52 | Next generation step up in Culverden The Crofts are participating in a DairyNZ-led plantain trial aimed at reducing nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions. Karen Phelps RURAL SERVICES » Hillcrest Culverden Farms Ltd Culverden dairy farmers David and Voray Croft are steadily transitioning their 1,200-hectare farming business into the hands of the next generation, using a structured succession plan designed to balance family ownership, operational control and long-term sustainability. “Farmers often don’t start succession early enough. I was lucky I was brought up in a business with a strong structure, independent trustees and quarterly board meetings and we have carried that through to our farming business,” says David. The Croft business is now formally divided into three companies, each aligned to a different part of the family enterprise. Hillcrest 1962 Ltd, the name reflecting the year David’s father arrived in Culverden, comprises a 280-hectare dairy farm managed by son Robert milking 800 predominantly Friesian cows. A second dairy unit, spanning 180 hectares milking 600 predominantly Friesian cows is managed by daughter Catherine under Gelcarron 1989 Ltd, referencing both its historical farm name and the year David and Voray purchased it. The 550ha effective run off block where dairy cows are wintered and 250 bulls and 200 beefies - all from the dairy farms - are finished sits under Hillcrest Culverden Farming Ltd. David and Voray retain ownership of all entities for now but plan to progressively transfer control to their children over the next four to five years. David and Voray plan to retain ownership of the run off block to fund their retirement. As Robert is also about to get married his partner Wilhemina is expected to become more involved in the family business as succession progresses. “For us succession is more about management transfer at the moment and asset transfer will carry on from that,” explains David. “Succession is challenging but that also makes it rewarding. If everyone is clear on expectations of timing and outcomes it makes the journey a lot smoother.” Their farming business structure is supported by an independent board including an accountant, farm advisor and family lawyer, alongside family members. The accountant chairs meetings, providing external oversight intended to keep decision-making consistent and objective. “The benefit of having independent outside advice and oversight has helped us to navigate pathways forward over the years,” says David. “In our business we have the full spectrum of personalities which flow through into the board room so having independence really helps to keep things on track.” Alongside succession planning, the Crofts are also participating in a DairyNZ-led plantain trial aimed at reducing nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions through the use of Ecotain plantain. The trial forms part of the Primary Sector Growth Fund’s Plantain Potency and Practice programme, which is testing how plantain performs across different soil and climate conditions and at farm scale. David says a water quality scientist working for Amuri Irrigation Company identified a 300-hectare subcatchment within the Amuri Basin as a suitable trial site, with monitoring centred on the Hillcrest 1962 dairy farm, the run off block and a neighbouring property. “We’ve been running water quality sampling at the bottom of the farm for five to six years so we have a history of nitrate levels in the water as a baseline,” says David. The Crofts began increasing plantain content in their pasture last spring and have since over drilled around 65 hectares of Ecotain into existing grass paddocks. A paddock-by-paddock assessment has been completed to measure plantain persistence and coverage. Research from the wider programme has shown nitrogen leaching reductions of around 26 per cent in both Massey University and Lincoln University farm systems where plantain is integrated into ryegrass-clover pastures. “We have been using Ecotain for 10 years,” says David, “but have struggled with persistence but if Ecotain can make around a 25 per cent difference to nitrate leaching, which is the prediction, we hope as part of this trial to also learn better how to manage plantain.” Our Services Include: t Architectural Homes t New Housing t Renovations t Alterations t Light Commercial Builds t Concrete Placing t Decks and Landscaping Earl Builders email: kelly@earlbuilders.co.nz mobile: 027 6609 555 And pretty much everything in-between. Andrew Dalzell 0274 833 938 03 315 8312 dalcol@xtra.co.nz 4 833 938 “Coldstream”197 Culverden Rd, Culverden 7392, New Zealand Engineering . Mechanical . Water Leo Dunne Ltd. Please call us for friendly and prompt service: Office: (03) 315 8470 Email : leodunneltd@xtra.co.nz J osh P itt – Workshop Manager : 027 244 5750 Wendy Croft – Office Manager : 021 113 0368 www.leodunneltd.co.nz ® 26 Lyndon Street, Culverden Livestock stock@amuritransport.co.nz Freight freight@amuritransport.co.nz Fertiliser fert@amuritransport.co.nz Bulk bulk@amuritransport.co.nz CONTACT OUR TEAM (03) 315 3033 admin@amuritransport.co.nz Proud to Support Hillcrest Culverden Farms Ltd
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