| 81 nzdairy “We’re always looking for new opportunities and trying to think outside the square, especially around trying to future proof everything we do.” DAIRY PEOPLE » The Brow Farms All grass and homegrown fodder system Yearling Wagyu Friesian steers on the home farm. Karen Phelps Central Hawkes Bay farmers James and Katherine Greer are in the process of changing their farming system. They will now only have one class of Wagyu cattle on their farm, raising 18 month Wagyu to 24 months for First Light Wagyu. “It’s a bid by First Light Wagyu to optimise the supply chain so each farmer can concentrate on what they do well, increasing returns for everyone in the supply chain,” says James. “It’s good for our climate as we are summer dry so the older cattle tend to do better. If we have only one age group of stock to look after it makes things simpler as we will no longer need to prioritise multiple age groups. If everyone can concentrate on doing their part right the returns will naturally come. There is a lot of potential upside.” Their farm has been linked with another farm that takes these stock from calves to 18 months and the Greers will finish around 500-600 Wagyu each year plus 300-400 bulls. James and Katherine have just taken full ownership of the family farm The Brow Farms around 18 months ago and since then they have made moves to diversify the operation introducing two other business streams: 400 velveting Red stags and trading 2000-3000 lambs per year. Their main focus though remains Wagyu and their family is one of the longest standing cattle finishers for First Light Wagyu. “First Light Wagyu is an open and transparent company where everyone is on the same page. It’s an open link to the market so we’re always in the loop with what’s happening,” says James. The Greers focus on growing quality cattle on an all grass and homegrown fodder system delivering good marbling, growth rates and carcass weights. For the past 12 months the farm’s steers have averaged a 4.9 marble score and the heifers 4.5. James says they aim for a steer greater than 330kgs and the heifers 270kgs. The Greer family’s farm spans over 830 hectares and is situated in Argyll, located west of Waipawa. James, who completed his farm management education at Lincoln University, returned to his childhood farm in 2007 and is now the third generation to farm the land. Around the same time, Katherine also joined the family after the Greers became shareholders in First Light. James’ parents Jerry and Diana spearheaded the overall business and still own three parcels of family land leasing two back to the The Brow Farms, in conjunction with a third owned by James and Katherine, and a third runoff property to the Brow Dairies. Sister Charlotte and her husband Russell Heald managed and now own the family’s dairy farm and business at Norsewood. Another sister, Annabelle and her husband Malcolm Campbell live on the home farm. James and Katherine live and work on their farm and both do the farm admin work with Katherine’s skills as a former bank manager proving incredibly useful. Katherine is the main caregiver to the couple’s children: Georgia 5, Rupert, 3 and Olive, 7 months. They employ one part time staff and brother in law Malcolm works for them part time as well. “We aim to keep doing what we’re doing but always trying to better ourselves as we get to grips with owing the farming business now,” says James. “We’re always looking for new opportunities and trying to think outside the square, especially around trying to future proof everything we do to keep the business going into the next generation. And trying to enjoy ourselves - that’s important too.” • Proven NZ grass-fedWagyu genetics • Established route tomarket • Supplying international markets since 2011 • Guaranteed payouts • 7 day / 95kg / store or finishing contracts FOR ALL ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT DEB McCORKINDALE 021 062 6556 WHEN YOU WORK WITH FIRST LIGHT FARMS, YOU ARE PARTNERING WITH NZ’S MOST EXPERIENCED AND TRUSTED WAGYU PRODUCER. GET THE BEST WAGYU MATING SERVICE! FIRST LIGHT FARMS IS THE PROVEN CHOICE — ASK FOR US BY NAME
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