A Long History Of Doing What's Best For The Land

 

A Long History Of Doing What's Best For The Land

The Beamish family's legacy of farming in Hawke's Bay spans over a century, beginning in 1878. Their successful model, emphasizing profitability and environmental guardianship, is exemplified in Awapai, their 5,200 acre property.

The Beamishs are high achievers. When Atkins Ranch caught up with them most recently, they were busy preparing their presentation for the National Farm Environment Awards, which subsequently they won for their region. In between preparing for the awards night and chatting to Atkins Ranch, they were packing for Paris where youngest son Geordie is competing in the Olympics for New Zealand.

The success of the property can be attributed to embracing innovation, technology, and modern ideas, all while upholding their long-standing family business values. Their research-driven approach ensures land is used appropriately and sustainably, with meticulous soil management. Animal welfare is paramount, with ample shelter and diverse feed sources supporting healthy animals destined for international markets.

It has brought our focus back to the soil, where it all starts, it is our grazing management, it is our pasture.

Hugo Beamish, Atkins Ranch Rancher

The Beamish family has focused on enhancing the farm's resilience. This includes strategic forestry on steep slopes, erosion control measures, and prioritizing native biodiversity through extensive planting in wetland areas. Their dedication to environmental preservation is evident in their five QEII National Trust Covenant blocks and ongoing pest control efforts.

As they look to the future, Simon and Hugo Beamish are actively planning for succession and aim to leave the land in even better condition for future generations. Their unwavering commitment to both environmental stewardship and family legacy ensures that many more generations of Beamish's children will be able to tear off to the south-west corner of the property as Simon did himself as a child. Enjoying the spoils of a healthy, vibrant and profitable ecosystem.

Consumers and growers alike are realizing that caring for the land through greater biodiversity, extensive planting programs and healthier soil leads to better animals. Down in the idyllic slice of paradise that is New Zealand, as an island nation geographically isolated from the rest of the world, they’ve known this for generations.

Working with CarbonCrop to validate this assumption, with data, it was no surprise that Atkins Ranch farmers have been pulling vast amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere. Furthermore, our ranchers are implementing large-scale plating programs, protecting waterways and encouraging biodiversity through regenerative farming practices. Because it is the right thing to do. And ultimately, it delivers a better product, for generations to come.