| 15 RURAL PEOPLE » John and Kristina Wyatt Kiwi-X herd going strong 3 years in John and Kristina Wyatt. Even with last year’s dry summer they produced 102,000 kgs of milk solids. Virginia Wright Things have progressed quickly for John and Kristina Wyatt in the last few years. In 2022 they moved to a new farm and began 50/50 share milking 280 Kiwi-X cows on a 110 hectare farm (96 effective) between Stratford and Eltham in Central Taranaki. They were contacted by three different people including their accountant about the job, then met with Owen and Jean Perrett who have owned the farm for close to 50 years, and the deal was done. They’re south-east of Mount Taranaki and less than 30 kilometers away, but the extra 100 metres of altitude compared to their previous job has a significant impact on the climate. “We get a bit more rain than we used to and a colder winter. Spring’s a bit later but theoretically we’re more likely to be summer safe. The volcanic soil is reasonably free-draining and it’s generally flat to rolling with a bit of undulating. The slope’s good with the rain because it helps it drain away but you do have to manage it as well,” says John. They bought their Kiwi-X herd three years ago when they came to the farm and have since concentrated on the reproductive-side of things with a strong focus on making sure they have good body-condition score (BCS) on the cows at the right times explains Kristina. “We made sure that the cows are BCS 5 and heifers and second calvers BCS 5.5 at calving, and then we make sure that they don’t lose more than 1 body condition score post-calving.” They also dry-off on BCS says Kristina. “We make sure they’ve got enough time dry so that they can regain their condition ready for the next season. Our mating period is end of October through to December and then we dry them off anywhere from end of March through to May depending on body condition and how much food is available, so that they milk well and hit their body score target for calving.” Not much is left to chance as Kristina individually assesses each cow while John takes care of the feed budget (grass, silage, hay), making sure they’ve got enough to get through the winter and into spring until the grass takes off again. They’ve taken the six week in-calf rate from 65 % to 77%, and reduced their herd’s somatic cell count from an average of over 200,000 to less than 100,000 average for the season. Anything below 150,000 brings a financial benefit and more cows in calf at six weeks means they calve earlier and start milking earlier in the season to produce more milk overall. Both bring welcome additions to the bottom line as good quality milk from a healthy herd can bring a premium explains John. “Through Fonterra’s co-operative difference policy you can get up to 10 cents more per kilo for good quality milk,” says John. Even with last year’s dry summer they produced 102,000 kgs of milk solids, roughly 380 per cow. Their target is 105,000kgs, but with more rain this year they may produce as much as 110,000 or roughly 400kgs per each of their healthy cows. The Wyatts recently purchased a 48 hectare run-off block five km’s down the road. They’re excited to have the opportunity to care for their herd from birth all the way through as they no longer have to send their heifers out to grazing. “We got it for a good price as it required a lot of work but for us the biggest thing is to be open to opportunities that can help us to get closer to our goals. We did the budget and worked out what we could afford and took the plunge. Like with this job, there’s a risk, but if you get advice from people you trust, it looks good, and you can make the numbers work you have to jump at it,” says Kristina. Their goal of owning their own farm and having the secure base they want for their three children Caleb, just turned five, Danielle (3yrs) and Georgia (11months) just came a step closer. It’s a busy time for the Wyatt family and they credit a combination of not being afraid of hard work, attention to detail, being budget savvy, and open to opportunities, with helping them achieve their clearly defined targets. “Ongoing research & development results in superior products & performance advantages including; more yield, faster milking, no slip and no teat end damage.” ELTHAM 11 Stanners Street 06 764 8305 NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street 06 759 0105 www.schurrireland.co.nz Empowering your ideal future. Schurr & Ireland are proud to support John and Kristina Wyatt.
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