Open Farm Day at Rangitāiki Station: A Model of Safe and Profitable Farming
Two hundred guests braved the wet and wild weather at Rangitāiki Station for a Pāmu Open Farm Day, where the themes of Farming Safely and Farming Profitably took centre stage. The day highlighted how robust health and safety systems, innovation, and a focus on productivity can work hand in hand.
Attendees rotated through conversations at three stops: the Workshop Compound, 4D Cattle Yards, and Lease Block Crossing and covered the rollout of three critical risk standards of hazardous substances, livestock and vehicles.
Visitors experienced using the SafeVisit app for on-farm visitor management, and saw first-hand Personal Locator Beacons that are issued to all Pāmu staff.
“Tragedy has shaped our commitment,” said Chief People Safety and Reputation Bernadette Kelly, referencing the loss of two staff in quad bike accidents that catalysed a sweeping cultural change. Since then, quad bikes have been phased out, safety gear including high-vis is standard, and staff training greatly enhanced.
Alongside safety, Rangitāiki is focused on operational excellence. With 75,000 stock units across 7,821 effective hectares, the station is refining its systems to boost productivity. Recent changes include reducing stock classes from 15 to 11 to simplify grazing plans and better manage parasite loads, supported by targeted use of forages and a trigger-based drenching programme.
While sometimes the rain on the roof almost drowned out speakers, guests were treated to a deep dive of how livestock operations are performance-driven, with clear targets for growth, weaning, finishing weights, and health outcomes. For example, the sheep flock is targeting a 140% lambing rate, and the Efficient Beef System is achieving carcass weights over 310kg for bulls.
Farm-led tours offered a transparent view of day-to-day operations, underpinned by the FarmIQ digital platform, which integrates data for productivity and safety gains.
The event closed with a BBQ lunch thanks to Silver Fern Farms, and a chance for attendees to connect with the Pāmu team, reinforcing that farming profitably and safely is not only possible, but essential for long-term success.
“Everyone comes home safe and well at the end of the day,” said Farm Manager James van Bohemen. “It’s not just a goal at Rangitāiki and Pāmu, it is non-negotiable.”
