We had a wonderful farm visit in southern New Zealand, it was 2,000 hectares (about 5,000 acres) with 6,000 sheep, a couple hundred cattle and 2,000 red deer, a species from Europe were on the farm we stayed on.

These are 7 month old 'lambs', in great shape since the weather is so favorable and they are moved quite often to new pastures.

The deer are larger than our whitetails and are mated with elk, so the offspring are even larger. This picture is taken from the truck, as we did not get out. Jim was the gate keeper and when we left the gate open in this field, it was a rush to get back and close it before the 'mob' (as the farmer refers to the herd or flock) moves to exit via the gate. They like being moved, it means new grazing and are used to moving every few days. This farm was over 3,500 acres, with many paddocks, all fenced with numerous gates. In our 4 hr tour, Jim open and closed about 20 gates.

Fodder beets are grown for livestock feed. This is Beta vulgaris same as sugar beets, same as our garden beet, same as swiss chard, however, these are all specific cultivars of the same species. The amazing thing is, farmers in NZ plant these from seed, and just let the stock in to eat the beets from the field. No harvesting necessary!! The beets are huge, similar to sugar beets in size and orange instead of white like sugar beets. Sheep, and cattle and I think deer all are grazed in these fields. They also feed hay and limit the extent of the fodder beet field that the stock can access.