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SILVER FERN FARMS HAWKE’S BAY

FARMER OF THE YEAR 2015

CRAIG & TRISH SINCLAIR

“KOHURAU”

FIELD DAY – THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Directory 2

Programme - see separate pdf

Health & Safety 3

History and Ownership Structure 4

Personal Background 4

Farming Objectives and Goals 5

Five Year Plan for the Farm 5

The ‘Next Move’ for us 5

Key Principles/Objectives 5

Farm Map – Kohurau – see separate pdf

Farm Map – Te Konini Farm – see separate pdf

Property Description 6

Fodder Cropping Regrassing Program 6

Labout 7

Plant 7

Farm/Business Strengths 7

Weakness 7

Development & Capital Expenditure over the last five years 7

Soil Test/Fert6iliser 8

Stock Numbers 9

Sheep Policy 10

Cattle Policy 11

Block Utilisation 12

Financial Summary 13

History of the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year 15

Entry Detail 2016 Competition 16

Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year – Judging Sheet Guidelines 17

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DIRECTORY ORGANISING COMMITTEE Peter Tod (Chairman) Mathew Barham, Anna Lorck, Mike Petersen, Danny Angland, Ben Harker. Owned and Event Managed by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society. ANALYSIS Roy Fraser, FTI Consulting Morice Ltd JUDGING Is based on Profitability, Management Skills, Care, Appearance and performance of land, crops, pastures and stock. Profitability is analysed by FTI Consulting, Waipukurau, with management and physical aspects being judged by two competent field judges visiting selected properties. 2015 JUDGES Derek Daniell Wairarapa Phil Guscott Wairarapa FIELD DAY PLANNING Craig & Trish Sinclair, Winners Roy Fraser, FTI Consulting SPONSORS Silver Fern Farms, Ravensdown, Merial Ancare, BWR, FMG, Agriseeds, Farmlands, ANZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, HB Branch Federated Farmers, Morice Ltd, FTI Consulting, , Wayne Kirk Mitsubishi, Suzuki.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Health & Safety Lease Block and Kohurau Craig & Trish wish to point out to all visitors to their property that a number of potential hazards exist in the course of travelling over the property in vehicles, moving around yards and facilities, and in handling stock. While the owners have taken all reasonable care in making your visit to the property as safe as possible, they clearly point out that you enter this property at your own risk. The owners will accept no responsibility for any accident or injury to any person or property that takes place while you are visiting their properties.

Vehicle Safety Policy The Hawke’s Bay A&P Society maintain a safe usage policy in relation to the use of private off road vehicles at public field days.

Where applicable road rules must be followed, in accordance with the New Zealand Transport Agency regulations.

Seat belts must be worn by all passengers, and only vehicles fitted with seat belts to accommodate all passengers should be used.

Attendees are not to ride on the deck or outside of vehicles.

All vehicles should have current and up to date warrant and registration.

All drivers should hold a valid driver’s license. Hawke’s Bay A&P Society has sought to plan the safest route for driver activity and we request drivers keep to the planned route on the day, keep your speed at or below 30km/hr. Any specific hazards relating to the vehicle use will be identified by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, or farm owner / manager. Attendees must follow their guidance at all times. For those undertaking the farm tour on quads/ATV’s, helmets are to be worn and passengers only permitted in terms of manufacturers guidelines. In the event of an accident or emergency please immediately contact emergency services 111 and Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, General Manager, Brent Linn 021 868 643.

THANKS TO BEEF + LAMB NZ FOR THE SOUND SYSTEM

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HISTORY AND OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

After being a ballot farm from World War 2 the land was brought by Kohurau Farming Company

nearly 40 years ago. Since the purchase of the farm the shareholders have had only four farm

managers, Craig and Trish Sinclair being the fourth for coming up 11 years.

As well as the Kohurau block up Glenross Road, the farm is also a tenant of Te Konini Farm down

River Road. Kohurau Farming Company has leased the block for the last 15 years.

When Craig and Trish came in as managers to the High Country block they realised what a close knit

operation they had entered and how much opportunity for improvement had arisen.

As a team, we believe that we have a good trust arrangement with our shareholders, agents, vets,

contractors and farm suppliers. Their support is the backbone of the farm and that is how we have

built the outstanding team we have today. Our family and staff take huge amounts of pride in

achieving high standards both on and off farm.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Craig and Trish have been married for 22 years and have two children, Sammy 20 and Henry 15.

Craig grew up in the Rangitikei, was educated in Marton and went through a rigorous cadetship at

Flock House. From which he moved on to an assortment of jobs as a shepherd, fencer, shearer and

also an Ag Contractor. Amongst all this he found Trish from Managmahu who was a student at Nga

Tawa.

After starting their family they decided to move to Taihape as stock managers.

In 1999 they started up “Ruapehu Spraying” as a spray contractor with two trucks and both Craig

and Trish driving. After two good seasons with the new business they decided to move to the

Hawke’s Bay where they started out as block managers on Edenham Station in 2002.

In 2004 Kohurau Farming Company was advertising and Craig and Trish took a shot, landed the job

and have been there ever since.

Craig and Trish won the National Romney Ewe Hogget Competition at the end of 2014.

The family getaway is at Kairakau beach where many summers have been spent fishing, diving and

spending time with friends and family.

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FARMING OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

- Guarantee satisfactory dividends for absentee shareholders.

- Develop and improve farm business.

- Control costs and to keep farm operations simple but profitable.

- Fine tune farming operation over all.

- To perform in the top 10% of Hawke’s Bay farms.

FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR THE FARM

- Progress in best farm practices.

- Environmental Sustainability.

- Completion of house sight. Infrastructure and remainder of plantings complete.

- Farm infrastructure. All subdivision fencing to be complete along with remaining troughs.

- Productivity. All poor producing paddocks still remaining on farm to be regrassed so

cropping rotation can begin again.

- To be one of Hawke’s Bays model farms.

THE ‘NEXT MOVE’ FOR US

- To be given the opportunity to take part in a share farming operation.

- To move to another farm that is in need of development and productivity.

- Focus on being more self-indulgent now that the children are becoming less dependent on

us.

KEY PRINCIPLES/OBJECTIVES

- Policy plans that are guaranteed to generate cash surplus.

- Regular discussions and active meetings of farm policies with shareholders, vets, agent’s

contractors.

- To have a good safe working environment for everyone involved in our farming operation.

- To be proactive toward sustainable farming practices.

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PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

Farm Area

Kohurau: Total Area = 610ha. Effective Area. = 594ha

Te Konini: Total Area = 285ha. Effective Area = 124ha

Total Effective Area = 718ha

Altitude

Kohurau – 630m at the house

Te Konini – 200m

Contour

Flat Easy Med Hill Steep Hill Total

Kohurau 0 230 256 120 606

0% 38% 42% 20%

Tekonini 124 124

100% 0% 0% 0%

Total 124 230 256 120 730

17% 32% 35% 16%

Climate

- Cold and exposed winters with snow at Kohurau.

- Summer safe but a very high wind area.

- Warmer winters and dry summers at the lease block.

FODDER CROPPING REGRASSING PROGRAM

Kohurau

- 40ha plantain (ranging from 1-3 years age).

- 16ha Swedes and kale – feed to ewes July Aug.

- 6ha Milton Oats – feed to Steers / Heifers in August / September.

- 50ha been regrassed last 5 years.

Te Konini

- 20ha plantain (ranging from 1-3 years age).

- 10ha Sensation Red Clover.

- 12 ha Coronet Oats – feed to Steers / Heifers in August / September.

- 15ha Italian rye direct drilled.

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LABOUR

- Farm Manager: Craig Sinclair

- Shepherd: Cam Gallien

- Casual when required.

PLANT

- Utility truck

- 2 Quads

- Tractor with bucket, topper mower and grader blade.

FARM/BUSINESS STRENGTHS

- Two blocks enables the business to have options for older ewes. Early lambs which have a

premium.

- Being able to move different classes of stock between blocks depending on climate and feed

situation.

- Good team around the business.

- Infrastructure on both properties good/fertilised.

- Good performing stock.

- Reliable water systems.

WEAKNESS

Kohurau

- Long cold winters with occasional snow.

- Ash soil which is highly prone to wind erosion.

- High wind area.

- High P-retention.

Te Konini

- Dry summers.

- Bugs.

- Facial eczema.

DEVELOPMENT & CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS

- 2010/11/12: Water system and troughs installed.

- 2011/12/13/14: Fencing and 8 wire subdivisions installed.

- 2012: New Cattle yards and crush installed.

- 2012: New Tractor and loader.

- 2014: New Yards and covered yards built.

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SOIL TEST / FERTILISER

Paddock Land Class pH Olsen P Potassium Sul S Org S

Kohurau

Phils Class4,Rolling Pumice 6.0 13.0 5.0 18.0 17.0

Nesters Class4,Rolling Pumice 6.1 25.0 4.0 8.0 14.0

Bennet Class4,Rolling Pumice 6.1 22.0 7.0 5.0 7.0

Desert Class3/4, Rolling Pumice Light 5.7 16.0 4.0 4.0 5.0

Faces Class3/5, Steeper Ash 5.8 18.0 5.0 13.0 13.0

TeKonini

1& 2 Class 5,Flat Ash 6.0 19.0 4.0 13.0 13.0

Plantain Class 5, Flat Ash 5.9 10.0 3.0 16.0 -

Fertiliser History Nutrient Applied /ha

Year Product Tonnes Area ha Kgs/ha N P K S

2012-2013 Flexi N Kohurau - pasture 110 610 180 14.1 12.6 0 21.3

Superphosphate TeKonini - pasture 48 110 436 0 39.3 0 48

Cropmaster 15 Crops 6 35 171 25.6 17.1 17.1 13.2

2013-2014 Maxi s-Flexi N Kohurau - pasture 120 610 197 16.6 13.8 0 23.4

Superphosphate TeKonini - pasture 20 105 190 0 17.1 0 20.9

Cropmaster 15 Crops 6 40 150 22.4 15 15 11.6

2014-2015 MaxS15+N+TEs Kohurau - pasture 150 600 250 19.9 17.3 0 29.4

Mix TeKonini - pasture 26.35 85 310 21.1 0 25.9 0

Cropmaster DAP Crops 5.85 39 150 26.4 30 0 1.5

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STOCK NUMBERS

Stock Numbers su/hd 2012 2013 2014 2015 Plan

Sheep

MA.Ewes 1.0 3439 2901 2380 2540

2th Ewes 1.0 1177 1254 1090 750

Ewe Hoggets In Lb 1.0 871 674 812 950

Ewe Hoggets 0.7 1611 1240 554 1200

Rams 0.7 49 55 66 68

Male Hoggets 0.7 1545 1597 1495 1600

Others 0.7 25 16 22 30

Total 8717 7737 6419 7138

Cattle

Br.Cows 6.0 203 224 203 155

R2 Heifers In Calf 6.0 0 85 109 90

R2 Heifer Dry 5.0 82 0 0 23

R1 Heifers 4.0 98 108 137 94

R1 Steers 4.0 97 108 136 94

R2 Steers 5.0 82 98 77 154

Br. Bulls 5.0 9 11 9 11

Others 5.0 16 5 5 3

Total 587 639 676 624

Sheep Stk Units 7748 6865 5778 6269

Cattle Stk Units 2943 3288 3419 3177

Total Stk Units 10691 10153 9197 9446

Effective Area 791 791 718 718

Stkg Rate 13.52 12.84 12.81 13.16

% su Sheep 72% 68% 63% 66%

% su Cattle 28% 32% 37% 34%

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SHEEP POLICY

Production

Te Konini

- 5 Yr. & B Ewes ex Kohurau – 156% Lambing 2014 lambing

- All killed by end December

- Average lamb Weight – 18kgs

- Average lamb $110.29/hd 2014-2015.

Kohurau ewes

- MA Ewe Lambing % = 170%

- 2th Ewe lambing % = 135%

- Lambing % Average 151%

- Ewe hogget lambing % = 85%

- Average lamb $110.29/hd 2014-2015.

General Sheep Policies

- 5 yr ewes mated first week of March to Suffolk Ram for two cycles consistently scanning

180%.

- Mixed age Romney ewes mated for two cycles second week of April to Turner Romney Ram,

consistently scanning 180%.

- Two tooth’s mated for two weeks for two cycles in the second week of April to Turner

Romney ram, consistently scanning mid 160%.

- Hoggets mated to Suffolk Ram first of May for one and half cycles, scanning 104%.

Tupping weights as of 2014:

- Mixed age- 72kgs average weight.

- 2ths- 66kgs average weight.

- Hoggets- 43kgs average weight.

Target is to have our ewes at their tupping weight at weaning.

- Shear ewes at weaning. November/ December then in June before starting on winter crops.

- Hoggets shorn pre lamb in September then as a 2th in February.

- Wool sold at auction through PGG.

- Ewes go onto winter crop with daily shifts for 6-7 weeks enabling us to set stock onto higher

covers for lambing.

- Hoggets do a quick rotation of the farm until being set stocked onto plantain paddocks and

sheltered areas.

- Tail drafting of ewes during the year is paramount to keep condition on the tail ewes which

get priority feeding.

- Lambs weaned late December and shorn Mid-January.

- Male lambs trucked to Te konini and finished on plantain/ red clover/ pasture.

- Minimum lamb weight of 42 kgs at killing date depending on season.

- Numbers trucked to Te Konini may change due to conditions and feed situation.

- Kill on two week basis starting on second week of November.

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- Sell store when required and purchase when feed supply is identified.

- Ewes killed at Silver Fern Farm averaging 31 kgs.

- All surplus 5 yr olds are mouthed and uddered and sold at ewe fair in November.

Sheep Animal Health Policy

Ewes

- At set stocking all tail MA and tail twin two tooths capsuled at set stocking. - All ewes 5 n 1 pre lamb. - All other ewes get Dble combo drench and a vit/mineral. - Hoggets 5 n 1 vax plus capsule. - Only tail ewe’s pre tup drenched.

Lambs

- No pre wean lamb drench unless absolutely necessary. - Lamb Triple drench at weaning then monthly thru summer /aut. - Ewe lambs & tail end lambs vit B12.

CATTLE POLICY

- Breed Angus/Hereford cross: phasing out Hereford to straight Angus Mob.

- Bull date is the 20th of December for 35 days for the Mixed Age cattle and heifers.

- Heifer mating weight is 360 kgs.

- Mixed age cows are calved behind wire in scrub paddocks then shedded into saved pasture,

continuing onto paddocks with ewes and lambs.

- Heifers calve close to a yard in case of problems.

- All weaner steers kept through first winter then sold on spring market depending on the

season and price.

- Weaner heifers kept as replacements, culls and drys are kept and fattened.

- 90% calving.

- 110 mixed aged cows share farmed.

- Heifers put onto oats prior to calving to settle them and to control their condition before

calving.

- Cows killed at Silver Fern Farms averaging 246 kgs.

- Heifers killed at Silver Fern Farms averaging 223 kgs.

Cattle Animal Health Policy

- Wnrs Vax 7n1 plus copper 20g. - Combination monthly drench to spring. - R2 Cattle including IC Heifers – drench autumn & spring. - Copper in autumn.

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BLOCK UTILISATION

Te Konini

- 750 early lambing (1 August) ewes.

- Winters 90 first calving heifers which return to Kohurau to calve.

- R2 Steers for the spring.

- 70 Cows wintered (2mths) in gully.

- Finishes 2600 lambs. Lambs transferred from Kohurau at 28-29kgs live weight finished at

18kgs carcass wt.

Kohurau

- Winters and lambs 2500 ewes.

- 500 male hoggets sold June/July.

- Winters balance of cows.

- Winters all ewe hoggets.

- Calves all cows including first calvers.

- Winters weaners and carries most cattle to sale.

- Finishes approx. 2,300 lambs.

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HISTORY OF THE HAWKE’S BAY FARMER OF THE YEAR

For over 40 years the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year competition has celebrated excellence in farming. Today, as in the past, the competition is looked upon by the farming and business community as the most prestigious award to win, and are competing for the E.B. Hindmarsh Trophy. In 1970, several members of the Hawke's Bay A&P Society began investigating the possibility of organising a farming competition for Hawke's Bay. Bunty Williams, Buster Harker, John Nott and the late Ralph Beamish wanted to commemorate E.B. (Tuki) Hindmarsh who farmed Alnwick at Otamauri. These men worked closely with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Frank Collin, Phil Hockey, and Bill Crawford to convince the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society to promote and organise the competition. Together these men combined motivation and enthusiasm with sound technical understanding. Right at the very start a firm set of rules and objectives were laid down - and these, with only minor changes still apply today. "To promote high standards of agriculture and pastoral farm management and production, by identifying each year a highly efficient farming operation and farm manager in the Hawke's Bay area, and have their management and farm operation open to inspection at a public Field Day.”

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ENTRY DETAIL 2016 COMPETITION

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

The competition is open to any agricultural and pastoral farm owner, manager or lessee in

the areas covered by the Wairoa District south of the Mohaka River, the Napier City Council,

and the Hastings and Waipukurau District Councils.

Entrants must be pursuing a system of agriculture and/or pastoral farming which will

maintain high and sustainable performance over a long term. The farm holding must be a

full-time commercial operation for at least one person.

There is no limitation as to normal diversification systems/options in agricultural, pastoral or

livestock pursuits within the confines of (2) above.

JUDGING

Is based on Profitability; Management Skills; Care; Appearance and performance of land,

crops, pastures and stock.

Profitability analysed by FTI Consulting.

Management and physical aspects are judged by two competent field judges visiting

selected properties.

PROFITABILITY

The measures of profitability will be economic farm surplus and percentage return on total farm capital.

FULL CONFIDENTIALITY WILL BE OBSERVED

FIELD DAY

With the winners co-operation an open field day, sponsored and organised by FTI Consulting will be

held on the winner’s farm.

Entries will open August 2015 for the 2016 Competition.

Please contact Hawke’s Bay A&P Society – 06 8783123 or Peter Tod – 06 8568025

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HAWKE’S BAY FARMER OF THE YEAR - JUDGING SHEET GUIDELINES

Economic

Points Judges Points

Judges Comments

Financial Performance 25

Financial Efficiency 25

Sub-Total Economic 50

Farming

Management & People 10

Livestock & Crops 10

Resource Management 10

Business Management 10

Personal Management 10

Sub-Total Farming 50

Grand Total 100

Total Judges Points