56 | Fencing improvements planned on farm Kim Newth Easing interest rates, combined with higher commodity prices, are bringing some relief for sheep and beef farmers like Linton Palmer who is planning to catch up on some much-needed fencing work this coming spring at Wether Hill, Dipton. “Interest rates have dropped over three per cent since peak and beef prices have come up,” says Linton. “Lamb has come back up a bit too, so it means we have a little more leeway to look at farm infrastructure. Previously, when interest rates were higher, we were not able to invest in fencing and some of it is not in the best condition. You can end up wasting a lot of time chasing sheep out of blocks where they are not meant to be. We’re looking forward to the fencing contractor coming this spring - it should make life easier.” Linton and his brother Corey are third-generation farmers in the Dipton area. The family’s home farm, run successfully over many years by their parents Warren and Jocelyn, is only 20km down the road. Corey has since taken up the reins of the home farm (359ha) and also owns an adjoining 294ha block, used for breeding and finishing. Wether Hill started out family partnership in 2008 spanning 543ha. Linton and his partner Jayden Pattison are now at the helm of the property, used predominantly for breeding. They added a further 382ha to Wether Hill in 2020. MEAT & WOOL » Wether Hill Farming Phone: 03 202 5467 Email: bmengine@xtra.co.nz PO Box 140, 109 Riversdale-Waikaia Rd, Riversdale 9744 Brian Mahon - Director Cell: 027 436 5118 Carl Scully - After Hours Cell: 027 630 3164 The Wether Hill Angus stud, founded on cows from Fairlie’s Meadowslea Angus, is focussed on breeding moderately framed cattle that thrive in harder hill country.
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