78 | Cultivating a passion for breeding Their journey has seen them develop a passion for Holstein Friesian genetics. Alexia Anderson Hannah and Allon Wood are proving that hard work, careful planning and a passion for breeding can result in a successful business model. The couple, who farm under the name Longview Dairies 2018 Ltd, are into their second season, farming in the Teviot Valley, Central Otago. They relocated to the property from Glenavy in South Canterbury in June last year, and now milk 500 cows through a System 4 operation, while also managing young-stock and wintering on a neighbouring run-off they lease. They employ one full-time staff member and are continuing to invest in the future of both their farm and herd. Farm ownership was something they were keen to work towards. Farming was already part of both Hannah and Allon’s lives, with Allon coming from a multigenerational dairy farming family and Hannah a sixth-generation sheep and beef farming family. While Allon was already established in dairying when they met, Hannah had been working as a secondary school science teacher before discovering her passion for the industry through calf rearing while on maternity leave. From there, the couple worked towards a goal of owning a farm before they turned 40, which they have achieved through years of sharemilking, perseverance and determination. “Looking back, we are so proud to have made it to farm ownership from our own hard work, and with our kids alongside us.” Their journey has also seen them develop a passion for Holstein Friesian genetics. When they moved south, the couple retained their predominantly Friesian winter milking herd, allowing them to continue their winter milk contract while working towards establishing a breeding programme. They joined Holstein Friesian New Zealand and established their own registered stud, which they named Woodvollr, a name which was inspired by a play on their surname, combined with the Old Norse word vollr, meaning field or meadow, reflecting Hannah’s Scandinavian heritage. The stud is still in its early stages, but the Woods are already seeing great progress. They have one bull in LIC’s sire proving programme and are selecting cows within their herd for registration, while continuing to build their breeding programme through genomic testing and sexed semen. “We really enjoy the nature of the Holstein cow, she is calm, placid and with great production,” Hannah says. Their breeding focus is centred on udder quality, fertility, health and production, with the goal of RURAL PEOPLE » Longview Dairies breeding cows that are capable of producing more milk solids than their own liveweight. The couple say understanding genomics has become an essential part of their business model, allowing greater annual genetic gain, while ensuring accurate herd recording through whole-herd DNA testing. Alongside genetics, they continue to invest in farm infrastructure, with Halter technology set to be introduced across the dairy herd and beef version collars are planned for youngstock and carry-over cattle. Major irrigation upgrades are also underway as they convert to pivot and fixed-grid systems. Despite the challenges facing the industry, the Woods remain focused on running their business as efficiently as possible. “We believe there’s no single way to go about farming, but being hands on and at the forefront of Lindisfarne Farms Ltd For all your baleage and harvesting needs - Servicing the Teviot Valley - Phone Daniel on 027 229 7258 Contact Josh & Jayde Gunn for all enquiries: 03 446 8902 027 777 3024 lakeroxburghcontracting@gmail.com 20t & 13t Diggers, Trucks & Loader 6t Digger & 1.7t Mini Digger Road Upgrades & Grader Maintenance Entrance Ways & Driveway upgrades Gravel Supplies & Gravelling House Pads & Landscaping General Farm Maintenance Fencing & Post Driving Wood chipping & Tree Removal HUNTER CONTRACTING LTD Hunter Contracting is based in the Teviot Valley, covering Central Otago. We o er top quality Boom Spraying, Hand Gun Spraying, Direct Drilling and Precision Drilling. hunter.contracting20@gmail.com Call Matt - 0221077815 day-to-day running keeps everything ticking over and running smoothly,” Hannah says. As they look to the future, their focus is to complete key developments, reduce debt, breed quality Holstein Friesians, all while building on their business to ensure it can support future generations.
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