Regional Supreme Winners 2022: Mark & Jane Johnson of Alcuin Station

Regional Supreme Winners: Mark & Jane Johnson of Alcuin Station – Sheep and Beef 

Working as a team has been Jane and Mark Johnson’s key to farming success over the past 30 years, and since 2008 they have put this expertise to work at Alcuin Station.

They have made numerous improvements to the 1,500ha sheep and cattle farm where they run 4,400 ewes, 2,200 trade lambs and just over 1,800 cattle.

Their team approach sees Jane overseeing livestock policies and the finances, while Mark takes care of farm development and maintenance. They make decisions together on all stock sales, purchases, development and capital expenditure.

Together with their valued staff, they’ve developed the farm so it’s in much better shape than when they arrived – in terms of both the environment and financial performance.

Pasture management has been a top priority for the Johnsons, resulting in highly productive stock which provides essential income for future development.

Another focus has been maintenance and development of the property. Infrastructure improvements include more fencing, water reticulation systems and the major development of building a bridge across the Mōtū River. They’ve also fenced the river off and created a large wetland. As paddocks have been developed, they’ve started using a direct drill which is saving the team time and money.

Staff wellbeing is a vital ingredient to Mark and Jane’s recipe for success, and they’re rightly proud of the good work environment they’ve created.

As the Johnsons look to the future, they’re planning more native planting along the Mōtū River and want to provide more shelter for their stock.

The Johnsons care about the footprint they leave behind for future generations. They saw entering the Ballance Farm Environment Awards as a way of demonstrating the positive environmental work being done by farmers – including themselves.

As well as receiving this years Regional Supreme Award, Mark and Jane also received:
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award
Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award
Norwood Agri-Business Management Award
East Coast Farming for the Future Award