44 | A testament to intergenerational farming The Ferguson’s innovative approach extends to their sheep genetics. Karen Phelps MEAT & WOOL » Ken Ferguson It was the first farm on the West Coast and generations later the Ferguson family stands as a testament to intergenerational farming, innovation and adaptability. Waipuna Station, 1,400-hectares, has successfully navigated the challenges of modern agricultural through strategic diversification and collaborative family effort. “With so many generations all working together on the farm,” says Ken, “the challenge is to make enough money to support us all which has resulted in a diverse business.” Ken and his wife Robyn anchor the operation, with their sons Ben and Hamish playing crucial roles. Ben, an ex-mechanic, manages the deer velveting operation and mechanical aspects, while Hamish, a former builder, handles fencing and infrastructure. Robyn manages the farm’s financial records. Ben’s wife Shari and Hamish’s wife Claire are also involved. Grandchildren include Ash, 5, Isla, 10 and Hunter, 7. “We all share in the stock work and general jobs around the farm, all working in together,” says Ken. At the core of the operation is 1,000 Red deer hinds, carefully bred with genetics from the renowned Warnham Park in the UK, known for superior antler quality. “We velvet all our spikers, keep the best and sell the rest,” explains Ken. “We cut four and a half tonnes of velvet annually, targeting a multi-purpose deer that excels in both meat and velvet production.” Complementing the deer are 1,500 Wairere Romney ewes, a flock the family has developed for fertility and resilience with scanning percentages reaching 192% in ewes and 140% in hoggets. They are expecting the ewes to reach over 150% at weaning and hoggets over 100%. “People are all doom and gloom about sheep, and it is harder than it needs to be, but we got $130 for our lambs last summer, killed at ANZCO Foods Canterbury in Ashburton. We got the weight into them with most lambs reared to 21-22kgs. The secret is a lower stocking rate, the care we give them and growing good pastures with plenty of clover. New cobalt selenium supplements given at tailing have put a couple of kgs on them. It’s a long acting one and lasts six months. We are always looking at new ways to tweak things.” The Ferguson’s innovative approach extends to their sheep genetics, recently introducing Ile de France bloodlines to boost hybrid vigour. They are characterised by their large, smooth bodies and athletic nature, with ewes that can give birth and raise multiple lambs on grass without supervision. The cattle operation rounds out the family Tom Hargreaves 027 6923451 www.kakahuangus.com TO PLATE get more than you were looking for ethical, sustainable, next generation silverstreamcharolais@gmail.com Sheep are DNA tested & SIL recorded. They are selected for: MoreMeat&MidMicron Contact: Jean Forrester 0274 880487 James Thomson 027 471 3273 t t: • Constitution & Feet • Dags • Worms • Growth • Meat • Fertility farming operation, featuring 350 Angus cows with genetics sourced from top-performing studs such as Kakahu Angus. Selecting bulls in the top 10% of the breed for growth and performance, the Fergusons achieve good results with steers averaging 290kgs deadweight at 20 months, with an impressive 96% in-calf rate. “We mate all the heifers and sell them mated. Last year, because there wasn’t much of a heifer market, we mated them, weaned them early and then finished them at 270-280kgs. They’d already had a calf too and replaced themselves so they’d done a great job at that point. On top of that generally we buy around 100 weaner calves and take them through to 16-20 months.” The farm’s roots run deep, situated on land that was originally part of the first European settlement on the West Coast. The historic Waipuna Station Homestead, built in 1871-2, stands as a reminder of the family’s pioneering heritage.
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