Though autumn, it is a rare crisp morning in Waipapa. Three dogs are patiently impatient, their bodies humming with anticipation, as they wait on the back of the bike for their owner, Sandy Campbell, to take them across the paddock to go to work. This morning's job? Shifting Friesian bulls.
The two huntaways,’ a father and daughter, quietly control the mob while the hound-mix happily bellows at a rogue bull attempting to escape from the herd. This is a familiar rhythm for Sandy and his dogs. This daily task is the backbone of his carefully managed cell grazing system that underpins the performance of his 1,200 Friesian bulls, 300 Angus breeding cows, and 400 Wagyu grazers.
Why cell grazing?
Cell grazing, or Technograzing, divides the farm into multiple paddocks or ‘cells’ to improve soil health, maximise pasture growth, and optimise animal performance. Stock moves frequently between cells to give pasture long breaks before being grazed again. “The cells are not haphazard, but designed for the specific farm based on the soil, land type, pasture growth, and stock needs,” says Sandy.
When Sandy came to New Zealand from the UK in 2022, he had already spent years as a cell grazing advocate and consultant. Now, as owner of Perpetual Farming, Ltd, he manages stock cross three properties using this high-density rotational grazing method. All up, the farms span 1,400 hectares, with 850 effective hectares dedicated to grazing.
“This system is more sustainable. We have better pasture utilisation, better soil structure, and we can better manage our animal performance gains.”
Mending fences
Sandy’s system relies on the strength of his ‘cells.’ So, when the wild weather wiped out many of his fences, his first port of call was PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative Leon Emery.
“Getting him what he needs, when he needs it, from fencing and water supplies to seeds and nutritional supplements, means Sandy does not have to slow down.
“We probably talk about once a week. It is all about wraparound support,” says Leon.
Sandy uses a combination of permanent and temporary fencing and recently introduced electronic collars to his operation. He is grateful Leon and the team at PGW are on hand to keep his system up and running.
A system built on movement
Farming this way takes commitment. It is labour and management intensive but, for Sandy, the results are worth it.
“While we are moving stock frequently, it does not take long, maybe a ten-minute job, since these are small mobs,” he explains.
It is not just the movement of stock requiring commitment; it is an investment in infrastructure such as fencing and water.
“Water, particularly in the Far North where high temperatures are normal, is a big concern. Each cell has its own water source,” says Sandy.
“We are lucky to have Lake Manuwai as our irrigation source, just across the way.”
The easy access to water means Sandy can maintain pasture growth through the dry periods to keep his rotations consistent, not that there have been dry periods this season.
“We have had a lot of rain. Usually, the grass is pretty brown by now, but not this year. Though, we have lots of green grass, the rain brings its own set of challenges,” he says.
The energy levels within the grass can vary during wet seasons, so Sandy rotates his stock based on their needs.
“The young Friesian bulls need lots of energy, so we prioritise high-energy, high-quality pasture, while the breeding cows, who need steady feed allocation, can tidy up the rank feed. Our Wagyu are contracted to First Light, so we carefully manage them for steady, consistent growth,” he explains.
While soggy soils can mean pugging, Sandy’s cell grazing system allows him to make the system fit the soils on farm through careful paddock selection.
The future of farming?
While best known for managing bulls, Sandy’s cell grazing method can work for any ruminants.
“Cell grazing gives me to the flexibility to respond to what is happening on farm. I can maximise my productivity while protecting my farm’s natural resources. I am finding success in a sustainable way.”
