Sheep and Beef Farming on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand

Over 40% of New Zealand's occupied land area is devoted to hill country farming. The forms are typically owned, managed and ·worked by a single family with some help from seasonal labour. The properly owned by L.D. and R.A. Neeley is a typical example of the type of hill country farms found on the west coast of the North Island. It has an effective area of 520 ha and carries 5000 stock units, 30% of which are cattle. The sheep policy is to finish 60-100% of lambs produced from an improved Romney breed flock (with a 90-100% lambing rate). Friesian Hereford crossbred cows are kept for pasture management reasons and their progeny usually sold store. Dairy­beef crossbred bull calves bought from dairy farmers are hand reared to at least 15 months of age and most sold for slaughtering. In order lo maintain the property's viability during the recent ogricuhural downturn non-production costs were cut, sheep numbers reduced, cattle ratio increased and a greater proportion of young stock finished on the property. Restructuring the farming operation has enabled it lo be maintained as a viable economic unit but the general rundown in rural servicing and increasing isolation is creating new challenges. The distinctive rural communities that have developed around hill country farming, its varied environment, and mix of livestock enterprises, have made hill country farming a vital part of New Zealand's agricultural structure. It has historically provided the low cost investment in land that has created the opportunity for young families to build up their equity. Provided such families progress with sound enterprise decisions, these opportunity continue to exist.