| 33 Family is delighted with the big win Cam Nelson, Wally and Jan Nelson, Christina Vaughan. Emma Bailey Intergenerational knowledge with a commitment to producing the highest quality deer and being a caretaker of the land has seen a Winton farmer take out Regional Supreme Winner at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Nelson Farming Company’s Cam Nelson was delighted with the win announced in May in Invercargill. “It was quite a surprise on the night. We were up against some very good competition. You’re sitting there in the crowd and then they read out your name and you think holy hell.” He also won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, the Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award and the NZFET Biodiversity Award. The Nelson family has been at the 164 hectare property since 2003 and they run 250 mixed-age stags, 400 breeding hinds, 180 R2 velvet stags and 180 R2 hinds that are sold in-calf. Along with partner Christina Vaughan, step daughter Mackenzie (16) and 15-month-old son Eddie it’s a busy family operation. His father Wally is also still heavily involved in the day to day operation, with mum Jan looking after the books. Judges commended the strong intergenerational thinking and support. They also noted the robust genetic programme focused on selecting desirable traits, such as high velvet production and disease resistance, with all hinds DNA tested to guide breeding decisions. “This strategic approach to genetic selection has resulted in an impressive annual velvet yield of 3,400kg, “ the judges said. They started DNZ testing in 2015. “It helps take out the element of risk,” Cam said. Winter grazing practices had been improved with a wintering shed and constructing a dedicated winter hind pad. Cam is also committed to enhancing biodiversity and active ecosystems. BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Nelson Farming Company “Last year we started with a line of blue gums and replacing them with natives. In time they will be high enough to provide shelter and shade. The deer are quite hard on the trees so we just have to keep the electric fences around them.” He has also focused on soil and water conservation, using sediment traps on relatively flat 159 Great North Rd, Winton · Ph 03 236 7131 sgengineering@xtra.co.nz www.stevegearyengineering.co.nz Machining · Repairs · Fabrication Installation · Augers · Engineering Supplies Supplier of goods & services to Nelson Farming Company KieranMiddleton, Partner p: 03 218 6179 e: kieran.middleton@mcp.co.nz w: www.mcp.co.nz Proud to support Nelson Farming Company At McCulloch & Partners, we are a local business run by local people. Whether you need support understanding \RXU QXPEHUV KHOS ZLWK FDVKćRZ WD[ DGYLFH DQG SODQQLQJ or a roadmap for success, our team is here to help. &RQWDFW XV IRU D IUHVK SHUVSHFWLYH DQG EXVLQHVV H[SHUWLVH PROUDLY SUPPORTING NELSON FARMING COMPANY Unlock your farms potential with Superior Science driven customisation for optimal results Partner with Superior today www.superior.net.nz TimAdcock Otago / Southland 021 418 224 Gabriel Stauffer C. Otago /W. Southland 029 276 0303 Scott Eckhold North Otago 021 418 699 land and creating a pond. “It just slows down the rain draining off the property. We’ve used riparian planting putting in natives in those areas too.” The succession from the 160 hectare family farm started in 2016. They purchased a neighbouring sheep farm which they quietly converted, putting up deer fencing. The farm went from being a half and half sheep and deer operation to exclusively farming deer. “It was a big shift from sheep and deer to solely deer but I really enjoy the breeding and velveting operation side.” Going forward he hopes to keep driving the genetic side of things and to get into selling master stags, adding some land and continuing to drive biodiversity. “I just want to carry on the DNA side that Dad started and keep it sustainable so it can be passed down to the next generation.” The awards, run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust are to champion sustainable farming and growing.
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