Farm of the Year winner Stuart McKenzie of Te Rangi Station in the Whangaehu Valley with committee chairman Rob Thorneycroft. PHOTO/FILE
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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The winners of the Wairarapa Sheep and Beef Farm of the Year award will open their gates to the public later this month to showcase their hard work.
Stuart and Jane McKenzie of Te Rangi Station in the Whangaehu Valley, north of Masterton, were named the Farm Business of the Year at Keinzley Agvet in February.
McKenzie said it was a “real honour” to be recognised for their environmental work which involved planting trees and fencing off wetland areas.
The couple farm 21,000 stock units on 2100 hectares of useable land.
In past years, they have planted 37ha in a mix of native and eucalyptus in a retired area.
They had also focused on riparian planting around key infrastructure to prevent leaching, had removed Old Man’s Beard, and were now working to get rid of crack willows.
The open day, which had originally been scheduled for March, was put off due to covid-19 crowd restrictions.
It would now be held on October 21.
Those wanting to attend are asked to meet at the Waihi woolshed [1208 Whangaehu Valley Rd, Masterton].
The tour will start at 9.30am, with lunch available for cash-purchase at $10 a person – the proceeds of which will be put towards a fundraiser
It will be followed by a barbecue at 4.30pm.
- For more information, call BakerAg on 06 370 6880.
