Farming at Leefield Station has never been about one season, one result, or one person. It is about continuity — building carefully, steadily, generation after generation.
We’re proud to welcome Tim Salter as Farm Manager at Leefield Station.
Tim returns to Marlborough after twelve years managing a large-scale breeding and finishing operation in the Te Anau Basin for Landcorp Pāmu. There, he oversaw the finishing of up to 1,000 Angus cattle annually while consistently achieving lambing percentages above 140% — balancing commercial scale with disciplined stock management and long-term sustainability.
His experience spans sheep and cattle stud operations across Marlborough — including Upcot Station in the Awatere Valley and Ellerton and Valhalla at Kekerengu — as well as properties in Wairarapa, Central Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago. That breadth matters. It brings perspective, resilience and an understanding of how breeding decisions today shape outcomes years down the line.
Tim describes his approach simply:
“Get in and do it.”
It’s practical. Direct. Hands-on.
He believes in watching breeding results “in the flesh” — seeing animals grow, assessing structure and performance in real time, and measuring the outcome of a year’s decisions at weaning. It’s farming grounded in observation, discipline and accountability.
Leefield Station’s Angus programme has been built carefully over many years. Tim steps into that legacy with respect — clear in his intention to carry forward the strong foundation already in place, while continuing to refine genetic progress, pasture utilisation and environmentally responsible systems.
For Tim, farming is not just a profession — it’s a lifelong calling. After spending 6½ years as a machinist in the RNZAF, he returned to the land, drawn back to what he always wanted to do.
Now, alongside his wife Rachel, their five children, two grandchildren, a capable team of working dogs, horses and the rhythm of hill-country seasons, Tim brings both experience and energy to the Station.
When asked his favourite time of year, he doesn’t hesitate:
"late winter into early spring — the closing of one season and the start of another."
That’s fitting.
Because at Leefield Station, we honour what has been built — and we keep building.
Nothing by halves.
We hope you will join us in welcoming Tim, Rachel and their family to Leefield Station
To learn more about our Leefield Station Agricultural & Farming operations click here