| 35 RURAL PEOPLE » Nick & Kirsty Verhoek ‘Fluid farming’ adapts to constant change Using Halter technology to graze summer crops on the milking platform. Beef herd grazing the hill block. Karen Phelps Fluid farming’ is how Nic and Kirsty Verhoek term their approach. The couple are 50:50 sharemilking a herd of 740 Friesian and Friesian Cross cows on a 160ha effective farm in Morrinsville for farm owner Hans Geessink. Ever changing weather patterns, in ation and rising costs have been their biggest challenges over the past year and they have had to take a particularly responsive approach. “We’ve learned that just because we did something the previous season it doesn’t mean we’ll do it the next. We’re constantly reassessing the situation and making decisions that suit the conditions at the time,” says Kirsty. “You can’t farm for one season,” agrees Nic. “It’s a big picture thing and there is no silver bullet. It’s about not being stuck in the same rut and being comfortable being uncomfortable – trying something new and asking questions.” A good example of their uid farming took place around feed. Being a system ve farm, high feed prices have meant critical decision making around what cows are fed at certain times. Weather conditions saw them grow 15-20% less pasture than normal. So when they grew a good summer crop of turnips, some of which was nished early, they decided to squeeze in a second crop – aggressive drought tolerant sorghum – immediately after, which was direct drilled in early January in anticipation of a cyclone dumping rain over that period. It’s going well and it’s an example of their ability to swim against the tide and try something new. They have also deployed the wearable Halter collar technology on their herd, which has increased ef ciencies, particularly around mating time and crop management, and reduced the on-farm workload for staff. “Technology is great as we believe in the transparency of our business, especially for consumers and Halter helps us to move in that direction,” says Kirsty. Making supplement when the opportunity arises. • Truck and trailer bulk units • Transporter hire • Aggregates • Race Pumice • Fertiliser • Stock Foods • Reject Kiwifruit For professional and reliable service call the team at Addline Transport Ltd. PROUDLY SERVICING NICK & KIRSTY VERHOEK’S TRANSPORT NEEDS P: 07 542 4693 | E: office@addlinetransport.co.nz Arnold Agriculture ∙ Bulk Silage ∙ Baled silage/hay ∙ Full cultivation ∙ Maize planting & harvesting ∙ Summer crops ∙ Autumn regrassing ∙ Undersowing Servicing theMatamata-Piakoarea Kurt: 027 374 0317 Email: arnoldagriculture@outlook.com Not that things always go as planned and they acknowledge they have learned a lot of lessons on the way. For example after going palm kernel free for the last two seasons they had to pull the trigger on PK this season. “We play around with different crops and systems as we are trying to climate proof our business going forward and manage our feed budgets and not be so exposed to the weather,” says Kirsty who has a PhD in ruminant nutrition and is a senior scientist at DairyNZ. They also like to diversify their income to future proof their business. The Verhoek’s lease a 125ha block in Paeroa themselves, which they use for growing their heifer replacements and running a beef herd. It’s part of their no-waste farming strategy to reduce bobby calves and add value to their business as well as provide an additional income stream. They raise around 100 weaners and 100 R1 Hereford/Charolais cattle. “As a dairy farmer you are a price taker but with beef cattle we can be price makers as we wait until the price is right to sell so we can get maximum value for our hard work,” explains Nic who hails from a sheep and beef background. “It’s about trying to farm smarter.”. The couple are aiming to produce around 370,000 kgs/MS this season, down from their initial target of 390,000kgs/MS due to rising costs. They have just signed another three-year contract with the farm owner. “We have a very good relationship with Hans and, having a young family, sharemilking is a great way to grow our business and continue to challenge ourselves,” says Kirsty. “We will continue to be ef - cient food producers and grow our beef herd capital stock while looking for opportunities to grow our business either inside the farm gate or outside.”
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