58 | Fourth generation farmers at Westholm Kim Newth Brothers Luke and Peter Kane and their partners Nicole and Alice are proud to be at the helm as fourth generation farmers at “Westholm” beside the Pomahaka River. This land, south of Tapanui in West Otago, has been in the Kane family since 1929 with purchases through the years pushing their holding through to the Blue Mountains. Stud Herefords have grazed here since the 1960s (Westholm Polled Herefords), with Stud Angus (Blue Mountain Angus) added from the late 1990s. Sheep and beef was a successful formula in the past, but when Luke spotted opportunities in dairy farming back in 2008 the original family farm was converted to dairy. With succession planning, Luke and Peter’s parents Robert and Mary-Anne Kane have passed the reins to their two sons, who are milking 630 cows through a 54-bale rotary shed and running the two beef studs and cattle fattening operation. Peter, Luke’s younger brother, has a strong beef background but has been going through a steep learning curve over the past few years to learn all the ins and outs of the dairy farm. “The goal is for both of us to have the same skillset across the business,” says Luke. “One of us has a young family and the other is about to arrive. We want to reach a position where if one of us takes some time off it won’t matter as we will be able to cover for each other. We also want to try and grow the business for that next generation coming along.” The 240ha dairy platform provides an effective MEAT & WOOL » Luke and Nicole Kane proving ground for Kane Farms’ dairy beef genetics. Fully performance recorded cows must rear a calf every year without compromising production and produce progeny that grow well from birth to weaning. All yearling heifers are mated and must get back in calf. “Having the dairy farm works so well as it allows us to see how the stud is performing. It proves that we believe in our own animals. We fatten our own stock; we’re using the same stud stock that we would sell to other dairy farmers. This year, we produced 330 dairy beef calves for fattening.” Ear tag Cow Manager technology enables full monitoring of each individual animal. It ensures any stock health issues can be swiftly identified and managed. “We bring in other cows for wintering as well and manage them under that system too so their owners can also monitor how they’re going without having to be on the farm.” Fodder beet, kale and swedes are grown as winter feed crops. Luke says there is always a degree of friendly rivalry between beef and dairy beef breeders. There is no doubt though that Kane Farms is delivering what the market wants, with their Polled Hereford and Angus Yearling Bulls bred to add value in both the dairy beef and beef heifer markets. All 49 yearling bulls presented at Kane Farm’s annual on-farm sale last October were sold, achieving a $3189 average for the sale with the market still paying a premium for the Herefords over the Angus. “With the rising costs in farming, a successful sale like this certainly benefits the bottom line.” For more information check out our website www.kelsokontracting.co.nz Or call/email us, Hamish: 0274 306 869 Office: 03 204 8112, office@kkcl.nz • Stabilising • Rock Crushing • Stump Grinding & Mulching • Reefinator • Earthmoving & Excavation • Wood Chipping Cows grazing at Westholm. Luke and Nicole Kane. 027 286 5333 Proud to be associated with Luke & Nicole Kane FOR ALL YOUR: • Baling • Wrapping • Carting • Mowing
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