| 21 Alpine’s proud history celebrated in style Sticking to sheep and beef, they have intensified the operation over the years. Randall Johnston NEW ZEALAND CENTURY FARM AND STATION AWARDS » Alpine Welsh immigrant Benjamin Evans could never have known that his great grandson would still be farming the same South Canterbury property that he was 150 years later, but it’s pretty certain he would be proud that what he established has endured to this day. Not wanting to tip anyone off the availability of the land, he went to check it out by moonlight, he then walked all the way to Christchurch to pay for it (two pounds an acre for the 200 acre property) and the rest as they say is history. Fast forward to 2025, and Peter and Jane Evans farm sheep and beef on a property 20 kilometres west of Timaru. He and his wife Jane took it over in 1988 from Peter’s parents Wynne and Joan and have more than doubled the size of the holding since then – from 1,300 to 2,700 acres (1100 ha) - with surrounding farms gradually becoming available. The family travelled to Lawrence to receive their Century Farms Award on May 17, this year. Their land is made up of one third arable and two thirds hill country, with some very steep sections (notably Mt Misery and Mt Horrible). Sticking to sheep and beef, they have intensified the operation over the years. Developing the hill country with subdivision, rotational grazing, fertilizer and a water right for irrigation dating back to 1969. “We’ve gone from aluminium pipes to K-Line and now we irrigate 27ha with two pivots and 54 ha of k-line, this area is used for fattening our calves and lambs, with a mixture of grass, clover and fodder beet,” Peter explains. The farm is currently running 4000 ewes, 1100 ewe hoggets put to the ram, and 200 Angus cows, 80 in calf heifers and 300 R1 calves. “We have about 130ha of forestry on the farm that we’ve been planting since the 1990’s (100ha of which is in the ETS). Harvesting has begun recently. The reason for forestry was to control gorse, succession planning and retirement. The farm has planted 1000’s of native plants along the fenced of river and stream margins “I have got enormous pleasure transforming 3kms of willow Your Agri business partner We partner with you so you can focus on doing what you do best. Give Brent a call for a free no obligation chat to find out how we can help you reach your full potential. Brent Love T: (03) 683 1871 | M: (027) 528 1537 | E: blove@kpmg.co.nz kpmgenterprise.co.nz | facebook.com/KPMGFarmEnterprise • • • • • • • • • • • to page 22
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=