season and strong meat prices have amplified the benefit of the additional weight we’ve put on the stock, but the expenses have gone up hugely, which has offset this.” THE DEFENDER HD11 ENGINEERED TO OUTPERFORM WITH THE MOST POWER, TECHNOLOGY, AND COMFORT BAY MOTORCYCLES • BAY FORD • BAY MAZDA • GISBORNE MOTORS • TAUPO POWERSPORTS 31 Takapau Road, Waipukurau 06 858 8983 Proud to support Hononga Farming Ltd Rod - 021 066 0274 sweatwork@gmail.com Proudly supporting Hononga Farming Ltd Bulk Earthworks • Site Foundations Demolition • Cartage • Landscaping Drainage • Tree Works +64 27 307 2599 dentcontracting7@gmail.com Proudly Supporting David Turner Eltham Earthmoving contracting business based in Taranaki who strive for customer satisfaction and quality workmanship. 027 446 0443 19a King Edward St, Eltham o ce@gernhoefercontracting.co.nz At Lloyd Gernhoefer agricultural contracting, we o er you a wide range of Agricultural services. Call Lloyd now for your 2026-2027 season requirements.
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