Sheep era over after 148 years
Mt Algidus Station’s sheep chapter came to a close this week when the last of 5000 ewes were taken over the Wilberforce River.
The romney texel ewes went onto truck and trailers which were then towed through the river in 12 crossings by a big John Deere tractor.
Mt Algidus’ entire flock will be sold at the Coalgate saleyards on March 6, marking the end of an era for the station, founded in 1864, which has run sheep from merinos in the early days to romney texels more recently.
The Canterbury high country station was made famous by Mona Anderson with her book The River Rules My Life and lies between the Rakaia, Mathias and Wilberforce rivers, rising from river flats to the peaks of the Rolleston Range.
Access is only by four-wheel drive vehicles over the Wilberforce or by jet boat or air.
Peter Walsh and Associates North Canterbury manager Jim Greenslade said owner Jamie Smiley had decided to move away from sheep and concentrate on running cattle at the 22,000 hectare property.
The 750 angus and angus hereford cows and heifers would be increased by several hundred and their progeny finished to heavy weights, Greenslade said.
‘‘The river had been an influence on their thinking to go to cattle. They want to cut costs and have a simple system, with transport savings, from smaller mobs.
‘‘Logistically, it is quite a difficult proposition for them to get stock off the property.’’
Greenslade said there was a good balance of land ideal for finishing cattle.
The romney texels had been run successfully in the high rainfall environment and were a particularly tough breed, providing good income from yield and weight gains.
Mt Algidus has just completed a large development programme, he said.