Media Statement Showdown Productions Ltd November 17 2014 Rural Delivery on TV One, Saturday at 7.00am. Repeats on TV One Sunday at 6.00am. RURAL DELIVERY SERIES 10, EPISODE 38 November 22 2014 A look around the Wyeth’s Spring Valley Enterprises, and some research projects underway with farm consultant Ellie Meadows. And making rainwater safe to drink with Stan Abbott and Massey University. Matt and Lynley Wyeth at Spring Valley Enterprises Matt and Lynley Wyeth run Spring Valley Enterprises. They have been farming on their own account for 14 years and are by their own admission “proud and passionate farmers”. Their emails carry the tag line: “Where efficiency meets farming – putting the pride and passion back into farming.” They have been recognised with a number of industry accolades, reflecting their drive to do their best in their business, for the environment, and in the quality of lamb and beef they produce. A 2.5ha wetland is covered by a QE2 National Trust covenant and rock screes and other sensitive ecological areas on farm including riparian margins are being carefully protected and planted. They are also a Beef + Lamb New Zealand demonstration farm and have been working in conjunction wth Ellie Meadows on a number of projects aiming at increasing production and profitability. One of the trials, run with farm manager Andrew McKay, is looking at the impact of grain assistance on growth rates of R2 steers. ______________________________________________________ Research at Spring Valley Enterprises At Spring Valley Enterprises, Matt Wyeth’s primary interest is in breeding and finishing sheep. The business has been quick to use new technologies available to them. EID is used extensively and all facets of the operation are comprehensively analysed. As a Beef + Lamb NZ demonstration farm, he and wife Lynley have begun a number of trials with the help of Ellie Meadows. Originally from Dorset, Ellie moved to New Zealand after studying agriculture and business farm management, then working as a consultant in Hertfordshire. Ellie believes lambing should be viewed as harvest time and an opportunity to harness the productive potential of a property. The lambing projects underway are: 1,000 ewes having their triplets under cover; shed rearing 250 to 300 orphan lambs, including a lamb fostering programme with three local schools; and accelerated weaning of lambs. Research began a couple of seasons ago, when an overnight storm caused the loss of 1,000 lambs. Matt and Lynley said it was heartbreaking but they decided to act to change future outcomes and researched approaches to lambing in the UK. They then applied for a FITT (Farmer Initiated Technology and Transfer) programme and further B+LNZ projects grew from there.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 04:33:55 +0000
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