More than 70 farmers gathered recently for a B+LNZ Marlborough Farming for Profit field day focused on what top stock performance look like in practice.
The event built on discussions from an earlier Farming for Profit farmer panel in Ward, where farmers shared the systems and decision-making behind their stock performance results. This time, attendees had the opportunity to see those principles on the ground, visiting two high-performing Marlborough farming businesses and hearing directly from the farmers behind them.
The day took participants to Cape Campbell, hosted by Rob Peter and family, and Bonavaree, hosted by Fraser Avery and team, with discussions facilitated by Mary Bowron and Mark Zino. The field day focused on the systems, management and decision-making that drive consistent stock performance in challenging farming environments.
Amanda Henderson, B+LNZ Extension Manager for Tasman and Marlborough said the day gave farmers the opportunity to see how top-performing businesses turn planning and decision-making into practical on-farm results.
"Both farms put a huge emphasis on maintaining stock condition throughout the year and ensuring feed quality and feed covers were where they needed to be. It was a privilege to see two outstanding Marlborough farms achieving strong results through consistently getting a lot of small things right."
A common theme throughout the day was the importance of understanding the farming environment and designing a system that works with it.
Cape Campbell – setting stock up for success
At Cape Campbell, discussions centred on producing high-performing lambs, maintaining ewe condition and making management decisions that support stock performance throughout the year. Participants also explored how cattle fit within the wider farm system and the role feed planning plays in achieving farm objectives.
Attendees also heard about the importance of setting ewes up for success, producing fat lambs at weaning and making timely management decisions that support performance across the entire farming system.
Bonavaree – building repeatable performance
At Bonavaree, attention turned to building repeatable performance through system design, feed planning and timely decision-making. Discussions covered everything from lamb performance and lucerne management through to hill country farming, cattle systems and the importance of knowing when to pull key management levers.
Discussions highlighted the role of planning, attention to detail and identifying trigger points early, helping ensure strong performance can be repeated year after year rather than relying on favourable seasons or circumstances.
Building systems tailored for your farm
During the wrap-up, Marlborough Farming for Profit committee member Richard Gorman said one of the strongest messages from the day was the importance of building systems that matched the environment and understanding when to act.
He noted that both farming businesses demonstrated a deep understanding of their land, resources and livestock, along with an ability to make timely decisions when conditions changed.
Despite operating in an environment characterised by strong winds and low rainfall, both farms showed how understanding your resource, knowing its strengths and weaknesses, and being prepared to pull the right levers at the right time can drive strong stock performance.
"Top stock performance doesn't happen by accident," Richard said. "It's about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your system and pulling the right levers at the right time."
Richard also highlighted the quality of the lambs on display and the insights shared throughout the day, saying the event reinforced the value of farmers learning directly from other farmers.
The day also showcased how no single formula guarantees success. Instead, strong stock performance comes from building a system that fits the environment, understanding critical trigger points and consistently getting the fundamentals right year after year.
The event concluded with a barbecue and an opportunity for farmers to continue the conversation, thanks to the support of South Pacific Meats, Ravensdown, OsGro and Mark Woods from On Farm Support.
Next steps
The Marlborough Farming for Profit programme will continue in 2027, with a future field day planned to visit David Grigg's farming operation and explore the systems behind his stock performance results.
Keep a lookout for upcoming events near you via B+LNZ’s website here.
Thank you
Thank you to farm hosts Fraser & Shelly Avery and family, Rob and Sally Peter and family, facilitators Mark Zino and Mary Bowron, sponsors South Pacific Meats, Ravensdown and OsGro, Mark Woods from On Farm Support, and the Marlborough Farming for Profit committee for their support in delivering the event.
