NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

50 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » David & Gladys Hunt: Hilldale Farm “They (South American farmers) feed springers late afternoon because when a cow’s stomach is full she can’t have contractions and she sits down for the night to sleep well. This makes things much easier.” Doing things a little differently at Hilldale Strip grazing at Hilldale, a 210ha farm and 80ha support block between Waipukurau and Dannevirke. Karen Phelps D avid and Gladys Hunt pride themselves on d oing some things a little differently on their Hawke’s Bay dairy farm Hilldale. They’re not afraid to listen to good advice and try innovative ideas. For example, after a trip to South America they learned farmers over there had a trick for ensuring cows gave birth early morning and during the day. “They feed springers late afternoon because when a cow’s stomach is full she can’t have contractions and she sits down for the night to sleep well. This makes things much easier,” says David Another point of difference is that they calve as well as winter their cows on their run off, Acham- ore, which is located on the Takapau Plains. “It can get wet here at that time of year so the free draining soils and flat land of the run off make it easier for us and the animals. This sees the cows and their calves get trucked home every day so that only milking cows are on the dairy farm,” explains David. The original block of Hilldale has been in the Hunt family since 1916 when David’s grandfather received it as a ballot farm after returning from the war. David formed a partnership with his par- ents after he and Gladys got married in 1974 and they took over the farm outright in the 80s. Today Hilldale comprises a 210ha effective and an 80ha support block. Located between Waipukurau and Dannevirke on Whenuahou Road, the farm is in the unique position of including two local regional councils, each with slightly differing farm environment policies. This has led the Hunts to comply with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Plan Change 6, which they say should mean the farm also by default complies with Horizons Regional Council’s requirements. Hilldale peak milks 620 cows and the Hunts are moving towards a crossbred herd from friesian since they made the decision not to winter milk. And they are already seeing results. The first group of crossbreds – two and three year olds – have a 6% empty rate and the empty rate for the herd is 9.2%. The herd is typically producing 230,000- 240,000 kgs of milk solids annually. The drought last year pushed this figure back but the Hunts say their animals have recovered well through good feeding throughout the tough times. The Hunts have an aggressive re-grassing policy by growing summer turnip crops followed by new grass on an eight year rotation. Plantain has been in the mix for the last four years for its environmental advantages such as contain- ing plant phytochemicals, which David says may further contribute to reducing the environmental impact by diluting nitrogen concentration in urine. The Hunts employ a farm manager and equivalent of three full time staff members. The Hunts both have strategic roles in their business. David helps out on the farm as required and Gladys takes care of the administration side of the operation. They also have a clothing store (“Doesn’t every farmer?” says David with a smile) in Havelock called Hunt & Seek. Their daughter Tamela is a shareholder in the farm and clothing store and is heavily involved in the business meaning the next generation is set to carry on the Hunt family tradition. “The strength of Hilldale Farms is that we have an excellent team of people around us,” says David, “including farm and business advisors and a team of rural businesses. They all help keep our farm running.”