26 | Cow halters prove Sue Russell Having moved at the start of this season on to a new dairy farm in Taranaki, 10 minutes away from their previous farm, dairy farmers Kieran and Olivia Clough and their children, Evie and Scarlett have settled in well to their new situation. The couple are 50:50 sharemilking on Steve and Astrid Wells’ dairy unit south of Eltham. The 250 Freisian herd is doing well and in good condition Kieran says. “We decided when we moved on to this farm to test out its capability in terms of milk production in a low input/grass-based system. This would give us a reasonably bottom line to bench mark production from when weighing up costs of adding feed in the future,” Kieran explains. He’s expecting milk production to be around 100,000kg/MS this season. Asked what additional feed he would likely look at introducing first-off, Kieran says he would begin with hay, though is open to considering providing ins hed feeding as the milking parlour is setf or this. Milk is produced through an old 20-aside herringbone which Kieran says works perfectly well for the one-man operation the farm is. He’s also in the process of reducing milkings as the herd get toward the business end of the season. “From the start of the season until Christmas we were on twice a day. Then we move toward three milkings over two days and then down to once a day. You get a drop in production but then your costs are reduced accordingly.” Weather-wise things have been ticking along fairly typically of the region. The El Nino season underway doesn’t have a huge inpact on normal rainfall, however Kieran says last November was a little drier. “January has been pretty much normal so it hasn’t really had an impact for us.” ON FARM » Kieran and Olivia Clough “It also is really accurate is terms of how much area you are giving the cows. The technology includes a pasture-pro app which is a pasture management programme, giving me daily updates on pasture growth and leaf emergence. A really useful tool.” The milking platform extends 98ha from a total farm area of 115ha. The balance is in regenerated bush and some pine standings. Always with an eye to furthering their farming business, the couple are considering another move, perhaps to north of the Mountain after one more season on this farm. “We would move to much the same situation of 250-300 cows and we’re open to seeing what opportunities come up.” Halters have been introduced to the herd, providing ‘virtual fencing’ capability at the touch of a button, something Kieran says is certainly making a difference to his time out shifting stock. He says that within two days 90% of the cows had adjusted to their use, responding to the beeps and buzzes the collars emit when a virtual break line has been broached. “It also is really accurate is terms of how much area you are giving the cows. The technology includes a pasture-pro app which is a pasture management programme, giving me daily updates on pasture growth and leaf emergence. A really useful tool!” Asked why Halters were introduced Kieran says the way the farm runs they are really in between needing and not needing an additional labour unit. By leasing the halters, its meant that the farm can definitely be managed with just himself. Plans ahead are to dry-off completely mid May with calving scheduled to get unerway 28 July with an 11 week calving window. “That spread works for us. Our Friesian bull calves are sold to calf rearers and when the Friesians’s are finished we have the Hereford calves coming through.” All in all Kieran says he’s pleased with how the farm and animals are performing and both he and Olivia are looking forward to the next progression of their business. 027 446 0443 19a King Edward St, Eltham o ce@gernhoefercontracting.co.nz At Lloyd Gernhoefer agricultural contracting, we o er you a wide range of Agricultural services. Call Lloyd now for your 2024 season requirements. 027 764 7006 178 Bridge Street, Eltham Timber & Supplies Farm Supplies Construction Electrical Contractor Rural, Residential & Commercial For ALL your electrical requirements Call Lee: 027 444 2226 Email: philboyeselectrical@gmail.com Proud Service Provider to Kieran and Olivia Clough PB ELECTRICAL NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street / 06 759 0105 ELTHAM 11 Stanners Street / 06 764 8305 www.schurrireland.co.nz Empowering your ideal future. Schurr & Ireland are proud to support Kieran and Olivia Clough
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