NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

46 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Chris Braddick & Morgan Winterburn Rollercoaster ride for sharemilkers Virginia Wright F our years ago in June, when Chris Braddick and his wife Morgan Winterburn bought their own cows and started 50:50 sharemilking on Lakeview Farm in Hokio Beach in Levin, it was her first true experience of farming. “We bought our cows off farm owners Peter and Marie Everton and Peter’s sister Jeanette Rolfe when their sharemilker retired,” explains Chris.“He’d been here for 30 years so the breed- ing’s really good, and they’re really good cows. We were lucky to be able to buy them.” While Morgan had been helping out in her parents’ real fruit ice-cream store Chris had been spending every holiday for as long as he can remember helping out on his aunt and uncle’s dairy farm near Pahiatua,and loving it. When he was 17 he got a job on their next-door neighbour’s dairy farm. “He was a pedigree Friesian dairy farmer and he was quite well known for his really good cows,” says Chris. He was also a hard worker and Chris learned some habits which have stood him in good stead when things have got tough. “I remember we used to leave home in the dark and come home in the dark but I just loved working on the farm so it didn’t bother me.” After four years there he worked on a variety of different dairy farms, including a Fonterra farm, and a six year stint managing 650 cows which was half of the 1100 strong herd owned by Doug and Glynis Easton near Levin.” Farmer in waiting Payson Braddick checks out the milking herd at Lakeview Farm in Levin where dad Chris (below) and mum Morgan are 50:50 sharemilkers. That was a big step up for me,” says Chris, “and that’s when I met Morgan.” Next was three years sole managing 280 cows on a dairy farm near right next door to where the Evertons owned some dry-stock land .“So they saw how I farmed,” says Chris, “and then when they were looking for a 50:50 sharemilker someone suggested they ask the Eastons who they would recommend and that’s how we got this job.” It was baptism by fire, for Morgan at least. She assisted with two milkings and was shown the ropes of calf-rearing on the Easton’s farm before going to work full time with Chris on Lakeview Farm. “Her sister Michele lived with us and looked after our kids full time because they were both under five. We had decided it made good business sense to to do it on our own because we could only really afford to buy the cows, so the Evertons let us use their tractors, their feeders and all the gear pretty much until we could buy our own, so we were really lucky,” says Chris. But their luck didn’t stretch to the weather. Lakeview Farm’s 120 hectares of typically sandy soil didn’t help much with the severe drought which meant they could grow no grass from October through to February and the summer crops didn’t germinate. “We both lost quite a lot of weight with the stress but we managed to just make ends meet. We went on once-a-day quite early and not having a worker is what saved us,” explains Chris. “So my first year 50:50 sharemilking and being my own boss was definitely my hardest year farming since I started when I was 17,” says Chris with a laugh that speaks volumes. “The first two years I pretty much didn’t have any time off unless Morgan milked by herself so then I’d have the odd sleep in.” It doesn’t seem to have dented their belief in their good fortune though, and four years later their hard work is paying off. Payson is now six while Ada is four. They’ve had a farm worker for a couple of years and been able to invest in some new machin- ery of their own. “We have a really good relationship with the farm owners,” says Chris,“and we’re really happy with what we’re doing and our herd’s going to be paid off in another two and a half years.” When it comes down to it though it’s his family that inspires Chris for the future. “The best thing is that I’m doing this with my wife and we have a really good relationship and she still works with me now. She rears all the young stock and fills in for the worker whenever it’s needed, and our kids can be with us as well. Morgan likes having the freedom to go to school events and do parent help and take part in community things.” Chris and Morgan know they’re lucky with their farm owners but there’s no doubt they’re doing their bit in return as well. “Our goal was to do some really good milk production. The farm used to do 100,000 milk solids but this year we should have a record year doing 137,000,” says Chris. “So that’s been an awesome thing for us, feeding the cows well and showing the Evertons that the money we’re spending is paying off because the cows are milking really well.” Silage Harvesting Cultivation Excavation Supplement Supply 0800 452 5589 www.guthrieagwork.co.nz Your Animal Health Professionals • Best Prac�ce Accredited • Complete Pet Care • Physio and Rehab • Animal Health Products • Farm Services • Available 7 days by appointment 518 Queen Street Levin Ph: 06 368 2891 www.lhvc.co.nz Proudly part of the Totally Vets group now • Fertiliser spreading • Cultivation • All bulk silage requirements • Round baling & wrapping • Bulk cartage • Square baling & wrapping • Hay - large rounds / large squares • Stockists of Hatuma Lime • Ravensdown consignment store with certified weigh bridge Agricultural Contractors - Levin Contact Garry 027 232 2380 Rowan 027 452 2562 Serving the Horowhenua since 1924 SERVICES OFFERED: