National winners focussed on sustainability and diversity

Wairarapa farmers Patrizia Vieno and Rod Clutton are winning farmers in the widest sense of the word.

Patrizia and Rod own Rewa Rewa Station, a 988h hill country farm at Tinui around 40kms from Masterton. They run 4250 Romneys and 140 Angus cattle, plus a flock of one hundred coloured sheep of various breeds, fifty cashmere goats, a small mob of highland cattle but that’s not all their business interests.

Patrizia and Rod have a strong interest in environmental matters, especially in improving their land, and their hard work in this area has brought recognition on the national stage. The couple recently won The Ballance Farm Environmental Supreme Award for Greater Wellington 2022. They also won the people in primary sector, QEII National Trust Farm Stewardship and the Business Management Awards. Patrizia and Rod are now about to compete with the other regional supreme winners in the National Sustainability Showcase Awards to be held in Christchurch 23- 24 November 2022.

Patrizia says keeping track of their various business interest, including stock types and numbers, would have been a challenge in the past but having moved to Farm Focus she say that problem has been solved.

“The coding options Farm Focus delivers has made my job much easier! I can use my own codes and for example, there’s actually a category for goats so I can stop calling them deer now!

A keen spinner and weaver Patrizia sells her creations and her wool at local markets and on her website. The couple also manufacture and sell their own branded pure lamb’s wool blankets and knitting yarn.

“Using Farm Focus Management Tags, we’re able to separate out our various income streams which is so helpful. We’re able to monitor the various and keep an eye on how we’re tracking right across the business.”

Patrizia initially found the change to Focus challenging but says she was soon away and really enjoying the time saving options Focus delivers!

“I also learned a lot attending the local seminars and workshops Farm Focus Ltd delivers around the country. I picked up tips and tricks shared by the other attendees too so thoroughly recommend getting along to your local event. It’s a good way to learn how to make the most of the application and make connections.”

And …for those interested in Patrizia and Rod’s website please visit: https://rewarewastation.co.nz