26 | Building on a very strong legacy The young couple have been on the farm since 2017, following a stint in Western Australia working in the mines. Randall Johnston NEW ZEALAND CENTURY FARM AND STATION AWARDS » Mt Benger Eight years into their farming journey, Stuart and his wife Jo Fraser are still loving the lifestyle and making considerable gains on their sheep and beef operation in Hawarden. “We are all really proud of the history and being able to continue farming on this land is quite amazing really,” Stuart says. Having been on the farm since 2017, following a stint in Western Australia working in the mines, the family travelled south to Lawrence in Otago to commemorate 100 years of family farm ownership, as part of the annual Century Farm Awards in May. “After several years in Australia, we were both keen to come home and start a family. We didn’t really want to do that over there. “Initially after moving back, I was going to start my own business as a tractor mechanic but at that time the equity manager on the family farm found another job. So we approached my parents Jane and Duncan and the directors and they were quite happy for us to come back to the farm. Jo is from a farm up in Ward too, so it was a natural fit and good timing really.” With sheep and beef farming, you have to become proficient in all areas including breeding, pasture management and animal health. That hasn’t been a problem for Stuart and his background as a diesel mechanics allows them to keep a lot of jobs in-house. “We do all our own baling, mowing and drilling, which helps to keep costs down and we can do it exactly when we need it to be done. We do focus on sheep genetics and growth rates and we have a close relationship with our seed reps • to page 28 Proudly supporting Mt Benger BEECHWOOD POLL HEREFORDS ROB & MARY ANN BURROWS Rangiora | 027 263 3582 BEECHWOOD MATCH FIT 33 [2014 SALE TOPPER] 2 YEAR BULL SALE Tues 10 June 2 p.m - Maskells Road Ross & Neil Fraser of Mt Benger bought their first Beechwood bull in 1966. Congratulations on 100 years.
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