| 25 AGRI-TOURISM » Beresford Heights • from page 24 Agri-tourism venture pays off Should they want to get around the area’s various attractions, the ATV comes and picks them up. “The lodge creates another source of revenue for the farm, and it’s also a way to promote New Zealand sheep and beef farming to the world. “Guests are very interested in the breeds of sheep and cattle, and where the meat and wool end up,” Steph says. Beresford carries 4000 Romney ewes and 1000 hoggets, with bloodlines related to the Turanaganui Romney Stud in the North Island. It also carried a highly-regarded Simmental cattle stud herd of 200 breeding cows, 50 heifers and eight bulls, whose high regard among commercial beef farmers was most recently demonstrated by the record $19,000 paid by a North Island stud breeder for a bull at the farm’s May sale. This was despite the terminal bull sire market shrinking in the face of forestry conversions. “Overseas guests are very jealous of the environment, and like the way the bush is utilised for providing shelter and shade for the stock, and they’re very interested in the way we farm in our challenging environment.” Steph says she and Warren intend growing their Beresford Heights Lodge brand to gain the QualMark certification that opens the lodge up to a larger market. “At Beresford we’re motivated to ensure the entire farming operation is a sustainable business,” Steph says. Proudly supportingBeresfordHeights
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