Business Rural Spring 2024

Lloyd and Angela Brenssell of Fernvale Genetics share a real passion to keep growing the business - page 24 Building on a legacy Spring 2024 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

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Rural South accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businessrural #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   3 Kings Cherries �� 03 Russell and Malcolm Laughton �� 04 Sonia and Mark Dillon �� 06 Te Kano Estate �� 07 Cam and Anna Edgecombe �� 08 Chris and Desiree Giles �� 09 Jason and Kaylene Bennett �� 10 Michael and Shahn Smith �� 11 Otto Dogterom - North Otago Federated Farmers �� 12 Alford Farms �� 13 Ben and Sarah Dooley �� 14 Alexander Accounting �� 15 Birkett Farming Ltd �� 16 Blytheburn Farm �� 17 Bonnieview Farm �� 18 Carl and Tori Uren �� 19 Colbion Downs �� 20 Chris Medlicott �� 21 Egilshay Texels �� 22 Elliot King �� 23 Fernvale Genetics �� 24 Fraser King �� 25 Glenmark Springs �� 26 Hamish Marr �� 28 Invernia Holdings Ltd �� 29 Lambhill-Hindon �� 30 Logan Wallace �� 31 Canlac Holdings �� 32 Mainline Texels �� 33 Moeraki Downs �� 34 Melrose Stud �� 35 Middlehurst Station Ltd �� 36 Mt Annan �� 38 Mt Pleasant �� 40 Newhaven �� 41 Orari Gorge Station �� 42 Pyramid Downs �� 44 Rosedale �� 46 Sam Simpson - Balmoral Merinos �� 48 Stoneylea - Andrew Adams �� 50 Torrisdale - Murray Greys �� 52 Upton Dorset Downs �� 54 Waikoura Coopworth Stud �� 55 Wilfield and Wattlebank Studs �� 56 Maheno South Suffolk �� 57 HeliOps Southland �� 58 Clark Brothers Fencing �� 59 Frame Grain and Seeds �� 60 Kahurangi Spreading �� 61 JJJ Farms Ltd �� 62 Kings Mechanical �� 64 LJ Contracting Services �� 66 AgResearch (Invermay) �� 67 Mainland Minerals - Southern �� 68 Morris Contracting Ltd Otautau �� 69 Methven Seed Cleaning �� 70 Milburn Lime �� 72 NRM Farmlands �� 74 North Otago Truck Repairs �� 75 PMR Grain Systems �� 76 Peel Forest Contracting �� 77 Peter Corcoran Contracting �� 78 Precise Fencing Otago �� 79 Glen R Angus �� 80 Pure Oil NZ �� 81 Bealey Farm �� 81 Renner Fencing Contractors Ltd �� 82 Simon Fuller Contracting �� 83 Southland Helicopters �� 84 Tony Perriam Hedgecutting �� 85 Total Harvesting Ltd �� 86 North Canterbury Veterinary Clinic �� 88 Precision Works �� 90 Te Waewae Eggs �� 91 Precision Direct Drilling �� 92 64 | Legacy goes on at Kings Mechanical 08 | Looking at the bigger picture OUR PARTNERS: The correct wording of the caption under the photo on page 28 in the last edition for Zac Thomas - Oakridge Farm, should not have stated Thomas family’s. It was taken on Oakridge Farm. 86 | Tyler now at the helm 85 | Family owned and operated RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan. OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 PO Box 2581, Wakatipu MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Alexia Johnston, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Tracey Edwardes, Russell Fredric, Aimee Wilson, Bernadette Cooney, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Rosa Watson, Randall Johnston, Virginia Wright.

| 3 HORTICULTURE » 3 Kings Cherries A business focused on its people The business employs four to five permanent rising to 100 in peak season. Karen Phelps 3 Kings Cherries’ business is focused around people, which saw it win the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award for the Otago region at the 2024 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. “The business is set up to make life more enjoyable for staff. We would like people to want come back and work for us again rather than people having to work for us for some reason. You get more out of people if you treat them well so it’s a win-win,” says 3 Kings Cherries shareholder Tim Paulin. The business employs four to five permanent rising to 100 in peak season. To attract the best staff initiatives have included providing high–quality facilities and accommodation, and ensuring the orchard layout makes picking easier and more enjoyable. Tim says health and safety are integrated into daily management of the orchard through an app that works via a facial scanner. The scanner was installed during Covid and still helps the orchard to monitor staff health keeping its people safe and ensuring people can have the time off to recover if ill. “All the inductions are also scannable on site so we can always know where people are working on site and have people log any hazards they might identify. We also employ a health and safety person so staff can have someone neutral to talk to if they are concerned about anything in this area.” Tim is a third-generation orchardist whose family has been growing fruit in Central Otago for more than 100 years. The main 47ha block of 3 Kings Cherries was purchased in 2018. When the family took it over the land had thyme, broom, and gorse growing on it. Because the ground didn’t have much carbon storage or organic matter, instead of spraying everything out a light discing and aerating was completed over the property. When trees were planted the organic matter already there was simply pushed under the trees and clovers planted to get the soils working again. A fertiliser programme through PGG Wrightson and Ballance has helped add nutrition back into the soil and moisture temperature probes have also assisted the process. Tim says he also relies on the “boot-o-metre”: “Me kicking the ground to make sure it’s looking good,” he says with a laugh. “So it’s old school plus new technology. Because we have put limited amount of chemical into the ground we have worms under trees and everything is going good, better than I expected, with a lot of vegetative growth on the trees. Last year we picked 120 tonnes of fruit.” Monitoring and measuring tools are automated and technology is also helping to significantly reduce orchard labour. For example robots are used to scare birds and Tim is also looking at drones for crop spraying and more mechanical systems for tree management going forward. This complements new fit-for-purpose infrastructure was built in 2021 spanning 2000sqm and includes a state-of-the-art packhouse, inwards and outward coolstores, offices and staff accommodation. The facility can process four tonnes of cherries per hour of cherries and fruit is tracked digitally from the picker and block to the packhouse. “We were originally thinking of outsourcing this but there’s not enough packhouses and you start to Proudly supporting 3 Kings Cherries Phone 027 351 6494 | Cromwell info@COFH.co.nz | www.southlandforklifthire.co.nz · GENERAL ENGINEERING · STRUCTURAL STEEL · HEAVY VEHICLE ENGINEERING Proud to support 3 Kings Cherries · MOBILEWELDING · CERTIFICATION · TRAILERS Mt Iron Engineering offer a range of engineering and fabrication services by trained certifiedwelders, including: 03 443 1315 021 485 758 Proudly supporting 3 Kings Cherries Mobile. 027 5420 329 Email. specialisedhr@gmail.com admin@samuelcontracting.co.nz • Phone: 022 097 0507 Proudly supporting 3 KINGS CHERRIES lose control of your product,” says Tim. “Now we can pack for other people as well – currently around 200 tonnes of fruit from outside the orchard.” Tim says 3 Kings Cherries is passionate about sustainability and is undertaking native plantings and has block where only organic chemicals are used to see if the business can move more towards using organic chemicals. “At 3 Kings Cherries we’re setting the place up to be here forever.”

4 | ARABLE » Russell and Malcolm Laughton Leasing land for flower production Of the farm’s 200 hectares in arable crops, 12 hectares has been leased for the past three years Russell Fredric Leasing land for growing tulip bulbs has added to the spectrum of crops on the Laughton family’s farm helping to mitigate the past season’s low lamb schedule and higher interest payments. Of the farm’s 200 hectares in arable crops, 12 hectares has been leased for the past three years to Norana Bulbs, Malcolm Laughton says. “What they’re paying for a lease is very good money; I would struggle to gross that with doing anything else. The only one that would come close to it is the mustard, and the flowers are very nice before Christmas.” Purchased by Russell and Dawn Laughton more than 50 years ago, the 294ha effective farm is largely run Malcolm who is married to Rachel with their son Brayden also working on it. Daughter Courtney works off-farm as a shepherd but enjoys helping when home, especially during the harvest season. The arable operation comprises 88ha of autumn sown wheat, 20ha of peas, 12ha of tulips and the balance sown in ryegrass, barley and peas and mustard, plus oats depending on the season. “With the mustard we’re trying to get away from dairy-based supplying and grew mustard this last year. We’ll have about 12 to 14 hectares of it this year and because it’s quite a good paying one and its good for the soil, it’s a good break crop as well as the peas.” “It’s a win-win; every third month we are getting a fair chunk of our interest bill paid for.” The tulips have also provided a boost to the soil fertility which benefits the follow-up winter wheat sown as a catch crop to take up the residual nitrogen applied to the tulips. Improve site safety, don’t just tick a box. Introducing “The winter wheat after the tulips last year was 15 tonne to the hectare. We were averaging 10 to 11 [tonnes to the hectare]. Because the bulbs are lifted in the end of January you can get in winter wheat nice and early. While the low lamb schedule has been the cause of angst among sheep farmers during the past season, the Laughton’s have been able to take some comfort in their impressive lambing percentages. The farm supports 540 Texel / Romney breeding ewes that scanned at 182%, while the two-tooths scanned at 190%, with only singles and twins identified. The genetics are sourced from Meadowslea, Fairlie, but there is also the influence of the Inverdale gene which has contributed to the fecundity of the flock. For the terminal flock, Beltex rams have come from Ashton Glen Farms, Clinton. The overall meat yield for lambs of all breeds is 56.5% while the carcass weight of the first draft of this year’s lambs processed before Christmas averaged an impressive 22.5kg. “The lamb weights are up a wee bit but the price is definitely back.” For the 2022-2023 season, the Laughton’s lambs achieved $160 to $170 per carcass, but this year the amount fell to $130 resulting in the “overdraft taking a hiding.” Dairy farmers shutting their cheque books also had an effect. “Normally we have 200 tonne of barley gone in the autumn before the end of the season whereas I’ve still got it.” For the past three or four seasons the Laughton’s have been hosting chemical trials for Bayer Syngenta and Adama in collaboration with Advance Agriculture and are happy to help with the research. Increase profit + tackle sustainability Add 1000 to 3200 kgDM/dose 0800 66 88 100 info@magnifynz.co.nz www.magnifynz.co.nz Proudly supporting Russell & Malcolm Laughton “At the end of the day the chemical companies have got to trial them somewhere, otherwise we don’t get this new chemistry that’s coming through and it’s always nice to see the results firsthand.” “It’s always nice to know that you’ve been involved in the background by supplying a piece of ground for them to trial these on.”

Housing & Accommodation • Woolsheds & Covered Yards Sheep Yards • Cattle Yards • Workshops • Stables Honey Sheds & Extraction Sheds • Fert Bins

6 | ARABLE » Sonia and Mark Dillon “This season we have sold the most amount of product but we’ve sold the least amount of grain which means there’s way more imported feed going out the gate with our grain in the mixes. The only reason I can think of is that it could be a fad with different nutritionists or maybe it’s the economic climate.” Mixed cropping growing year on year DDG and grain are important elements to ensure animals get the nutrition they need. They supply a certain amount to wholesalers but it’s their bespoke mixes that they focus on. Virginia Wright Sonia and Mark Dillon run a small sheep and beef operation and a beet-harvest contracting business but it’s their mixed cropping that keeps growing year on year. They’re gearing up for a big season as they deliver increasing quantities of bespoke grain meal mixes to their dairy clients and this includes investing in some infrastructure. “We’re spending quite a bit on a new inertia mill which is a grain crusher that guarantees what comes out. Nothing can be missed because it’s got to be a certain size to get through the meshes out of the system into the silo,” explains Sonia. She expects it to be a game-changer for the time it saves, and because it means that all the grain is crushed evenly, which in turn means they can guarantee their product going out to dairy farmers with total confidence. Including the additional 100 hectares of surrounding lease blocks added over the last couple of years they’re now growing 700 hectares of grain to put into those mixes as their client base has increased. They supply a certain amount to wholesalers but it’s their bespoke mixes that they focus on. Sonia has noticed a different trend this year. “Interestingly this season we have sold the most amount of product but we’ve sold the least amount of grain which means there’s way more imported feed going out the gate with our grain in the mixes. The only reason I can think of is that it could be a fad with different nutritionists or maybe it’s the economic climate. Our blends have grain but it’s made up with DDG’s (a maize by-product from methanol production imported from the States) and PK’s (Palm Kernel). It’s disappointing for grain farmers that there’s so much imported feed being used in New Zealand systems.” PK is cheaper per tonne but being less digestible acts as a filler more than anything else according to Sonia. The DDG by contrast is higher in protein. “So if you’re trying to hit for example a target of 14kg feed per cow PK’s useful but the DDG and grain are important elements to ensure animals get the nutrition they need in their diet.” The Dillons continue to explore homegrown, high protein alternatives such as fava beans which could be offered at a similar or better price point. In amongst all her farming obligations Sonia also finds time to be actively involved in Southland Federated Farmers. As of the last elections she’s their Junior Vice Chair, supporting the new Chair Jason Herrick in his position, while continuing her role as Chair of the Arable Section. “We’ve been very busy going through our councils’ long-term plans and a lot of time and effort has been going in to making sure the councils hear about why some of their suggested ideas will hurt farmers and why they need to look at other options.” The good questions coming back from council members after their submissions give Sonia hope that the 10-year plans, especially around infrastructure and rates, will take farmers’ needs into account. Meanwhile the Dillons are looking forward to putting their inertia mill through its paces with the expectation of processing eight tonne an hour, about three tonne an hour more than they could put through their previous roller mill. Now if only all their clients were putting as much local grain as they could into their bespoke mixes they’d be even happier. Phone: 03 202 5467 Email: bmengine@xtra.co.nz PO Box 140, 109 Riversdale-Waikaia Rd, Riversdale 9744 Brian Mahon - Director Cell: 027 436 5118 Carl Scully - After Hours Cell: 027 630 3164 We are proud to support Sonia Dillon 03 208 9240 sarah.collie@ocr.co.nz www.ocr.co.nz O’Connor Richmond Chartered Accountancy Practice is proud of its long and rich history with business and agricultural commerce in the South. the full suite of Business Advisory and Taxation services. Sarah Collie C.A, B.Com, B.BMSci Director Pleased to support Sonia & Mark Dillon

| 7 VINEYARD » Te Kano Estate Agri-science gong for Northburn Vineyard Kim Newth Otago’s 2024 Ballance Farm Environment Awards has brought recognition for the talented team at Te Kano’s Northburn Vineyard. Winemaker Dave Sutton, Te Kano general manager Nick Hunter and vineyard manager Mark Naismith were honoured with the 2024 Hill Labs Agri-Science Award for the Cromwell vineyard. “It is a fantastic validation for all the effort put in over the years to reduce our footprint ecologically speaking and make improvements to the land,” says Dave. “This is a long term endeavour and it’s great to have that recognised.” Owned by Keith and Rhonda Lloyd, Northburn is the largest of Te Kano Estate’s four vineyards. Converted from former dryland sheep farming country, starting in 2015, the 120ha (41ha effective) irrigated vineyard has a rich history with its roots in the old mining days. Traces of those times can still be glimpsed today, but striking also are large new areas of native planting. A science-based approach has been used to support regeneration, sustainability and productivity. Before any vines went in at Northburn, ground penetrating radar was used to generate soil maps and that data then guided planting decisions by enabling precise matching of soil types with particular varieties and fruit stocks. “When you then layer an irrigation map over the top of that, it gives you even more control. In these modern times we have so many tools available in the ag sector. For us, technology is key.” The Northburn site has a wide range of soil types, aspects and slopes. Around 70% of all planting is Pinot Noir, followed by Chardonnay and Pinot Gris with small parcels of Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc and even Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard enjoyed a bumper harvest season this year, shared with the wider region. “It was an exceptional vintage with fantastic quality. We’re very excited about the wines starting to come out.” Enriching vineyard soils is a fundamental priority, with cover crops, mulching and crimping used and organic approaches applied where it’s practicable to do so. “Instead of mowing grass between the vines, we use a roller-crimper that cuts the grass stems SALEDATE: Friday 6 December - Ranfurly Simon Eddington - PGGWrightson 027 590 8612 Keegan Gray - PGGWrightson 027 288 7529 ANNUAL DOHNE TWOTOOTH RAMSALE THURSDAY5th DECEMBER and then flattens them over. It creates a thick mat between the vines that keeps moisture in the soil and boosts microbial activity. The mindset is shifting as we increasingly see the vineyard as a whole ecosystem and every part of it as an asset.” An ancient Kowhai tree above Northburn vineyard forms the basis of the Te Kano values around life, land and legacy. Te Kano (Maori for seed) has a regenerating landscape, enhanced with plants grown on site including seeds from this very tree. Dave has worked extensively in viticulture and winemaking in New Zealand and around the world, but says Central Otago is “super special.” Proudly supporting Te Kano Estate “Our soils are really unique here and the landscape is so dramatic. The wine industry is still relatively young and there’s a lot of freedom for experimentation and styles, as well as an openness around sharing of knowledge.” The BFEA agri-science award is only the latest accolade for Te Kano, which has won many domestic and international wine awards. Northburn Green Gully.

8 | DAIRY PEOPLE » Cam and Anna Edgecombe Cam is looking at the bigger picture Cam is also employed by Worldwide Sires and is very much interested in genetics. Randall Johnston Share milking 640 cows on 190ha at Momona, just south of Dunedin, Cam and Anna Edgecombe along with their team started calving at the end of July and are confident in hitting their targets this season. Since Cam and Anna spent most of June in the United States, there was plenty to be done on farm in a fairly short space of time pre-calving. “We were on a Worldwide Sires tour in Ohio and New York, it was pretty cool to see the herds where some of our latest genetics have originated from and seeing how they run their systems in the states. Cam was impressed that the overall stature of the herds was trending down on the farms we looked at. They have access to breeding technologies at a much cheaper price than we do here, so that makes genetic gain a whole lot quicker and cheaper. Cam is also employed by Worldwide Sires and is very much interested in genetics and what is available worldwide, rather than just being focused on what is happening and currently popular in New Zealand alone. “We were looking for an outcross about five years ago and were just blown away by the production we were getting out of the American animals, once we started down that path. Now we are seeing significant gains in health traits including mastitis and lameness resistance that the NZ index doesn’t measure with as much accuracy. We are fairly limited in terms of the data that we have available to us when genomic testing here in New Zealand and I believe that is holding the industry back to a degree. We aren’t making the gains that we should be.” “We are still now moving from a typical high BW Kiwi Cross into north American genetics, the American genetics are performing a lot more efficiently for us. In today’s farming systems we are needing more production from less cows.” The stocking rate on-farm is currently quite high at 3.5 cows/ha, so ideally Cam would like to reduce the herd size in the years ahead. With half the farm being on the flood plain (by the Dunedin airport) and half leading up towards the foothills of the Maungatua and a clay-type soil, the location and the land posed both benefits and challenges.“It does give us options. It dries out in the summer, but if there is a flood, it gives us somewhere to run to – thankfully that hasn’t happened in the five seasons since we’ve been on the property,” Cam explains. The economics of farming have shifted significantly in those five years. “When we started on this farm we were buying grass silage at 21c a kilo. It’s now 28c a kilo and we aren’t getting any more money for our milk, so that’s taken quite a bit of maneuvering to make that work - without changing our whole system.” There is a creek that runs through the property that provides stock water, as well as a few bores on the farm. They grow fodder beet, along with silage which is fed out when the land gets dry in summer. They are twice a day milking, except for at the end of each season when we switch to 3 in 2, using a 40-aside herringbone. Two full-time staff members along with milk Outram Contracting RegisteredWeed Sprayer BoomSpraying, Automatic Hose Reel, Broom& Gorse Spraying, Liquid Fertilizer Ken & Barbara Cuthill Cell 027 486 1738 A/H 03 486 1730 Based on the Taieri, we offer our valuable clients the following services: • Baling (net wrap & film-on-film) • Cultivation • Direct Drilling • Cartage • Hedge Cutting EwanAllan HondaMosgiel 119 Dukes Road North, Mosgiel 03 486 1222 | 027 250 7512 dave@ewanallan.co.nz www.ewanallan.nz harvesters and weekend relief help keep things running smoothly. They are looking to install wearable cow collar technology – which will also help give them a better insight into herd behavior and data on specific animals within it. With our herd genetics heading in the right direction and technology being utilised, the years ahead are looking bright for Cam and Anna Edgecombe along with the team. Outram | hysloprural@xtra.co.nz | 03 4861777 Proud members of We’re proud to support Cam Edgecombe We’re p oud to support Cam & Anna Edg combe

| 9 DAIRY PEOPLE » Chris and Desiree Giles Gore farmers set sights on new horizons Chris and Desiree Giles. Karen Phelps Waimumu Downs in Gore is up for sale presenting a great opportunity for potential buyers. Established in 2014 it offers 268 hectares of effective area, including a 206-hectare milking platform. The property’s self-contained nature and efficient management make it an attractive prospect for buyers looking for a turnkey operation, says equity partners Chris and Desiree Giles. “We’ve streamlined operations to make it a turnkey property for the next owner,” Chris explains. “Through strategic management and well-planned infrastructure, we’ve managed to keep our staffing lean with just one full-time employee and a parttimer.” The farm’s infrastructure is a standout feature, with a 50-bail rotary shed equipped with DeLaval plant. The Giles have invested significantly in the property over the years. “We’ve invested heavily in pasture improvement, essentially re-grassing the entire property,” says Chris. “We’ve also expanded our operation significantly. When we started, we were milking 400 cows on 143 hectares. Now, we’ve added two extra blocks and increased our herd to 550 cows.” Currently, the farm operates on a grass-only system, with all stock wintered on-farm. Production levels are impressive: “We’re pretty happy with our production, doing 520-530 kgMS per cow.” While the sale marks the end of an era for the Giles family, it also heralds an exciting new beginning. The couple has already found a smaller farm nearby, which will see them downsize from 398 hectares to 135 hectares if they are successful in purchasing it. This move aligns with their goal of entering farm ownership and pursuing new agricultural projects. “Leaving will be bittersweet. However, we’re looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.” Giles’ commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative farming practices is evident in their plans for the new property. As 2020 finalists in the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust competition, they aim to implement various eco-friendly initiatives, including strategic tree planting and advanced effluent management systems. “Our vision includes strategic tree planting for shade throughout the paddocks, moving beyond traditional shelterbelts,” Chris explains. “We’re also keen on implementing riparian plantings along creeks, complemented by grass buffer strips. This approach allows us to capture nutrients, which we can then remove entirely through mowing and baling.” Their off farm rural involvement is also important for the couple. Chris has been an integral part of the local agricultural community, serving as the vice-chairman of the Southern Field Days for the past decade. “It’s a very involved role, but I absolutely love doing it,” he says. “It’s all about being with bloody good people. It’s a very community-driven field days, so it’s a great chance to catch up with people and socialize as well. The recent Southern Field Days event was a resounding success with record numbers.” As the Giles family prepares for their next adventure, they reflect on the support they’ve Beet Harvesting Strip Till Precision Drilling Full Cultivation Direct Drilling Full Silage Service Bailage and Hay Much Spreading Fertilizer Spreading Aerating / Ripping Contact Erik | 027 204 8019 0800 SGTDAN (748326) Gorton Street, GORE Ph: 208 3965 E: admin@sgtdan.co.nz received, particularly from Chris’ parents, Alan and Debbie. “They came for one year when our first child was born and stuck around. We’ve been very lucky,” says Chris. With their children Danielle, 13, and Andrew, 11, the Giles are looking forward to this new chapter in their lives.

10 | Jason and Kaylene build on a legacy Added to the dairying aspect to the farm, the couple now present stud bulls for sale. Sue Russell DAIRY PEOPLE » Jason and Kaylene Bennett Beach Valley Dairies Ltd is the farming business of Southland Jersey Stud farmers Kaylene and Jason Bennett. Their farm is a family farm, with the original, smaller footprint purchased by Jason’s grandfather back in 1959 . Located west of Invercargill at Tuatapere, travel much further west and you have the beginnings of Fiordland National Park. Through Autumn the farm was somewhat challenged by an incredibly wet May and start of June. “We’re certainly a better dry farm,” comments Kaylene. The connection to Jersey also stretches back to granddad who, in the day, had about 90 pure-bred cows, milked through an 8-bale walk through, a building that is still standing on the farm. “For its time, having that number of cows was considered a large herd,” Jason says. Today, the couple milk between 430-450 cows on a property extending over 190ha (150ha effective). A 79ha run-off some 3 km’s away from the home block is a useful additional block, for grazing young stock and growing grass silage. “It means we’re fully self-sufficient in terms of feed which is a great position to be in.” Added to the dairying aspect to the farm, the couple now present stud bulls for sale, putting up 30 bulls in their inaugural bull sale last year. Last year 60 bulls were reared, this year 62. Of last year’s bulls, a reserve of $1600 was put up on each animal. “It was a totally new experience for us, in terms of the process and what people were looking for. We’ll probably stand up 30-40 bulls again this year. At the last sale our best bull sold for $3175 to a farmer in Balclutha. Jason just wanted one bull to go over $2000, so that was a nice surprise,” Kaylene says. Jason adds that rearing bulls for sale was always an ambition and he’s very much looking forward to the next sale on 3 October. Acknowledging also that he’s ‘old-school’ when it comes to using pen and paper for recording stock details, he was thrilled to receive best wishes for the next sale from Rodney Dobson, who supplies his bulls for mating their herd. This is the 8th season the couple have been on once a day milking. Jason says that when they first made the decision to go OAD, they were committed to trying it for 3 or 4 seasons. That decision definitely paid off. “Your breeding focus changes when you decide to go once a day. You’re breeding for strong animals, large capacity udders.” Beach Valley Jerseys seems a good name for the stud, given its proximity to the coast and the farm’s positioning in a valley. Grandad’s original stud name was Elmsbrook Jersey and today, Jason’s sister Linsey runs her own Jersey stud with this same name today. “I’m just so passionate about the Jersey breeds. I like their mannerism. They’re usually content and happy and for their live-weight their milk production is fairly efficient. With our farm being a little bit wetter the smaller Jersey, compared to other breeds suits our situation well,” says Jason. Asked about how long a good Jersey, well looked after who keeps in good health, might expect to produce calves, Kaylene says the family pet Jersey, Susie, retired at 15 years old. “She’s a real hard case. She loves cameras and lots of attention. We’ve probably got about 37 cows over the age of 10. We don’t carry over empty cows at all,” Kaylene explains. Jason says his children are also keen on farming. The couple have 5 children ranging from 19 to 9 years of age. “Actually two of our daughters I reckon are trying to push me out so they can take over,” Jason chuckles. This season heifers are due to calve from 5 August, with the main herd from the 10th. The mating cycle is relatively short, with a six-week in-calf rate of 85%. Standing off the herd over winter is an important part of the farm’s management practices. A large concrete slab with rubber matting provides the girls with comfort. “We can put over 450 cows on it for overnight and we can winter 200 cows there where the herd receives silage.” The couple admit to being heavily invested in their community with Jason on the local A & P Complete Silage, Baling, Cultivation, Effluent, Spraying & Excavator Contracting Service Phone: 03 225 8488 Rabco Ag Ltd E-mail: admin@rabco.nz Web: www.rabbitt.co.nz 77 CLYDE STREET, INVERCARGILL, PH (03) 214 4254 www.southlandhonda.co.nz SOUTHLAND HONDA For the best Parts, Sales & Service in the south committee and volunteer fire brigade, coaching cricket and indoor bowls. “Kaylene is involved in just about everything in the community. We run an adopt a calf programme and last year had 9 school students involved. They love it and its something we enjoy doing. They often follow the progress of their calf on once they join the herd,” says Jason. All in all both Jason and Kaylene are happy with what they’ve achieved, the condition of their prized herd and the journey so far of their farming business.

| 11 Sound planning at heart of succession Michael and Shahn launched Milky Whey Enterprises Ltd in 2017. Michael and Shahn are aiming to put smart collars on the cows. Kim Newth DAIRY PEOPLE » Michael and Shahn Smith The start of calving is busy at the best of times, but Southland farmers Michael and Shahn Smith face a particularly full-on season as they look to expand in their region. Last year, the couple won the 2023 SouthlandOtago Share Farmer of the Year Award, recognising their strong performance as sharemilkers at Ermedale on a 187ha property owned by Michael’s parents, Peter and Margaret Smith. Michael and Shahn launched Milky Whey Enterprises Ltd in 2017, purchasing their herd in 2019. Michael’s parents live in Otautau and have a run-off block that supports a dairy farm at Otahu Flat, run by Michael’s brother Chris. Now the family is amalgamating the whole operation as one, with a view to Chris and Michael ultimately running the family farms between them and freeing up Peter and Margaret to travel and enjoy a well-earned retirement. “At the same time, we have taken on another 650-cow dairy farm in the Otautau area this year – so that’s now three dairy farms and around 1400 cows in total – and we’re flat out getting everything sorted. Shahn and I are still on the Ermedale farm and my brother has moved to the new dairy farm. We’ve put a farm manager on the run-off block.” Three farms also means three dairy sheds to manage, ranging from a 26-a-side herringbone shed on the smaller farm, to a 40-a-side herringbone on the new farm, and the 54-bail rotary at Ermedale with cup removers and auto-drafting. As a way to take some of the pressure off, Michael and Shahn are aiming to put smart collars on the cows. These collars are an invaluable monitoring tool, providing insights on the health and reproductive status of each cow. “We haven’t put any on yet but we’re looking at it closely. It would enable us to pick up metabolic problems like ketosis or acidosis early, while also freeing up time for us as we wouldn’t have to be in the shed every morning. Especially with a skills shortage too, anything you can to do reduce risk is worth exploring.” Michael’s sister Bethanne managed a small lease block for him and Shahn until recently but is currently travelling and working overseas. She and her partner, also an experienced farmer, plan to return in a year or two and rejoin the family farm operation. “At that point, we would look to expand again so they could come back to a farm to take over.” Meanwhile, rain and cold temperatures heading into winter saw many Southland farmers, including Michael and Shahn, drying off earlier than usual. “We went to once-a-day milking for an entire month to try and manage the pasture but still dried off a week and a half early because of the weather. The start of June was still wet, but from late June it has been beautiful – dry and sunny. The biggest issue for us now is that the cold weather has hampered the grass growth we would normally expect in winter. We have committed to a bit of PK and bought in more bales so we have that up our sleeve if needed, as there’s no telling what’s going to happen in spring.” AROS CONTRACTING LTD ~Silage Specialists~ call Tony & Janette Carmichael 03 224 6357 or 027 457 2037 Proud to support Michael & Shahn Smith For a friendly, quality service 77 CLYDE STREET, INVERCARGILL, PH (03) 214 4254 www.southlandhonda.co.nz SOUTHLAND HONDA For the best Parts, Sales & Service in the south

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