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February 17, 2016
Te Waipounamu to fore in Ahuwhenua final
Waatea Team
Posted On February 17, 2016
There’s a two in three chance this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy will go to a South island farmer.
For the first time in the recent history of the competition two of the three finalists are in Te Waipounamu.
Ngai Tahu Farming is in with two farms which form part of its Te Whenua Hou project near Oxford northwest of Christchuch, where it is converting the former Eyrewell state forest to dairy.
The farms, Te Ahu Patiki and Maukatere, are irrigated by water from the Waimakariri River, and together milk just over 2200 cows.
Tahu a Tao near Ashburton, farmed by the Proprietors of Rakaia Incorporation, has a history dating back to 1886.
The 216ha property near Ashburton runs about 830 Kiwi cross cows.
The North Island entry is Tewi Trust near Okoroire in South Waikato, famous for its hot springs.
It milks 430 Friesian cows on its 130 hectares.
Ahuwhenua committee chair Kingi Smiler says while it’s a tough time for the dairy industry, the farms have chosen to showcase their operations and share their knowledge with others.
He says downturns in a cycle provide an opportunity for all farming businesses to take stock of their operations and to analyse what they are doing well and what they could do better.
Field days will be held on the farms in March, and the trophy will be awarded at a function in Hamilton on May 20.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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