52 | Top approach to animal husbandry When Chrissy started farming on her own with two young sons, she implemented a system that one person could manage on their own. Aimee Wison Ballance Farm Environment Awards » Ratahi Holdings Ratahi Holdings has been quietly and sustainably working the land in the hills above Matata and on Matakana Island for many years. Chrissy Weeks and partner Tony Lumsden contract manage her family farm, and father Donald (88) still works the island block most days. Every Spring as a backload, yearling steers are barged over to Matakana Island as the older two year cattle are sent to the works at around 320Kg CWT. All the heifers are fattened at Matata and sent to the works by the end of June. The entire 544ha operation (314 effective) of 250 beef breeding cows has been totally grass fed for the past 39 years, and the family’s success has earned them a spot in the final of the Ballance Awards for Bay of Plenty 2026. Chrissy’s approach to animal husbandry stood out to the judges for her empathy and attention to detail. Her high level of care has delivered tangible results, including a remarkable farm record of 24 sets of twins from just 180 cows. By breeding all replacements on-farm and growing all their own supplements, the team maintains total control over quality and biosecurity. Chrissy said most seasons since her record 11 years ago, they have averaged double figures of 15 sets of twins. The cow is left with one calf and the spares are reared on house cows or mothered on to any cows that might lose their calves. “We do it all ourselves and don’t rely on assistance. No advisors. We just get in there and do it and we’re not overstocked. I like them fat and happy.” The farm operates its own nursery, where the team cultivates native plants often rescued as seedlings from vulnerable areas of the property. Tony has personally planted out over 1700 trees and a mountain of ‘assorted medicinal plants.’ The farm model operates on rotational grazing using 108 paddocks plus 12 winter paddocks that are only grazed once a year. All stock are shifted every 3-4 days. Chrissy implemented this method from managing a dairy farm while studying at Massey University. They don’t cultivate grass - it’s more about ‘regenerative agriculture’ by locking up paddocks for hay and using their own supplements. When Chrissy started farming on her own with two young sons, she implemented a system that BayVets Clinic Phone: 07 304 9184 40 Bridge Street, Edgecumbe Proud to be associated with Ratahi Holdings Whakatane 2 Mill Road, Coastlands 0800 77 88 99 Dan Benjamin 021 599 087 Peter Rust 027 634 3622 Proudly Supporting Ratahi Holdings FULLY ENCLOSED • 3 BAY OPEN • HYBRID STEEL ROOF • AMERICAN BARN • LARGE SCALE 07 304 6312 | www.peppersbuildingsupplies.co.nz | 69 Main Street, Edgecumbe 3120 PROUDLY SUPPORTING RATAHI HOLDINGS PEPPERS FARM BUILDINGS ANY SHED, ANY DESIGN, ANY TIME - KITSET OR FULL BUILD one person could manage on their own, and rang her father when she needed a hand. Her eldest son is now 30 and helps out when Chrissy and her partner go away - like the Ballance Farm Awards in Tauranga in March. Tony has become Mr Fixit around the farm. He does most of the fencing, maintains the water system and tracks and also builds impressive huts in their bush blocks. Their farm is open to all types of groups including trampers, horse riders, with the land being right on the edge of the Matata Scenic Reserve. Chrissy personally handles pest control across 200 hectares and has had some interesting finds come through from neighbouring properties. As well as deer, goats and rats, there has also been peacocks, turkeys and wallaby springing up in places. At Ratahi Holdings, success is measured not just by beef production, but by the enduring health of the land being cared for. Your Local Agriculture Contractors Round & Square Bailing - Hay or Silage Bulk Silage - Loader Wagons Full Cultivation - Disc / Power Harrow Ripping | Maize Planting | Direct Drilling Roller Seeding | Speed Discing | Spraying Fertiliser Spreading | Side Dressing Tractor and Trailer Work Proudly Supporting Ratahi Holdings ContactUs WillowWinters 027 472 4497 DylanGates 027 237 9242 O ce 027 665 5003 Email: wintergatecontracting@xtra.co.nz
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