Tony & Michelle Roberts and Kate Roberts & Mark Lieshout
Top Deck Trading

Since 2017, this Southland farm has undergone a significant transformation, with the family behind it turning two adjacent properties into a specialised dual-system operation.

After buying two adjacent properties that have a combined total area of 269ha (240ha), Michelle & Tony Roberts developed half into a high-performing deer unit that provides most of their income through the production of velvet and trophy bucks. Meanwhile, the other half is used for intensive dairy heifer grazing, along with running a small amount of beef cattle.

As part of succession planning, daughter Kate Roberts and her partner Mark Lieshout are working on the farm, with a long-term vision of buying into the business.

In just eight years, the team has overhauled the property with a network of internal lanes and a purpose-built paddock layout designed for streamlined stock movement.

Judges were impressed with the ingenuity of the infrastructure, particularly the conversion of an old woolshed into a modern deer shed and the construction of a dedicated deer wintering barn.

The infrastructure improvements maximise animal welfare and ease handling, ensuring the farm remains efficient and manageable.

With the deer business, there’s a sharp focus on genetics to drive high-quality production. The judges praised the excellent health of all animals on the farm.

The team has an equally strong focus on environmental conservation, with the property now featuring a biodiversity corridor, complemented by retired marginal land and constructed wetlands. With guidance from experts, the projects are making meaningful contributions to local water quality.

The judges said that collaboration is a cornerstone of Top Deck Trading’s success. The family operates with a collective mindset, leaning on a strong network of experts, and remaining open to fresh ideas.

With well-organised systems, the family behind this resilient, tidy, and efficient farming operation is well on the way to ensuring it can be seamlessly handed down to the next generation.