"Farmers never go away on holiday, there's always something that needs to be done," Wendy and Gary Whiting confirmed from their 190 hectare property near Dovedale, during the Easter break.
They have farmed the north facing, rolling to steep property for nine years, running sheep and beef cattle. The farm experiences extremes of weather and temperature, being very dry in summer and wet and cold in winter, but is fortunate to have running water in the paddocks from gullies and streams.
The Whitings don't irrigate, but do put in crops for the ewes and lambs occasionally and cut sufficient hay for supplementary feed to cover droughts and winter. The cattle help with pasture and parasite control.
Stock numbers can vary every year but they generally run approximately 500 ewes and 50 breeding cows. Because of the drought last year they cut back numbers by 100 ewes, but have carried up to 750. "With the cattle, we try and operate as simply as possible by keeping the breeding cow numbers up and selling off nearly all their progeny every year. That way we concentrate on our breeding programme rather than finishing the calves for slaughter," Wendy said.
Whenever they have bought a bull it has been from the Enterprise Cattle Company, and always herefords from Malcolm McConochie at the Lake Station. "Their bulls are very quiet, and are bred for easy calving, fast growth rates, and they suit our property," Wendy added.
The Whitings enjoy living on the land, and enjoy their cows and watch their stock closely. "The biggest advantage being, when problems arise they are noticed quickly and avoid turning into major problems."
Calving starts mid July with the importance on keeping cows fit on the hill paddocks, then calving on the easier country, increasing their feed input to promote milk production.
Wendy described both the cows and calves as very quiet. "We aim to breed top, quiet hereford stock that finish well for our calf buyers."
