Business Rural Winter 2021
16 | Next generation drives tech upgrades Photos: Sunrise in the milking shed on the Bailey family farm in Flaxton, north of Christchurch. Allflex Livestock Intelligence collars were fitted to the herd last spring.. Karen Phelps T he next generation is driving the use of tech- nology on the Bailey family farm at Flaxton, north of Christchurch. Farm manager Stuart Bailey, son of Chris and Margaret who own the property, says they all decided to introduce Allflex Livestock Intelligence collars to the herd last spring. Chris says that for a “dinosaur” like him it’s been a shift in thinking with a computer screen in the milking shed providing a plethora of data. He is excited though about the potential of the technol- ogy to enable better decision making on aspects of farming such as animal health, cycling and mating and to cut down labour. Already the family has not needed to tail paint this year but has instead been able to rely on the data to make decisions. The other recent investment the Baileys have made in their farm has been in irrigation, which has seen them replace two guns with a centre pivot. The whole farm is under irrigation and Chris says the recent upgrade will enable better use of water and improve grass growth. The three of them are all actively involved in the 76ha effective farm, with a 30ha support block used for wintering, which has been in the family for over 100 years. Their 230-cow herd comprises about half shorthorn and half friesian. The shorthorns are all registered under Elmgrove Milking Shorthorns, and they have been breeding shorthorn cattle for over 40 years. The shorthorn breed is the oldest in New Zealand with the first cows being brought here in 1814 from New South Wales by Samuel Marsden. The Elmgrove herd was first registered in 1946. Chris, who is on the governing board for the New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association and has been has been involved with the organisation for over 30 years, says big improvements in the breed’s udders over the past decade is driving more interest in the breed from farmers. “If you are going to get up to milk cows early every morning you want good placid animals The milking shorthorns have a good temperament DAIRY PEOPLE » Bailey family “If you are going to get up to milk cows early every morning you want good placid animals.” • Self Propelled Sprayers • Truck Mounted Boom Sprayers • Handgun Unit • Spreader Trucks • Proof of Placement Mapping HIDE SPRAYING LTD REGISTERED CHEMICAL APPLICATORS IN ALL CLASSES Email: hidespray@xtra.co.nz Ph/Fax: (03) 313 5278 • Mob: Andrew 0274 372 006 Ph: (03) 313 7723 • Mob: Graham 0274 333 786 Hide Spraying is proud to support Chris Bailey Alexanders are proud to support Chris and Margaret Bailey • to page 17 BOOK SERVICE O \ AA Book a time with your local team today, phone 0800 864 774. Keep your irrigation systemworking like new with regular servicing and maintenance.
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