NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

| 53 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Jo & Dion Bishell Payout forecast gives farmers leeway Russell Fredric F onterra’s December mid-point forecast farm-gate payout of $7 per kilogram of milk solids will help farmers with debt reduction as well as providing leeway towards their goals, Taranaki sharemilker Jo Bishell says. It was also pleasing to see Fonterra back on track, she says, after announcing a net loss – it’s first ever - of $196 million for its 2017/18 financial year; the company posted posted an after tax profit of $659 million for the 2020 financial year. “I guess there could still be huge volatility, but it’s great to see these (forecast) milk prices because it helps you achieve those goals and for getting debt down. While the global Covid-19 pandemic has the potential to cause issues “everyone still needs to eat”, Jo says. “We’ve been pretty lucky that it really hasn’t impacted dairying very much at all.” Jo and her husband Dion were the 2017 Taranaki Share Farmers of the Year and are in their seventh season with the Drought & Kalin Family Trust Partnership on a 164ha property in Kearin Road, Manaia, wintering 500 mainly friesian cows. The farm is supported by a nearby 15ha crop- ping block. Four seasons ago the couple took on a second 50:50 sharemilking position at Ohangai, 15 minutes drive away. The 121ha effective farm comprising steeper topography which includes gullies, winters 370 friesian cross cows. “It part of our strategy, growing our equity to try and get to our first farm purchase.” Ohangai has a manager, a farm assistant and a drive-in milk harvester. Both farms had a difficult season in 2019/20 due to drought. During the first two seasons at Ohangai the Bishell’s focused on basics like having adequate power supply options, improving pasture man- agement and production and moving to a more grass-based system. While these improvements have not resulted in increased production, profitability has signifi- cantly increased. “Our aim is to try and get into the top 20% of profit for 50:50 sharemilkers in Taranaki. Not last year but the year before we were very close to getting there. “The key things are high pasture harvested, low feed cost and I guess it’s about having a team on the farms that understands what we are trying to achieve.” Jo describes last season’s production of 176,000kgMS on the Kerrin Rd farm as dismal compared with a typical output of 190,000kgMS. The drought forced the herd to be dried off early April compared to May 20 in a normal year, after going to once-a-day milking in January. The herd is milked through a 40 a-side her- ringbone shed which takes about three and a half hours. Because the longest distance to the back of the farm is two kilometres, lane maintenance and hoof health is a huge issue, consequently first and second season calvers are kept close to the shed. “The race management is huge, we have quite a programme every winter to upgrade races.” The Bishell’s had tried different products and have found a chalk-like product from a South Waikato supplier to be an “amazing” option. “I guess there could still be huge volatility, but it’s great to see these (forecast) milk prices because it helps you achieve those goals and for getting debt down. Fonterra has raised its forecast farm gate milk price for the current dairy season off the back of strong demand from China and South East Asia. Dion & Jo - congratulations, a job well done. Ingram’s Contracting is proud of your achievements and honoured to be your Front Loader waste bin supplier. 90 Collins Street, Hawera 4610 PO Box 390, Hawera 4640 Email: ingrams@ingrams.co.nz Ph: 06 278 4786 • Joseph: 027 445 8702 www.ingrams.co.nz BIN & SKIP HIRE Front Loaders/Skips/MGBs 100%Locally Owned and Operated INGRAM’S CONTRACTING LTD HarrisTaylor Ltd CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Positive Action Positive Results We Specialise in… • Accounting • Succession Planning • Taxation • Feasibility Studies • Budgeting and Forecasting • Honest Appraisal and Advice • Ownership and Business Structures • Share Valuations • Secretarial Services www Ph: 06 278 5058 67 High Street PO Box 141 Hawera 4640 .harristaylor.co.nz contracting GROW• SUPPORT • DELIVER 0273 844 822 www.kalincontracting.co.nz Specialising in rural services with over 20 years in the trade means you are choosing an Electrician you can trust. Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week (06) 272 8210 027 515 5442 Chris Perrett is proud to be the chosen Electrician to Dion & Jo Bishell Call Chris for all your electrical needs.