64 | Challenging time for Fed Farmers spokesman Sue Russell Pam and Kerry Irvine farm 75km south-west of Nelson at Tapawera. Ownership of their 700ha sheep and beef farm, which they rst leased in 2012, and eventually owned in 2019, is the result of following a clear plan to save as much money as they could, setting aside all of Kerry’s shearing income and just living off Pam’s income. The farm’s footprint extends over a whole mixed bag of terrain, with 144ha of at land, 124ha rolling to steep and 102ha steep. A further 220ha is in gorse and blackberry while the nal 112ha is planted in Manuka to offset the farm’s carbon emissions. “We carry 1200 Perendale ewes, winter 200 trade lambs and 120 Hereford cows along with 30 mixed sex fattening cattle,” says Kerry. And as if running this extensive and busy farming business isn’t enough Kerry has recently been elected into the role of Sheep & Beef Chairman of Nelson Federated Farmers. “It’s a challenging role, balancing what farmers expectations are and the policy framework we work within. Looking for the middle ground is the best way to describe it. We naturally like to farm the way we think is right and when we have discussion points every farmer believes in what they think.” When Rural South spoke with Kerry in the second week of July he had just returned from the organisation’s AGM in Auckland. Asked how he thinks the sector is feeling at the moment Kerry says there’s a strong sense of frustration by many farmers who feel they are going around in circles, trying to deal with an MEAT & WOOL » Kerry & Pam Irvine • to page 65 ever-burdening array of environmental policy and nancial pressures to meet compliances. “The faster we try to meet regulations, the more regulations are imposed.” It’s a busy time on their farm too, with shearing about to get underway, and break-fencing set up to prepare the mob, and additional feed previously stored supplied to the stock to maintain condition. The farm also has signi cant waterways and with half these already fenced a further 6.7km lies ahead to fence. Kerry estimates that the remaining cost to complete this project will cost approximately $500,000. Reducing the carbon foot-print is high on Kerry’s ‘to-do’ list. He’s concerned that often media portray farmers as poor custodians of the land when, from his experience and connections, the reality is quite the opposite. “We love the land and we love our animals. If we got paid for every hour we worked we’d be millionaires. I’ve also thought more and more that the actual physical farming part of my life is the easiest thing in my day. I am lucky to have a wife who does all the paper work with all the regulations that apply.” The couple also lease a further 44ha, with 18ha of that irrigated. It’s the third year they have leased the land and it is used as a fattening and supplement block. Kerry says Federated Farmers is an essential organisation carrying the voice of “It’s a challenging role, balancing what farmers expectations are and the policy framework we work within. Looking for the middle ground is the best way to describe it. We naturally like to farm the way we think is right and when we have discussion points every farmer believes in what they think.” Moving a mob of Perendale ewes on Kerry and Pam Irvine’s Tapawera farm. Proud to support Kerry & Pam Irvine
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