The Menzies family is passionate about wool – not simply because they grow it on their Central Otago farm but because they sincerely believe it to be a special product. As they share in the video below, wool is part of their daily lives.
David and Kate Menzies work hard with a short growing season on their 1620ha farm in St Bathans, Central Otago. They run approximately 8500 su with 3800 ewes and 250 breeding cows . They also winter 1600 cross bred hoggets and 240 Angus cross calves. All stock are finished under 300 acres of K-Line irrigation.
The couple were first introduced to Just Shorn™ by their Elders Primary Wool rep and value the fact that they company works with the product from farmer to market. “In floor covering, wool has such a small market at the moment. They have done a heap of in-market marketing,” says David.
“From there we kind of fell into it,” Kate says laughing. Soon the couple was making a Just Shorn™ video and Kate was travelling to Las Vegas with the promotion team to give consumers a first-hand introduction to New Zealand wool growers.
Initially, the Menzies believed Primary Wool Co-operative only served Hawke’s Bay farmers. The farming couple only joined up after Kate met and was invited to join by Hamish de Lautour on her USA trip. They observe that not many people know about the Co-operative in their part of the country and wish more did.
The couple have now been Primary Wool Co-operative members for eight years. “They do a good job leading the charge and exude a confidence about wool which is rare to find,” says David.
They appreciate the dividends and the fact that someone in the industry is working hard on their behalf to raise the profile of wool.
“We are very happy with Primary Wool Co-operative,” says Kate. “You can only be happy when you have positive and passionate people promoting your wool for you.”