18 | Couple keen to go one better at awards Sue Russell DAIRY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AWARDS » Warric and Rachel Johnson Having managed large herds for the last 15 years or so, has meant that Warric and Rachel Johnson are in their element contract milking for Phil and Jocelyn Riley, overseeing 1100 cows on their 375ha Tapawera farm. The Johnson’s have been on the property now five years and employ five full-time farm workers. “We’ve had our 2IC for three seasons now and our shed manager also for three years. We’ve managed to decrease our staff hours to 1950 hours average per annum per employee. This means that everyone is earning over the living wage,” says Warric. The herd produces 515,000kgMS / year and all in all, the farm is working very well. “We’re used to working with large herds,” Rachel reflects. The couple began their farming journey some 25 years ago and last year decided it was time to enter the West Coast/Top of the South Island Dairy Industry Awards in the sharemilker category. It was a delight to discover they were awarded runner-up and received three merit awards and $3500 in the process. Now Warric and Rachel have decided to give the competition another go, to build on what they learnt about their strengths. “It was a lot more work than we expected getting prepared for judging. Coming in second we learned a lot and we could have done better in our presentation and explaining ourselves better,” says Rachel. They know their strengths too, including proving they created a great roster for the team and culture of support between individuals. This, they say, is one of their biggest strengths. “We a large farm and large crew, you need to have the culture right because everyone needs to pull together to get the job done.” Warric and Rachel also see there are many benefits that will come from being more engaged in the industry, wider than their own farming situation. A very close working relationship between Warric and Phil is another key strength of the business. “We talk weekly, even if its just a phone call or text, we keep in touch with each other,” says Warric. Asked what farming activities occur in the district the answer is that growing hops is a major activity, with just three dairy farms left in the valley. The couple of aiming for a F10J6 herd and Warric acknowledges that at the moment, it has a smattering of everything in it. “We’re looking for the hybrid vigour and four black feet to cope better with the terrain. The longest walk is about 3km to the shed.” Milking is twice a day through a 60 bale rotary with protrac and cell-count technology. Processing the herd through the shed takes about four hours and the regime is twice a day until the summer dry kicks in. Turnips are supplied for the once a day cows to help maintain condition. “Because Phil owns his own runoff we are very grass-based,” says Warric. A rule of thumb always adhered to is that no mud is produced in managing the stock over the farm. Warric describes Rachel as the No 1 calf rearer. He stays right out of that department. Warric is always available for the mornings milkings and is also responsible for maintaining the farm equipment, and training the staff. Staff are accommodated in one of three houses on the farm with an additional homestead on the run-off 16km away. Both Warric and Rachel say they are looking forward to re-entering the awards to see just what they are capable of achieving. “I would recommend the dairy industry awards to anyone who aspires to understand their strengths and challenges and to get ahead in the sector, regardless of what they aspire to achieve,” Rachel says. Warric and Rachel Johnson contract milk 1100 cows at Tapawera and employ five full-time workers. • Boom Spraying • Drilling - Direct & Roller • All GroundWork • Baling - Large Square & Rounds • Full Maize Silage / Grain • Combining Andrew Fry | 027 714 2799 Proudly supportingWarric & Rachel Johnson With over 36 years of continual service to our customer's needs and desires, we tirelessly strive to offer the ultimate motorcycling experience. (03) 547 2420 Regent Park 141/143 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook, Nelson Sales Enquiries: sales@filco.co.nz Service: service@filco.co.nz Parts: parts@filco.co.nz Ph 03 308 9194 | rbal.co.nz Rural Accountants for Rural People Call Aaron Allred today for Personalised, Specialised Farm Accounting TRANSPORT LIMITED • Stock Feed - PKE, Cereal grains, bailage, hay • Lime / Fertiliser • General Freight Proudly Supporting Warric and Rachel Johnson for a competitive quote! Contact Aaron or Guy 027 541 2103 027 297 7455
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