| 55 Strong team on 86ha Holstein stud Milking 270 dairy cows, this year Ryan also had some success at the annual Otago Progeny Competition and the Semex onfarm event. Aimee Wilson When Ryan Sutherland bought his parents farm near Mosgiel back in 2023, it continued a long family lineage of dairying on the Taieri Plains. Nowadays he and his father continue working together as a strong team on the 86ha Holstein stud at Henley, and with an additional employee. Milking 270 dairy cows, this year Ryan also had some success at the annual Otago Progeny Competition and the Semex on-farm event. The regional dairy cattle breeding event run by the Holstein Friesian New Zealand (HFNZ) Otago Branch saw him take home a first place for his four-year-old Oakley Afree Apricot-Red, and a second placing for his two-year old Makuri Guthrie Kate. He also received second place for veteran cow Raymac Beamer Estyle, in what was his third time entering the competition. Top three placings secures you a spot in the national finals, and this was his second year making the cut. Ryan has also made waves within the industry by constructing large composting barns back in 2021, to keep the animals warm during the long cold and wet winters. But he admits there have also been some challenges with the barns when the weather doesn’t play ball. Without adequate air flow from ongoing wet and cloudy days with little sunshine, the wood chip material struggles to keep dry. Once they get damp the moisture can turn them “from a good composting barn into a pigsty,” he said. For extra investment, some farmers use big fans inside, but that’s where it starts to get expensive, he said. The farm has two big composting barns - one to dry the cows off and manage their diet, and another to calve the cows inside. Ryan loves farming and enjoys working alongside his father who has been working the land since he was 15 - “I still go do dad for questions and advice. “I’d be lost without him.” Since joining forces the pair have substantially increased their production by combining his RURAL PEOPLE » Ryan Sutherland father’s expertise with his own fresh ideas. Introducing an in-shed feeding system four years ago has been a game changer, he said. “Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, but it is harder if you don’t have it.” The feeding system was a huge investment, but the profit margins have paid off. For the 2025/26 year they produced 182,000 of milk solids, compared to just 171,000 the year before, and 159,000 back in 2023/24. Ryan wants to buy more land eventually and continue to increase the herd size up to 450-480 cows, “but that’s just a waiting game.” His advice for others looking at getting into farm ownership, is to not be afraid to take a few risks to get ahead. Weather remains the biggest challenge in Otago, and because the farm is situated right on 027 426 4926 kent@willowcroft.co.nz Willowcroft PROUDLY SUPPORTING RYAN SUTHERLAND SERVICES WE OFFER... Earthworks & Demolition Agricultural Services Subdivisions & House Sites Dairy Cow Lanes Roading Aggregates & Rock Baleage Services Tree Trimming Heavy Haulage & Transport Sawdust & Woodchips Silage Services Umbilical & Effluent Services PROUD TO SUPPORT RYAN SUTHERLAND Contact your local Cowley branch today 0508 786 772 • www.cowley.co.nz FROMGROUNDWORK, HEDGE CUTTING, BALEAGE, HAY BALING, SILAGE MAKING, POND CLEANING TO EXCAVATION GIVE US A CALL: 027 495 3081 ag@totalharvesting.co.nz spraying@totalharvesting.co.nz a flood plain, is prone to being water logged after significant rainfall. Back in 2017 half of the property was underwater, but that’s all part of the challenge of living where they do. Ryan also thanks his partner Rhonda for being so supportive, and said he wouldn’t be able to achieve what he has over the last six years if she wasn’t there to manage the two kids. 119 Dukes Road North, Mosgiel 03 486 1222 | 027 250 7512 dave@ewanallan.co.nz Pleased to support Ryan Sutherland For the best deal on your NewHonda Motorcycle
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