Farm Stay

Farm host speeds to deliver students to bus on time

 

Last night everyone was broke up into groups of 2-4 people. We had the unique opportunity to stay in the home of a New Zealand farm family.

The boys (Corey, Austin, Peter and Clint) stayed with Charles and Joules Simpson. The operation had 1,100 head of cattle and 7,000 sheep. The boys learned about shearing sheep. Charles said if a shearer can’t shear 250 sheep a day he isn’t worth his weight. The boys claim their farmstay was the most fun. They don’t care what any of us say and Corey is moving in with them.

Audrey, Brittney and Caroline were greeted with a cute, tiny orange kitten at the bus stop. Having just been found wandering along the road by their host, they decided to bring him home and name him Dakota. The farm had Angus bulls and Romney/Cheviot cross sheep on it. The paddocks are leased out to Roger’s son and daughter living down the road. They also had a black lab that is used for hunting and two other cats. Dakota must have eaten something interesting because he was very gassy and Pia, their host, was calling it “blowing off” compared to what we would say in America.

Mikayla, Katie, Kristi and Cady stayed on a sheep and cattle farm. They enjoyed visiting with their host and older children. One of their daughter-in-laws owns a farm on the southeastern coast of the North Island. She showed them beautiful photos of their livestock grazing next to the ocean.

Wiyaka and Kimberly stayed on a Romney stud farm. They tried Vegemite and decided it was not for them. The girls probably had a more exciting ride back to the bus stop than the rest of us. As their host pulled up there were flashing blue lights right behind him. A police officer stepped briskly out of the car and walked over to the driver’s side. At the time their host did not even know he was being pulled over. Many giggles were exchanged amongst our group. While he was quite a bit embarrassed, the officer kindly let him off with just a warning.

Megan and Jennifer stayed on a farm where they raised replacement dairy heifers. Their son owns two goat dairy farm and a dairy farm.  They enjoyed visiting with their host and learning about their culture.

Kendall, Amanda and Julie stayed on a sheep and cattle farm. They were a techno farm. This means that he does everything based of sections and cells. He sections parts of his paddock off with electric wire and moves it every two days. The cells contain all of the nutrients that the animals require.

Lacey, Jessica and Lea stayed on a farm that raises 3,500 sheep and 120 beef cows. They keep 900 replacement ewe lambs a year and fatten the rest. The girls enjoyed learning about the grading system in New Zealand and some of the different practices within the sheep industry.

Makayla, Kennedy, Emily, and Crystal stayed with John and Sarah Vickers.  John is a retired contract cattle buyer.  Now he raises Suffolk sheep and Friesian bulls for beef.  The couple have a beautiful house built in the craftsman style situated around a courtyard.  It was beautiful.  The girls had a great time visiting with the couple and meeting their pets: Roy a terrier mix and Max the cat of the house.

Everyone really enjoyed this unique opportunity to learn more about the everyday lives of New Zealand farmers and also enjoyed eating and drinking common New Zealand foods. Staying in the homes of a family allowed everyone to get a better understanding of New Zealand culture.