38 | Remote Farming clearing scrub for pine Scrub clearing last year to make way for planting in pine. Emma Bailey BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Remote Farming Repurposing gorse and scrub land to forestry has paid off for Remote Farming which was a finalist in the 2025 Otago Ballance Farm Awards. Remote Farming is based between Milton and Balclutha in South Otago. Nigel and Leanne Woodhead own the sheep, beef and forestry operation which they started leasing from Mr Woodhead’s parents in 2015 who purchased it in 1993. In 2023 they bought the 400ha (380ha effective) property. They run 1800 ewes, 500 hoggets and 60 bulls across 250ha of the property. A forestry block covers the remaining 130ha with 80ha of that planted in the last two years. The forestry block will help keep the farm viable for future generations, he said. “Over the last two years we have planted approximately 15 hectares of pine trees into land that was cleared of gorse and scrub. “It was quite time consuming there was a lot of spraying but it was land that wasn’t making any money” Financially over time it will be a great boost for the farm’s bottom line. “Harvesting the logs will be a retirement fund for Leanne and I and help the next generation. Over 30 years, financially it will beat sheep production, with the carbon credits being an added bonus. “We dropped sheep production by 20 per cent and over the next few years we will have doubled Plus: • Romdales • Texel Perendales • Suftex 1419 Moa Flat Road RD 2, Tapanui New Zealand Kerry: 027 6016131 Morgan: 027 9116193 Email: france@yrless.nz
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