Award for livestock farming and ecology to farmers from Matata

The couple has been managing the business since 2004 at Ratahi Holdings, owned by Chrissy's mother, Jay Weeks, and her stepfather, Donald Johnston. The enterprise includes two properties: a 44 ha block on Matakana Island and a 544 ha hill farm in the Matata district. The foundation of the herd was built on the remaining Herefords, to which Chrissy added Charolais, South Devon, and Angus genetics for rapid growth and efficient finishing.

July calving is practiced on the farm. Due to the prevalence of ticks and the risk of theileriosis, calves receive Bayticol every six weeks from two weeks of age until weaning. The cows are also treated before and after wintering. The farm has transitioned to a closed-loop breeding system and produces its own feed, purchasing only bulls every three to four years to diversify bloodlines.

The judges' attention was drawn to the high standard of animal welfare, which yielded an unusual result: 22 sets of twins were obtained from 180 cows. Additionally, two dairy cows nursing abandoned calves are milked using a portable milking machine. Mating for the cows begins on October 1st and lasts for nine weeks (achieving a 95% in-calf rate), while for the heifers it lasts for six weeks (85% in-calf rate).

The farm team grows native plants in their own nursery, and Chrissy personally carries out pest control across an area of 200 hectares. Sensitive steep grazing areas are grazed only once a year for soil protection, and livestock movement is planned taking into account precipitation and soil moisture.