A Lifetime Dedicated To Farming

Growing up on the family dairy farm on Rangitikei Line, Manawatu, Chris Satherley always knew his future would be in farming.

His Father, Arthur Satherley, was balloted a settlement farm after returning from five years’ service in World War II and together with his wife Joy, they purchased a small herd of cows with money saved by Joy whilst Arthur was serving for his country.

Chris started a contracting business with his brother, Lawrence, whilst they were still at High School.  The family always worked well together and established the name JOYCLAS (Joy, Chris, Lawrence, Arthur, Satherley).

Chris met Denise at a Church camp and when they first got married, they lived in Shannon and leased a farm there for three years.  Not long after that, an opportunity came up for the Satherley family to buy a hill block of land on Kahuterawa Rd at the back of Linton. Chris and Denise put a house on the block and lived there for the next four years before purchasing a 300 cow town milk dairy farm on Millricks Line. They also leased an additional 100 acres next door, taking up the opportunity to purchase it when it came for sale.                                                                    

In 1993 they purchased a 49 ha block across the road  which served as a runoff for the dairy farm. Chris and Denise ran the dairy farm themselves for a while but it got to a point where Chris got too busy with the contracting business, (JOYCLAS Farms Ltd); at one point they had 20 staff.

Brother Lawrence always had a passion for dairy farming and stock, whilst Chris was more the land farmer and loved being involved with the contracting side of the business, and they could work together, which was a great success.

In 2019 they sold the original part of the dairy farm to start cutting down on the workload and in September 2024, Sallan Realty sold the 49 ha runoff.

Today, Chris and Denise are enjoying farming on their 100 acres at Linton together with a few blocks of land they lease, making hay and silage and trading cattle. They built a new home two years ago, which has beautiful views over the 100 acres and out to the ranges, that change every day.

“Now it is just about enjoying life,” said Chris.   “I do what I have to do today and if it doesn't have to be done, it can wait. For us, spending time with family and friends is important.”