| 11 Big achievement for Sam and Kasia Kasia Sadowska and Sam Riley. Karen Phelps Golden Bay farming couple Sam Riley and Kasia Sadowska say securing the runner-up position in the 2025 Top Of South Dairy Industry Awards marks a significant achievement in their careers. The pair, who are 50:50 sharemilkers on the Riley family farm in Collingwood, were recognised for their excellence in the sharemilker category. “Networking was the main benefit of entering and getting feedback, for example around maintenance systems and processes,” says Sam, who had previously won the regional trainee award in 2012. Sam’s career has seen him move in and out of the farming industry. After leaving school Sam went back to the family farm and did calf rearing and ran the run off. He them completed a building apprenticeship in Nelson and did his OE for a year. He returned in 2012 and started working in the farming industry, including as a dairy farm assistant for a season with an Uncle and then contract milking for a farm his parents owned in Dovedale for three seasons rising to overseeing three family farms. He then worked in off farm jobs for five years including helping farmers in the sheep milking industry. He returned to farming when he and Kasia went 50:50 sharemilking on the family farm where they are now in their third season. The 200-hectare effective farm, which peak milks 550 Kiwicross cows, presents unique challenges with its marginal pakihi soils. “It has an iron pan under it so once it gets wet it gets really wet and doesn’t free drain,” says Sam. “We are well contoured which helps.” Despite these challenges the farm achieved solid production figures of 241,000kg milk solids last year and is on track for similar results this season. The farm has a 50-bail rotary shed equipped with automatic cup removers and Protrack technology. Sam and Kasia are undertaking a breeding programme they hope will result in a herd comprising quarter Ayrshire, half Jersey and quarter Friesian. “The Ayrshire I hope will breed hardiness into the cows that hold their condition better and are good at foraging rougher grasses,” says Sam, explaining his breeding philosophy. “Jersey - a smaller cow that handles the wetter country - and balancing that out with Friesian to give more of a crossbred cow.” The farm employs a manager and two farm assistants, with additional seasonal staff including a calf rearer and a part-time tractor driver and handyman. Sam fills gaps as needed and works full-time on the farm during spring. Sam is also involved in a family owned run off which has a manager. He aims to develop part of the dairy farm each year and direct drills blocks as 8x4 well aiming for 20ha of re-grassing and 10ha each year of serious development on the run off including root raking and working up the ground, drainage, levelling. “We do all that inhouse. We also do all our own supplements and fertiliser spreading inhouse.” The couple lead busy lives both on and off farm: Kasia works for a Christchurch-based startup called oVRcome, which provides treatment for anxiety disorders using virtual reality technology. Sam works as a stock agent for Carrfields Livestock, covering the Marlborough/Nelson and West Coast regions. He is also involved with Federated Farmers and the Fonterra Next Generation programme, helping to establish local forums for industry development. Sam credits having a strong team on the farm for allowing them the flexibility to pursue their off farm roles. The couple’s future farming goals include growing DAIRY PEOPLE » Sam Riley and Kasia Sadowska SHEARING CONTRACTORS COVERING SOUTHLAND & OTAGO 027 333 2417 | swshearing@gmail.com 03 525 9843 | www.sollys.co.nz For all your Transport and Logistics requirements Freight | Storage | Bulk Cartage Livestock | Stock Feed | Feriliser PH: 03 528 9065 | 32 KING EDWARD STREET - MOTUEKA • On farm service technicians • Full workshop facilities 42 YEARS IN BUSINESS Proud to support Brent & Sam Riley their business to continue the family farming legacy while investigating off-farm opportunities. “We are also looking to keep improving the herd over time,” says Sam. “I think there are some gains to be had there. We want to simplify things and do capital projects as funds allow.”
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