26 | Sustainable Custom Blends Precision Application Environmentally Responsible Mainland Minerals loose lick... Meeting your livestock's seasonal mineral demands 0800 433 787 www.mainlandminerals.com Farming software built with purpose. Struggling to keep on top of modern-day farming requirements? Compliance Records Mapping Tasking Timesheets Tags Get in touch, or find out more: https://resolutionapp.co.nz Ongoing investment in farm development, infrastructure • from page 24 Josh and Caitlyn Blaikie help move a mob of Perendales at Ben Annand Farm in South Otago. Amy Blaikie, Sheree Green (Norwoods) and Victor Blaikie, with Caitlyn and Josh at the 2022 Otago Ballance Farm Environment awards. Keith and his wife Alma raised three children in their remote valley home. Victor returned home to the family farm in 1993. Today, he and Amy share Ben Annand Farm with their two children, Josh, 10 and Caitlyn, 7. They appreciate all the effort put in by Keith and Alma before them to lay the foundations for the productive family farm lifestyle they share today. Amy and Victor have continued to invest in farm development and infrastructure. A new woolshed was added in 2018 and this year they put in a fully reticulated water system. With last summer having been one of their driest ever, the couple is relieved to have this future proo ng measure in place. With stock troughs in the paddocks, it also means animals won’t be straying off into gullies to look for water. “Instead, we can fence off those gullies and protect the trees and plants in those areas.” With large blocks of native bush and forestry neighbouring their farm, pigs and deer are frequent visitors but Victor and Amy have developed an active pest control strategy. The Ballance awards’ judges praised their proactive approach to pest management to protect the farming business and biodiversity. In 2021, the Blaikies ran just over 7500 stock units on their sheep and beef farm. Victor, who keeps a close eye on pasture and stock, credits lifts in production to better feed management and a exible stock policy. Shearing of the farm’s Perendale ock in July produced another quality clip though the couple observe that they won’t get much back for the wool. In 2020, Amy launched a petition for wool carpet in government-owned buildings. The Ballance judges described her efforts to raise the pro le of New Zealand wool as both “courageous and admirable.” MEAT & WOOL » Ben Annand Farm
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