76 | Resilience and growth at Carnie Farms Carnie Farms now spans 446 hectares. Brian and Maxine Carnie are feeling optimistic about the future of sheep farming, with strong commodity prices providing a welcome boost for Southland farmers navigating strict regulations. “That’s really positive news for the sheep farmer. I think you would be hard pushed not to find a positive sheep farmer in Southland at the moment,” Brian says. The couple operate Carnie Farms at Mataura Island, where the Carnie family’s farming roots date back to 1898. Brian and his wife, Maxine represent the fourth generation on the land, while their daughters, Renee, Amber and Nicole, remain part of the family’s farming legacy. Established in 2005, Carnie Farms now spans 446 hectares of predominantly hill country, running about 3100 snowline ewes, 900 replacement hoggets and 36 calves, alongside winter grazing up to 250 dairy cows each year. Brian says Southland’s climate remains one of the region’s greatest advantages. “This has certainly been proven this last season. We had good late spring growth, which enables farmers to bank some grass,” he says. Pests such as caterpillars have also been less prevalent. ON FARM » Carnie Farms Alexia Anderson For all your crutching and tailing requirements Contact Tony - Pre crutch for shearing - Pre Lamb Belly Crutching - Lamb crutching & Lamb belly for freezing work premium - Competitive rates & great crew 027 671 9552 | southerncrutchingtailing@gmail.com Proudly Supporting Carnie Farms TRANSPORT Est. 1954 1RD, Wyndham • Titiroa Phone (03) 246-9726 • Wyndham Ph (03) 206-4500 • Mataura Ph (03) 203-8118 • Rural Carriers • Stock Cartage • Fertiliser Spreading & Cartage • Ballance & Ravensdown Stores • Sawdust & Bark Supplies • Gravel, Rock, Lane Maintenance • Coal, Compost Supplies “You usually only get them in a dry summer.” However, like many farmers across the region, the Carnies have had to adapt to increasing environmental regulations and compliance requirements, particularly surrounding winter grazing and land use. “What I see here is that it’s created a lot of hands-on work, not to mention the cost of compliance.” A family restructure in 2014 saw Brian and Maxine expand the business with the purchase of a neighbouring property and also have a winter grazing programme. Since then, they have progressively redeveloped about 140 hectares of the additional land. “There were paddocks that hadn’t seen a plough for about 40 years and it was a chance to turn the land over,” Brian says. But changing regulations around winter grazing created uncertainty around what land could still be cultivated. “What happened here is that in 2023, we felt that we were getting pushed into a corner with the winter grazing thing.” The couple invested about $12,000 into environmental planning and consent work to continue progressing parts of the farm. “It’s not for the faint hearted. We got professionals to do it and I’m pleased we did because . . . it’s too complex.” Brian says slope regulations and buffer zones have been among the biggest challenges on their hill country property. “The steeper you go on a hill, the more buffer zone you have to allow, so the biggest issue for us was the slope.” While the changes have reduced the amount of usable land available for grazing and cropping, the Carnies have continued investing heavily back into the property, carrying out much of the tractor work and fencing themselves. They have also installed an extensive water system, adding new pipes and troughs each year with the goal of eventually servicing every paddock. Environmental stewardship remains a priority for the family, particularly through ongoing gorse control and waterway protection work. “The farmers want to look after the environment, it’s in their best interest. We don’t want the weeds growing on the hills or in the waterways.” Despite the ongoing regulatory pressures, Brian says strong lamb prices are helping restore confidence across the sheep sector. Farmers were previously receiving about $7.70 for 14kg-25kg lambs, but prices are now sitting closer to $11. Now, as the sector continues to evolve, Brian and Maxine remain committed to balancing environmental responsibility with running a productive and resilient farm. mclellanshearing@gmail.com • 027 739 7000 Servicing Southland and South Otago
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