Argyle Station to showcase development and sustainability at Field Day
Significantly increasing production while maintaining a low environmental footprint will be the focus of a Federated Farmers high country field day on Argyle Station.
The iconic hill country property at Waikaia in Northern Southland has undergone a remarkable transformation since it was bought by Auckland property developer Mark Gunton in 2002.
Federated Farmers Southland president Geoff Young said the field day would showcase what could be done with commitment, passion and funding.
‘’It’s such a great property – a real icon in Southland.
‘’The Guntons have implemented a substantial land development programme over the last 15 years,’’ Young said.
Mark’s son Jeremy and his wife Sally manage the 15,000ha Argyle Station, a crown pastoral lease, which runs about 40,000 sheep, beef and deer stock units.
The property carries 14,000 romdale ewes, a romney perendale cross, 4000 ewe hoggets, 3500 deer and about 1250 angus cows.
It is also home to the Umbrella Range Angus stud which was established by the Guntons in 2005. Argyle comprises about 4000ha of cultivatable land and 4000ha of oversown hill country while the balance is native hill and high country.
‘’Previously a lot of the land was topdressed and oversown.
‘’We’ve picked up where the previous owners left off,’’ Jeremy said.
The Guntons now finish about 80 per cent of their stock having previously been mainly a store property.
They were currently targeting a 17kg carcass weight lamb.
Since taking over Argyle Station almost 17 years ago, they have bought four additional blocks of land and carried out ‘’hundreds’’ of kilometres of fencing.
‘’We’re committed to doing about 15km of fencing a year now.’’
The greatest change to Argyle Station’s operation has been the significant investment in the deer industry.
Previously there was only about 20ha deer fenced, but now there is now 2000ha deer fenced.
‘’When I came here there were only 60 or 70 deer – now we have 3500.
Many of the deer came from the Gunton’s former North Island farming operations.
‘’I really enjoy the deer – they suit the property,’’ Jeremy said.
The Guntons now have one of the largest commercial deer farming operations in the country.
Their main focus is venison production, although some velvet is produced and trophy hunting is also carried out on the property.
With the station having gone through a major development phase, Jeremy said the focus was now on consolidation and maintaining a low environmental impact. This will include fencing off waterways and the better selection and management of crop paddocks.
The field day on Argyle Station is being organised by Federated Farmers and will be held on Friday March 15.
The Guntons will be speaking at the event along with Environment Southland staff and National MPs Hamish Walker and Sarah Dowie.
Young said the high country committee of Federated Farmers held a field day once a year.
‘’It’s great to have the opportunity to view this high performing property.’’
Registration is required before the event and this can be done through the Federated Farmers website.
‘’The field day will really showcase what can be done on hill and high country while meeting our environmental obligations,’’ Young said.
Young said the field day includes an extensive farm tour and will be limited to about 50 4WD vehicles.
The farm tour would take about five hours and people were required to bring their lunch.
The cost is $25 per person.