| 41 Logan elected onto the national Board The couple have been members of the Holstein Friesian NZ Association for about 15 years. Logan and Nicky with children Watson Dannielle Esmae and Victoria (inset). Sue Russell The farming journey for Southland dairying couple Logan and Nicky Kelly continues to evolve, as the couple move further through the family’s succession planning. Situated 11km east of Balclutha, South Otago, are two properties – the home farm, which now serves as a run-off and a larger dairy platform next door. The couple have been members of the Holstein Friesian NZ Association for about 15 years and in June this year, Logan was elected on to the national Board for Otago/Southland. When Rural South spoke with him in July, it was naturally early days as part of this organisation’s governance and Logan said he was spending the time becoming familiar with Board operation, the key issues the Association is currently advancing. “I’m on the Classification Working Group, which is concerned with traits, other than production. This is about assessing a cow, breaking it down into quantifiable numbers across 11 or 12 different traits. Areas like udder conformation and what the animal’s feet are like and among scored between 1 and 9. This data gives farmers a good picture of what the animal looks like.” His appointment is for a two year period and Logan says he’s looking forward to the experiences ahead on the Board. Asked how farming life has been, Logan says the wind had presented with challenges. “Trees blew over and now we have to re-fence the calving pen, so there’s always something to be done, but that is part of farming and we’re in a good situation.” Calving is scheduled to get underway on 1st August and work was underway on building calf sheds. Three new staff have also joined the farm with contract milkers Dave and Katrina Carr, who had been on the farm 8 seasons, having moved on to further their farming business. “I’m feeling quite confident about the season ahead. Now its our own farm we can do our own things. We’ll be milking 490 to 500 cows who have come through last season and the winter in good condition.” Logan says that with new staff coming on board, the biggest thing by far is that they get on well and work together as a team. “That is so important. You never quite know how it will work out, but I’m pleased to see our workers are a great group.” The herd comprises 50:50 Holstein and Milking Shorthorn and Logan takes care of all the mating RURAL PEOPLE » Logan and Nicky Kelly himself, selecting specific bulls to suit the cow. The longevity of productive capability is highlighted in the fact that his oldest cow is now 14. Nicky works at a local day-care centre, one child attending boarding school in Dunedin and two others at Balclutha Primary School. The next step the couple are working toward is the purchase of a run-off at Lovells Flat, 12 km away. The home-farm Logan and Nicky have been given has been operating seven generations now, a fact the couple are very proud and mindful of. “It’s certainly quite a legacy to be carrying on and it will be good to capture as much history about the farm as we possibly can.” Logan says he thinks the farm started, as was common in the day, as a butchery shop, saying the foundations of these spaces can still be found on the farm. • General Transport - Big or small • Livestock Cartage - Inter Island & Local • Wool Cartage • Rock, Gravel, Bark & Sawdust Suppliers • Bulk Cartage • Fertiliser Cartage &Application with Proof of Placement • Otago’s only stockist of Golden Bay Dolomite Eddystone St Kaitangata | 03 413 9735 | cranleighhaulage@gmail.com We’re proud to support Logan and Nicky Kelly LUBRICANTS AUTHORISED STOCKIST Martin Darmody P: 027 227 2410 E: martindarmody@xtra.co.nz • GENERAL ENGINEERING • HYDRAULIC HOSE & VALVE REPAIRS • GRAIN & MOLASSES FEED SYSTEMS • FARM MACHINERY SERVICE & REPAIR • ATV SERVICE & REPAIR • GORSE SPRAYING Another shift isn’t too far away, when the couple and family move from living in a house built in the 1870’s into a much more modern home. “We’re just waiting for Dad’s new house to be completed and then we’ll all do the shift, which is something we’re looking forward to.”
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