50 | nzdairy New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards » Ashgrove Dairy Farms South Otago farm a 130-year family legacy Rosa Watson Since 1895, Ashgrove Farm near Balclutha has been home to six generations of the Weir family, and this year the family have been acknowledged in the New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards. While the operation may look different today, it still maintains the family’s commitment and passion for the land and its heritage. “It’s a real testament to perseverance and sacrifice,” current owner Donna Weir told NZ Dairy. Located at the northern end of Inch Clutha, a 7,000-acre island in the Clutha River’s lower delta, the original Ashgrove comprised 360 acres. William Weir, his wife Janet, and their five children - William, John G., James, Cochrane, and Janet - moved from the Otago Peninsula to Inch Clutha and began farming Ashgrove on June 5, 1895. William acquired a herd of Ayrshire cows and pioneered mechanical milking in the district. Initially met with resistance from the local dairy factory, which deemed his milk ‘dirty and tainted’, William had the milk tested in Dunedin, proving it cleaner than that from hand-milked cows. In the early 1920s, a new house and complete steading were built, and the farm was divided between Cochrane and John G. John, his wife Fannie, and their children - Graham, Allan, John, Fannie, and Dorothy - moved into the original homestead on the Clutha’s Matau branch upon William and Janet’s retirement. Cochrane Weir sold his portion of the farm in 1955, while John G. remained on the home block. When John G. retired to Stirling in 1954, his sons Allan and Jack took over the farm. Allan, along with his wife Ivy had purchased a 52-acre block on Inch Clutha’s Centre Road during WWII. They lived there until 1954 when they moved into the Ashgrove homestead with their four children - Donald, Colin, Alison, and Keith. In 1957, the Clutha River flooded, creating a breach known as Weir’s Gap that caused widespread damage across Inch Clutha. Repairing the gap required extensive work by the New Zealand Army, harbour board, and Ministry of Works. The breach was eventually sealed, and a concrete control gate was built to prevent future flooding. Following the flood, cow numbers were reduced and for a short time focus shifted to growing cauliflowers and potatoes for city markets. In 1979, Colin Weir formed a partnership with his father Allan. They milked 70 cows, and continued potato farming, supplying Dunedin boarding schools and fish and chip shops. When Allan and Ivy retired to Balclutha in 1985, Colin, his wife Valerie, and their children - Brendon, Since 1895, Ashgrove Farm near Balclutha has been home to six generations of the Weir family. Todd, and Jennifer - took over Ashgrove. Colin made significant changes, including removing macrocarpas and half of the stables to build a new 13-aside Herringbone milking shed. In 2001, the purchase of more land and leasing of Cochrane Weir’s original land expanded the farm to 160 hectares, and a new 40-bale rotary shed was built. In 2008, land was traded with a neighbouring farm, allowing the herd size to increase to 500. In 2007, Colin and Valerie’s son Brendon and his wife Donna began share milking along with their children Cameron, Hayley, and Zac, and in 2018, purchased the farm. Donna said Brendon loves seeing some of the legacy left by previous generations as he drives around the farm, like a working trough that is over 100 years old and a fence he remembers being built by his grandfather. “There’s definitely a connection to the land.” She said the family had always been resilient and adaptable, particularly following the catastrophic 1957 flood. Throughout its history there had always been a dairy element to the farm, she said. “We’re always trying to evolve.” • Wintering Sheds • Pond Cleaning: Sumps, Sludge & Liquid Ponds • Tip Trucks & Diggers • Weeping Walls, Pond Stirrer attachment on digger FARM EFFLUENT CLEANING Phone Devon 021 224 7990 or (03) 418 2896 Covering the Clutha District www.ccmp.co.nz 0800 FOR CCMP 24/7 Breakdown & Support Service @CCMPFARMSOLUTIONS With over four decades of experience, CCMP is the leading name in dairy shed design, construction, and maintenance Whether it’s CONCEPTION, fabrication, or repairs you need, CCMP Engineering HAS YOU COVERED everyfarm, everyseason, everytime Each generation has brought something new to the table. John G was progressive with his approach to the land, and both John G and Allan had a passion for dairy cattle livestock and breeding. Colin introduced a large amount of machinery to the operation, as well as building two new cowsheds in his time on the farm as the farm and herd increased in size. Brendon has excelled in crop and grass management and moved the farm forward with irrigation, automation and more herd genetic gains. The family continues to manage the farm fulltime, blending their passion for the land with its rich family history.
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