The land has been in Henry’s family for more than four decades.
“Henry’s parents farmed the property for just over 40 years before we took over in 2021,” Rachel says. “It’s a huge responsibility but also a huge privilege to be here.”
That sense of privilege is anchored in the land itself. Bedeshurst is a farm shaped by its terrain - a mix of arable flats, rolling downs, and hill blocks that can turn unforgiving in a wet winter. The Callaghan’s run 200 cows, 1,000 ewes, 350 hinds, plus 250 hectares of wheat, barley and oil seed rape, all within a system where seasons don’t follow a predictable script.
“Every season is different, so you’ve just got to be flexible,” Henry says.
And flexibility, for them, isn’t just a management style - it’s survival.
Working With What the Land Gives
Planning a season begins with a single principle: matching what the farm can grow with what the stock will demand.
“When we’re planning our season, we’re looking at matching stock demand with what we can grow,” Henry says. It sounds simple, but on steep, weather-dependent country, it’s anything but. Crop rotations, paddock history, soil type, and seasonal variability all shape how the Callaghan’s map out a year.
A “good” season?
One where dry weather helps cattle and sheep perform and lets feed be fully utilised. But they don’t count on it.
“Every year throws up something different,” Rachel says. “You’ve just got to move with it.”
Despite the variability, some things stay consistent. Their love of cattle. The rhythm of stock work. The commitment to getting the right class of stock on the right country. And now, more than ever, a focus on environmental stewardship.
“We’re really committed to leaving the land here in a better state than we found it,” Rachel says. That means annual planting, protecting waterways, and using specialist advice to guide improvement. Coal Stream’s future is shaped by decisions made now - decisions that keep the landscape healthier for the next generation.
A System That Works: The Callaghan’s & Catalyst
In a farm system this complex, support matters - and for the Callaghan’s, that support comes from Catalyst agronomist Luke Brice, who has been part of their business for more than a decade.
“Luke’s been our agronomist for over ten years - he’s become a very important part of our business.”
It’s a relationship built not on transactions, but on trust and understanding. Luke knows the land. He knows the system. And he knows the people running it.
“He has a great understanding of what we’re trying to achieve, what we like to grow, and what suits the property.”
What makes the biggest difference is how proactive he is.
“Luke monitors the crops really closely and comes without us asking. This takes a big weight off our shoulders.”
Instead of chasing issues, they stay ahead of them. Instead of constantly worrying about crop health, they can focus on the bigger picture.
And behind the scenes, Catalyst’s systems keep everything moving:
- Recommendations go straight into Resolution
- Tasks are created and tracked
- Records are automatically stored
- Chemical is dropped off on farm, with notifications the moment it arrives
For a busy mixed operation, this isn’t just convenience. It’s control. It’s clarity. It’s time they get back.
“Catalyst gives us great service and we really value the relationship with them.”
Feeding the Nation, One Season at a Time
At the heart of the Callaghan story is something simple but powerful: pride. Not loud, not boastful - steady.
“We feel really proud to be able to play our small part in feeding the nation.”
As NZFAP Plus Gold suppliers, quality isn’t optional. It’s the standard. It’s what the land deserves, what the stock deserve, and what the families who buy their food deserve.
Coalstream isn’t just a farm.
It’s a legacy shaped over 40 years.
A landscape that demands respect.
A business fuelled by planning, resilience, and partnership.
A family doing everything they can to leave the place better than they found it.
This is the Callaghan story -
Real People, Rural Roots.
