| 93 Big player in the regional meat market Patoa Farms comprises 500ha on the banks of the Hurunui River. Hugh de Lacy Pig farming with excellence to bless our people, community and industry partners’ is the vision statement of free-farmer Patoa Farms, a North Canterbury enterprise that’s a big player in the regional meat market. “We see ourselves as not just a business, but as an integral part of the North Canterbury community,” Patoa Farms’ General Manager of the breeding herd, Tjaart Grove says. “Ours is a significant free-farming enterprise in a region at the forefront of many forms of agriculture, and we have a firm commitment to the welfare of our livestock, no less than to our staff and community.” Patoa Farms comprises 500ha on the banks of the Hurunui River, producing five-months-old bacon pigs for sale year-round. The business, which employs 60 staff, was set up by Steve Sterne and his friend Jens Ravn in 1998, aiming at a domestic market, with a focus on the free-farmed sector of the market. Free-farming is similar to free-range management, the difference being that Patoa Farms’ weaner pigs are raised on deep-straw litter in large straw-floored eco-barns rather than outside. Steve bought out Jens in 2013, and his daughter, Holly Davies, joined the business shortly afterwards, ON FARM » Patoa Farm focusing on the financial management of the company. The rest of the leadership team is made up of Rob Reynolds who serves as General Manager of the growing unit, and Jelle Edzes who is Wholesale and Procurement Manager. Woolworths and Harris Farms take most of Patoa Farms’ production, but Patoa also has a range of other markets for its fresh and chilled product, particularly in the hospitality industry. The company runs a detailed environmental policy “to ensure we look after our land and water resources and air quality,” Tjaart says. “We manage on-farm nutrients by exporting compost back to the mid-Canterbury region, which is where we source most of our straw and grain. “We rest or retire land to reduce nutrient loading as required in response to soil and water quality testing, and have an air quality management plan to control dust and odour. “The company also runs a native regeneration programme and works with external consultants to achieve the best outcomes and ensure we farm responsibly and sustainably.” Patoa Farms also employs a pig vet offering specialist diets, an animal health plan, a consultancy on pig-farming practices and animal welfare, and staff training. “We keep up to date with technology by regularly updating our plant and machinery, along with continuous improvement to our systems and infrastructure to fine-tune the operation of the farm,” Tjaart says. The company has a practice of creating work experience for international student placements, and works with the local school on its Gateway programme which gives students experience in working on a farm. “A number of specialist trades people are employed to ensure the smooth running and servicing of our fleet, buildings and plant, and we host regular bus tours for university students, Probus and other organised groups, demonstrating our commitment to the local and wider communities,” Tjaart says. Proud to be the sole supplier of quality pig feeds to Patoa Farm. www.wan-nz.co.nz Power Farming Canterbury | Rolleston Phone 03 349 5975 | www.powerfarmingcanterbury.co.nz Power Farming Canterbury is pleased to support Patoa Farms who choose Merlo telehandlers and Deutz-Fahr tractors
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