AMBERLEA FARM NEWSLETTER

September 2008

Hello everyone,

Hasn't time slipped by since our last update. We have all had a hard wet winter, no matter what part of the country you live in. Rain, rain and more rain! Hopefully we are on the mend and Spring is just around the corner. It is slightly warmer and the days are a little longer so cheer up everyone and let's look forward to Summer.

Well, you have all had my note to say we were moving farms. Everyone has been asking so I thought I would give you an update on our new farm here in Rotorua.

We have moved to 65 hectares on the edge of Lake Okareka, Rotorua. Lake Okareka is a small lake approximately 11ks from town. So handy but yet tucked away from the hustle and bustle of tourism Rotorua. We have approximately 20 ha of flats, 30ha of hills, 11ha of mature pine trees and the balance is native bush. With boundary being DOC Reserve Bush and a view over the lake from the house this farm is very diverse.

Because the farm is in "Lakes Catchment Sensitive Zoning" we will have to run it a little differently to the past Waikato Dairy country. There are a lot more rules and regulations and environmental issues regarding the lakes. Our goal is to run the farm more economically and environmentally sustainable. The farm has not had any fertilizer for many years, and in some parts not at all. We will be using natural fertilizers and work towards improving the balance of the soil to improve pasture growth.

The yards were only broken down sheep yards and not suitable for cattle so we have been busy with the help of a fencing contractor to improve the facilities. Thank goodness we haven't had any calving issues to date and have not had to call the vet or we would have been in big trouble without facilities. The rain and mud have not helped with this of course! In general there are lots of repairs and maintenance to be done. Lots of gates that are just tied on with bits of string, and so far we have replaced up to 15 gates and more to do.

 

The animals we brought with us have all settled in nicely and all in all I think we are going to be very happy here.

 

 

 

 

AMBERLEA FARM

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HELEN AND CHRIS RUSSELL AMBERLEA FARM
191 Millar Road, RD5, Lake Okareka, Rotorua 3076, New Zealand.
Phone: 64-7 362 8030 Fax: 64-7 362 8040 Mobile: 0274 933 881
Email:
chris&helen@amberleafarm.co.nz