18 | DAIRY » Hughes-Crowley Farm - ( Kaihaka Farms Ltd ) Sue Russell Career pathways need Peter and Maree Hughes have been in the business of milking cows on their dairy unit near Riverton in Southland since 1997. The 467 ha (originally 280ha) farm is home to 1200 cows, predominantly Friesian and Kiwi cross with some Guernsy, Brown Swiss and about 150 cows carrying shorthorn genetics, with a mix of ‘blues’ and ‘brindles’. Peter says shorthorns have long played an important role in the dairy sector in New Zealand. His parents milked shorthorns on their dairy farm in Taranaki. “Back in that time New Zealand was predominantly Jersey but before that the Shorthorn was the main milk producing cow. I like them for their range of colours. They are hardy cattle but don’t produce as much as a Jersey or Friesian, however they have better in-calf rates and less laming.” The farm is at and the area is almost entirely dairying. To supplement nutrition beyond pasture the cows are fed a mix of barley and PK. For the winter the cows are moved on to brassica crops, swede and balage. AI is done right through the mating season. No bulls are used and in Springtime at least 500-600 calves are reared each year. In 1998 a new 50 bail rotary was built, replacing the original milking parlour. Subsequently this has been replaced with a 70 bail rotary and milking takes four hours at peak to process the herd. Given the size and scale of the operation Peter says milking accounts for 80% of the working time. Peter and Maree are supported on their farm with a full time team of four and extra staff where required ie. Spring. The herd is predominantly Friesian and Kiwi cross with some Guernsy, Brown Swiss and about 150 cows carrying shorthorn genetics, with a mix of ‘blues’ and ‘brindles’. They have had one couple on their team for 20 years. Something Peter says has always been important is to ensure his children have an understanding of the functioning of the farm. “We’ve always felt they should help out and understand the business,” Peter says. Currently, the two youngest of their ve daughters are studying at Lincoln University. The oldest two are dairy farming on their own farms and the third daughter is coming home from Australia to go farming. Peter feels strongly about the career pathways that need to be created for up and coming farmers to move into. In particular, the opportunity to take up share milking positions he says is vital for the continued health of the sector generally. “We need these 50:50’s. For us, it was a starting point into eventual farm ownership and I think there needs to be far more sharemilking positions made available. Peter wonders whether the situation here will become what it is overseas, where farms are rented out. Asked what he plans to do with the farm Peter says they will create a pathway on the farm by having a contract milker on who will who will move on to buying some of the cows and sharemilking the herd. And now re ecting back on a long and successful farming journey, underpinned by hard-work and seizing opportunities as they have presented, Peter says the most important thing as a farming couple is to back each other. “You have to have the attitude of attacking the market and by that I mean taking risk and making something from your efforts. It’s still possible to do this today. There are always opportunities out there.” “You have to have the attitude of attacking the market and by that I mean taking risk and making something from your efforts. It’s still possible to do this today. There are always opportunities out there.” AROS CONTRACTING LTD ~Silage Specialists~ For a friendly, quality service call Tony & Janette Carmichael 03 224 6357 or 027 457 2037 Proud to support Hughes-Crowley Farm • Log Cartage • Stock / Bulk • PROUDLY SUPPORTING HUGHES-CROWLEY FARM Fertiliser • Gravel • Contracting • ransporting T 0800 22 5899 www.dtking.co.nz 03 225 8356 Otautau 03 225 5899 Pukemaori 03 234 8120 Riverton
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