A Tour of the Harding Sheep and Cattle Farm in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand

Malcolm Harding in the sheep shearing shed

Pam Harding

Malcolm Harding took us on a tour of his 1,000 acres sheep and cattle farm this morning – an incredible experience!  Malcolm’s parents started the farm after WWII.  

We toured the farm in his 4Wheel drive – up and down steep tracks with cows running to get out of the way.  One of the stops was the sheering shed where Malcolm took us through every step of the process.  The sheering “stations” are next to a shoot where the animal is sent after the “haircut.”  Each shearer has a shoot and pen area so that the sheep can be counted since they are paid by the number sheared.  The fleece is then put in a “packer” that pressed the wool into bales. 

Modern sheep management techniques are used.  The same “shoot” that is used to guide the sheep into the shearing shed is also used after the sheep have been with the rams.  They are lined up and a vet is there to do an ultra sound to see if the sheep is pregnant and if there are twins.  Those with twins are separated and put in a pasture that will allow them to eat more with less competition from the rest of the flock. Shearing takes place several times during the year.  The lambs at different times and the sheep twice a year – as I recall.  (There was so much information this morning that I’m not sure I retained it all!) 

The Young Bulls - destined for McDonald's!

The cattle are Holstein but for beef not milk.  Malcolm also raises Friesian Holstein bulls.  After a certain age, they go to another farmer who completes there maturation.  Amazingly, these bulls are slaughtered for meat that is sent to the United States where the leaner beef from the bull is mixed with other beef to reduce the fat content.  When you eat a hamburger at a Fast Food restaurant you are probably eating New Zealand bull beef!  Malcolm’s cattle are free-range and grass fed – no grains or feed which also accounts for the leaner quality of the beef.   We saw the separate paddocks for cattle that were sick.

On the tour we drove up a steep hill for a sweeping view of the surrounding countryside – most of it part of the farm.  Along the way we saw the many turkeys that roam wild as well as goats. 

Pam and Malcolm Harding have been incredible hosts – very helpful with our travel plans – but the tour today was really a highlight! The City “folk” learned a lot! 

Gloria - our other wonderful host!