OUR FARM 

Our farming practice focuses on recycling the nutrients from the sheep’s food within the same grazing area. When the sheep are moved to a new block, there’s still plenty of grass left behind, and it’s never grazed down too far, allowing it to recover quickly.

This approach helps to build fertility in each block, while also reducing the risk of worm burdens in the livestock. It's a similar concept to the natural recycling that occurs in native bush areas, where leaf fall and other organic matter continually regenerate the ecosystem.

Although we don’t rely on fertiliser to maintain the health of the bush, we do apply Hatuma Lime and Dicalcic with 15%Potash to our farm due to the light, low-fertility soils. However, since adopting one to three days shifting rotational grazing, both our pastures and livestock health have seen significant improvement.
With the help and guidance of our eldest son, Hamish, Steve has been rotationally grazing his sheep and lambs on a daily basis.
  • This has involved putting the ewes and lambs in small blocks using electric fencing, and shifting onto a new break every one to three days.
  • A water system has been set up in the paddock allowing for water troughs to be manoeuvred with each small block.
  • The grass is only allowed to be eaten down to a certain level, so that the grass recovers quickly. The photos below are good examples of this practice.
  • A salt block is also available - a multi-mineral supplement.
  • The sheep become very quiet and are doing very well on this system.
  • Minimum drenching is required with a selenium additive.
Over the past few years, our summers have  been challenging  with very dry conditions. This is not usual for Rangiwahia, which is considered summer-safe.
Steve shears the stock including ewes and lambs. He is particularly pleased with the minimal belly wool, which helps speed up the shearing process.