Upoko
Total land area of 1123ha
This farm is primarily a tradional sheep and beef operation that also provides grazing support for the Incorporation's two dairy farms.
Rodney Walker has recently taken over as manager of Upoko. His wife Vanessa works at a local farm retail store. Born and raised in Whakatane Rodney has spent all his working life on the land. A big part of his farming career was spent in the Gisborne and Wairoa districts where he progressed to managerial roles. However he's not new to the Taumarunui district having come from Pukepoto Station at Ohura.
Upoko runs 140 Angus breeding cows, 170 trading steers, 200 heifers and 300 weaner cattle, and 5,500 mixed-aged Romney/Coopworth ewes together with grazing 240 dairy heifers and 400 winter cows from the dairy farms.
Vanessa and Rodney Walker
2013 Ahuwhenua Maori Excellence in Sheep and Beef Farming
This year Te Uranga B2 Inc. sheep and beef farm 'Upoko' was a finalist along with Te Awahohonu - Tarawera Station and Te Hape Trust - Te Hape Station in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards for Maori sheep and beef farming. Rigorous judging and public field days of all finalists climaxed in June when Te Awahohonu Forest Trust - Tarawera Station was announced the winner. Tarawera Station received a replica of the Ahuwhenua Trophy, the original was donated in 1932 by the then Governor General, Lord Bledisloe (Lord Bledisloe donated also the Rugby Union's Bledisloe Cup). Tarawera Station was awarded a medal and prizes to the value of $40,000. The remaining finalists also received a medal as well as prizes to a value of not les than $15,000.To find out more about the Ahuwhenua Trophy click here. Kaumatua Harry Kereopa features at the start of Te Uranga B2's finalist video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCs3WqV2Mzc