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
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