| 23 Pest animals are another growing concern with wild deer, pigs and possums creating pressure in parts of the high country. “It doesn’t cost the taxpayer any money to do it, so it’s a cheap form of weed control and it’s a win for farmers as well, as it would open up extra land for them to graze.” RURAL PEOPLE » Dan Devine - Awakino Station Pest animals are another growing concern with wild deer, pigs and possums creating pressure in parts of the high country. Dan believes farmers could play a greater role in finding practical solutions, particularly through developing markets for wild meat. He points to smaller processors, including Southern Wild Game Co in Dunedin and Game Meats in Hororata, that are taking wild venison, creating an incentive to remove animals and make productive use of the meat. The same principle is being applied by organisations such as Meat the Need and Hunters4Hope, which process hunted deer to provide meat for people in need. Awakino Station has been doing trophy stags for five years in a joint venture with Horn & Antler Safaris. “That’s another income stream to help us along and all our trophy meat is given away to charities like these,” says Dan. Alongside the national debate over resource management, council amalgamations and Environment Canterbury’s Plan Change 8 are adding further uncertainty for farmers. With the next election also approaching Dan says the political landscape will be worth watching closely. “National, Act and New Zealand First have been reasonably sympathetic to farmers, but that could change come election time,” says Devine. “Waitaki has always been a reasonably strong National area and this year there are good candidates lined up - Miles Anderson National, We combine EBVs with visual assessment to breed the best sheep we can. Top percentile Foot Resistance, EBVS available on Sale Rams STRONG MOTHERING ABILITY Merino, Poll Merino, Quarterbred & Halfbred rams sold by private selection. Bill Sutherland: 027 451 0342 | billsutherland.benmore@farmside.co.nz Andrew Sutherland: 027 243 8577 | deidre.andrew@farmside.co.nz www.benmorestation.co.nz BALANCE D TRAITS QUARTERBRED Mating ewes as hoggets. Two-tooth ewes scanned 175% & clipped 6kg of 20.5 micron wool. HALFBREDS The 5,000 commercial Halfbred ewes or joined to terminal rams, wean 165% & clip 6kg of 25 micron wool. POLL MERINO The 12,000 commercial Merino ewes are weaning over 133% & clipping over 6kg of 18 micron wool. Damien O’Connor Labour and Michael Laws New Zealand First. So the other two will give Miles a good run for his money I would have thought so it will be an interesting election.” Connecting people, innovation and business Connect with us at deloitte.co.nz Based in the heart of rural Otago, Cen Eng is your trusted partner in engineering innovation. We design and manufacture a wide range of products for the agricultural and energy industries right here in Omakau. Our technical services team also provides water metering, control and telemetry services on a farm level through to design and project management of large scale engineering projects in construction, infrastructure, energy & mining. Contact us to discover how our engineering solutions can support innovation in your operation. Cen Eng Limited 03 447 3757 www.ceneng.co.nz 66 Leask Street Omakau Innovative Engineering Solutions.
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