NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

58 | nz dairy “It’s about continuing to develop our people, doing the basics of farming right and also still looking for opportunities to expand and grow the business for our shareholders.” DAIRY PEOPLE » Grasslands Southland expansion for Grasslands Grasslands is going through a significant growth phase. Karen Phelps G rasslands is going through a significant phase of growth. Over the past four years the com- pany has expanded into Southland, acquiring a number of farms around Mossburn and coastal Southland. The most recent acquisition is two farms off the coast of Orapuke near Riverton taken over in June 2019. This takes the company’s Southland operation to a total of six dairy units comprising 2175 hectares. With an effective milking platform of 2100ha the operation now milks a total of 6500 cows producing 2.25 million kgsMS and, through its contract milkers, provides employment for over 29 full time staff. The Southland operation is supported by a 1000ha lease farm in northern Southland that provides support for its young stock and wintering of cows. Simon says Southland has required a different type of farming practice to suit the different envi- ronment and weather conditions there. Grasslands is trying various wintering techniques and focusing on getting the stocking rate right for the land. A comparative stocking rate analysis is used to deter- mine this and the aim is for 85 on the index. The company’s Canterbury operation has also ballooned and is now one of the largest contiguous dairy farming operations in New Zealand. Located on the northern bank of the Rakaia River against the backdrop of the Southern Alps and Mount Hutt to the west, Grasslands’ Canterbury operation includes nine self-contained dairy units across 3,500ha milking 8800 cows and producing 3.2 million kgMS. Grasslands chief operating officer Simon Le Heron says that the continuous nature of the prop- erty makes it an iconic landmark and provides for great operational efficiencies. • to page 60 LEESTON: (03) 324 3752 NORTH CANTERBURY: (03) 313 6104 Proud to support Grasslands plainspgd@gmail.com • Maintenance • Renovations & new builds • Pump servicing and installation • Water lter installation • Water pump hire • Supply and installaiton of septic tank systems • Gas and wood re installation • IQP in back ow prevention • Teatsprayer Servicing 0800 752 400 HIGH COUNTRY FENCING ALL FENCING STYLES & EARTHWORKS CERTIFIED FENCING CONTRACTOR WITH NZ FENCING ASSOCATION FREE QUOTES Phone: 021 640 748 www.highcountryfencing.co.nz FENCING CONTRACTORS NZ CERTIFIED FENCER