Too good for trees

Farmers arrived by boat, water taxi, motorbike and plane from all over the top of the South, including D’Urville Island, to attend a Pelorus Sounds field day.

About 120 people were hosted at the Beef + Lamb NZ Farming for Profit field day on Manaroa farm.

Greg Sheppard from Sheppard Agriculture told the field day that a survey of Marlborough Sounds farmers showed the farmed area is about 14,000 hectares and carries an estimated 60,000 stock units.

“Much of this land is too good for trees and is ideal farmland,” he said.

Travel by sea has been the new reality for Kenepuru and many Pelorus farmers since a weather event closed the road to large trucks in July 2021. For almost two years, stock, fertiliser, balage, trucks and contracting gear has had to be moved via barge – adding cost and logistical challenges.

Alliance has been supporting all Sounds suppliers, paying the $560/hour barge cost to get sheep and cattle out to Havelock.

About 30,000 Sounds’ stock units go to Alliance.

Josh Jamieson and Kate Hutterd lease Manaroa after being offered a “really good lease deal” by the owners to make it work. They have added more blocks over time. Josh’s budget for 2023/24 shows Manaroa is expecting an economic surplus well above the B+LNZ Class 6 average. An operating farm surplus (before interest, tax, rent and wages) of $86/stock unit (su) is expected from 4350 su. Good rainfall and crops helped ensure all young stock left prime this season. The farm carries 10 su/hectare of sheep, cattle and deer (velveting stags).

• Read more about Manaroa, Hopai and farming by sea, in Country-Wide May.