62 | RURAL PEOPLE » Roper Agriculture Well earned recognition for Jack Roper The property is stocked at 2.65 cows per hectare, which allows them to grow 22 hectares of maize. Jack Roper on the job. Rosa Watson Taranaki-based farmer Jack Roper wasn’t expecting success when he entered the Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards for the first time. So, it was quite a shock for the 27-year-old when he was announced as runner-up share farmer of the year at the awards evening held in March. He had found the process of entering the awards a great experience for Jack, providing him an opportunity to put into words the practises and processes he carries out on in his farming operation at Alton in South Taranaki. “You do it every day, but you don’t really write down on paper, why. It’s a really worthwhile experience.” Jack and his family have made huge efforts to improve biodiversity on the farm, planting native trees, controlling predators and maintaining the quality of freshwater, which was recognised at last year’s Taranaki Regional Council environmental awards and at the dairy industry awards with the Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award. He contract milks for his parent’s dairy operation, earning 40 cents a kilogramme and producing 255,0000 kilogrammes of milk solids over 420 Fresian cows. It is a modern operation that was built in 2013. The property is stocked at 2.65 cows per hectare, which allows them to grow 22 hectares of maize. There is 21 hectares of chicory and five hectares of turnips planted each year for summer grazing, leading to a third of the farm being re-grassed each year through direct drilling. And if sharemilking wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Jack also runs a drilling contracting business that focuses on direct drilling of chicory, turnips and rape seed, turning these crops back into grass in the Autumn.Direct drilling was not just easier on the environment, but also reduced costs for farmers with less inputs required, Jack said. “It’s really coming into its own now with environmental pressures and cost. It looks after the soil, so it doesn’t destroy any of the structure. “That’s what my focus is, and a lot of my clients are adapting.”It was also time effective too, which was important with seasonal windows for carrying out the work getting smaller, he said. There are long days during drilling season when he is up early milking cows before shooting away for a day’s contracting. But the season only lasted six to eight weeks before he was able to get back to concentrating on the farm.“So, it’s sort of condensed and then I can focus a bit more on maintenance jobs on the farm.” And he was able to rely on relief milkers while he was flat out.Looking to the future, Jack is purchasing a 30-hectare block from the neighbours, half of which will be leased to his parents and the rest he will winter cows and grow grass and sileage before putting it into maize. This can all be done remotely, which is fortunate for Jack as he is taking off on his OE this year, starting on a cropping farm in Australia before carrying on to travel through Europe. “It’s a bit of a break for a while since I’m at this age.”And when he returns home, he’ll be “hungry for the next level”, looking for a 50/50 sharemilking or low order sharemilking opportunity. He’ll also carry on his drilling company that he hopes to grow and employ more people. Roper Agriculture Specialising in rural services with over 20 years in the trade means you are choosing an Electrician you can trust. Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week Call Chris for all your electrical needs. (06) 272 8210 027 515 5442
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