We're excited to introduce our committee members who make MCG possible and drive our mission forward. First up, meet our treasurer Ro McDiarmid.
Ro McDiarmid pictured with her dog Queen
A desire to better understand how to apply legislation and regulation on-farm led Ro McDiarmid to join the Manuherekia Catchment Group. She has been with the group since its evolution, and says it has been a transformative experience, working with like-minded farmers.
Based in Oturehua in the Ida Valley, Ro McDiarmid and her husband Karl run the 1380-hectare Gorge Creek Flat beef finishing farm. The property has been in her husband’s family for three generations and until recently was run as a traditional sheep and beef farm.
Despite the size of the property, Ro and her family have been cognisant of the need to protect waterways and biodiversity on farm. More than 70% of the waterways on the farm are permanently fenced and stock is excluded from the remaining areas with temporary wires. Within the farm, 150ha is run with the TechnoGrazing™, an innovative Kiwi development that makes rotational grazing more efficient, productive, and sustainable. The farm has also converted to the highly efficient pivot irrigation.
“Navigating the legislation and regulations can be overwhelming for farmers in terms of how to apply on their own farm. Catchment groups provide information that really helps farmers.”
Ro is also on the Ida Valley Catchment Group committee. The group is working on a project in Ida Valley clearing out willows from the Poolburn Gorge and helping the Poolburn School to build a glasshouse for native seedlings and propagation. There is also a small project developing between the Catchment Group and Gorge Creek Flats, planting out a small gully in the spring.
“Getting Clare Hadley on board has been a highlight. Her enthusiasm is infectious.”
