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I was born third generation at Taimate and have seen many changes over the years from growing up on the farm, through to raising my family and running the farm and now beginning to hand over the reins to two of my sons.
I grew up with four sisters and spent much of my time out on the farm with dad. In those days my father Jack and Uncle Tom started the Angus Stud. Jack took over the stud in the 1960’s, and I took over management in the 1980’s.
My secondary school years were spent in Wellington at St Pat’s Silver Stream.
In 1971 I represented NZ Young Farmer’s Club’s on an International Farming Youth Exchange trip to the USA & Canada visiting many cattle herds & feed lots. This gave me a greater insight into what was required for the American consumer in the quality of beef that was required for the market i.e. well bred –early finishing stock with a quiet temperament.
On return to Taimate I began to take over more of the day to day running of the farm.
I married Mary in 1973; we have five Children John, David, Tim, Paul & Anna.
John and Paul are full time farming at Taimate. Paul managing the Angus Stud and John having recently established a vineyard, which if successful will allow the other family members to live at Taimate in the future if they wish too.
I played Rugby, Cricket and Table Tennis competitively then for many years refereed Rugby. Keen interest in horse racing, mostly slow gallopers, but had a real stroke of luck in that we were part owner of Tozzie, the male 3 year old Trotter of the year for NZ in 2005. In partnership with Tom Hickman this trotter was born & bred at Taimate.
I am currently President of the Marlborough Racing Club.
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I am the stock manager and stud principal here at Taimate.
I am married to Nadine and we have four children.
I am the fourth boy in my family and have a younger sister.
Farming has always been my life and taking over the management of the Taimate Angus Stud has been a long time aim, and something I am very passionate about.
In my last year of school at St Bede's College I was awarded a scholarship to Dublin, Ireland for a year, where I also got to travel throughout Europe. I have also made several other over seas trips, including a stint in South America and a rugby season spent in Texas.
School, aside from sport, I almost regarded as a barrier to farming, such was my enthusiasm to get back to Taimate. In 1999, when I did return home I was able to combine my two passions perfectly, with rugby, cricket and a keen interest in horse racing getting a lot of attention. In 2002 I played rep rugby for Marlborough at Hooker, but due to a run of injuries I have not been able to play any sport since. Hopefully after a good bout of surgery earlier this year, 2010 will be my year to play again!!
In my time away from the sporting field I have gained my Harness Racing Starters Licence and I am the trials starter at all Marlborough meetings.
My aim in farming is to build up the Angus Stud to atleast 200 cows and to strengthen and enhance the Taimate Angus reputation for quality, quiet, consistent, shifting cattle.
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I am the Vineyard manager within Married to Andrea and we have two children, Jordan and Holly.
I have a degree in agricultural commerce and a graduate diploma in marketing from Lincoln and Otago universities respectively. I have several years experience within the agricultural and horticultural industries and have spent two years working in the finance sector in the United Kingdom
In 2006 11 hectares of vineyard was planted with Sauvignon Blanc clones and we have since had two harvests of high quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc fruit. We are looking to expand our current vineyard operation and are also keen on future plantings of Pinot Noir and possibly Riesling. The diversification into grape growing has been a large learning curve but a very enjoyable one. Of particular enjoyment has been learning the art of drip irrigation which is a new tool in the Taimate farming business.
I am on the committee of the Flaxbourne Community Irrigation Group which is in the process of bringing water from two local rivers to irrigate up to 2500 hectares of this dry east coast land and am also on the local rugby committee after finishing playing in 2006.
My sporting interest is now squash which I play on a regular basis and other hobbies include photography and anything to do with the sea. I also enjoy beating my baby brother Paul regularly in poker.
The Angus stud is a proud part of our family and farming history and it is something I like to help out with whenever I can. The annual Bull Sale Catalogue Is also a responsibility of mine, managing the compilation through to publication, however if there are ever any errors I will blame it on Paul or my Father.
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