Ohineiti Station, B+LNZ’s Western North Island Hub Farm, is a platform for real-time learning and performance improvement. Farmers are welcomed at field days to share ideas and explore solutions. The most recent event focused on improving lamb survivability, featuring insights from Massey researchers and local farmers.
Owned by Bevan and Mary Proffit, the farm is part of B+LNZ’s Hub Farm Programme, which tracks progress and shares insights to support productivity.
“This Hub Farm is a place where farmers can bring their ideas and solutions to challenges we all face,” says Kate Good, Extension Manager for Taranaki. “It’s a platform to showcase the key drivers of the Proffit’s business and demonstrate the changes they make, and how that improves performance in real time.”
About B+LNZ WNI Hub Farm and its goals
Located in Whanganui, Ohineiti Station is made up of 1,973 hectares owned and 549 hectares leased hill country farmland. The farm runs an average stocking rate of 8.5 SU/ha, with a mix of finishing and store stock.
Over the three-year Hub Farm programme, the Proffits are targeting:
- To increase meat production (Kg CW/Ha) by 5 kg/Ha per year. Currently 126, goal is to get 140 by the end of 2027.
- 60% of lambs (70% terminal and 50% maternal) sold store at or above 27kg by mid-December each year.
- Increase and maintain ewe body condition score of at least 3 for 90% of the flock by the end of 2027.
“We’ve done a lot of development and are now wanting to increase soil fertility and production. We are wanting to share our learnings and have discussions with the wider industry so we can all learn and benefit from what is happening here,” says Bevan.
Lamb survivability in focus at field day
The recent field day showcased the farm’s progress against its goals, with a strong focus on lamb survivability.
Massey University researchers Paul Kenyon and Rene Corner-Thomas shared practical advice on how to maximise the total weight of lambs weaned – by improving both survival rates and growth.
Key advice included the importance of ewe body condition, which directly impacts lamb survival, longevity, and weaning weights. As Paul Kenyon said, “Only 15% of ewes make it to five years old.”
Estimated National figures highlight the urgency:
- 18 million lambs slaughtered annually in NZ
- 5.5 million lambs “go missing”
- 850,000 ewes die each year, many with lambs inside
- 2.2 million ewes are unproductive
To support farmers in addressing this issue, B+LNZ is launching Lamb Survivability Focus Groups. Farmers from across the country can register their interest here.
The Proffits have also refined their livestock and mating policies as part of their journey to refining policies and systems. Bevan says, “After attending many B+LNZ events and listening to Ginny and Tom Fraser, we’ve adjusted our mating dates to better match the feed curve and improve lambing outcomes.”
Upcoming field day
The next B+LNZ WNI Hub Farm event will be held on 12 November, focusing on Animal Health with B+LNZ Wormwise expert Ginny Dodunski sharing her expertise.
Keep a lookout on B+LNZ’s Event Calendar for registrations opening.
Thank you
Firstly, B+LNZ thanks the Proffits for being a part of the hub farm programne. Mikaela Greig, B+LNZ’s WNI Extension Manager says, “Bevan demonstrates exceptional passion and dedication to both farming and the Hub Farm. He’s proactive about improving his own practices and is enthusiastic about partnering with the B+LNZ team to create opportunities for shared learning among farmers”
Also, special thanks to the Hub Farm Management Committee: James Marshall, Carl Gibson, Dan Leary, Amy Tomsett, George Williams, Hamish Blackburn, and Mark Collins.
Last but not least, thanks to our sponsors for their generous support: Ballance, Farmax, Iplex, Hills Labs Hamilton, Super Air, Barenbrug and Agricom.
About B+LNZ Hub Farms
Learn more about B+LNZ Hub Farms.