History:

The Lee brothers have long family links with Port Howard Farm being the fourth generation to own/manage the farm.  Back in the early 1900’s their mothers grandfather managed the farm and his son followed on from him in 1940.  On his retirement 1978 their paternal grandfather became manager with both their father and uncle following on in later years, until they purchased Port Howard from overseas landlords in 1987, resulting in Port Howard being the largest privately owned farm in the Falkland Islands. Christopher and Myles inherited their fathers company shares in 2000 and purchased their uncles shares in 2004, when he decided to retire from the managers role.

The farm:

The farm settlement is home to approximately 25 people, with a small primary school, Social Club, Motel and café, and is situated in a small inlet on the lower eastern slopes of Mount Maria. There is an independently owned tourist lodge that offers excursions around the farm to see various types of wildlife or fishing trips to the renowned Warrah river.

The main East-West ferry terminal is situated at the South end of the settlement, providing easy access between the two main Islands. The Maria Motel and café is situated close to the ferry terminal in the old ‘bunkhouse’ building, that for many years was home to single shepherds and navies(labourers). There has been a large investment in renewable energy over the last few years with the introduction of wind turbines and solar panels.

Grazing and wool production:

The grazing system at Port Howard is a combination of traditional and modern systems, that has been developed over the years to best suit the geography of the farm. Mature sheep are moved to higher feeding grounds, on the mountain slopes during the summer months allowing the younger sheep to be rotated around the lower pastures ensuring all areas of the lowlands lie fallow for a period during the summer months. There is no grazing on the high ground during the winter months.      Extensive fencing programs over the years have allowed for better controlled grazing, with most mountain areas only being grazed every third year and making rotation on the lower land more efficient.

Several thousand trees have been planted in and around the settlement area to provide shelter and protection for shorn sheep post shearing and have become an important habitat for smaller birds.

The last 25 years have seen the gradual introduction of Merino genetics from Australia into what was an established Corriedale flock. This has improved the quality of wool produced, Port Howard Farm’s average micron for the 2025/26 season was 21.7 micron, with 137,500 greasy kilos of wool being produced for shipment.

Sheep are shorn in the settlement shearing shed which is a Quality Falkland Wool Standard (QFW) approved, shearing shed.  QFW is audited and managed by the Falkland Islands Government, and although not recognised worldwide, does ensure the shearing shed, pens and equipment are fit for purpose and the wool clip preparation is done to a high standard. It is a seven-stand modernised shearing shed, situated close to the waterfront and ferry head, regularly visited by the general public arriving or departing on the inter-Island ferry.

Wildlife and the environment:

Most of the farm coastline is home to various types of sea birds (there are 11 separate colonies of breeding penguins within the farm boundaries). Many southern sea lions breed and along the northern coast and whales can often be seen from the shoreline from January to May. Port Howard harbour is known for the large quantities of Commerson’s Dolphin that feed and live within the Inlet.

The interior is home to raptors and smaller birds with several species of rare plants to be found, particularly in the more mountainous areas. Narrows Island is of particular interest to botanists with many local rare plants situated there. A partnership between Port Howard school and conservation groups has seen the establishment of a small nature area, close to the settlement, where seeds and plants have been transported from Narrows Island, to reintroduce these plants to the mainland.

There is a tussac grass plantation on the North coast of the farm to help provide an improved habit for breeding sea lions and farm employees annually undertake the planting of tilers and seed to extend the tussac area.

The farm area covers most types of Falklands environment with wet peat lands, coastal areas and Mountains, with each type of environment managed in different ways. Port Howard was recently involved in the national soil mapping project and have also partaken in the carbon analysis of peat deposits, to try and get a better understanding of how climate change and grazing may affect these important carbon sinks in the future.