Hinemoa Quality Producers Ltd

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Chris and Vikki Nicholson ‘Hinemoa Quality Producers Ltd’ SUPREME AWARD WINNERS (continued) The couple admit that when they began commercial growing 20 years ago they didn’t give their rich volcanic soil a lot of consideration, but very quickly they became aware of it’s importance. They credit the sustainable farming sub-committee of the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers group with raising awareness and accessing information. “Onions and potatoes leave nothing so we are really conscious of trying to reload the soil,” says Chris. “We have seen producers who haven’t put anything back for years. The soil is mostly clay now, their crops affected by low yields.” Soil testing and nutrient budgeting is undertaken regularly and an agronomist is contracted to advise on all aspects of the growing. Weekly crop walks are made with him. Conventional fertiliser is spread as required with mushroom compost and poultry manure spread annually to all paddocks. Chris and Vikki JUDGES’ COMMENTS are proud that although the district average for organic matter content in soil is two percent, their percentage is six, and rising. Five years ago an 80,000 m 3 winter catchment irrigation dam was built. With the changing weather patterns, Chris recognised that water was an essential component in maintaining a sustainable cropping operation. The dam surrounds have been planted in natives, bird life has been attracted and a pleasant feature has been added to the property. Soil is carted from the lower reaches of the paddocks back to the top and there is a network of silt traps to ensure a minimal amount of soil leaves the property. The sight of the Waikato River from much of the property is a constant reminder says Vikki. “Because once it gets into the river it’s gone forever,” she says. The Nicholsons have a casual staff of about 20, most of whom are from either Syria or Iraq, and they also employ four people full-time. Their “number one man” is Jeff Billington. He has been with the Nicholsons for 11 years. “Jeff is pivotal to our success,” says Chris, “we are very very lucky to have him, he’s part of the family.” About 15 years ago they began what is now an ongoing project fencing and planting gullies and remnant bush, and this year they have added wetland areas into their care. There are QEII covenants on 10ha of bush. Chris and Vikki say their children, Julia (13) and Thomas (11), serve as constant reminders of the importance of taking a long-term stewardship approach. • Soils highly valued, great understanding of physical and nutrient requirements; strong quality assurance performance. • Immense pride in product, huge passion for business; strong vertically integrated business; active community contribution. • Excellent understanding around water use and capture of nutrients; silt traps an integral part of sustainability of business. Value long-term relationships gained within the industry; always looking for improvements within business.
Brian and Jacqui Wellington BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND LIVESTOCK FARM AWARD MASSEY UNIVERSITY DISCOVERY AWARD Brian wears his passion for deer farming well, and the award judges found it serving him well too on his 620ha (600ha effective) family farm southeast of Te Awamutu. Brian and Jacqui are, according to the judges, “enthusiastic farmers with a clear long-term vision”. The couple added deer to the drystock mix at their Wharepapa South property in 1978 and their commitment to the deer industry has remained steadfast since. “When people were getting out of deer we did the reverse, we increased our numbers,” recalls Brian. Since taking charge and purchasing the Wellington family property 28 years ago, Brian and Jacqui have bought three adjacent blocks of land. The original Wellington farm was a sheep and beef property, Brian the third generation of his family to farm it. But on Brian and Jacqui’s watch the business has grown in size and evolved into the attractive, well developed deer, sheep and dairy grazing unit it is today, a home base for their children – Andrew, Susan, Christine and Robert – who range in age from 23 to 18. The judges commended the development Brian and Jacqui have undertaken noting, “high standard internal access race, a lot of thought gone into infrastructure, and excellent fencing of waterways and planting of natives”. Brian lists facial eczema as their “single biggest challenge”. “The climate is pretty good JUDGES’ COMMENTS here,” he says. “It’s not summer dry and doesn’t get too wet in the winter either.” Last year 500 ewes, 250 lambs and 500 dairy grazers were wintered on the farm, but it is deer that is the main focus, as the numbers illustrate: 1500 red deer hinds, 700 velveting stags and 1250 red and wapiti-cross fawns. Contour is rolling with steep faces. Some of the steeper areas were planted in pines but their intended use has altered. “They were going to be woodlots for our retirement,” explains Brian, “but instead we have found they have massive value for the hinds. Those tree areas allow us to have 1000 hinds off the pasture through the winter. The hinds love it in there and it takes the pressure off everywhere else on the farm too.” The management of the hinds in the pines is where Brian’s observational skills and keen interest in deer behaviours are put to excellent use. Every third day barriers on the self-feeding silage pits are moved forward. Any hinds not able to get enough food, or being picked on by more dominant hinds are spotted and separated out during their monthly visit through the yards. They are then run in a separate herd and, says Brian, “pick up again really well”. There were just 30 (three percent) in this herd when the hinds were brought out of the pines in September last year. The pines, high pruned up to eight metres, are an ideal environment for the hinds, whatever the season. In addition to winter, close to fawning they have open gate access from their pasture to the tree cover. Brian has noted the behaviour of the hinds is not dictated by space. In winter half are in a 10ha block of trees and the other in two hectares. “But the smaller block never has more picked on than the larger one.” Silage in the pits is fine cut, so there is some wastage by the deer. However, the Wellingtons have devised a way to ensure • Impressive innovation around deer farming practise; observation of behaviour, experimentation with fencing. • Well managed feed demand and surpluses for year round supply. • Very tidy well-presented farm with a lot of thought gone into infrastructure. Always open to the sharing of new ideas and innovations.
Page 1: 2012 WAIKATO Chris and Vikki Nichol
Page 5 and 6: Frank and Wendy Portegys ‘Braemar
Page 7 and 8: Ian and Judy Nelson (managers), Lan

Hinemoa Quality Producers Ltd

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