| 65 Stephen and wife Hayley both farm together full-time in the Central Waikato’s Whitehall district. The transition from a traditional working model of employment to being self employed initially took some adjustment. AWARDS » Hayley and Stephen Brunskill It also offers them both a better opportunity for balance of life outside of work. The couple run dry stock - a mixture of 900 Coopworth sheep, rearing beef-over-dairy calves and dairy heifer grazing. “We are grazing for seven dairy farmers across the Waikato and that works well for us.” Your Farm Animal Health Professionals Proud to support Hayley & Stephen Brunskill Empire Street 827 7099 or 0800 226 838 www.cambridgevets.co.nz Mon-Wed 8am - 7pm | Thurs-Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 9am - 12.30pm | Sun 9am - 12pm Stephen has always wanted to be fulltime farming and says the industry is an interesting problem to solve. There is plenty of farm improvement work to do and eventually when debt is reduced they can look at introducing some new technology too. “We’re at a stage of running things pretty lean on a cost basis.” It’s been a strong past two seasons with good summers and good feed levels during Autumn, but there are always new challenges with farming to negotiate. Stephen knows there is going to be new regulations coming around freshwater policy, “and there is a bit of uncertainty around what things will look like in terms of consents & plans.” Their goal is just to keep focusing on things that are common sense. Start with water quality and soil health, and the rest will follow. “We’ve got a good set of economic and natural circumstances at the moment but mindful we’re in a long-term game and at some point in the future, the winds will change again, cycles to work through. “But for now we’ll just make hay while the sun shines.” Annual Yearling Sale 28th September Open day 10th September One sale. Our best Bulls. Take your pick Easy Calving. Strong Mothering. Generation after Generation. Gentle in the Paddock. Powerful in the Data. Contact Alan - 021 162 3177 - rotowaifarmsltd@outlook.co.nz Cam Heggie - PGGWrightsons - 027 501 8182 Sam Brooks - NZ Farmers - 027 454 5336
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