Sitting on the edge of the Otago/Southland border, Longridge Station lies just inland from The Catlins, in an area called Slopedown. The 2000ha sheep and beef property is managed by Michael and Emma Sutherland and owned by Michael’s parents who bought the property in 2001.
Going from flat country to steep hill country, the highest slopes knock on the door of 500 metres above sea level.
It is that mix of hill country and fl at paddocks that Michael loves about the farm. “You have the opportunity to go out back with your dogs on the bigger blocks and have a bit of fun rounding the sheep up.”
Dogs are essential workers on the farm, saving a lot walking. A couple of Huntaways and Heading dog are included in Michael’s canine team – the Huntaway on permanent loan from Emma. “I think you are constantly learning to be better working with the dogs. I had a Heading dog that was exceptional.
She basically taught herself. It’s one of those things that if you have a good Heading dog they will often teach you more than you will teach it.”
With free draining soils and 60 – 70 inches of rainfall each year, the property is traditionally summer safe – but not this year. “When every one else is having a dry year this part of the country is having a real good year,” says Michael.
“But this year was a very different kettle of fish. We’re normally waiting for it to warm up but this year we were actually waiting for rain.”
With everything slowing down over the dry spell, Michael says they were a week away from selling a lot of lambs, like many others in the region already had – then the rain came and the day was saved.
Farming all of his forty years, Michael has been managing Longridge Station for the last nine years. A background in farming and shepherding to match Michael’s, Emma has been part of the Longridge story since 2010.
A natural lady of the land, Emma helps on the farm as much as she can, though these days life is busy with two-year-old Henry and his one-year-old brother Thomas.
Michael says Henry is already a budding farmer, getting in amongst the sheep every chance he can, so far avoiding being bowled over by an unsympathetic ewe.
The farm runs 9000 Motu-nui ewes along with 2800 hoggets. Michael was pleased with this years lambing percentage of 140%.
“We try to fatten them all to a pretty heavy weight. Last year I averaged 19.9kg on the hook. This year we may aim to kill around 18.5kg because of the two-month dry spell.”
A mix of 400 Angus and Angus/Hereford cross cows complete the farm’s stock. Michael says the Angus/Hereford cross gives the calves a bit more hybrid vigor and he feels they are a bit meatier.
The cows also seem to do a bit better in the tougher times. Aiming to fatten the calves to 450kg’s, Michael normally sells them to Five Star feedlot at about 18months, provided the weight can be achieved.
Reflecting on the challenges of farming, Michael says on-going compliance and ever increasing rules is probably the main one facing farmers and farming.
This year he’s finishing work on the farms stock water system enabling him to fence off creeks and waterways that he has not been able to till now, because they are used by the stock.
“It can be challenging trying to meet environmental regulations with the ups and downs of lamb and cattle prices. “It’s a little easier in a good year but you can’t do too much because who knows what next year will bring.”
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