Dick Collett has been managing Greenfield Estate for over 20 years, running it for a family trust that purchased it in 1939. He strives to “do things properly and do them once” while “presenting stock at the highest level.” We interviewed him about the farm and his connection to it, here’s what he had to say:

How did you get into farming?
I left school at an early age to pursue a career in farming. My background is from a urban upbringing and worked my way up the chain to the management position here in 1990

Could you describe the type(s) of land you farm on?
Greenfield is classed as gentle rolling country, normally a very safe farming district [it has reliable rain], although we do tend to get dry in summer.

How many animals do you run? Why do you run that kind/those kinds of livestock?
We run 7700 ewes to ram with 130% lambing*. 2300 hoggets, 1300 of which go to ram. The sheep are all romneys. We buy in 250 cattle from a sister property as yearlings, put a bull to the heifers and calve about 150 of them. So we can usually winter between 350 and 400 cattle

These are hereford and angus and we use a murray gray bull for the heifer calving. Once these heifers are weaned at 31/2 months we fatten the mothers and process them at carcass weights of usually 290-300 kg. We process 2 yr steers off fodderbeet at around 350kg carcass weight. * Seeing farmer jargon you don’t understand? Check out our farmer terminology guide!

How are your farm & methods unique?
Grazing cattle in the winter on fodderbeet has been a very unique method and to be able to put upwards of 2kg per day on animals, to have them grade in the Reserve grade is very satisfying.

How does it make you feel to know that families & chefs in America are enjoying your meat?
The fact that people in America enjoy our product is extremely satisfying.

What are your favorite cuts of the meat you raise? How do you like them prepared?
A ribeye steak grilled medium rare and a lamb roast with mint sauce and new seasons vegetables.

Why do you work with Silver Fern?
It is our company’s policy to work with Silver Fern Farms.