Oct 10, 2025
Following on from the successful Canterbury mixed species field day at Tom MacFarlane’s farm in May (see DFA Stagline, Issue 210, June 2025), the concept was revisited in the North Island earlier this week at Keith, Sue, Josh and Meg Burden’s farm, Longbrook, in the Hawkes Bay.
Who’s running this show?
The field day was organised by B+LNZ, DINZ and NZDFA Hawkes Bay branch. Around 70 people turned up to a warm and sunny day (the night before being a howling nor’wester) and a picture-perfect farm (the scars of cyclone Gabrielle notwithstanding). Matt Carroll (from BakerAg) presented some compelling financial analysis that showed gross revenue from farms with mixed species - and with returns over time showing less risk of market fluctuations. The bankers in attendance were taking copious notes in this session.
Longbrook is a challenging farm: steep hill to rolling land and very little area for cropping. Soils range from volcanic to clay with tomos a widespread feature. An advantage is that it is considered summer safe for rainfall. Stocking ratios are 42% sheep: 16% cattle: 42% deer (run as a breeding, finishing and velvet farm). Yet Keith and Josh’s economic analysis run by BakerAg showed some impressive performance measures: The farm was comfortably ahead of similar farms that aren't diversified. It was recognized that high gross revenue and strict cost management created an impressive Economic Farm Surplus.
Matt Carroll runs through the numbers
Keith Burden (left) runs through the farming operation
After lunch the group visited a couple of sites to see first hand how the farm is managed and how stock classes are matched to land use classes, feed production and animal health. Farming cattle and deer separately (no co-grazing) was a practice to minimise risk of exposure to TB (sheep and deer are run together and if TB wasn't a threat the cattle would be as well).
A few other tips on the day:
- Vineyard posts are better for top up fencing than new battens
- Due to deer being browsers, don’t have hinds following ewes
- Stock deer at 80% to manage risk
- Swedes are better than kale (allows inter species grazing and has less wastage and mess to clean up)
The congregation gathers…
Sermon on the mount.
Back at the hall FirstLight, Duncan and Silver Fern Farms gave their venison market outlooks. There were plenty of questions in the final session and lots of engagement from the attendees.
A good and informative day out and pleasing to see such a well-run and well-presented farm.
A similar field day is planned for the Manawatu on 11 November – please tell your sheep and beef neighbours about it. This is a great opportunity to de-mystify deer farming and show how deer help smooth out volatility of returns, help better utilise feed production and improve animal health management (parasites).
