48 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Rogan and Michelle Borrie Borrie business expands with Clydevale property Karen Phelps Michelle and Rogan Borrie’s South Otago farming enterprise has expanded with the purchase of a new 321-hectare property at Clydevale in Balclutha, adding to a diverse portfolio of dairy, sheep and beef enterprises across the Lower Waitaki Plains. The new property, named Allangrange, was purchased in October 2024 and includes 190 hectares of irrigation serviced by three centre pivots and two hard hose guns. It is currently being redeveloped into a hybrid techno grazing system, a first for the business. The hybrid system allows for more intensive management of feed, with stock moved every couple of days to prevent back-grazing. “We’re putting in a big central lane and splitting the paddocks into 100-metre widths, with troughs every 90 metres,” explains Rogan. “We just 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.” Currently around 40–50 hectares of the redevelopment have been completed, including part of the central lane and trough installation. The remainder of the work is expected to be finished within the next two years. “We’ve done about a third of the lane so far and will complete another section before Christmas,” says Rogan. “It’s a work in progress.” The Clydevale property will be used primarily for finishing around 1,000 bulls a year. “Beef has always interested me,” says Rogan. “And this system lets us make the most of what we’re producing.” The Borrie family’s business spans several South Island sites. In total 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, which Rogan says have been working well. The hybrid system allows for more intensive management of feed, with stock moved every couple of days. “We’re putting the bottom 20% of the cows to beef along with the heifers. We mate the heifer once, she calves, and then we kill the heifer. It’s a way to utilise more of our calves and reduce the number of bobbies as well as add value,” he explains. We transformed Rogan’s operations. Ready to boost yours. FeedPad, FarmSystems &BarnConstruction 0800838119 | numatagri.co.nz Watch the videocase study. PROUD TO WORK WITH BORRIE FARMS ON CALL 24/7 0800 434 840 • APPLIANCE REPAIRS & SERVICING • SECURITY CAMERAS SYSTEMS • DAIRY SHED & PLANT • IRRIGATION • DOMESTIC SERVICES • COMMERCIAL SERVICES • HEAT PUMPS & VENTILATION Craig McMillan 027 855 2401 www.heliventuresnz.com • Spraying • Bulk / Bagged Fertiliser • Scenic Flights • Filming & Photography • Seeding • Mustering • Animal Control • Frost Fighting • Power Lines • Precision Lifting • Hunting / Fishing Servicing Otago, South Canterbury & The Mackenzie
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=