Located in Waikari Valley, North Canterbury, Iffley Land supply Mountain River with deer.
Owner - John and Pauline McGrath
Manager - Scott and Jo Hassall
Panorama of Iffley - the forest block is the perfect environment for wintering in fawn hinds - upper centre of photo. Iffley has a spectacular panorama view stretching from Christchurch to the Kaikoura ranges, at the highest point of the North Canterbury property.
Scott, the manager for over 20 years, has a vast knowledge of the property along with the requirements of the animals that live there. In the future, they plan to invest in irrigation which will allow the operation to be more flexible.
Sheep and beef cattle are integrated into the farming system, which helps with pasture management throughout the year and also allows for a spread of income streams and labour requirements during the year.
John and Pauline have committed to deer farming for a long time and have made a significant investment in creating an ideal place for deer to live and grow in a natural environment.
Feeding is a pasture-based system with some lucerne grown. They make grass silage for winter feeding with some forage crops also produced for the young stock.
Weaners were 80-100kgs live weight in May which is heavier than most years - it has been good this autumn. (Photo above, this year’s weaner crop on Iffley)
Iffley's farming system is to breed and finish all of their deer with the target to harvest in September - October when liveweight is 100-115kgs. Most of the yearling crop is off the farm before the arrival of the summer dry season.
John McGrath, Scott Hassall & John Sadler
