54 | “We have three share farming relationships going at the moment ‘Star Partners’, this is where we support young couples who have just started leasing and are short on capital and provide a proportion of stock.” Puponga Farm Park in Collingwood, Tasman. MEAT & WOOL » Lone Star Farms Anna “Staff retention is also a key focus for us. Around 20 of our staff are in shepherding or general roles and if you work on the basis that usually a shepherd will last two years, then in theory we should be replacing 10 staff per year across the organisation. Currently we would be lucky to replace five per year. Also we have multiple staff that have previously worked for LSF who have returned to the organisation. Culture is something that you need to keep working at as it’s forever changing and the people within the organisation need to buy into the culture. To help with this; our managers employ on attitude and fit rather than skill level, we believe if they have the right attitude you can teach anyone anything.” Lone Star Farms partner with Rural Coach for training and development. Matt says its partnership with Rural Coach has worked out very well. All Rural Coach’s coaching processes and resources have been developed by drawing on real case studies, which helps to make the training more helpful and applicable on farm. Lone Star Farms also use Matai Consultants, who have completed irrigation and dam designs and are now gaining consents for a new water storage dam to go on its sheep and beef farm in the Hakataramea Valley – just another example of its ongoing commitment to investing in its farms, to ensure they remain viable for future generations. “One of our Farms - Caberfeidh, has been involved in the Growing Future Farmer program for the last two years with a first and second year student on farm each year. These students have a job with us once they have graduated if they want to stay within family,” Matt explains. We have a saying ‘Farming Better Every Day’. If we can teach and be part of some of the next generation of farmers coming through and they have learned to farm in a sustainable manner, which has a positive impact on the environment, animals, community and people that is how we are having a positive impact on the red meat sector”. “We also currently have three share farming relationships going at the moment ‘Star Partners’, this is where we support young couples who have just started leasing and are short on capital and provide a proportion of stock (either grazing or share farming) which helps the farmer with cash flow. We currently have 9,500 ewes in these relationships. • from page 52 The key aspect to make this relationship work is the people and making sure that we have the same values,” Matt explains. Having People and Development Award finalist recognition from Beef + Lamb New Zealand gives Lone Star Farms further confidence that it is making a positive contribution to its people and the industry as a whole. CONTRACTING LTD Quality service with quality results. BALAGE · SILAGE · STRAW · HAY · GRAIN · FODDER BEET 03 432 4207 office@sscontracting.co.nz www.scottsimpsoncontracting.co.nz
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