| 35 Glenfern’s farming future looks bright Allan and Kathryn Marshall’s 1200ha sheep and beef property is home to about 11,500 stock units. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Glenfern Farm For more than 100 years Glenfern Farm has been part of the farming landscape of the Waikawa Valley and today Allan and Kathryn Marshall are looking to both preserve its family heritage and embrace the opportunities emerging for New Zealand agriculture. The 1200ha sheep and beef property is home to about 11,500 stock units including 7000 ewes, 1800 hoggets, 70 rams, 120 breeding cows, 200 R2s and 180 R1s. The operation is a breeding and finishing unit, finishing about 9000 lambs and more than 200 cattle each year. The farm runs a mix of Peters Genetics and Wairere Romney sheep and Shorthorn, Shorthorn-cross and Friesian Hereford cattle. Allan aims for a lambing percentage of about 154 per cent, with a strong focus on lamb survival. “Growth rates are important - the quicker we can get stock off the property, the better it is,” says Allan. “We are continually renewing pastures, about 3 to 4 per cent each year.” Environmental stewardship has also been a longterm focus. The Waikawa River runs for about 8km through the property and Glenfern Farm has around 42km of waterways. The Marshalls have worked closely with Environment Southland on riparian planting, river maintenance, erosion and flood mitigation. The Waikawa Catchment Group, established in 2008, has focused on slowing water flow through planting and other work. Allan says the stabilised riverbanks have also allowed native vegetation to return. “Our river used to be a wandering mess,” explains Allan. “For the last 25 years it’s been perfect - it stays where it is. The natural native seed source is Rural Carriers • Fertiliser sowing • Stock cartage Wood chip supplies & cartage • Wood chipping done on farm, Turning your unwanted trees into chips. 011725s0342 CALLAHAN TRANSPORT LIMITED Contact: Pamela Callahan Maranui Valley, RD1, Tokanui Ph 03 246 8494 M 027 246 8494 | office@callahantransport.co.nz Sam Callahan 027 207 3138 Jake Callahan 027 491 5650 Every drop means quite a lot when it’s from Peters Genetics CLAYTON PETERS 03 204 8817 027 222 4421 JUSTIN WALLIS 03 976 6509 027 225 8330 PETERS GENETICS Angus & Romneys there in the riverbanks and they’ve popped up and that’s helped further.” However, the Marshalls are concerned about the decline of rural communities and the flow-on effects for farming. “There used to be 16 families in this valley; there are only six now,” says Allan. The district has lost schools, mechanics, contractors and other services. Shearing gangs that once operated locally now travel up to 80km to reach the farm. The local volunteer ambulance service has also disappeared because of a lack of volunteers. “There is nobody left to do the work,” says Allan. “So the price of everything has gone up. This means the price of food will go higher for the public.” Despite the challenges, the Marshalls are excited about the future, particularly the potential of strong wool. A recent farm discussion group trip to Christchurch included visits to the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ), based at Lincoln University, and the Rubisco wool manufacturing plant, which produces wool-based biomaterials for a range of applications. “WRONZ is commercialising new uses for New Zealand strong wool, including particles, pigments and powders for applications such as coatings, inks, cosmetics and personal care. Rubisco’s acoustic building panels are another promising development. There are lots of exciting things happening with wool,” says Allan. The future of Glenfern Farm also looks increasingly like a family affair. Several of the Marshalls’ children and their partners are involved in farming, agribusiness or other rural industries, with son Bruno working on the farm and their daughter Paigan’s partner Stanley also part of the operation. “It looks like the farm will carry on with the next generation,” says Allan. 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