64 | nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Mangorewa Farms Award finalists proud of farm journey The Mangorewa Farms team at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Judges were impressed with the farm’s biodiversity. Sue Russell For Murray and Cecilia Winters who dairy farm approximately half way between Tauranga and Rotorua, being named a finalist in the Bay of Plenty NZ Farm Environment Trust Awards was a moment to be proud on and to reflect on the journey to date that brought them this recognition. The couple own/lease a 140ha dairy unit, engaging Chris and Karly Deed as sharemilkers this season and have put considerable time, financial resources and effort into developing the farm, protecting and enhancing its natural features and supporting sustainable environmental practices. In all, five finalists were announced and this was the first time the couple had entered. “We were fairly well prepared and did receive some help during the first interview process, but once it came to the second interview, where we needed to show clear evidence of why and what we had achieved, it become more challenging,” Cecilia says. In fact, it was the couple’s Ballance Rep who encouraged them to consider giving the competition a go – an experience both say they enjoyed and gained great experiences from. Not only were the couple announced as finalists, but they also received the Bruce Fraser Memorial Award; given in memory of the wellknown Tauranga identity and former Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust chairman, who was a passionate family man and conservationist. In all, Murray and Cecilia’s, whose farming business is known as Mangorewa Farms, extends over 400ha, but the couple only entered the dairy farm into the awards. “I started planting trees years ago. I love native trees especially. So much bird and wild- life returns when there are healthy blocks of native trees on a farm,” Cecilia explains. The farm carries a herd of 350 predominantly cross-bred cows, lighter in composition and best suited to the farm’s terrain. Calves leave the platform in December after weaning and return as rising two-year olds. “We graze about 100 cows off the farm over winter and we grow kale and swedes. We try to cut as much hay & silage off the platform as we possibly can,” says Murray. The couple have owned the farm at 2065 Te Matai Road, since 2019 but the Te Ranga farm has been in the Winters family since 1992. Murray and Cecilia worked their way up to farm ownership through sharemilking. Today, Cecilia says their success can be attributed to the very positive relationship between themselves and the sharemilkers. Retiring steep terrain with native plantings has transformed some marginal areas and judges were impressed with the resulting revitalisation of the farm’s biodiversity. A productive pest control plan both at home and in the wider community means the farm has and will become a haven for native birds including kokako and kiwi and there have been many sightings of the threatened pekapeka (long-tailed bat). The plan next year is to increase the milking herd significantly to 450-500, using land the couple lease. Because the couple can lease more flatter land, it’s given them the opportunity to retire more of their own farm. The closest settlement is Te Puke, some 23 km away. Two forest-farm conversions have happened just up the road. “We have a wonderful neighbour who has been very helpful at times which is lovely because we used to be quite isolated,” says Cecilia. Helping to plant native trees have been members of Tapuweka Iwi. There’s an abundance of pests being trapped, including rats, possums, minors, ferrets, stoats and wild cats, keeping the couple engaged in their eradication. “Tapuweka have put bait stations through the native bush and by accessing it through our property it saves them a seven hour tramp in and out.” Specialist Rural Accountants Xero and Figured experts Part of your horticultural/agricultural team. Proud to work with Mangorewa Farms Stem Specialist Rural Accountants 123 Jellicoe St, Te Puke 3119, PH 07 573 5569 We don’t operate like other accounting practices – we’re a bit more flexible, a whole lot friendlier, a bit more responsive! We want to take away your pain when dealing with your books – that’s what makes dealing with us a breeze! Let’s get growing together! We’re specialists in growing rural business Accurate, Timely Fertiliser Application Product placement tailored to fit in with the business operation. Local family owned and operated business 35 years in the area working alongside Mangorewa Farms Paengaroa Based business Call Bruce: 0274973820 Visit us on Facebook: @Read elds 01 BFEA Compact Brand Guidelines V1.0 FEB 2022
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