Limehills Herefords win award

01-07-2010 | Not Specified

A Central Otago couple have taken home the NZ Herefords Herd of Excellence Award.

Gray and Robyn Pannett own Limehills Herefords and farm 2878ha at Millers Flat, which includes 1000ha of native tussock land used for light grazing over summer only.

The award was established to recognise a Hereford breeder who has achieved the highest standard with their Hereford cattle and their total farm enterprise with focused breeding objectives.

The judges take into account farming with the resources available, the environment, contribution to the community, performance recording and overall farm performance.

The Pannetts aim to run a highly profitable business with low labour inputs coupled with minimal animal health requirements but reasonable fertiliser applications.

Gray Pannett says climate is one of the biggest challenges they face in their operation with hot dry summers and cold winters. Rainfall averages 580mm with just 400mm recorded in 2009.

He says the correct stocking rates and classes of stock are the key to working around the tough climatic conditions. The farm carries 6460 sheep stock units and 3476 cattle stock units.

They reduce stocking rates in the summer if necessary and have built flexibility into their systems with different classes of stock. An increased area of irrigation has also helped them farm successfully in dry conditions.

Pasture renewal via direct drilling has been undertaken with the aim of a 12-year rotation. Cultivation is used where necessary.

The Pannetts believe in running their stud Hereford cows as commercially as possibly throughout the year.

"We aim to use the cattle to help enhance our overall profitability of the farm by grooming pastures for sheep on autumn rotation and clean up behind ewes in winter."

The Pannetts have their eye on expanding the Hereford herd to about 400 females (joined to the bull) within 10 years.

A field day will be held on Limehills in the autumn, 2011.

  Printable View