The 6th Gen Farmer born into the lifestyle
The Win Family - Arthur, Debbie and Bryce Win, on their family farm down Win Valley Road, Dovedale. Photo: Supplied.
Being the sixth generation on his family’s sheep and beef farm, located down Win Valley Road in Dovedale, Bryce Win says that he’s looking forward to continuing in the footsteps of those who have farmed the same land before him.
Bryce explains the aspects of farming he most enjoys are the hands-on work, the ever-evolving problem solving that’s required, plus he loves the peaceful solitude. But he balances that by belonging to the Young Farmers and playing rugby.
The Win family arrived in Nelson in 1842 and the two Win brothers started to open the land in Dovedale in 1863, selling the hand-hewn timber as their only source of income.
Bryce’s dad, Arthur, a Win 5thgeneration farmer, explains: “They had a sawmill on the farm and grew a small amount of tobacco way back, as well as contracting out as haymakers. Like many in the valley they milked cows for cream to sell and used the skim milk to raise pigs, to eat and sell. Eventually by 1975 there was enough land cleared to run a decent mob of sheep.”
Nowdays the family runs around 2,000 sheep and 180 beef cattle. “I was born and bred into farming, it is a great lifestyle, I love my outside office!” exclaims Arthur.
Arthur, and wife Debbie, are both grateful to be transitioning the farm, and its responsibilities, to their son, Bryce. “We are really lucky that Bryce is interested in the farm and enjoys the work. There are not so many families now who have the opportunity to transition their farm to their child,” Debbie explains.
Debbie says the transition is going along nicely and having Bryce on the farm has allowed her to use more of her time on catchment care work which she is passionate about. Debbie is a firm advocate for wool.
“One of the things that disappoints me the most, is we no longer treasure wool,” she says, "wool is a wonderful, biodegradable product, but because of the plastic revolution, wool has been reduced to a waste product. I hope this will change!”
Arthur shares this view and extends on it: “Wool used to be a form of income and now it’s just a health requirement to remove it. Farming is a great way of life, but there’s not a lot of incentive in it anymore. It's tough going, there are regulations challenging farmers in all sectors, thick and fast. It’s hard to keep up with. Luckily Bryce is keen to work through it all, he is young enough to adapt if needed.” Bryce agrees: “We have to be able to adapt quickly, but without rushing into anything too fast, either.”
The farm was heavily impacted by facial eczema, due to the warm, wet, weather over the last year, losing around 200 ewes and 100 lambs. “It was a bad season for facial eczema for us alright,” Arthur adds, “e we're pleased it is cooler and drier at present.”
Now in the full swing of lambing both Bryce and Arthur have busy, long days and say it’s great to be working side by side. Orphan lambs are one of Debbie’s favourite parts of farming.
“The boys do two rounds a day checking lambs and ewes, "she says, "we can end up with quite a few orphans. I hand feed each one for 3-4 days, then transition them onto a bucket or the automatic feeder, depending on numbers. It is a busy six weeks or more. The grandkids come and stay - they love helping me feed the lambs; they give them names and they also feed the calves with Bryce.”
As for the 6th gen farmer he says he really enjoys having family actively involved on the farm with him. “My great-great-great-great grandfather started our farm, the fact that I have the opportunity to continue to care for the land and keep the farm going is really awesome,” says Bryce.