Business Rural Autumn 2021

54 | For all your Trucking needs, call: 027 227 2324 or Proud to be associated with Guus ter Woorst W hen Guus and Veronie ter Woorst first started farming in New Zealand the main point of discussion for farmers was pro- duction and how to increase it. Now the focus has shifted to also include environmental concerns. This means the couple’s main driver today is to set up their Milton farm for the future. Guus and Veronie arrived in New Zealand from Holland 13 years ago seeking adventure and opportunity. Both had grown up on dairy farms in their home country but say career progression was difficult. In New Zealand they started off at the bottom of the dairy ladder progressing from farm workers to managers to lower order sharemilkers, working in the West Otago and Southland regions. In 2014 they entered into their present equity partnership and are also contracted as lower order sharemilkers on the property. The 231ha effective/249ha total farm milks a crossbred herd of 580 cows through a 38-aside herringbone shed with automatic drafting the only luxury. Guus says they are presently investigating how to set the farm up well for the future and are looking at whether to continue to graze cows off farm over winter or whether to target a self-con- tained system for greater control. The farm utilises an irrigator and k-line system to disperse effluent. It has a 1700 cubic metre storage pond and Guus is investigating whether investment in a sand trap might provide them the extra stor- age to meet new compliance requirements while DAIRY » Guus & Veronie ter Woorst Future-proofing farm a focus for couple Karen Phelps enabling them to make better usage of nutrients on the land. The couple pay good attention to getting the basics right to make the most of what they have rather than looking at additional investment. A plate meter is used once a week to monitor pasture and has the added benefit of being able to see if anything needs attention on the farm as Guus drives around. Turnips (14ha) and fodder beet (16ha) are grown and used as part of the farm re-grassing programme. The fodder beet is fed to milk off in May and in late July/early August when the cows return to the farm from grazing. Turnips are fed over January to March to mitigate the summer dry. Somatic cell counts are low – typically around 100 – and this is the result of teat sealing after identifying cows were usually picking up mastitis on the springer pad. Milk fever was an issue in the early days but was easily solved with DCAD minerals. Guus takes the lead on the day-to-day practi- cal running of the farm with the help of a second in charge and another full time worker. Veronie rears the calves, completes the bookwork and is in charge of health and safety. A farm consultant acts as a conduit between the ter Woorsts and the other equity partners. The terWoorsts have four children: Cameron, 12, Xavier, 11, Maria, 8 and Isaac, 1, meaning family time is important. Guus says that running a larger farm makes it easier to have time off. They are optimistic about the season this year: “The payout is good and the rain keeps coming so it’s a good season so far.” Call Joe & Paula Mob: 027 232 2924 38 Kapiti Road Milton E: joeherbertcontractingltd@gmail.com Precision Planting Matt Lyon Registered Electrician localelectricalmilton@gmail.com 42 Centennial Ave, Milton Cell: 027 677 9007 - Phone 03 417 7506 Local Electrical Ltd are proud to support Guus ter Woorst Domestic, industrial and commercial Appliance repairs Heat pumps Rural Dairy maintenance and servicing Pumps and irrigation Installers of “farmtrenz” effluent fail safe systems. For all your electrical needs trust your Local sparky Photos: Guus and Veronie ter Woorst milk a herd of 580 cows on 231ha near Milton Guus and Veronie ter Woorst with family Cameron (12), Xavier (11), Maria (8) and Isaac (1).