Farming team’s dedication to excellence helps clinch crown
Yearly competition develops to also look at sustainability, carbon, people, and health and safety, writes Steve Carle.
TBoth finalists run a high-performing business, doing an excellent job, both worthy of taking away the silverware. Sean Stafford of MCI
he Tararua Farmer of the Year was announced on Thursday, April 28, at Tui HQ, Mangatainoka. The competition was won by the FouhySimpson Farming team — Brent and Rachael Fouhy and Ben Simpson with partner Erika Goldsworthy — from the Pahiatua district.
Runners-up were Matthew and Marilyn Prior.
“The competition is about creating a culture of learning and celebrating excellence in sheep and beef farming in Tararua,” said Sean Stafford of MCI.
“We want everyone in the competition to benefit.
“I’ve been involved with the competition since we reignited it 10 years ago. It has now morphed, not purely on dollars and cents, but on productive outcomes — now looking at environment, sustainability, carbon, people, health and safety.
“Having to tackle all these things and do a good job with limited resources and bring it into a highperformance business, is complex.
“Both finalists run a highperforming business, doing an excellent job, both worthy of taking away the silverware,” he said.
Jayne Tylee of East Coast Rural Support talked about farmers keeping good mental health and dealing with stressful situations.
“A key skill is being able to turn a negative situation into a positive one,” she said.
“Approaching negative situations in a much more positive and calm way allows better outcomes — increasing farming skills, knowledge, growing networks and getting to meet new people. Learn to prioritise, work out what you can and can’t do in a day and be okay with that.”
■ Tararua Farmer of the Year winners, Brent and Rachael Fouhy and Ben Simpson, farm at 2120 Mangaone Valley Rd and Knox Estate, 618 Hinemoa Valley Rd, Pahiatua.
Mangaone Valley Farm Ltd was established in 2005. It was leased by Kaitane Farm off Michael and Anne Fouhy. It was purchased in 2013.
Knox estate was leased in February 2014. Currently eight years into a nine-year lease, with right to renew, Knox was previously leased out prior to Brent taking over in 2014.
Wiapuke Farm was leased from R Richardson for three years, February 2016- March 2018, and covered 520 effective hectares at Tiraumea.
FS Farms Ltd: Equity partnership between Brent and Rachael and Ben, started in September 2018. All stock and plant for Knox Estate and Mangaone Valley Farm were valued and purchased.
FS Farms Ltd now leases Mangaone Valley Farm and Knox Estate. They are run together as one farming business. Ben is the block manager at Knox and has been there for six years.
Tararua Vets: They also have a shareholding in Tararua Vets after buying shares in 2013. There are six clinics covering the lower North Island employing nearly 200 staff.
Rachael is the senior vet in Pahiatua and sits on the board as a director for the company.
Land Resource: Mangaone Valley Farm — total: 369ha. Effective: 320ha. Flats/easy” 20ha. Knox Estate: total: 600ha, effective: 525ha. Flats/easy: 50ha (10ha ex-dairy run-off taken