Since 1892, 'The Grange' has been an active North Canterbury farm just outside of Oxford. The Bird's are its latest caretakers. Alistair, Genna, and their daughters call 'The Grange' home. The 560ha farm has views stretching from the Main Divide Mountains to Christchurch to the ocean and beyond. Together, they run a sheep and beef farm, a 65ha flat dryland lease for wintering and lambing, and a growing agritourism business with accommodation and walking tracks.
Three years ago, Alistair started his own YouTube channel, 'KIWI FARMER,' to give a candid look at farming in New Zealand. His channel now has thousands of subscribers from all corners of the globe watching his regular updates on everything from lambing and fencing, to hedge trimming and setting troughs.
"My wife and I were both born and bred on sheep and beef farms. I grew up in Manawatu. My father sold the farm, so after Lincoln University, I worked for Pāmu for several years, spending six years on the West Coast," says Alistair.
Then an oppotunity to run their own business arose.
"The Grange came for sale in 2014, and through a family trust, Genna and I were able to take the reins to farm for ourselves."
The work can be hard and stressful, but also incredibly rewarding. For Alistair, this is not a job, but a way of life.
A little help from his friends
On a sunny spring morning, Kaleb Bolton rocks up in his PGG Wrightson truck for a check in. The Technical Field Representative in a regular at 'The Grange' as a trusted advisor, and now, friend.
"When I work with a client, I work to build a kind of relationship where I am trusted to run ideas past, to be that first port of call; and in many cases, like with Alistair and Genna, they become mates," says Kaleb.
Alistair agrees and relies on Kaleb to get the most out of his operation.
"It is great having that person I can go to. He is the first person I call with a question, because he is so knowledgeable. And if he does not know the answer, I know he will find it for me. He is not just checking boxes or will force you to stay the course because it is easier. Kaleb is a great advocate for trying something new if it will improve your system," he explains.
"I like to challenge people to think outside the box. We talk through all the options and solutions to see what works best for them and and their goals. I am not an order taker but a resource," Kaleb says.
A five-year plan
Dealing with farmers is not a one-off transaction. It is a long-term relationship, built over time, which is constantly evolving.
"It is a partnership," says Kaleb.
The question he likes to ask his customers is—where would you like to be in five years?—to tailor his advice to their goals and aspirations.
"You are flying blind if you do not know the answer to that questions, but so is the farmer."
Over the last decade working with PGG Wrightson, the Birds have made many changes, such as moving away from fodder beet to kale, or introducing chicory and clover for lamb finishing to building accommodation huts on their land.
"We want to maximise our system and diversify our income streams. Kaleb is a valuable part of our business, taking the lead from us, to help us reach our goals," says Alistair.
A team effort
Another integral member of the team is the local PGG Wrightson store in Rangiora.
"I may see my customers once a month or a fortnight, but in between, they are popping into the shop and talking to the team, buying things they need, getting advice. It is an important, valuable touchpoint for our customers, which works best when we all work together for the benefit of the farmers," explains Kaleb.
Alistair agrees, "I remember the ol' Wrightsons in Feilding as a kid and going in with Dad. Going in today is the same. They are so helpful and knowledgeable, it is a real team effort," says Alistair.
For Kaleb, success is more than numbers on a spreadsheet.
"For me, nothing says success than a customer telling me they value my opinion. But it is a two-way street, because as much as I have knowledge to share, I learn so much from each one of them, too."
