| 17 More efficient utilisation of feed Will and Louise Bailey have entered their seventh season. Richard Loader Will and Louise Bailey have entered their seventh season dairy farming in the North Canterbury district of Swannanoa and this year fulfilled their long-term vision of adding a 400-cow feedpad; a piece of infrastructure that is particularly important given their winter milking operation. “Feeding a significant amount of costly supplement over the winter and the shoulders of the season was a key driver,” says Will. “Feeding out silage in the paddock always resulted in a lot of wastage, and poor utilisation, and the paddocks suffered from a lot of pugging.” Construction commenced in March this year, and was completed in July. Will says wastage has been minimised with a much more efficient utilisation of feed. “We’ve already seen cow condition scores increase and higher production.” Construction of the feedpad was carried out by Darfield contractor, Rural Building Solutions. Will was aware of other work the company had carried out in the local area, and their reputation within the farming community. “We talked to the owner, Nigel Hodges; he was definitely experienced and knew exactly what we wanted. We were very pleased with what Rural Building Solutions built for us.” Farming in equity partnership with Will’s grandparents and Louise’s family, the couple have day-to-day operational responsibility of the 225-hectare Knightlea Farm, which encompasses a 185-hectare milking platform with the balance growing maize and kale for winter feed. DAIRY PEOPLE » Knightlea Farm Nigel Hodges 0274 270 557 Four centre pivots and a rotorainer keep the farm irrigated. Supported by two full-timers and two parttimers, Will and Louise peak milk 640 cows, and winter milk 300, all twice a day. Predominantly pedigree Holsteins Friesians, the bloodline stems back to the herd started by Will’s Granddad over 65 years ago. “We love the breed,” says Will. “They’re a very high producing cow and well suited to our farming operation.” Louise adds that both the farm and stud name of Knightlea is derived from Will’s grandparent’s farm name, Karalea, and her family farm name of Knighton, underlining the farming heritage. Both Will and Louise grew up on farms; dairy farming is very much part of Will’s DNA, while Louise’s family have a cropping farm in nearby Kaiapoi, through cows were always her passion. “We love milking black and white cows and growing good grass,” says Will. “We don’t see it as a job - it’s more of a lifestyle.” Will and Louise work as a close team; each playing key roles that make the farm work. While Will takes a front seat on physical farming work, Louise looks after all the background office work, as well as feeding the calves and helping out on the farm when needed. Adding to the couple’s busy work load are their two small children; Stella 4, and Blake 16 months. “They now have an opportunity to enjoy the farming lifestyle we enjoyed growing up,” says Louise. “We have a little boy who is tractor mad and just wants to go with Dad all the time. And Stella is a real animal girl who loves taking her calves to the local shows each year.” Yaldhurst Wools wishes all their clients a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2025! 03 342 6223 | www.nzwool.com
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