Good Things Start on Farm – Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor Ltd

Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor Ltd

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards is an annual awards programme run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. These awards celebrate farmer and grower achievements, inspire others in the field and help share positive farming stories.

Meet our Otago Regional Supreme Winners for 2023: Steven and Kellie Nichol of Auldamor Ltd

Type of farm: 1,498ha, sheep breeding and finishing operation, with cattle grazing, and carbon and production forestry.

Where: Clarks Junction, Otago

Steven and Kellie Nichol, owners of Auldamor have been continually taking their farming business to the next level – always open to trying out new things and adjusting production systems, all while keeping the environment in mind. Here are some of the key aspects and values that have helped pave the way to make their farm a success:

Legacy

Having been farming in the area since 1871, the Nichol family have a deep bond with to the land and make it a priority to continuously improve and protect it.

Consistently reviewing and monitoring

The Nichols take care of 4,500 ewes, 1,500 hoggets, and 80 rams. They also graze around 290 mixed-age beef cows each year. They are constantly reviewing and making improvements to their farming methods and focus on measuring and monitoring their performance to increase profitability.

Reduction of animals on the land to match capabilities (stocking rate)

The Nichols are mindful of the land's capacity to support the animals without harming the natural vegetation. By adjusting the stocking rate this helps lessen the impact on the native vegetation.

Continuous improvements

Steven has made significant improvements to the farm by upgrading the layout, switching to dryland pastures, and implementing soil health initiatives. These changes have resulted in better yields, improved animal health, and resilient pastures.

Environment is top of mind

The property has become more biodiverse thanks to the planting of shelterbelts, forestry stands, and the fencing of native shrubland and waterways. Steven is actively engaged with the local community catchment group and is part of a greenhouse gas mitigation project - primarily focused on reducing gross methane emissions.

What the Nichol’s love about farming

We love the fact that we are a intergenerational farming family which give us purpose and connection to an area and a community. It gives our family grounding and balance as well as autonomy and flexibility in our lives.

We get a lot of enjoyment and fulfillment in producing quality food and fibre products and it is satisfying to see the tangible progress we have made on farm over recent years.