2007 Winners

2007 PPCS Livestock Farm Award

Richard and Annabelle Subtil

On their high country run at Omarama, Richard and Annabelle Subtil are successfully matching their livestock operation to the physical and climatic constraints of their environment.

Omarama Station has been in Annabelle’s family since 1919. Richard says the way they manage the farm now is a continuation of the sustainable conservative approach used by Annabelle’s parents Dick and Beth Wardell.

What the Subtils have done though is add value through specialist marketing opportunities.
The station is nearly 12,000ha. One-third is fl at and the rest is hill country. About 2,500ha is under QEII Trust covenant.

Omarama carries 14,500 Merinos and nearly 1000 beef cattle, and the Subtils have good contracts in place for meat and wool.
“We like being in long term relationships, therefore we’ve been supplying beef to a Japanese restaurant chain for six years through a local meat company’’ Richard says.
“We find that very good. They are very prescriptive in what they want - no hormones, no penicillin, only one drench and a limited number of sprays.’’

Most of the sheep meat is also sold through the same meat company, and almost all the adult wool is contracted to the high-end outdoor garment maker Icebreaker. “We reckon that stacks up better than taking the spot market. We’re in there for the long run.’’

About 350ha is irrigated, with fertiliser use geared to soil testing results. “We’ve got precise records for the last 10 years on the irrigated country.’’

They use slow release Reactive Phosphoric Rock, and the irrigated country gets no sulphur fertiliser.
The sheep flock has virtually no drench resistance and they work to keep it that way.

What the judges said…
• Strong stock performance and specialty supply contracts for lamb, beef and wool.
• Breed and stock type to suit the environment.
• Comprehensive recording and monitoring systems.

2007 Environment Canterbury Water Efficiency Award

Lydnon and Millie Matthews

By changing pasture species and innovative pasture management on their dryland North Canterbury farm, Lyndon and Millie Matthews have been able to maximize use of the natural rainfall, and increase stocking rates.

The 267ha farm on limestone downs country at Waikari is a breeding and finishing unit with lamb and venison production as the main source of income. Some deer velvet is also produced. This year they wintered 1500 ewes and 900 deer.

Composite sheep are bred specifically for meat production, using the latest genetic advances. Lambs are grown out quickly, in 92 days, compared to 122 previously.

Lyndon says changing from a ryegrass pasture system to lucerne and prairie grass has been the key to moving the farm forward. “It’s giving us persistence and drought tolerance we were not getting with ryegrass. Our experience with ryegrass was that we were just going backwards.’’

All pasture establishment is now done in spring, and it is not grazed for six months to allow it to develop a strong root system and spread seeds.

In autumn it is grazed with weaner deer or hoggets, and after that there is an explosion of feed for the winter.
“We believe it has allowed us to raise our stocking rate by 30 per cent. That type of pasture keeps a better cover and helps keep moisture in the ground.’’

Most of the pasture establishment is by direct drilling, and Lyndon says the new pasture lasts at least 10 years. He says they are continually looking at ways to improve their operation.

Ballance Nutrient Management Award:
What the judges said…
• Pasture mix makes the best use of available soil moisture to provide high quality pastures.
• Physical constraints managed through pasture species, grazing and direct drilling.
• Use of high performing composite sheep bred specifically for meat production.

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© 2007 Environment Canterbury