62 | MEAT & WOOL » Ross Bowmar Return to family farm proves a baptism Sue Russell Ross Bowmar had been in the role of MidCanterbury Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chair just six weeks when Rural South spoke with him from the family’s sheep and beef property in Rakaia Gorge. Ross was brought up in Southland, where his family still farm. From there Ross attended Lincoln University and obtained Bachelor Agricultural Science with First Class honours. Then followed a Masters of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University, USA. Upon leaving university Ross gained 10 years of corporate business experience for one of the world’s largest agricultural processing companies Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), across USA, Australia and then heading up NZ as General Manager. Two years ago Ross and his wife Jess returned to her parents’ farm, Redcliffs Station in the Rakaia Gorge, located 35 minutes inland from Methven in Mid-Canterbury. Jess’ father Willy was looking to wind back and was looking for answers as to the future of the property. Discussions around succession provided clarity for the whole family about how the transition should play out. “In our rst year here COVID arrived and this was followed by a drought and then two weeks later a once in 200 year ood and then we got smashed again with another ood, so its been quite a time for us. The central farm bridge known as the Redcliffs Bridge was even famous on TV for our ooding.” However, the silver lining to that cloud came in the form of steering Ross toward active participation in Federated Farmers, as he explains. “We got such fantastic support through this time, not only at the people level, but also the nancial support in the background, that it made it possible to get through this really tough time. I wanted to nd some way to pay-back for this support so I put my hand up to get involved in the local branch.” Ross is Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers’ Meat & Wool Chairman. Meanwhile after such misfortune delivered by the weather-gods Ross says the farm has been largely rebuilt. “We reviewed our existing farm systems and discovered all the weaknesses so the positive has been that we’ve been able to develop better ways of rebuilding as a result.” The farm is home to about 8,500 stock units of Merino sheep and Angus cows. Ross says the farming philosophy is simple: Try to produce premium products through farming in a sustainable way. “We want to farm in such a way that it can be passed on to the next generation in better condition than when we took over. My wife is 4th generation on this farm and it has been in the family since 1917, but there is history dating back to the 1850’s, so it means a lot to us.” Redcliff Station measures 1935ha and ranges in form from irrigated at to steep mountainous terrain. It’s a very long farm extending 12km from one end to another. Elevation spans 300m – 1100m and annually rainfall of about 900mm is the expectation. “We sell the lambs to the Alpine Origin Merino Alliance and are working on getting cattle into programs. We also lease another 50ha off Jess’s parents near Methven.” And as for his new role in Federated Farmers Ross says his goals are fairly simple. “In our rst year here COVID arrived and this was followed by a drought and then two weeks later a once in 200 year ood and then we got smashed again with another ood, so its been quite a time for us. The central farm bridge known as the Redcliffs Bridge was even famous on TV for our ooding.” To try to help out where he can to ensure that the voice of farmers is heard. “To ensure our rural communities voice is heard when decisions impacting their quality and way of life are directly threatened.” He says the organisation has a huge amount of advocacy work for its members and the rural sector generally, across 30+ topics. “A lot of people in Government don’t know what is best. We’re about getting the best outcome for farmers, looking after their health and well-being. You don’t want to over-burden farmers with tax and also expect them to have the nancial resources to improve the environment.” The couple’s farm is on the south bank of the Rakaia River in a district which boasts a wide array of farming types. Ross says the district is great to live and farm in. “It’s a good place to bring up a family and the district is rich in farming history.” The Redcliffs Bridge under water during ooding at Redcliffs Station in the Rakaia Gorge. The farm is home to about 8,500 stock units of Merino sheep and Angus cows. Contact: Duncan Hart 027 481 1915 or 03 302 8400 e: info@skyfarmers.co.nz Aerial Spraying Aerial Topdressing www.skyfarmers.co.nz
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