2007 Winners

2007 Gallagher Innovation Award

Kathy and Donald Hudson

Donald and Kathy Hudson have weathered four years of downturn in the deer industry, but with better prices now they are poised to benefit from their innovative systems.

The Hudsons have been on their dryland farm on the Canterbury Plains near Mount Somers for 18 years, which after additions now totals 500ha.

Initially the farming focus was cropping, sheep and beef, but as they could afford it they put up deer fencing, Donald says.

The transformation to deer is almost complete. Last winter the farm was all deer, except for wintering 280 bulls.

Unfortunately deer has been the poorest performing farming sector for about four years.
“We made the conscious effort to hang in there, but it took a year longer for prices to recover than we thought.’’

As well as a venison herd, they run a velvet and trophy herd, and for the last 12 years they have used artificial insemination to improve the velvet genetics. “We were using it as general practice earlier than most, and we’ve been making big gains every year with the deer breeding programme.’’
Donald says that while winter feed brassicas used to be the main fodder crop for the deer, two years ago they started to change to fodder beet.

The results have been exceptional. “We are getting a 50 per cent higher crop yield than from Swedes, and the deer have a real preference for fodder beet.’’

Another innovation on the farm is the use of the intensive techno system. This system of permanently fenced lanes and electric fences is normally used for raising bulls. Twenty per cent of the deer are now in the techno system, which improves pasture utilisation.

What the judges said…
• Innovative use of a high yielding fodder beet crop for winter feed.
• Use of a techno-type system for intensive deer grazing.
• Mixed pasture species provide quality feed year around.

2007 BFEA Land and Life Award

Andrew, Pam and Ian Richardson

Banks Peninsula hill country farmers Pam, Ian and Andrew Richardson believe their long term sustainability on the land is assured, even if it is not in farming.

Pam says there are a number of opportunities on the 710ha property if farming viability ever decreases.

Pam and Ian ran a holiday park in Hanmer Springs for 15 years before buying their first piece of farmland. The aim was always to own a farm, and they have gradually added to their first purchase. Son Andrew is now the stock manager.

They run 2,400 North Island Romney ewes. About one-third of the lambs are sold prime before Christmas, and later the rest are sold as store lambs on a Lambplan contract.
They also run 120 Hereford and Hereford-Angus cross cows, and graze a further 120 Angus steer calves for Five Star Beef.

Pam says the natural environment is very much part of their lives, controlling the health of their property and livestock, and the people that live there.

Grazing stock control weeds, but the lower stocking rates on Banks Peninsula combined with rich seed sources and relatively high rainfall helps native bush regeneration.

She says if farming loses viability there are tourism and conservation opportunities on the land. “There’s a wealth of opportunities, that’s why Banks Peninsula is so special. We’ve got a tourism background behind us. We think our sustainability is assured.’’

She says entering the Awards gave the opportunity to put together a farm plan rather than just having all the information floating around on shelves. “It’s been a good exercise. Collectively it’s pulled everybody together.’’

What the judges said…
• Farm plan provides guidelines for sustainable farming and environmental management.
• Commitment to the Banks Peninsula environment and farming community is evident.
• Strong inter-generational planning and working relationships.

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© 2007 Environment Canterbury