Business South March 2021

| 73 PRODUCTION Absolute Free Range T Russell Fredric Initially starting with 200 hens, Absolute Free Range now comprises 3000 happy layers. A bsolute Free Range owners Michael and Marie-Louise (Lou) Gardyne are part of a growing wave of producers of natural, traceable niche market products. When the opportunity to take over a free range egg business came up in 2017, the couple saw it as a good fit on their existing sheep and cropping farm business located on a 240 hectare property at Knapdale, a few kilometres north of Gore. “Harvesting wheat is something that we were already doing on the farm, so when we were considering introducing an animal to expand into a free range food source, hens were a natural choice for us. They are able to eat from the wheat we harvest.” Michael’s parents, also sheep and cropping farmers, run a significant stock food business. However Michael concedes to being some- what green about what running a free range egg business would involve. Initially starting with 200 hens, Absolute Free Range now comprises 3000 happy layers. “We didn’t really know much about pas- ture-produced eggs; we were looking for something to expand a bit or intensify and we saw eggs as an interesting way to do that,” Michael says. Each flock of 500 hens has three to four hectares to free range in; the total operation comprises about 20 hectares with six flocks of 500. The couple are passionate about sustaina- ble farming and loved the idea of producing a quality food source as well as creating a product they can be proud of. Their first year was a considerable learn- ing curve and, with a lack of infrastructure, proved to be very labour intensive; filling water feeders daily, transporting feed made with an old mill on his parent’s nearby farm, gathering and cleaning eggs by hand. The feed is now made on-site with the hens eating from large feeders in the paddock and the entire operation, which now has a 90 square metre pack-house, has been stream- lined along with having one full-time and one part-time employee. The hens enjoy a natural staple diet of wheat and grains, supplemented with other minerals, vitamins and amino acids as re- quired. This complements their natural feed of insects, plants and grains, ensuring the hens produce eggs which have bold yellow yolks, clear whites and strong shells. The feed is regularly checked and tested to ensure it meets the hens nutritional needs for growth and production and Absolute Free Range eggs are produced in compliance with the Ministry of Primary Industries standards. The company is a true boutique operation with its eggs supplied to smaller retail outlets and cafes, bars and eateries in Southland, Otago and Central Otago as well as being available online with delivery by courier. Unlike Michael and Lou’s sheep and crop- ping operation, one of the challenges of the business is that they don’t have an established supply chain and while taking the ethical route in producing a high quality product is more labour intensive, it is also more satisfying. “It is quite rewarding when you are talking to customers and they are really happy with the product. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in that.” Boutique egg supplier gets cracking 03 214 2223 107 Spey Street, Invercargill back .co.nz We’re proud to support the good eggs at Absolute Free Range. For all your Stock Food requirements Driver Deno (027) 555 7792 • Graeme (027) 229 4200 • Rebecca (027) 269 8366 • Office / Fax (03) 208 9464 Email grain@gardynes.co.nz Specialising in the Eastern Southland / West Otago areas Prompt Delivery • Calf Feed • Rolled Barley • Feed Grain ( Whole or Crushed ) • PKM • Soya Meal • Harraways Oat Contracts • Minerals by Arrangement GARDYNE’S GRAIN LTD True revolutions start in the heart Canterbury The all-new LEXION 8000–6000 Proud to support Michael and Marie-Louise, wishing them a successful harvest for 2020/21 with their new CLAAS Lexion 8700.4 TerraTrac For more information please contact Greg Carr on 021 722 560 0800 292 748 office@azap.co.nz Since 2003 thousands of individual and business clients in Otago / Southland and Canterbury have been engaging our services to deliver their goods on time and with great care www.azap.co.nz