| 51 Taking lessons from Otorohanga to Piopio Chris says farm development has changed from what it used to be: ‘There used to be a lot of drainage and that type of thing. Now it’s more about planting off areas and retiring areas not suitable for farming.’ Richard Loader The small but welcoming King Country farming community of Piopio in the Waitomo District is home to the Clapcott family’s dairy farming operations. Originally farming in Otorohanga, the family’s journey in Piopio commenced in 2006 when Chris and Anson Clapcott and their respective wives Sarah and Bex formed Clapcott Farms Ltd and entered into a 50/50 sharemilking contact on a 500-cow farm on the town’s northern town boundary. When the brothers’ parents, Mike and Jane, sold the family farm in Otorohanga in 2010, the family invested in a 430-hectare farm in Piopio that had been converted to dairy two years previously. The farm was part of a larger property called Shalimar. The remaining 220 hectares, had been sold to an equity group who converted it to dairy. The Clapcotts bought that smaller adjoining property three years ago. The larger farm continues to be the home farm, with 900 cows milked off a 340-hectare dairy platform and the balance either used for drystock or retired and planted in natives. The smaller neighbouring property has an effective area of 190 hectares and is home to 540 cows. Binding the farming operations together is a strong family focus based on shared values and a belief in New Zealand agriculture. While Chris runs the two dairy units within Shalimar, Anson looks after the sharemilking operations, which has now grown to 750 cows, and still contracting to the same family. Sarah and Bex looks after the calf rearing, share responsibility for the nancials and the increasing volume of back-of ce work. Although the brothers’ parents live 40 minutes away in Ototohanga they continue to maintain an active interest in the farms and regularly make the trip to Piopio to catch up with family and plant trees. Supporting farming operations is a team of seven staff members in the Clapcott’s own farms, while an additional three staff assist Anson with sharemilking. RURAL PEOPLE » Clapcott Dairy Enterprises • to page 52 Sam 027 540 1754 Nathan 0275 421 155 hallandwilson@gmail.com Specialising in Grass and Maize , Forage Harvesting, Round Bale silage, Pasture renovation and renewal and Crop Cultivation. Grass, Maize andWhole Crop Silage Specialists
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