| 49 MEAT & WOOL » Sam and Liz Barton A showcase of modern farming excellence The couple farm 4,200 sheep and 100 beef cattle at Moa Flat. A back scratcher for sheep, by reducing cast rate by 85-95% it also holds value as an animal welfare improvement device (below). Karen Phelps Sam and Liz Barton have transformed their equity partnership at Montana Pastoral Limited into a showcase of modern farming excellence, combining ambitious infrastructure development with shrewd financial decisions that have kept profitability on track despite inflationary pressures. The couple farm 4,200 sheep and 100 beef cattle at Moa Flat. They own all the stock and plant, 20% shares in the land and buildings and lease the entire farm. Past winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, farming with an environmental focus and generally improving farm infrastructure has been a big part of their drive. Over the past decade the couple have completed 16.2 kilometres of fencing, with five kilometres specifically protecting natural water systems and are part of the Pomahaka and Teviot water Catchment Group. They’ve also completed seven kilometres of water schemes over five years, 35 troughs have been installed and now every paddock has reticulated water. In addition they have fenced off natural tussock areas on the farm to protect it, resulting in healthy chest high red tussock. “It enhances the beauty of the place and also adds value for stock shelter in exposed areas,” says Sam. “We have also built 4m x 4m fenced off areas in the natural clearings in the tussocks to plant silver beech to create forests but have only had a 35% success rate. That was really disappointing as the fencing is rabbit and possum proof. So there could have been environmental pressure that killed them. But I will keep planting until we get a good strike rate.” In 2021 the Bartons harvested a block of Douglas firs and pines, around 9ha worth. They are now in the process of re-planting the area. “It’s a strategic planting for livestock shelter and to utilise an unproductive area,” explains Sam. When economic headwinds began affecting profitability, the Bartons responded with characteristic innovation. They implemented targeted drenching based on actual worm burden rather than routine treatments and introduced hogget lambing adding $50,000 to $60,000 annually to the bottom line. “The two tooths that had a lamb as a hogget scanned on average 10% higher than ones that didn’t have a lamb as a hogget,” says Sam, demonstrating how the additional income hasn’t compromised future performance. This year’s scanning results of 182 per cent overall demonstrate the success of their approach, with targets of over 175 per cent short scan and 145 per cent plus survival to sale consistently achieved through twice-yearly body condition scoring. Their financial acumen proved equally sharp during the pandemic. Sam’s decision to fix interest rates when the OCR sat at 0.25 per cent protected the business when rates subsequently rocketed upward. Additional revenue streams, including ram lamb sales, further bolstered income during challenging periods. The strategy has positioned Montana Pastoral Limited in the top 10-15 per cent for KPI performance amongst Class 6 South Island breeding and finishing operations. More importantly for the Bartons, it has enabled them to purchase additional equity shares, with plans to acquire another 30 per cent shareholding in land and buildings by July 2026, bringing their stake to 50 per cent. “We strive to consistently perform to a high standard in order to achieve our financial and Covering Otago & Southland 0800 227 226 www.advance-agriculture.co.nz Proud to support Sam and Liz Barton Specialist Suppliers of Agricultural Chemical, Seed, Spray Equipment & GPS Precision Ag personal goals. We must be flexible and pull the right levers in order to maximise productivity regardless of the weather and markets.” Equally important is achieving a work-life balance. The Bartons have two young children, Harriet, 5 1/2 and Angus, 9. Sam makes spending every morning playing with the kids and having meals as a family a priority and is enjoying coaching his son’s rugby team. “Yes farming is busy but when it’s time to do something with the kids you can make it happen which is what I love about farming. It’s a glorious position to be in. The kids really love the farm and being part of the community.”
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