30 | Oliverburn Farm’s unbroken ownership Half bred ewes ready for pre-lamb shearing in new wool shed. Hugh de Lacy World War One brought Oliverburn Farm on the Maniototo Plain in Central Otago into the Gibson family about 1922-23, after the original winner of the post-war ballot for it had to abandon it because of shell-shock. Billy Gibson had won the ballot for the farm next door and brought brother Bobby Gibson down from Christchurch to help him run it, and then Bobby bought Oliverburn after the original ballot-winner Bill Cunningham’s war damage forced him to quit it. A hundred years later Oliverburn Farm and the Gibson family are celebrating their receiving a New Zealand Century Farms Award for their unbroken ownership of the property. At 88, Bobby’s son John Gibson is well into retirement, and the 3800ha property on the high plain is now run by his son Rex and wife Kim, and children Ella and Ben. The Century Farms Award recognises the achievements of the early pioneer families who transformed the country into the agricultural powerhouse it is today. The award is in its twentieth year and to date more than 600 families and their farms have been so honoured, originally all from Southland and Otago though it has since been extended to the whole of the country. Bobby Gibson, who was to buy the farm from Bill Cunningham, had worked in the Union Bank in Oamaru before the war, and after it was posted to Christchurch. But as a war veteran he hated being confined to an office all day, so readily accepted the invitation from Billy to switch to high country farming, then just as readily grabbed the opportunity to buy Oliverburn. At the time the farm covered 5020 acres (2008ha) which was just over the size limit for automatic freeholding, and it took the family some time to achieve unfettered ownership. Today the home block covers 2500ha of a total of 3800ha, and Rex and Kim Gibson run 6000 half-bred ewes while calving 120 Hereford / Shorthorn cross cows. The farm also carries 125 beehives, mainly to pollinate the irrigated clover pastures - down from the 300 hives it used to carry until the varroa bee mite struck about 10 years ago. The sheep produce wool of around 26 microns which this year attracted a sale price of around $6/ kg, up about 15% from last year. “The Century Farms Award is something we value highly, mainly because it celebrates the people who have gone before us on the farm,” says Rex Gibson. “We are so thankful to all the great staff we have had the opportunity to employ over the years. “The Century Farms Award is something we value highly. We are so thankful to all the great staff we have had the opportunity to employ over the years. We couldn’t have done it without them.” NEW ZEALAND CENTURY FARM AND STATION AWARDS » Oliverburn Farm Ltd “We couldn’t have done it without them.” Oliverburn Farm has 100ha of land irrigated by two centre-pivots, enabling it to grow crops to feed the cattle and lambs during the winter. “We also buy in a few store lambs to finish, depending on the season.” John Gibson and wife Doris are equally chuffed with the Century farms Award. “It’s a pretty good thing to be recognised for our 100 years’ work here,” John says. jayamy.stringershearingltd@gmail.com Ranfurly Otago For AQuality, Prompt and E cient Shearing & Crutching Service, Woolpress &VanHire + Accommodation and Laundromat Facilities Call JayOn027 444 9158
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=