OUR FARMING PRACTICE

Our farming practice involves the recycling of the food eaten by the sheep in the same area in which they are grazed. There is still plenty of grass when the sheep are shifted into a new block. The grass is never eaten down too far allowing it to recover quickly. This, therefore, helps to build the fertility within each block and the stock are at far less risk of worm burden. This is the same principle of recycling within a native bush area for example. No fertiliser is required to keep the bush healthy.
With leaf fall, etc, it is always regenerating itself. 
We still do apply some fertiliser as, in our area,  we have light, low-fertility soils.  However, our pasture and stock-health have improved with one-day shifting rotational grazing.

See enlarged photo below with comments

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 day.
• A water system has been set up in the paddock allowing for water troughs to be manoeuvered with each small block.
• The grass is only allowed to be eaten down to a certain level, so that the grass recovers quickly. The first photo below is a good example of this practice.
• A salt block is also available. 
• The sheep become very quiet and are doing very well on this system.
• The lambs have only required two drenches - in early November and again in February.

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.