54 | Local, ethical and sustainable produce The couple started leasing Wakaepa on their own in 2023. Alexia Johnston Nestled in the foothills of central Canterbury, Wakaepa Farm is giving its clientele an opportunity to eat local, ethical, and sustainable produce. Andy and Janeen Keating lease the 1000ha property, where they have developed a farm-totable operation. From ethically raised Romney lamb and Angus beef to velvet stags and red hinds, the Keatings manage every step of the process, from breeding to delivery, complete with a focus on quality, sustainability and care. After more than two decades in equity partnerships, the couple started leasing Wakaepa on their own in 2023. They were previously involved in Wakaepa Ltd, a business with the farm’s landowners Evan and Maureen Frew, which included a finishing farm at Hororata and a small block at Darfield. “When we first came to Wakaepa in 2012 they had pieced together a ewe flock of many different breeds, from there we put a Perendale ram across them. We then bred a good line of perindale ewes, which got bigger and stronger. They suited our country well as they are mainly grazed on unfertilised south facing hill country and have to push into gorse as well.” However, challenges that came with twin mobs left the Keatings looking for better options. In 2023, they introduced Romney genetics from Te Whangai Romney Stud. “We had the first line lamb as hoggets last year and they were great mothers, lambed well, were quiet and wanted their lambs.” Andy said now, as a mob of 2 tooths, they have scanned higher than their older perindales, with 2 tooths at 163% and perindales mixed age at 159%. “So, we are very happy with this decision so far.” The farm currently runs 700 red hinds, 500 red velvet stags, 1200 ewes, 300 hoggets and 60 Angus cows. MEAT & WOOL » Wakaepa Farm Andy said the intention was always to build a diversified operation across sheep, beef, venison and velvet, which has given the business resilience through seasonal and market fluctuations. In winter, the Keatings rely on swedes and baleage for feeding their stock, which work better Hamish de Lautour | 027 447 2815 | hamish@tewhangai.co.nz James Brennan | 027 635 4567 | manager@tewhangai.co.nz www.tewhangai.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPLY QUALITY GENETICS TO WAKAEPA FARM Dar f ield Oxford 03 318 8516 03 312 4016 www.frewstransport.co.nz • GENERAL FREIGHT • STOCK• LIME & FERTILISER • GRAIN • LOG CARTAGE • BLOWER TRUCK
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