The Bielskis journey to a high performance regenerative sheep system
Video description: From inspiration through a seven year journey of trial and evolution, the system at Rehoboth Farm is now proving itself in all conditions.
Video description: Hamish explains the challenges and approaches to creating the balance needed for both regeneration and performance.
In 2016 Hamish and Amy Bielski had a lightbulb moment after listening to Dr Christine Jones speak at their local hall. Seven years on they have tried, tested and evolved a range of grazing, cropping and pasture management approaches to discover what works best in their context. The result is a resilient, low input and profitable high performance sheep farm that has proven itself through three successive summer/autumn droughts.
In this case study, Hamish generously shares their journey, lessons, learnings and results which will be extremely valuable for any current or aspiring regenerative sheep farmer.
“Putting in diverse pastures, getting your grazing management right, your water right, your fencing right and your mentality right have been the most fundamental foundations for us to get right.”
Hamish Bielski, South Otago beef and sheep farmer
Links to previous case studies
Rehoboth Farm
Overview
Who: Hamish and Amy Bielski - Rehoboth Farm
Location: Clinton, South Otago
Farm details:
• 280ha effective of flat to rolling country with silt loam soils
• 600-900mm annual rainfall with a tendency for dry summers
• 80% sheep breeding/finishing 20% trade cattle
Goals
Work 5 hours a day
Pay off $100k/year debt
Build strong family with character and integrity
Grow the soil carbon sponge
Guiding principles
Limited soil disturbance
Minimal bare soil
Living plants growing
Diversity of plants
Higher density mob grazing
Reduce mobs, longer rotationsF
Management, Policies & Performance
Grazing management
Target rotation lengths:
Spring 15-25 days
Summer 40-55 days
Autumn 30-40 days
Winter 85-95 days
Target residuals:
Spring 1100-1200kgDM/ha
Summer/Autumn 1500kgDM/ha
Winter 1000kgDM/ha
Other key policies and practices
Closely match feed demand to supply
90% of lambs gone by the end of January
Nitrogen only used strategically to increase pasture growth following droughts
10-15ha kale/grass crop to ensure ewe lambs grow well
No fertiliser applied but soil fertility closely monitored
“We have to try and optimise our production not maximise it. Trying to maximise it causes a lot of heartache and a lot of input costs.”
Hamish Bielski beef and sheep farmer
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