Wye Hills garners recognition for owners’ strategic farm land uses

From sheep, beef and deer to grapes and honey – making use of the wide variety of land has seen Wye Hills win the Westpac Osgro Marlborough Farmer of the Year competition. Jason Rentoul and his fiancée, Chelsea Hudson, were rewarded for their strategic use of land classes, entrepreneurial thinking, good governance and sound financial performance. They have a diverse range of income streams, including prime lambs, fine wool, velvet, beef, grapes, carbon and honey, competition chair Simon Harvey said.

Wye Hills in the hill country of Wairau Valley, between Blenheim and St Arnaud, has been in the Rentoul family since 1919, with Jason the fourth generation to farm it. They were delighted to find out they won in November 2025. “It was a genuine surprise; Chelsea and I were going in from a learning point of view rather than winning,” Jason said. “When we got the phone call from the chair, Simon Harvey, who was also a previous winner, we were absolutely blindsided.”

“There was a lot of learning during the process and getting everything in order, like our biosecurity plan. A judge picked up that our lamb losses were higher than normal, so we are working with someone to resolve that. There are a lot of variables, so just working out which one it is. We wouldn’t have done it without the capable staff and support team we have around us.”

“Thank you to the judging team; their input will be invaluable going forward. Thank you to the sponsors of the competition.”

“We want to get the most out of the different land classes, but in a sustainable way.”

Wye Hills runs across 1,363 hectares, of which 600 hectares is effective pastoral grazing for sheep and beef, 215 hectares for a deer unit and 67 hectares planted in vineyards. Of the bush country, 500 hectares of native regeneration is in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The typography of the farm is extremely varied, Jason said, from river flats to hill country. “We want to get the most out of the different land classes, but in a sustainable way.”

Jason is an advocate for diversity within their business to spread risk. They run 1,000 merino ewes (including an ultra-fine Saxon stud), 600 shedding ewes, 75 cows and 320 breeding hinds with 300 velvet stages. They make 450 bales of lucerne baleage each year. They have put considerable time into seeking independent advice to help them develop a five-year strategy to maximise the return from the property.

The competition began in 2016 to support and promote excellence in pastoral farming across the Marlborough region. Jason encourages other people to enter. “If someone else is like me and a bit timid to enter, they should, especially for what you learn. It is important that farmers share knowledge.”

The public has come along and seen the farm at its Open Day this autumn 2026. “It is a full day with a BBQ and a drive around the farm. It’s a bit daunting having people come into your space, but it is for the greater good.”