8 | Buddhiya is setting his sights high The Alankarages’ journey began in 2010. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Greg McCullough and Buddhiya Alankarage Contract milker Buddhi Alankarage is setting his sights high this season, targeting 430kg of milk solids (MS) per cow on the farm he and wife Chamila work on near Rotorua. And with a strong start to the season they are well on track to achieving this goal. Buddhi and Chamila are in their third season of contract milking for Zoetermeer Agriculture Ltd, owned by Greg McCullough and Jose Franco. The 153-hectare property in Waitike Valley is home to a 520-cow herd. The Alankarages’ journey began in 2010 when Buddhi, armed with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and several years of farming experience in Sri Lanka, moved to New Zealand to broaden his knowledge and experience. “Everything was totally different, and I basically had to start again. In Sri Lanka, we have small herds from 10 to 30 cows and employ a cut and feed system, whereas New Zealand is well set up for pasture-based dairy farming.” Since taking over the Waitike Valley farm, Buddhi and Chamila have focused intensely on increasing production. In their first season, they raised production from 197,000kgMS to 221,000kgMS through better pasture utilisation and a focus on fully feeding cows and improving animal health. Despite a slight dip in the second season due to fewer milking cows, this season has seen a 22% increase in production compared to the previous year. Buddhi attributes much of this success to improved farm management practices. “For example we’ve focused on cleaning drains to encourage better drainage and fencing off drains. This has encouraged better pasture growth,” he explains. As a result, he’s been able to reduce supple- mentary feed significantly, using only 36 tonnes of palm kernel expeller (PKE) compared to 90 tonnes in the previous three-month period of July, August, and September. Another area the Alankarages have excelled in is staff management, which was recognised at the 2023 NZ Dairy Industry awards, where Buddhi and Chamila were runners up with four merit awards in the Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year and took home the DairyNZ People and Culture award, Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership award, Sustainable Pasture Award and Farm Dairy Hygiene Award .The were named third in the Share Farmer of the Year at the 2024 NZ Dairy Industry Awards for Central Plateau and took home two merit awards. Boddhi credits the farm’s success to his team: “They work really hard and have a great attitude and commitment. It’s all about teamwork. I train my staff and look after them well, and make sure everyone gets long breaks over the weekend. When they are happy, they enjoy their work.” His commitment to his team extends to helping them progress in their careers: “I want to help them become contract milkers, that’s my target. They can learn from me and start their own businesses. I encourage and engage all the staff to learn Primary ITO and help them with this,” he explains. Buddhi is also a new committee member for Taupo-Rotorua Federated Farmers: “I am looking forward to developing my leadership skills and giving back to the region.” The couple’s success is a family affair. Chamila, who works as a preschool teacher in Papamoa, lives in Tauranga during the week with their children, Senuka, 16, and Seneli, 9. They all pitch in during weekends and holidays. “Our plan is to be sharemilkers within two seasons,” says Buddhi, “then work towards farm ownership.” “We’ve focused on cleaning drains to encourage better drainage and fencing off drains.” 021 148 0322 | bluffcountry.co.nz | karl@bluffcountry.co.nz like us on Ph: Proud to support Greg McCullough and Buddhiya Alankarage Agricultural contractors servicing the greater Rotorua region
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=