Business Rural Spring 2021

40 | Stronger focus on deer for stock agent-farmer Photos: Jimmy Kenny with son Ridge. Ridge and cousin Zion try some bareback riding. Dorset Down rams. Karen Phelps B eing a stock agent has helped Kaiwera farmer Jimmy Kenny to know when to time the markets. He’s just decided to sell down his commercial sheep operation to go into deer. “The deer market is low and the sheep market is buoyant. I wanted to simplify my farming opera- tion as deer are not so intensive in the winter so it seemed like the timing was right,” he says. So his flock of 1200 has just left the farm gate and he is welcoming 400-500 Red deer. He was previously finishing 200-300 deer each year so it’s not a completely new avenue for him. He’s kept Okaruru Stud though, comprising 450 Dorset Down ewes. The stud was originally purchased from Bob and Marilyn Masefield and it is the oldest registered Dorset Down stud in New Zealand. Jimmy says that New Zealand-wide the breed is in strong demand for crossing purposes to produce fast growing lambs. According to the New Zealand Sheepbreeder’s Association Dorset Down cross lambs, when compared with lambs of other crosses, have im- pressive meat to fat ratio. Added to this is the fact the breed has virile rams and has been shown to cover greater than average numbers of ewes per season and remain active for a number of years. Jimmy also cites traits such as “big bones and good meaty back legs” as key advantages. The stud has a firm focus on producing terminal sires that result in fast maturing lambs. Jimmy keeps outstanding rams utilizing their genetics in the stud as well as keeping an eye open for new promising genetics to bring further gains. He holds a sale each December about a week before Christmas at the Gore A & P showgrounds where around 80-90 Dorset Down, Dorsett Down Texel and South Dorset down cross rams are offered to the market. Jimmy grew up in Lawrence, Central Otago and worked on sheep and beef operations in Otago progressing from shepherd to stock manager positions. Today his farm totals 235ha at Kaiwera and he has just purchased 75ha at Lawrence where he also lives. The Kaiwera farm is on the rolling hill country and much of the farm has the Waipahi River, a popular trout fishery running through it. A lot of the waterways have been fenced off and he is continuing this process along with riparian plant- ing. His multi faceted operation also winters around 120 beef cattle and Jimmy still works as an MEAT & WOOL » Dorset Downs: Jimmy Kenny agent for Rural Livestock. He says having several threads to the business helps to mitigate risk and ensure strong cash flow. Jimmy employs a worker, Bernie Nichol, at the Kaiwera block. “I guess there are a few balls up in the air at one time. I try to be organised. Bernie has a fair bit of experience and I can pretty much leave him to it, whether it’s fencing, maintenance or shifting stock.” Jimmy is also the main caregiver to son Ridge, 7, who Jimmy says is growing up fast: “He’s already starting to help out on the farm.” 15a Hokonui Drive, Gore PO Box 172, Gore 9740 Phone: 03 208 9240 Email: admin@ocr.co.nz www.ocr.co.nz Pleased to support Jimmy Kenny & Dorset Downs Mike Millard | Craig Carran | Nathan Heenan | Sarah Collie PETER CHISHOLM Mobile: 027 433 8943 Email: peterchisholm@xtra.co.nz LEIGH MCH CULTIVATION Ploughing Discing Power Harrowing Cultivator BALING Mowing Mower Conditioner Tedding Raking Round baling – with variable chamber balers Baleage Combination baler Individual wrapper CONTACT: CMC CONTRACTING CAN OFFER: SEEDING Fodder Beat precision sowing Direct Drill with rubber tyred roller Grass roller drill Heva 6m roller seeder PETER CHISHOLM Mobile: 027 433 8943 Email: peterchisholm@xtra.co.nz LEIGH MCH Mobile: 027 454 5139 CULTIVATION Ploughing Discing Power Harrow ng Cultivator Mole Ploughing BALING Mowing Mower Co itioner Tedding Raking Small Square b ling Round baling – with variable chamber balers Baleage Combination baler Individual wrapper Tube Wrapper CONTACT: CMC CONTRACTING CAN OFFER: SEEDING Fodder Beat precision sowing Direct Drill with rubber tyred roller G ass drill Heva 6m roller seeder Power harrow ridger combination Peter Chisholm 027 433 8943 • cmcadmin@xtra.co.nz | Leigh McHaffie 027 454 5139 Manager 027 770 4182 | Office Administration 03 208 5585 | Hours Mon - Thur 9am -12pm