72 | MEAT & WOOL » Patearoa Station Awards win adds Charlie Hore and Belinda Colling, of Patearoa Station in Maniototo, have won the Commercial Flock category at The Otago Merino Association’s Annual Clip of the Year Competition. It was a rst time success at the annual awards, which judged on volume of wool per sheep, total kilos shorn and dollars per kilo of eece wool over the season. “I had no inkling,” says Charlie. “It was a bit of a surprise as I was expecting other names to be called out. Just tells me we must be doing things okay.” The couple celebrated after the June awards in Queenstown with a few bevvies and the camaraderie of Otago farmers. Incorporated in the awards was the Nikke Child Cancer Fleece Competition, where around 80 eeces, judged on quality, were auctioned for fundraising. Patearoa came third in the ne merino category. Charlie says the quality was there, plus a bit of luck and a good summer with plenty of moisture. “It’s how Mother Nature deals her cards. There was plenty of feed around, and supplementation with protein blocks. We’re always aiming to improve on each yield, ensuring there’s no cross bres and wool’s soft and bright, with no yellowing. If there is yellowing or shortness in the wool, we’ll cull them out as hoggets. There are a few factors, it can be a seasonal thing or animal health.” Averaging 5kgs a sheep, Charlie keeps only the brightest, whitest and wooliest. With an expansive 8000 hectares, a carbonneutral footprint is achievable. The 2950 weathers graze the higher craggy cliff tops, providing winter shelter. There’s 3800 ewes, 2500 hoggets and 150 Hereford cows, but the core business is the now award-winning wool. Belinda takes care of the accounts and bills, also working at High Performance Sport NZ, leaving hubbie and his right hander to work and manage the land cycle. A big help in the school holidays, their four children are the fth generation born into the enviable Southern lifestyle. Charlie’s Great grandmother crowned the neighbouring farm Stonehenge back in 1910. They purchased neighbouring Patearoa, across the Tairei gorge, 11 years ago, while Brother Andrew remains on Stonehenge. “Dad oats between Andrew’s farm and ours, and like me, still loves mustering on the horses. He’s always been passionate about Merino. They’re quirky sheep, that like dry, barren pasture.” He says the South American browsing breed like to mob up at night and need dry country to avoid foot rot. Hence the bene t of crossing with the Romney to get half breeds. Charlie also operates a Romney stud. “I give Andrew Romney rams and he gives me merino rams. I also sell a few Romney’s to put over merino. Romney is courser so Merino puts a nice eece on them. The half breeds are 21 to 26 micron, whereas the Merino can be super ne 12 to14 micron.” Patearoa hasn’t been too effected by covid. The isolation a healthy bonus. “Our brand partners were great in honouring contracts. Many Merino farmers have forward contracts, and auction prices are doing well. The meat works shut for a time, but Covid generally hasn’t affected daily operations. “I try to be proactive with a long range view, and merino genetics are always improving. Our new side-by-side buggy is easier than Toyota trucks and safer than bikes. And we’re installing pivot irrigation to improve quality and volume, and aid fattening of the stock. “You just need to keep going in the right direction and strike a bit of luck. And the best advice Dad gave me was ‘Keep it simple’. Just do the basics really – good advice for most things in life.” “It’s how Mother Nature deals her cards. There was plenty of feed around, and supplementation with protein blocks We’re always aiming to improve on each yield, ensuring there’s no cross bres and wool’s soft and bright, with no yellowing.” A mob on the move at Patearoa Station. Tracey Edwardes • Agricultural services including: • Spraying • Top dressing and seeding • Pest control • Precision placement and lifting • Scenics and charter flights Highland Helicopters is proud to support Patearoa Station 027 440 0860 Taieri Airfield, 160 Dukes Road North, Mosgiel paul@highlandhelicopters.co.nz Livestock Cartage | Computerised Lime Super and Seed Sowing | Ready Mix Concrete Gravel, Sand and Cement Supplies | General Cartage Ranfurly Transport 034449738 Wheels (Stock) 0274492450 John (Bulk) 0273519464 Richard 021542714
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