Farmer stories
Sound accessible information is critical to the changes hill country farmers need to make
George is the fifth generation of his family to farm the 2250 Ha Totangi Farms - 2000 Ha effective - at Ngātapa. He sees the availability of sound accessible information such as that being produced through the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme as critical to the changes hill country farmers need to make to ensure the sector is sustainable into the future.
Passion is really the biggest resource we have in terms of the long-term future of the industry
Rita Batley from Moawhango in the Rangitikei district had been involved with several research programmes but says being part of the steering committee for the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme was a very different experience.
Supporting initiatives to help point farmers in the right direction
Hill country farmers Ted and Becca Jefferd are keen to support initiatives to help point farmers in the right direction. The couple, who farm sheep and beef on 570 hectares north-west of Gisborne, are part of a farmer focus group which provided input into the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme.
knowledge is key
Tararua farmer Dean Wardle sees “knowledge as key” for hill country farming to flourish into the future.
Gaining input from farmers
Gaining input from farmers was critical to the development of the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme - and Gisborne farmers Henry and Sofie Gaddum were glad to be able to help.
Holistic focus on supporting hill country farmers
Matt and wife Megan farm 420 hectares at Ngatapa and were part of a farmer focus group which provided insights that helped shape the development of a farmer wellbeing assessment tool, known as FarmSalus.
Good opportunity to express shared problems and concerns
Insights gained from farmers involved in these focus groups has helped shape the development of a farmer wellbeing assessment tool, known as FarmSalus.
Best pastures for lifting performance
“These hill blocks that previously produced 4-5000 kg of poor quality feed are now providing over 16000 kg dry matter of exceptional quality"
Paparata Station
“It is important to us to be sustainable. I’m a third-generation farmer and in my book you have to be sustainable for the next generation in the hills – and we need to tell that story"
Programme looks to gather data to future-proof a traditional Kiwi way of life
“science like I’ve never seen it before in agriculture – a real focus on the glue that makes up agriculture – our people”.
Pasture trial results ‘Interesting’
“Taking part in trials for the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme has already been really valuable for us"
Keeping the hills alive
A thriving hill country farming sector is critical to New Zealand’s economy and to our regional communities.