18 | Busy couple expand farm business West Coast share farmers Sian Madden and Mark Roberts with daughters Parker 3, Mila 9, and Remy 1. Encouraging and nurturing staff to obtain quali cations and progress their own farming journey’s has always been a priority for the couple. Sue Russell DAIRY » Sian Madden & Mark Roberts Last year’s Dairy Share Farmers of the Year winners for Top of the South/West Coast region said they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to represent their region at the national event subsequently held in Hamilton. “It was a whole lot of fun and we made many new connections and friendships with others in the industry,” Sian says. When Rural South spoke with the couple last year life was full on sharemilking on one 377 ha farm and contract milking for another 215 ha property near Reefton, along with raising a young family, looking after staff, developing lots of templates and systems to help the smooth operation of their business. In 2019, Sian and Mark established Madden Roberts Farming (MRF) Ltd to build their farming business around. Things have continued to evolve. A new baby has arrived to join three siblings and they have continued to extend their business by changing the smaller farm for another large scale farm. “We dropped our smaller farm and have retained the larger farm and the addition of a new farm means we are now sharemilking 1650 cows across the two”. Last season went really well and this season we have changed our feeding system and we know we will see some instant improvements in the silo.” Encouraging and nurturing staff to obtain quali- cations and progress their own farming journey’s has always been a priority for the couple. It’s the reason why they have developed so many useful systems and encouraged those who wish to to undergo Primary ITO training. For those staff where that course of training isn’t their thing so much, Sian and Mark still encourage progress. “A good example is one of our staff wasn’t that keen on doing the Primary ITO units, so instead we helped him to gain his rearm’s licence.” When Rural South spoke with Sian in July it was extremely wet underfoot and staff were having a break before calving got underway. “It’s been really wet and we’re feeling a bit like drowned rats at the moment.” Along with the two farms the couple have a run off about 20 minutes from the farms. Sian describes their herd as a whole mixed bunch but predominantly Jersey-based. Calving is set to get underway 10th August and has a six-week spread, which Sian says is very manageable but makes for a busy time for all. And while all this is happening and tending to a growing family the couple are beginning to look into moving into a 50:50 sharemilking situation or buying a smaller farm. “This is a time where we are very open to what our next step will be. I know wherever we go we’ll be just ne because we’ve worked hard at developing the farming systems that new staff will be readily able to take up.” “We dropped our smaller farm and have retained the larger farm and the addition of a new farm means we are now sharemilking 1650 cows across the two”. Agricultural Services General Aerial Services Hunting & Fishing Simon & Debbie Lawn: 027 228 4385 95 Ahaura/Kopara Road, Ahaura, West Coast +64 3 732 3668 · ahaurahelicopters@xtra.co.nz WEST COAST AG CONTRACTORS LTD – Dwayne: 027 299 8887 PROUD TO SUPPORT SIAN MADDEN & MARK ROBERTS Proudly supporting Sian Madden & Mark Roberts P. 027 290 1332 E. maclane@tasmanag.co.nz
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