Wednesday, 07 January 2015 16:37

Field day for winning pig farm

Written by Rural News Group

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The winner's field day for the Lincoln University Foundation's South Island Farmer of the Year will have real relevance for farmers, primary producers and agri-businesses, says foundation chair Ben Todhunter.

Patoa Farms Ltd, a free-farmed pig breeding and finishing operation at Hawarden in North Canterbury, won the competition for 2014 and will host a winner's field day at Hawarden on Friday, February 13.

The farm, which is run by the Sterne family is New Zealand's largest free-farmed pig enterprise and has gone from modest beginnings to a $25 million per year business in a relatively short period. With 3500 breeding sows and sales of 115,000 fat pigs annually the business now supplies some 15% of New Zealand's domestic pork market and about 50% of the free-farmed pork.

"The Sterne family won the competition with impressive growth, technical excellence, efficiency of production and strategic focus," says Todhunter.

"They demonstrated that it was possible to achieve at the highest levels of farming technology and business management in an outdoor free-roaming stock operation. The stories that Patoa Farms tell will resonate with all farmers."

Dairy will also be represented at the field day with runners up Retro Organics providing a display and tasting. Both organic and standard dairy farmers in Southland, Robin and Lois Greer have pioneered the development of a unique range of organic dairy products for the retail market. The judges praised them for the way they added value to their product and were open to innovation and new technology.

The Patoa Farms, South Island Farmer of the Year 2014, winner's field day will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 from 9.45am to 3.30pm at the Hawarden Memorial Hall, 8 Horsley Down Rd, Hawarden.

Admission is free and will include farm tours and topical presentations on today's farming issues and lunch. Visitors are welcome to just turn up on the day however for catering purposes pre-registration is appreciated.

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