22 | Fairlight’s diverse income streams Roughly half of Fairlight Station’s 2500 effective hectares is deer fenced. Virginia Wright Simon and Lou Wright had already managed Fairlight Station at the bottom of Lake Wakatipu in Central Otago for several years before they became shareholders in 2016. Little else changed as they continued to pursue the strategy that underpins many of their decisions, namely to achieve a diversity of income streams and to earn a premium on whatever they’re selling wherever possible. That’s still a key driver behind their approach to the sheep, beef and deer farmed on the station, and influences decisions from the breeds they work with to the way they use their paddocks to best advantage for growing out different classes of young stock. “The goal was always to have a diversified livestock farm with three clear income streams and It suits the topography of the farm,” says Simon. Roughly half of Fairlight Station’s 2500 effective hectares is deer fenced, making the most of their medium to steep hill country. As they push for incremental weight gains of their 1 year old male ‘spikers’ for more lucrative pre-Christmas market daily shifts on clean pasture has made a difference. The Wrights changed what had been a two- or three-day rotation to daily moves to achieve fresh grass, even splitting paddocks if they had to. Their target weight has increased from 100kgs to 112 kgs per animal and they still aim to have 90% of that mob gone before Christmas. Deer and cattle may be integrated on the hill country where the farm is deer fenced, and sheep and cattle where it’s not, but sheep are not typically run with the deer as they graze the pasture low enough to put them in competition for good grass if they’re in the same paddock. Critically, about 20% of the farm, around 500 hectares are what Simon calls the ‘intensive flats’, used to grow out all the young stock and to grow winter crops. That’s also where the chicory that provides a key ingredient for the premium they seek for their lambs is grown. Over 10 years ago Fairlight joined a producer group of like-minded farmers and transitioned their flock of 3200 ewes and 1000 lambing hoggets from Perendales to Headwaters sheep; a stabilised composite sheep bred for fertility along with their intramuscular fat and meat-eating qualities. They produce Lumina Lamb, a premium lamb product sold out of New Zealand which is the culmination of 15 years of concentrated research initiated by Andy Ramsden. “They started by breeding a high fertility, hill country, composite sheep which suited our farm. When they started going down the line of meat quality they spent a lot of time and energy experimenting with different forages to come up with a recipe to produce arguably the best eating lamb in the world and DEER » Fairlight Station Ltd we’re now getting a premium,” explains Simon. In a Joint Venture with Alliance, Headwater lambs need to meet the stringent requirements of recording and tracing, weighing between 18 and 24 kgs, that have been fed on chicory for 35 days, end up on the menu of exclusive restaurants worldwide as Lumina Lamb. They’re valued for their delicate taste, tender texture and, importantly, reliable consistency. “The Headwaters breed ticks all the boxes in terms of productivity and the premiums when finished on chicory make it a worthwhile goal to pursue,” says Simon. Simon always has in mind the way the meat he’s producing eats off the plate knowing that’s the key to adding value, which is why Fairlight has been selecting for intramuscular fat in his Angus herd for the last five years. It may take another five for the herd to really reflect the chosen traits but he’s hoping those animals too will be in line to gain a premium depending on the market. Working with you for happy, healthy and productive animals in the south. 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE (03) 440 0100 enquiries@iclca.co.nz www.iclca.co.nz Leading accounting and business professionals—providing specialist advice to farming, business and rural communities for over 60 years. 69 Tarbert Street 11 Charlemont Street 97 Great North Road Office 9, 172 High Street Proud to be Accountants for Fairlight Station Limited Alexandra Office Ranfurly Office Winton Office Rangiora Office PADDOCK BY PADDOCK. CORNER BY CORNER. Using our in-depth knowledge of customers’ land, businesses and objectives, we tailor highly specific solutions that differ from farm to farm, even paddock to paddock. To ensure these agronomy-led solutions stay on track for success, we also regularly walk the crops corner to corner to make recommendations along the way. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz. Proudly Supporting Fairlight Station. They’re aspirations he shares with Fairlight’s new stock manager. When their long term stock manager recently left the timing worked for Simon and Lou’s son Sam to leave his position stock managing an extensive sheep and beef farm in the North Island and come home to take up the job. They’re enjoying the input of energy and attention to detail he brings with him as he settles back in to work surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery.
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