Endless quest for pastures new.

(From The Dominion Post)

Byline: MORGAN Jon

During his long farming career, Jim Inglis has been at the forefront of many significant developments.

FIFTY-SIX years after taking over the reins of his Woodville hill country farm Jim Inglis' thirst for knowledge remains unquenched.

"No matter what you are doing, there must be a better way to do it -- that's my motto," he says. "That's been my main driving force and it always will be."

His search for a better way has taken him to agriculture conferences and seminars, to the top of organisations like the New Zealand Grassland Association, the Grassland Trust and the Manawatu branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand for the Advancement of Science, to present research papers with leading scientists and, above all, to field days and discussion groups to pass on the practical benefits of his discoveries to other farmers.

Still active at 78, he can be found helping sons Jimmy and Iain in the yards or out in the paddocks inspecting pasture covers. Along with wife Jonnie, he takes a leading role in planning the management of Ratahiwi, their 1300ha farm at Woodville, and 800ha Waihetu at Pongaroa, bought last year.

Through Mr Inglis' close association with science, Ratahiwi has been co-opted as a proving ground for many …