Glenlands Farm History

Glenlands Farm was purchased in 1970 (previously known as Dillon’s) by Sue and Gerald Martin.  Glenlands has always been a mixture of sheep and beef (sometimes only cattle, sometimes only sheep).  Glenlands also ventured into deer in early 80’s to 1998 but found them to be inflexible in dry summers and damaging to soils and wetland areas. 

Glenlands Farm consists of 244ha (145ha effective), medium hill country, and is situated Napier end of the Napier-Taupo Road. 

Dean, as a school boy, used to run all over the farm catching wild goats, and selling these, making a nice little profit with minimal outlay.  Dean attended Lincoln University where he completed a Bachelors Degree in B Com Agriculture and Farm Management.  Dean has always had a love and passion for the land and has always researched and practiced non-traditional methods of farming.  He has always tried to use minimal external inputs such as fertiliser and drenches.  In 2007, after a major drought that forced all the cattle to be sold, Dean, Gerald and Sue changed stock classification and began dairy heifer grazing for Landcorp.

Dean and Antoinette got married in 2009, and during that year Dean became a partner in the farm.  Dean, Gerald and Sue continued grazing for Landcorp up until 2017.  During this time, through a stress-free succession planning, Dean and Antoinette took over the farm in 2014 but both Gerald and Sue are still pivotal to the success of Glenlands Farm. 

In 2016 Dean and Antoinette decided to once again change stock-class and started rearing their own calves.  Dean continued researching and implementing Holistic management / Regenerative Farming practices and principals. The change to a more holistic / regenerative grazing management system, using the Andre Voisin rotational grazing system, has improved pasture persistence and diversity.

We sow diverse crop mixes that provide forage for, not only livestock, but pollinators, birds and keep the soil covered. Management is intensive with rotation lengths varying between 20-110 days with 200-600 head per hectare.  There have been little fertiliser inputs in the last 12 years – about 3kg P/Ha (entire 12 years) – most of which has been direct drilled with seed. Changing grazing methods has seen us get through droughts and other weather changes with relatively minimal stress on both the animals and soils.   Glenlands Farm is a productive property with consistent health EFS per Hectare.

Mission Statement

To produce excellent quality meat lambs and beef cattle whilst continuing to reduce farm inputs such as fertiliser and commercial use of animal health products.  This is to be achieved by using holistic, biological and regenerative farming methods which will help improve our soil carbon and biodiversity. 

Hopes for the Future

To be able to use the farm as an educational tool to inspire anyone interested, young or old, to improve agriculture for the future.

To leave a successful business / life style for our children and grandchildren.

To give urban and overseas people the opportunity to interact on the farm through our glamping accommodation and farm tours. 

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