38 | A growing operation Forward-thinking approach Karen Phelps Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Kelvin Grove / Rogan and Michelle Borrie Rogan and Michelle Borrie are set to take over another Clydevale property on 1 May to add to their growing family farming enterprise. The 350 hectare farm is located 2km down the road from a 321 hectare farm they purchased in 2024 and are in the process of developing into a hybrid techno grazing system for 1000 bulls. The latest purchase will undergo a similar process with the aim to finish 800-900 beef cross dairy heifers and bulls each year. “Our strategy has always been to buy farms and add value to them,” explains Rogan. “We initially bought and sold a lot of farms to get to where we are. Now our strategy is to buy and hold.” They are in the final stages of converting the 321-hectare property at Clydevale, called Allangrange, into their signature hybrid techno grazing system, which allows for more intensive management of feed, with stock moved every couple of days to prevent back-grazing. By winter the bulk of the hybrid system will be completed leaving one more 60 hectare block, which will be done next season. “We’ve put a new laneway put down the centre of the farm and paddocks split into 100m wide paddocks on each side,” explains Rogan. “There is also a new water scheme with water troughs every 90 metres. Whereas a normal techno grazing system has cells made up with permanent single wire fences and temporary water troughs we have our 100 metre wide paddocks split with two wire fences with electric fence reels put in front and Efficiency is at the heart of Gore sheep farmers James and Tanya Goodwins’ operation. It has seen them take a forward-thinking approach to managing debt, using subdivision to strengthen their financial footing and planning for the next generation. “Because we are so close to town we’ve diversified in a different way. Subdividing helped us reduce costs and debt when interest rates were high,” says James. James’ parents Paul and Lesley purchased a neighbouring farm around seven years ago and James and Tanya had an opportunity to buy the house and some land off his parents. They divided the land in half, renovated and sold the existing home and have just finished building a brand new house on the other part of the land which they will live in. “We had previously done a very similar thing like this before with another neighbouring property,” explains James. “This subdivision forms a key part of a longer-term succession plan. In a few years’ time we’ll move into Mum and Dad’s house on the original farm and buy their house and start buying into the farm by selling our new build.” His parents are in the process of their retirement plan, currently building a home in Cromwell and may eventually construct a smaller dwelling on the farm, allowing flexibility between the two locations. While diversification has helped reduce financial strain, the Goodwins remain cautious. “Meat and wool prices have now improved which has taken financial pressure off but we never know how long this will last so we are making sure we are spending wisely,” says James. “We’re investing in the farm, putting more fertiliser on and regrassing so that when things are tight again we can afford to pull back if we have to.” The 800-hectare farm, which James and Tanya lease from his parents, runs 6500 breeding ewes and 1600 replacement hoggets, with all lambs typically finished on farm. Efficiency is the cornerstone of every aspect of the operation. Despite the scale, the farm is largely run by James with the help of a part-time worker. Recognition of these efforts came in 2024, when the Goodwins won the regional Norwood Farm Efficiency Award at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. “Most people would say you shouldn’t be able to farm what we’re doing by yourself, but I make sure everything is done as efficiently as possible,” says James. Long hours are often required as well as lots of planning, goals setting and targets. “That’s the old school way,” says James. “If you want something done you do it yourself and make it happen. I like machinery so I utilise that to get jobs done by myself.” They are parents to three children aged 8, 10 and 12. Tanya was working part time but this year is a full time mum and is also in charge of their new house build. “We want to be able to give our kids the chance we had growing up,” says James, “having one parent at home for them and being actively involved in their activities.” behind them. I wanted to have decent sized paddocks so we could make baleage as well.” The plan is to give the bulls a block of grass and move them on. “The idea is that the grass starts regrowing straight away once they’ve moved. It gives better control and we’re not overgrazing the same area.” The Borries are also currently undertaking irrigation plans. Currently 190 hectares is under irrigation but they plan to get rid of the hard hose guns and keep the three centre pivots and add fixed grid or more pivots aiming to have around 270 hectares of the farm under irrigation. The farms adds to the family’s diverse portfolio of dairy, sheep and beef farms across the Lower Waitaki Plains. Without including the latest purchases the business calves 3,000 dairy cows, runs 2,800 ewes and 800 hoggets and finishes around 1,000 bulls annually. It also runs a new once-mated heifer programme using 150 Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian calves. Rogan says the family is always looking to improve its operation and is busy putting solar on all the irrigation pumps and cow sheds at the moment, which he says should pay for itself in six years. The next generation is following in their parents’ footsteps. Their eldest son, Blake, aged 22, is lower-order sharemilking on one of the family’s farms at Papakaio, milking 650 cows on 177 hectares effective. Daughter Summer has just completed her second year at Lincoln University, studying towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science, and youngest son Fynn is also at Lincoln University completing a degree in property valuation. We’re proud to support Kelvin Grove. mmca.co.nz Chartered Accountants | Business Advisors We’ll help you build a smarter, better business. PADDOCK BY PADDOCK. CORNER BY CORNER. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz Proudly Supporting Kelvin Grove Using our in-depth knowledge of customers’ land, businesses and objectives, we tailor highly specific solutions that differ from farm to farm, even paddock to paddock. To ensure these agronomy-led solutions stay on track for success, we also regularly walk the crops corner to corner to make recommendations along the way. 027 901 7547 EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN MEETS MASTERFUL CONSTRUCTION. Seamlessly bringing your vision to life. Call Aaron Mackay @ Our team delivers trusted processes, innovative advice and real-time software support. BRETT CHALLIS ROBYN FRIEDRICH TOM SAUL SARA STANLEY MIKAYLA FRISBY DIRECTORS: DOUG HARVIE CRAIG WYATT CONSULTANTS:
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