Ten years ago CIE’s Tongariro Farm made the choice to breed pure Angus beef. As it’s now sold at premium prices this decision is turning out to be a good one.
The farms that CIE manages include dairy, sheep, pigs, cattle and deer. They include more than 2,000ha of grassland at Tongariro which feeds 9,000 ewes, 1,200 breeding hinds and 900 Angus beef cows.
The Angus cows have been pure bred since the late 90’s because they could happily handle the snow and storms coming down from Mount Ruapehu to the open plains.
About 40 prisoners working and training at the Tongariro Farm have had the great opportunity of getting to know one of the most profitable cattle stocks in the world.
“They do get trained in all kinds of farming though, the training covers aspects directly applicable to other disciplines such as dairy or pig farming. This increases their chances of finding work on release,” says Primary Sector Manager Scott Gretton.
“The first 12 prisoners will graduate with the National Certificate in Agriculture Level 2 before July. Most of them had no idea of farming work when they started.”
Tongariro Farm Manager Rob Holland says that Angus beef is so popular because of its taste, size and tenderness. “People just love this meat. We don’t do anything special with them, no massages yet... But we do give them something extra in the seven weeks before they leave the farm. A mix of grains gives our Angus that extra special flavour.”
CIE benefits from the premium prices received from sales of the Angus beef as all earnings are retained to fund further employment training.
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For more information about CIE or how you can become involved with CIE, please call 04 470 8494 or email cieworktraining@corrections.govt.nz.
ISSN 1174-2909