104 | ON FARM » Tamar Farm Made major progress in their operation Richard and Chrissie Wright. Photo: Kim Berquist Photography. Sue Russell Two years have passed since Rural South last had the opportunity to talk with busy and very focussed dairy farmer Sumit Kamboj, who, along with brother Manoj Kumar, have made substantial steps in their progress to one day own their own dairy farm. How that goal is being achieved is a meld of stoic determination, hard-working opportunism and the support of others, who want to see them progress and reap the rewards of their commitment to the dairy industry. When Rural South spoke with Sumit in 2023, he and Manoj were co-managing a substantial dairy farm owned by Richard and Chrissie Wright, 20 minutes inland from Ashburton and 15 minutes from Methven. Sumit can’t speak highly enough of the support and encouragement they have received from the Wright’s in first giving them the opportunity to 50:50 sharemilk on this farm, home to 2000 cows on 535ha of flat, fertile land. “That farm had two milking sheds and I looked after one and Manoj the other. It worked very well because there was always one of us on the farm. We also had a very good team, split into two, each working on a herd and one shed.” Since this time, further huge advancements towards farm ownership have taken place. By investing their equity, the brothers have bought half the value of the herd of 1250 and the farm, with Richard and Chrissie purchasing the other half. “It means we have a stake in this farm, with the understanding that, in time, we will buy the farm outright.” The 350ha farm is near Leeston, 30km south-west of Christchurch, home to a 53 aside herringbone shed and a 1000 cows barn. “It’s a split-calving farm and comes with a barn that can hold 900 cows at any one time. Spring calving is due to get underway on 1st August and extend over an 8 week period, with Autumn calving set to start on 10th March. As a flat farm, its inclined to get wet in winter so having the barn is a real positive. A key motivation in the purchase of this farm was the winter milking contract, supplying about 1400kg / day, given it’s close proximity to Christchurch. All up, working with Sumit is a team of six, with two workers shifting from the other farm. “We employed three staff who were already on the farm, so it has worked out very well.” The herd comprises Milking Shorthorns plus some Friesian, Jersey, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Fleckvieh, Montbéliarde and Speckle Park. We will be working more towards the friesian herd for the future. Sumit says this new farm is a long-term commitment. Both he and Manoj want to see improvements occur on the farm. “Getting the subdivision right is part of that along with putting in more water. We still have to work very hard to realise our goals.” Both brothers have families here in New Zealand from their native India and agree this is a good place to raise children. They each know they would not be where they are now, in a relative few years, without the support of Richard and Chrissie. “They like supporting young people. It’s their way of helping the sector grow stronger and to give back.” Manufacturing • Silage feed-out wagons • Multi bale feeders • 2 bale feeders • Vee-Rakes and Line-Rakes Manufacturers of High quality farming equipment “Built Strong, Built to Last” Proud to support Tamar Farm Unit 8, 75 Main South Road, Sockburn, Christchurch • 03-348 7800 • sales@taegeman.com 0 0 FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS PROUD TO TAMAR BEEF youngelectricalltd.co.nz PROUD T SUPPORT TAMAR BEEF Agricultural Contractors based in Methven Contact us today: Managing Director - Patrick: 027 297 2726 Operation Manager - Adam: 027 223 7309 office.naglecontracting@gmail.com
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