November 13, 2013

Field day to showcase Earnscleugh Station story

The Otago Regional Council (ORC), Beef + Lamb NZ, and The Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) are hosting a field day this month at the award-winning Earnscleugh Station in Central Otago.

Earnscleugh Station owners Alistair and Duncan Campbell and their families scooped three prizes at the 2013 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, taking out the ORC Sustainable Resource Management Award, the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award, and the Alliance Quality Livestock Award.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said the Campbells had conscientiously implemented a range of soil, pasture, and stock management practices over many years.

“When they took over Earnscleugh, it had a massive problem with rabbits stripping away the pasture and wreaking havoc on the soils,” Mr Woodhead said.

“It is now one of Central Otago’s best stations thanks to the excellent, innovative pest control and stock management practices that the Campbells have introduced. They were deserved winners at this year’s Ballance awards,” he said.

Alistair and Duncan Campbell will be keynote speakers at the field day. Other leading speakers include; Dr Barrie Wills from Alexandra-based Central Environmental Services; NZ Merino Company production science project manager Dr Mark Ferguson, Mr Woodhead, and Simon Saunders, deputy chairman of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust.

Topics to be covered include:

· Breeding better merinos and beef cows

· Grass and legume options

· Drought management

· Rabbit control

· Hill country grazing management.

The day includes a tour of the property and runs from 10am to 4pm on Friday 22 November.

Those attending should meet at the Obelisk Station woolshed, 1153 Alexandra, Fruitlands Highway (SH8).
ends

© Scoop Media