The farm & environment

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​Ian and Steph Strahan own and run the 442ha sheep and beef farm in Kiwitea.  

Ian has built the farm business over the last 20 years, and is an expert operator, claiming the Central Districts Red Meat business of the Year award 2023. 

The farm showcases free range grazing systems that deliver high liveweight and value per hectare, producing quality grass fed, free range red meat. The farm finishes approx 15,000 lambs, and 900-1000 bulls and steers each year. Ian runs a high performing system in a ‘sustainable’ manner with knowledge of the environmental footprint, giving special attention to soil conservation and freshwater quality.

The farm system is seasonal so you will see sheep in the winter and cattle in the summer. There will also be some arable crops like wheat, peas & fodder crops in different seasons. 

Click here for info on our farm tours

​How do we look after our Environment? 

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Firstly we look after our soils, this is done by using a no tillage policy, which simply means we've put the plough away for good! By avoiding mechanical disturbance of the soil, we are protecting the ecosystems, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The soil structure, worm activity, dry matter production, and soil resilience have all improved. We avoid cattle on wet heavy soils and have lambs only in the winter.

We also look after our freshwater. Over 7 km of fencing done 2019/20, covering 11 ha of fenced off land. 2,200 natives planted 2020 and 2021 by our family and the school children at Kiwitea.  We welcome new planting and hope to do more in the future.