Gisborne-Wairoa Farmer of the Year field day a huge success

The Rakanui Pastoral field day last week celebrated the Gisborne-Wairoa Hill Country Farmer of the Year competition in style with more than 250 people attending. From left are Federated Farmers' Charlie Reynolds with Rakanui Pastoral's Dan Griffin, wife Jane Griffin, son James Griffin and wife Abbi Griffin, and daughter Katie Hannah. Photo / Richard Busby

More than 250 farmers and agribusiness people turned out to the Rakanui Pastoral field day last week to celebrate the Griffin family’s win in the Gisborne-Wairoa Hill Country Farmer of the Year competition.

The competition is run by Gisborne-Wairoa Federated Farmers and other sponsors.

“It was the biggest in the competition’s proud 44-year history,” AgFirst NZ consultant Peter Andrew said.

Dan and Jane Griffin and their son James and his wife, Abbi, opened their books and the gates to the business that has grown to cover more than 4000 effective hectares.

“It was a sunny day at Motu to show the quality of the grass and stock, but also the land that was the genesis of Rakanui,” field day facilitator Andrew said.

Rakanui Pastoral rolled out the welcome mat for its field day, which included comprehensive farm tours and discussions on performance. From left are Te Kohanga farm manager James Law, Rakanui owners Jane and Dan Griffin, and AgFirst NZ consultant and field day facilitator Peter Andrew. Photo / Richard Busby

“The story of their business growth had a very humble beginning on a tough, rundown Pakihi block high in the hills at Motu with some better country at Rakanui”.

The Griffins have repurchased land that was originally part of the Pakihi block with the thought of extending this area.

“The growth of the business has been impressive ... now extending across three significant farms across three different growing zones,” Andrew said.

“Stock policies have been built around the strength and weaknesses of each farm, especially the variation in rainfall and contour.

“This has built the successful integration that we see today - simple policies that are well-fed.”

The entire business goes by the name of Rakanui Pastoral.

“A key point made was that as they have grown they have maintained their high levels of profitability,” Andrew said.

“Each purchase was well-planned and no time was wasted to get each block to fit with the farming operation.”

The importance and value of “team” in Rakanui’s success was a point stressed at the field day.

“The Griffins feel a key is growing and building the people, so they can realise their potential ... feedback and encouragement, paying well and providing good accommodation being cornerstones.

“Background feeding of the stock is strong, clearly demonstrated by the high lambing percentage, impressive 22-24-kilogram lamb carcass weights and the age of the ewes lasting up to an impressive eight and nine years.

“Buying and selling on the same market and finishing the ugly cattle were two of the many marketing gems the Griffins rolled out during the day.”

Andrew said the environmental work on Rakanui had been substantial – 40ha of native bush had been fenced off, 2ha of wetland had been fenced, and 1km of river had been fenced.

“It is also positive to hear continued recovery in the kiwi numbers with the kiwi creche being on land that was originally donated by the Griffin family.

“It is an integral part of the strong Motu community with high ecological values and outcomes.”

More recently, the business has continued a long programme of erosion planting, with 500 to 600 willow and poplar poles now going in each year at its Te Kohanga farm.

“Youth is deep in the Griffin team and I felt the young, attentive audience listened to every word that indicated huge confidence in the future of our industry and our district.”