Farming Operation
The traditional sheep and beef operation at Rātāmarumaru is in moderate to hard hill country in the upper reaches of the Kai Iwi catchment, at Brunswick north of Wanganui.
The farm winters around 6,830 stock units in total, in a ratio of 65:31:4 sheep:cattle:deer. A flock of approximately 4,400 MA ewes plus 1,200 ewe hogget replacements is maintained, and a herd of 200 MA Angus cows. The increase to an extra 200 ha in forestry will reduce the total stock by 1300 su.
The ewe flock is a Composite breed and has had Highlander rams go across the base flock for the past eight years. The lambing performance has been improving in recent years with a docking result of 125% now being achieved.
Lambs are sold either prime or store depending on pasture cover, time of year and market prices. Typically 300 – 400 (12%) are sold prime off mum at weaning at 32kg or better liveweight. Post weaning the target drafting weight is lifted to 38kg liveweight.
Ewes are shorn pre lamb in July and then again in January (including 2 tooth’s) following weaning. Lambs are also shorn in January. Ewe hogget’s are shorn in July.
The Angus herd is of a smaller frame size to aid in stock mobility on the hill country. Calving commences in September normally behind a wire. Heifers calve for the first time as three year olds.
Calving performance is good averaging 90% annually. All progeny born are retained to 18 months of age with the top 50 heifers mated and the remainder sold. Steers are sold store in the autumn period. All dry cows are sold along with any cow that fails to rear a calf.
A small herd of fallow deer (200 hinds and replacements) is maintained on the property but for all intents and purposes this represents a hobby with little or no financial gain.
Get in touch
Get in touch if you’re interested in the farming or forestry operations, or in visiting the farm