| 31 RURAL PEOPLE » Scott and Rebecca O’Brien Jumping at chance for Dairy farming excellence Rosa Watson When the chance to own their own dairy herd came up seven years ago, Bay of Plenty farmers Scott and Rebecca O’Brien jumped at the chance. The couple moved to a 260ha farm at Galatea in 2017 after Scott was given a heads up about the opportunity in the Bay of Plenty, which was too good to pass up. “And there we were. We couldn’t say no, really,” Scott said. They had previously been managing a 2000-cow Maori Trust farm near Taupo, which they had built up from 1000 cows. But they were ready for the new challenge. The successful operation produces 300,000 milk solids each year, increasing it from around 235,000 when they took it over. Key to production success has been pasture management, Scott said. “Also, increasing the quality of the herd.” Being prepared with plenty of feed to get through the dry summers was also important. “We buy a bit of silage in the spring to have in our back pocket.” They also grow 20ha of lucerne on the property, which was helpful during summer. “We feed it out if needed. We managed to carry a lot of sileage through and feed a lot less palm kernel budgeted for, which certainly helps the bottom line. They have fully upgraded the effluent system with a large weeping wall catchment system and newly-lined pond. It replaced the existing system that the resource had expired on. “We’ve got the ability to pump straight to pasture or to pond as required through the weeping wall system. The couple’s commitment to farming excellence won them Share Farmer of the Year at the 2022 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards, and the 2022 DairyNZ People and Culture Award at the national awards. And this year, Rebecca won regional leader of the year at the Dairy Women’s Network Awards. In addition to helping run the farm, Rebecca mentors staff who are training with PrimaryITO, volunteers in her local community, and is involved in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards. The operation employees two full-time staff and two part-timers, some that had been with them for some time. “We’ve had a lot of our guys for quite a few years now, so we mustn’t be too bad to work for,” Scott said. The move from farm management to share farming has returned Scott to the cow shed. “I’ve actually enjoyed getting back cow shed and keeping an eye on the herd.” Scott said winning manager of the year back in 2011 had opened up opportunities in the industry. “I guess that helped our name in terms of getting a sharemilking job years later. It certainly got our name out there.” Raised on a dairy farm, he knew from an early age it was what he wanted to do. “Just a love for the industry. I still enjoy my job now. I’ve been doing it for 20 years now.” He completed an apprenticeship leaving school and gained a diploma in business management through Primary ITO. Stainless steel – fabrication and welding Design Supply Install Steve King 027 4095 0054 Will King 027 615 7922 Robbie Hall 027 807 1312 * Ef uent & irrigation * Feed systems * Frost protection * Animal health * Detergent * Rubberware & Consumable * Trenching service c1107kwKing Milking & water systems specialists since 1988 King Farm Services Ltd Main Street, Edgecumbe Ph 07 304 9640 anytime 07 377 6380 | www.bfa.co.nz smart people smart business smart outcomes We are proud to be supporting Scott and Rebecca O’Brien Let us become your agri advisory partner and you too can become an award winning farm. Mike Warren 027 446 5312 or 06 307 7841 Guy Warren 027 848 0164 WilliamWarren 027 824 9327 Turanganui Romneys The O’Brien family. “Coupling the practical with the theory behind it has definitely been a good thing. “You get to know the numbers behind what you are doing.” He now enjoyed passing on his knowledge to staff and seeing them succeed. And none of it would be possible without the support of his wife and family. “I certainly couldn’t do this on my own.” For the future they hope to continue with their successful share milking operation. “We’re still growing our equity in terms of paying off our herd.” And setting up the children – aged 15, 13 10 - with a bright future was also a priority. “Those are the sorts of things we are focussed on at the moment, and we’ll potentially look at farm ownership a bit further down the track.”
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