22 | Mix of Romney sheep and Angus cattle Always at the mercy of the weather, 4 Rivers Farming relies on natural irrigation only, and rainfall is important. Aimee Wilson Otago’s recent extreme weather event on the back of an already wet spring is a stark contrast to what 4 Rivers Farming at Waikouaiti was experiencing earlier in the year. General Manager John Fitzgerald said after such a dry summer and autumn along with a mild winter with very little rain, it all changed very quickly in just a few short days. Experiencing 160mm over 72 hours on the East Otago farm, its finishing block at Taieri Mouth had 190mm - “that’s a lot of water to take on in a short period.” Several tributaries of the Waikouaiti River flow out of 4 Rivers Farming - hence its name, which consists of three adjoining properties in East Otago and another south of Dunedin. The 8800ha business features a mixture of coastal and steep rolling hill country, and is home to 38,000 stock units and up to 55.000 at its peak in summer/autumn. This is made up of both breeding and finishing stock comprising of Romney sheep and Angus cattle. The property reaches up to 700 metres in some places, so it was only the low-lying coastal areas that were affected by the storm in early October. Always at the mercy of the weather, 4 Rivers Farming relies on natural irrigation only, and rainfall is important. “Spring is an important time on the farm and rain is great, but if it’s too wet it can quickly go the other way.” Last summer was also extreme with drought being the biggest challenge right throughout the South Island. And then with international markets for lamb not being strong in recent years, the team is just focusing on the basics as best they can. “As farmers we’re knuckling down and just getting on with it.” 4 Rivers Farming employs up to 10 staff and a new couple has just arrived from the UK to spend the summer learning about New Zealand farming systems before heading back to Scotland for lambing in March. MEAT & WOOL » 4 Rivers Farming Company Ltd Full fencing service, from rural fencing to residential & commercial, retaining walls and more. Proud Supporters of 4 Rivers Farming Company Ltd David Gale 0274 989 205 Graeme Gale 03 489 7322 Email: heli@heliotago.co.nz Quality Guaranteed Why Wait, Call: Partners: Doug Harvie, Craig Wyatt, Brett Challis, Robyn Friedrich and Tom Saul. Software solutions, including Focus, Xero and Figured Harvie GreenWyatt is here to help you maintain and grow your agri business. Our rural business accounting, business and planning disciplines.
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