I mentioned last week that we had put an offer on some more land. Well our offer was accepted, and I’ll post some pics and a bit about why for those who might be interested.

Bit of a long post but for context I’ll explain our path over the last 4-5 years. Mostly due to legislation regarding the environment and things like carbon and nitrogen etc.

A bit over four years ago, we sold our farms in the North Island and moved to the South Island. We loved farming where we did, but a perfect storm of Govt legislation, Climate change and low returns had us weighing up our options. Our biggest risk was a set of legislation requiring fencing of natural waterways on farms. The description of what constituted a water way was too broad, and in any case we had a number of waterways that because of terrain, You could not fence. We had actually done a hell of a lot of work in this respect, and had gained some public attention for our water quality work all ready. But it wasn’t going to be enough to satisfy what was coming.

Another set of environmental legislation, which had been simmering away for some years started to have a noticeable effect at this time. Notably Carbon credits. They had been around for a while but returns had been poor and so no one took much notice. But right as we were starting to discuss our options, the value of credits jumped, and our farms fitted the perfect criteria the carbon farmers were looking for. Good enough and right climate for great tree growth, But steep enough to not be considered first grade land.
It was a short lived land price bubble in the market, but we recognised it as such and quickly sold the appropriate classes of land to the carbon farmers, while subdividing the remainder into lifestyle blocks.

Ok so we sold our farms, what to do now? We had negotiated a 2 year take over deal, which allowed us time to search for a new property as well as complete the survey and division work. We were well aware that we needed to reduce risk, and that meant better quality land, but that usually comes with a higher price… Unless you move south, and south made a lot of sense. Less risk of drought from climate change. Cheaper land that was actually higher production, and didn’t have the same problems with environmental mitigation like waterway fencing etc.
In short we found 1000 acres in an area with a great climate that fitted all our other requirements as well.

At about this time, the next lot of environmental legislation that would effect farming was signalled. Our Govt explained its plan for how it would meet its Paris climate emissions goals. And methane from cows is our single biggest emissions source. Farmers would be forced into the emissions trading scheme via emissions reductions and carbon taxes.

So we were in the position of starting a new farm, and we felt it made more sense to start out exploring systems of farming that would meet the future requirements of reducing cow emissions, as well as other on farm carbon emissions. At the same time trying to become as efficient as we can.

That came down to reducing the cow herd from 700, down to 600, and looking at better genetics for higher production at less cost.
This allows us to grow more feed on farm so that we don’t’ have to import any feed, thereby lowering our transport related emissions. Choosing on farm feed supplement types that require less initial and secondary mechanical on farm use.

All that we have in place or nearly in place now. But we have two areas we have identified as risk left. Winter feeding of our cow herd. Which we lease a small 100 acre very intensely farmed block of land for that require either we buy in feed, or do a large amount of cropping each year. And our replacement calves. About 120 a year which we pay another farmer to farm for us.
Both of these could be suddenly removed if the rules change or the landowners decide to sell. Leaving us with little option at potentially short notice. Both are very intensive and will likely have to be accounted for in our carbon emissions. And both are very expensive.

What we felt we needed was a large block of land that would allow us to farm based on grass, with very little cropping or buying in of feed for the number on animals we had, that was at a realistic price.

So about 10 days ago, when this block came too our notice, we jumped in a car and went and had an immediate look. It’s 420 acres, of which all but 20 is farmable right now. It’s realistically priced because it has no house and is not fenced up much, as well as it needs a better stock water system.
It’s perfect for us as we have the building skills to build our own off grid cabin to high quality. We have all the equipment to fence it and install the stock water system at very little cost. It also has an active quarry on it from which we can get all the rock for roads and races free and at little transport cost.

Non farming aspects. It’s only 5 mins from one of the west coasts premier tourist attractions, the Fox Glacier and its adjacent town with bars, cafes and restaurants. The mountain you can see in the photos is NZs highest. Mt Cook. It gives us the option to explore non farming modes of income like cabins/eco accomodation, sub division, camper van parks etc.

Straight across the road is Westland National Park and fantastic Chamois, Tahr and red deer hunting. Great water fowling and brown trout fisheries right on boundary. In fact most of my hunt reports come from within 10 minutes drive of this area.

While ive been on lite duties, Ive been working on cabin design and starting shopping for secondhand renovation removal kitchens etc.

Congrats on the new acreage!

Sounds like your government is trying to make farming even more of a gamble than it always is (weather, disease, accident, etc.)

Hope you get many good returns on your investment and hard work!

Im tempted to agree. But the reality is if we dont make the changes, whether we agree or not, Our markets will be effected. We see it already with some of the Uk supermarkets who actively compare carbon footprints of imported products.

good move and enjoy farming, hunting and fishing while you can.

Congratulations.

Was the requirement to fence livestock out of waterways? Thus, keeping water course “clean.”

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Congratulations.

Was the requirement to fence livestock out of waterways? Thus, keeping water course “clean.”

Yeah. And largely I support it. But the new rules counted ephemeral puddles in paddocks if they stayed all winter, and all running water. There were solutions for land that you could not hope to establish a permanent fence, but these were not accepted.
Things like sediment traps and tree plantings, or keeping stock off the hills in the wet months of the year.

quote:

Originally posted by shankspony:

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Congratulations.

Was the requirement to fence livestock out of waterways? Thus, keeping water course “clean.”

Yeah. And largely I support it. But the new rules counted ephemeral puddles in paddocks if they stayed all winter, and all running water. There were solutions for land that you could not hope to establish a permanent fence, but these were not accepted.
Things like sediment traps and tree plantings, or keeping stock off the hills in the wet months of the year.

Congratulations on the purchase!

Maybe you should put in an upscale fishing and hunting lodge, if you have access to rivers and hunting grounds. My brother drops big bucks to stay at such a lodge and fish for those big NZ brown trout.

Looks great!

I wish you all the best in your new venture.

You live in a stunningly beautiful part of the work. Lovely with those mountains in the background.

Best of luck with the new venture !!

What is the deer population like on your new land?

Congratulations and be blessed

Great to see your confidence in farming's future down South Shanks. For sure governments will always find new ways to keep the pressure on. I'm glad you can stay positive.
How's relationships with South Island sandflies going ? Are they tired of new pickings yet ?

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Looks great!

I wish you all the best in your new venture.

+1

Goats?

Beautiful place!

Jeez that looks nice...

quote:

Originally posted by RolandtheHeadless:

quote:

Originally posted by shankspony:

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Congratulations.

Was the requirement to fence livestock out of waterways? Thus, keeping water course “clean.”

Yeah. And largely I support it. But the new rules counted ephemeral puddles in paddocks if they stayed all winter, and all running water. There were solutions for land that you could not hope to establish a permanent fence, but these were not accepted.
Things like sediment traps and tree plantings, or keeping stock off the hills in the wet months of the year.

Congratulations on the purchase!

Maybe you should put in an upscale fishing and hunting lodge, if you have access to rivers and hunting grounds. My brother drops big bucks to stay at such a lodge and fish for those big NZ brown trout.

It's something I have payed with a bit over the years. But personally I dont enjoy making my recreation into a work where someone is expecting me to bring results. And if you have ever seem my comments regarding NZs safari parks... well lets just say that's out.

quote:

Originally posted by 30.06king:
Great to see your confidence in farming's future down South Shanks. For sure governments will always find new ways to keep the pressure on. I'm glad you can stay positive.
How's relationships with South Island sandflies going ? Are they tired of new pickings yet ?

Well as you probably know, the New govt has taken some of the uncertainty and stupidity out of all this, Which is great. But they will loose at some point, and its not really them controlling things. It's our world markets. But at least now we collectively have some time to work out solutions, such as outlined above and start on them. I feel sorry for the small intensive Waikato farms who dont have the same options. But change they must somehow.

The sandflies are really site specific. None on our main farm, but drive 5 Ks and you can't sit still for them. So far I havnt noticed then at the new block so fingers crossed.

quote:

Originally posted by TomP:
Jeez that looks nice...

Give me a year or so to get the accomodation built and if anyone is traveling the south and looking for a place to stay, you know who to PM.

quote:

Originally posted by nute:
You live in a stunningly beautiful part of the work. Lovely with those mountains in the background.

Best of luck with the new venture !!

What is the deer population like on your new land?

Im not expecting much on the farm. Its high fenced on 3 sides to keep them out and its got a major river on the other. but all I have to do is walk across the road, so im not too worried. Ive been ordered by My partner to catch her a baby chamois though....

Shanks,
I'd just go to the exotic livestock sales lot (usually at livestock auctions) and buy her TWO

There isn't really a system like that over here.

Be easier for me to get TB40s goats.

( ignored post by shankspony)

Oh jeez, that made me laugh!

quote:

Originally posted by theback40:
( ignored post by shankspony)

40 goats in the back?