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Murray Gemmell
Digital Harvest founder Murray Gemmell has been farming in the King Country since 1988. Prior to that Murray had spent years developing all the skill sets he would later need in operating his own sheep & beef commercial farming operation. He spent a decade shearing, and during the off season contract fencing. Murray has always been a very progressive farmer, and over the last two decades he has turned his hand to a number of commercial farming operations such as deer, dairy grazing and ram breeding. Murray has demonstrated a unique ability to get in and out of these less than traditional operations at the right time and has consistently managed to stay ahead of the curve. In 1995 Murray entered into a joint venture with Wairere new zealands number one ram breeder, and as a result has developed a strong ram breeding brand with Wairere King, on their 770 hectare property north of Taumarunui. As is typical of any hill country farm found in the heart of the King Country, Murrays’ property is very steep and unforgiving with cold, wet, bleak winters and dry hot summers.
My grandfather Ernest Gemmell originally purchased 3500 acres in 1912, he then divided the farm up between his children, including my father Peter Gemmell in 1940. Most of the original farm was eventually acquired by neighbours, however my father retained 400 hectares which I purchased in 1988. Since then I have bought an additional 421 hectares, bordering the original farm. I also have a second property an hour north of New Plymouth in Awakino. This second property was purchased as an equity partnership and consists of 370 hectares of hill country. Of the 720 hectares here in the King Country 650 hectares is effective and 120 hectares is covered in native bush and pine trees. We have approximately 200 hectares of flat land and the rest is typical of the King Country, being of very steep terrain. We get approximately 1800 mils of rain per annum and the prevailing weather system is a westerly. Currently I run 10,000 stock units across both farms.
Although there is a perception that family farms are inherited and as a consequence can be poorly farmed, in my case this couldnt be further from the truth. Farming is in my blood, and it’s fuelled by a passion, which drives me to constantly try to improve every aspect of the farming process. It was this desire which led me to partner up with Wairere. I’m a big believer in running an intensive farming system, with high stocking levels and minimal artificial inputs. I believe this is the best way to produce strong livestock.
I have a very scientific approach to farming and am constantly looking for new ways to improve the return on my farming investment. When I do come across new schools of thought or technologies that I believe will improve a farmers lot, I like to share those with the wider agricultural community, hence my decision to become a partner in Digital Harvest. I must stress however I do not believe that gains in agriculture, financial or otherwise should be made to the detriment of our enviroment. We should consider ourselves care takers of the land, and one of my goals is to pass on to the next generation land which is healthier than the land we are working today. You can read about my commitment to the enviroment by clicking on the Ballance Farm Enviroment Award to the right.