| 25 Getting the very best from their herd Their dairy platform extends across a 228ha effective farm near Balfour, a 145ha lease block nearby and an 86ha run-off block in Lumsden. Sue Russell Intent on furthering their goal of farm ownership, Southland dairying couple Nick and Anieka Templer have wasted no time, first as contract milkers, then purchasing the herd and establishing themselves these past seven season as 50:50 sharemilkers, in charge of getting the very best from their herd of 680 cows. Contract milking started on the farm they still work on back in 2012 and during the course of this time, they’ve added their own parcel of land into the mix, within their fully self-contained dairying operation. Nick says its all part of the plan to one day soon, and that’s within the next five years, own their own dairy farm , a dream the couple have steadily worked towards these past 14 years and counting. Their dairy platform extends across a 228ha effective farm near Balfour, a 145ha lease block nearby and an 86ha run-off block in Lumsden, all comfortably within distanced from the main operation. Balfour is approximately 80km north of Invercargill and an hour from Queenstown and Nick says the district is peppered with dairying and cropping. Asked, when the opportunity presents to buy their own farm, whether the plan is to stay in the district, Nick says decidedly Yes. The herd is mainly Friesian, Friesian X with a smattering of shorthorns. Keen always to find ways to improve production, with a herd seasonal goal of 400,000kgMS, the couple have decided to add Halter collars into the infrastructure, letting go soon of the Alllflex collars they’ve used these past few seasons. “We’re hoping Halter will allow us to get a bit more out of the herd. We’re fully self-contained and operate to a System 4, with supplements palm kernel, distiller’s dried grains and wheat,” Nick says. RURAL PEOPLE » Nick and Anieka Templer The property, he says, can be dry in summer, which was why they always have buffer of silage when needed. Anieka drives the farm’s breeding programme while Nick tends to be busy on the run-off. “She’s very passionate about the breeding and quality of the herd, so we’re a good fit. I’m pleased with how the farm is looking and performing at this time.” Helping on the farm is 2IC Phillip Orosco with farm-assistants Mara Bustos and Charles Ranara – all from the Philippines. “They’re excellent workers and really care about getting the best from the herd and looking after the farm. We’re very fortunate.” Anieka says her ideal cow isn’t necessarily one breed over another, instead looking for specific strong traits, with a focus on efficient conversion of food into milk and a very good udder, along with a consistent ability to get in-calf. Milk is produced through a 54-bale rotary and the herd size, Nick says, usually hovers between 660-700 cows. A feed-pad also forms part of the farm layouts and he describes the farm as in a good state with nothing major required. A focus is to reduce the empty rate to 10% or below. “We had an empty cow rate of 13 % two seasons ago, and we’re heading in the right direction.” Artificial insemination on the top heifers from the best cows is assisting in accelerating genetic gain. With a daughter away at boarding school in Invercargill, Nick says he and Anieka feel very settled in the district. “We’re looking forward after all these years to attaining the goal of owning our own farm so hopefully a nice property will come on the market in this area when the time is right.” EWL Limited • www.ewl.nz Brent Eaton 027 485 5994 | O ce 027 428 4328 | Email ewl.balfouro ce@gmail.com Silage and Baling contractor servicing the NorthernSouthland District PROUDLY SUPPORTING NICK & ANIEKA TEMPLER 03 201 6470 Carl - 027 272 9333 | Callum - 027 272 9888 office.balfour.engineering@gmail.com CALL LOGAN 027 634 2103 - YOUR RURAL FENCING SPECIALIST Nick & Anieka Templer
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=