28 | Electronic Identification tech coming Strategic livestock management underpins the farm’s profitability. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Hill Springs Farming Co Ltd A commitment to doing the basics right and continuously investing in development is the focus for Hill Springs. Located in the Teviot Valley the 3,400-hectare farm near Roxburgh stretches from heavy river flats bordering the Clutha River to extensive run country rising to 1,000 metres. “We look for incremental gains,” says Curtis Pannett. “It’s a consistent business in terms of production and this allows us to continue to develop the property.” Curtis and wife Anna lease the family farm from his parents John and Tina. The farm runs 13,000 stock units including 430 Angus and Hereford-Angus cross beef cows and 6,500 ewes, largely Romney-based. They finish most of the progeny on-farm. Curtis says they have been playing catch-up on infrastructure spending following challenging years in the sector. Hill country development is another focus with ongoing re-grassing programmes accelerating pasture improvement. “We’re big on fertiliser and maintaining the asset so it continues to produce for us in the future,” says Curtis. They have recently completed construction of brand-new Te Pari cattle yards. They are next looking to invest in their irrigation. Currently operating one centre pivot and k-line irrigation system, the family is looking to replace some k-line with a new centre pivot and variable rate irrigation system. Curtis says this should make for more efficient water utilisation. The introduction of Electronic Identification (EID) technology into the commercial ewe flock is something else that is underway. “We’re looking at putting EID into the commercial ewe flock to improve productivity,” explains Curtis. “We’ll EID our hoggets this year and will EID every mob of hoggets from now on so all sheep should have EID tags within five to six years.” This will complement the farm’s conveyor system: “Two to three times a year the ewes go over the conveyor so we will be able to make decisions based on individual animals based on the EID tag and draft off the front of it according to the data in the tag.” Strategic livestock management underpins the farm’s profitability. The overarching sheep strategy focuses on maximising progeny value through prime lamb production, targeting 18.5-19 kilogramme carcass weights. The beef side of the business is transitioning towards finishing all cattle on-farm, moving away from previous yearling sales. “We’ve decreased ewe numbers to facilitate this change, it’s where we want to head as we enjoy the cattle and the economics are better,” explains Curtis. The farm accesses genetics from studs throughout New Zealand for both sheep and cattle ensuring quality breeding stock supports production goals. Hill Spring employs two full-time staff members: a senior shepherd and tractor driver. Anna works as an account manager for a software company and is full-time mother to one-year-old Isla and also helps out on the farm as needed. Hill Springs has been in the Pannett family since 1907 when Curtis’s great-great-grandfather Thomas Avis Pannett started to farm the land. His father John Avis Pannett emigrated to New Zealand with his father years earlier. John had six sons and settled all of them on pastoral leases in the South Island with Thomas Avis settling on Hill Springs. Growing up on the farm, Curtis always envisaged returning to continue the family legacy. “I always knew I wanted to come home to the farm and haven’t looked back,” says Curtis, who joined the operation in 2018 after working in Australia. “Australians have a get-it-done attitude, they just make things work because they’re often in the middle of nowhere,” explains Curtis. “That mindset was the biggest thing I learned.” Farm ownership is the ultimate goal, with plans to purchase the property next year making Curtis the fifth generation to own Hill Springs, a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. “It’s a privilege and responsibility. The aim is to pass it on better than we received it and make sure it’s a healthy business for the next generation to take on.” 150 Cameron Rd, Tapanui Hamish - 027 430 6869 (03) 204 8112 office@kkcl.nz GREAT MACHINES GREAT TEAM, GREAT RESULTS • REEFINATOR • EARTHMOVING & GENERAL EXCAVATION • SILAGE • TRANSPORTING SERVICES SERVICES INCLUDING: • STABILISING • ROCK CRUSHING • CHIPPING • MACHINE CONTROL AVAILABLE • STUMP GRINDING & MULCHING We cover Southland & Otago Blair and Jane Smith: 027 432 4154 newhavenfarms@netspeed.net.nz Producing Quality R2 Angus Bulls (June Auction) and Yearling Angus Bulls (available in Spring) Proud to be associated with Hill Springs Farming Your Rural Accountants ph.co.nz
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