| 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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