In fact, they have sold their 158ha property, Longridge, which they have farmed for eight years, and bought a larger one at Waitahuna West, near Lawrence, increasing stock numbers from 2200 to 3300.
‘‘We have bought a 326ha farm, which is double the size and steeper,'' Mr Bain said.
‘‘It is about economies of scale. We need to get bigger to survive, and to become economic we need to be more than 3000su.
‘‘At the moment, we are marginally viable and, even though there will be increased costs, it will be worthwhile in the end.''
The couple intend to run the new property by themselves.
‘‘Lisa said she was going to get into electric fencing and will be looking for a job when we get down there.''
One of the drawbacks to managing a larger property was not having as much time to spend with their two children, Lochie (8) and Danielle (5), but Mr Bain was optimistic he would still have time at the weekends with them.
The Bains' present stock rate is 2200, which includes a commercial Romney flock and three studs - Longridge Romney (established in 1983), the Dorset Down stud (established in 1993) and the South Down stud (established in 2005). They also breed Romdale rams for sale.
They have 350 Romney stud ewes and also took about 50 rams through winter. They also have about 220 Dorset Down ewes and about 80 rams, and 250 South Down ewes and 60 rams.
The Dorset Downs lived on a minimal amount of feed and kept ‘‘pretty good condition'', Mr Bain said.
His commercial Romney flock had a 135 per cent to 140 per cent lambing percentage with good fertility and survivability.
‘‘Romneys are a good allround dual-purpose sheep, while the Dorset Downs are bred for their early maturing, terminal sire qualities so we can get the lambs away before Christmas.
‘‘A lot of guys are using them to catch the early premium.''
Since they made the decision to move, they decided to sell the Longridge South Down stud.
‘‘The South Downs are a bit softer at lambing with about 120 per cent. They are the last stud we started so they are the first to go. It will make things a bit simpler.''
The Bains' new property belonged to George Cameron, who is retiring. Mr Cameron had the farm in his family for 107 years. It has good soil fertility and shelter in the gullies but no irrigation.
The family will move at the end of this month.
Once there, the Bains intend to improve the laneways to make moving stock easier.
One of Mr Bain's Dorset Down ewes won supreme champion at this year's Central Otago A&P Show in Omakau, supreme ewe at the Mt Benger A&P Show in Roxburgh and reserve supreme ewe at the Upper Clutha A&P Show in Wanaka.
- As Dorset Down breeders and members of the Otago Southland Dorset Down Club, the Bains are hosting a ram lamb trial on their property, with 41 lambs from 11 different breeders. A field day will be held on their Dunrobin property today from 1.30pm to announce the results of the trial. They will also auction three or four sire rams. The public is welcome to attend.
