| 3 A mix of Kiwi and overseas recruits Jared says they have enjoyed favourable growing conditions this season. Sue Russell It’s been just over six months since we last spoke with Jared Crawford, who owns and operates Paramount Dairies Ltd with his wife, Sara. In that time, he says, the beautiful Lamorna farm - owned by NZ Super Fund and part of the Farmright Dairying network - has been ticking along nicely. At 524 ha in Orari, between Ashburton and Timaru, Jared and his team of nine workers, a mix of Kiwi and overseas recruits, look after the daily operation, which sees 2000 cows milked through a substantial 100-bale Milfos rotary platform. When Rural South spoke with Jared in June, about 1600 cows were being wintered on a run-off block at Pleasant Point, another property owned by the network. It’s been almost a year since Allflex collars were introduced to the farm’s management practices, and Jared says the team is continually refining how they use the system to maximise its benefits. “Our goal this calving season is to leverage the technology’s full capabilities. The collars especially appeal to the younger members of the team, and I see them as another valuable tool for maximising herd performance and keeping the cows in top condition,” Jared says. Another focus is to fine-tune the supplements fed in-shed - a blend designed to boost cow performance through the first part of the season. Jared says they have enjoyed favourable growing conditions this season and have taken a proactive approach to hoof health, monitoring and treating any signs of lameness early. Persistent damp, rainy weather can affect hoof condition over time, so on a property of this scale its a priority to keep the herd’s feet in top shape as any issues can reduce cows’ willingness to move and eat their fill. “When we see any lameness, the cow is drafted and treated promptly, she joins the once-a-day herd for a spell, and ideally within a couple of weeks she’s back with the main mob. It’s something we’re constantly monitoring.” After its regular maintenance and a bit of tweaking, Jared says the milking plant is running very well, receiving a Grade 3 rating and proving everything is top-notch. DAIRY PEOPLE » Paramount Dairies For all your building requirements Specialising in: NEWHOMES • FARMBUILDINGS RENOVATIONS • CONCRETEWORK TR STACK BUILDINGLTD Terrence Stack - 021 024 93312 A/H. 03 307 0157 | E. terrencestack@gmail.com New Zealand Certified Builders Association CB LICENSED BUILDING PRACTITIONERS Building confidence Your Agri business partner We partner with you so you can focus on doing what you do best. Give Brent a call for a free no obligation chat to find out how we can help you reach your full potential. Brent Love T: (03) 683 1871 | M: (027) 528 1537 | E: blove@kpmg.co.nz kpmgenterprise.co.nz | facebook.com/KPMGFarmEnterprise Turanganui Romneys Mike Warren 027 446 5312 or 06 307 7841 Guy Warren 027 848 0164 William Warren 027 824 9327 Jared is grateful the entire crew has stayed on for another season - a testament to the farm’s focus on training, clear systems and looking after its people, which will only lift next season’s milk performance. Drying off such a large herd is handled in three stages, starting with early heifers and some lights, followed by “middles,” then “fats and lates,” as Jared describes the groupings. With most cows off farm once they’re dry, there’s still plenty of routine maintenance to keep the team busy. “It’s a good time to give everyone a breather and tick off the pre-calving task list,” Jared says. The herd will return from 20 July, and the full calving window spans 10 weeks. Jared and Sara are lower-order sharemilking at Lamorna and intend to stay on this lovely farm for some time yet. “We have a clear long-term plan: secure a second large-scale share-milking role to strengthen cash flow, channel those earnings into property to build equity, and ultimately position ourselves to purchase a dairy farm. At the same time, we’re focused on financial stability and quality family time, with current investments in housing and the House of Hop Brewery forming part of that strategy.” Jared says he enjoys a very positive relationship with Farmright. Each farm in the collective is treated as an independent entity, yet there’s strong engagement among the farmers across Farmright properties.
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