FARM SYSTEMS

From heavy lambs for Atkins Ranch, to yearling sire bulls for the dairy market, Michael and Jane Cammock at Kouratahi farm in the Wairarapa focus on added value and knowing where their end product is destined for. Words Rebecca Greaves. Photos Brad Hanson.

Buying a ram team has lots of similarities to picking a winning All Blacks squad, says neXtgen Agri International CEO Dr Mark Ferguson.

Together, the Milltons from Marlborough have weathered earthquakes, drought, succession, and bold shifts in stock policy. All with the watchful eye from Van Tour friend and farm advisor Ed Harrison. Words Joanna Grigg and photos Jim Tannock.

Massey University Professor Anne Ridler and Otago-based Farm Consultant Peter Young urge farmers to take the time to make more considered decisions when culling ewes as it could pay dividends. Words Sandra Taylor.

Leefield Station in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley is a powerful example of diversification with multiple land uses intertwined and integrated to provide an intergenerational, future-proofed farming business. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Perched on dramatic coastal cliffs with sweeping vistas over the Cook Strait and the South Island, Boomrock is the ultimate experience venue, a unique and awe-inspiring place to create lifelong memories. It’s also the legacy of the Eastwick family, who created longevity through diversification. Word Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Tough times present an opportunity to weigh up your farming business and evaluate your options. Now could be the time to diversify into income streams that don’t rely on the cyclical nature of farm commodities. Words Rebecca Greaves.

What can New Zealand farmers learn from Academy award-winner Matthew McConaughey? We uncover the perfect fit between the aspirations of higher-value, sustainable tourism and the opportunity for New Zealand farmers to leverage agritourism for diversification of income. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

The challenging times livestock farmers and supporting businesses are facing has been a catalyst for exploring diversification opportunities from an agri-consulting perspective. Words Renée Hogg.

The Whitiwhiti Ora: Land Use Opportunities research project brought farmers and researchers together in Canterbury’s Waimakariri catchment to assess potential farmland diversification use. Mixed arable operation, Taggart Farms, was one of three case studies, with options identified including carbon, edible fungi and hops. Words Rebecca Greaves.