After a couple of challenging years, North Canterbury farmer Hamish Galletly is optimistic about what lies ahead for Hossack Downs and his Texel stud near Waiau.
With improved lambing results, stronger market prices, and the ongoing benefits of his proven Texel genetics, he says 2025 is shaping up to be a much better season.
“We’re finally looking to have a good year after a couple of tough ones,” Hamish says.
“Last year’s drought really hit us hard, but things are looking positive now. We’ve had good lambing and survivability, and we’ve got a couple of thousand more lambs than we did last year.” The improvement follows a season of tight management and careful recovery planning.
The 2024 drought forced Hamish to reduce hogget mating numbers, but this year he’s been able to increase them again. With recent rain helping to offset another dry spell, he’s confident the farm can hold on to that progress.
“It’s still dry and the nor’westers have been howling through,” he says. “We got 18 millimetres of rain last night, which was a relief, but with the wind it doesn’t last long. You’ve just got to keep an eye on things and be ready to make use of that strong store market if you need to.”
After two seasons of tight budgets, Hamish is finally in a position to reinvest. “There hasn’t been a hell of a lot of development over the last couple of years,” he says. “Now we can put a bit of capital fertiliser back on. The budget’s allowing it, and things are looking good for the future.”
Hamish’s Texel stud continues to play a key role in the farm’s success, producing structurally sound rams with strong constitution and high meat yields. The family also breeds Sufftex rams, popular with clients who like a clearly identifiable terminal sire.
“Having mobs of lambs with Texel in them really helps get them to market,” Hamish says.
“We’ve been selecting rams with good foot scores since we bought the stud, and we focus on breeding a good, sound type that our clients want. Structure and constitution come ahead of figures for us.”
That approach is paying off, with repeat buyers returning each year and store lamb purchasers keen to source more Texel-influenced stock.
“Our lambs have good growth genetics and they yield well,” Hamish says.
Yield is closely monitored at Hossack Downs, with ram hoggets eye-muscle scanned to ensure only the best genetics are retained.
Supporting the next generation of farmers is another focus for Hamish through his involvement with Growing Future Farmers, a programme providing students with two years of practical on-farm experience.
“At the moment we’ve got Amelia in her first year,” he says. “We’d probably rely more on casuals and contractors if it wasn’t for the programme. It gives young people real skills – chainsaw, ATV, and Ag ITO courses – and a real foot in the door. Both students we’ve had so far have become capable, confident workers really quickly.”
With the season finally turning in his favour, Hamish says it’s a relief to look ahead with optimism.
“Costs are still high, but prices are good enough to pay the bills. After a couple of dry, hard years, it feels good to be moving forward again.”
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