NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

84 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Meddo Farms: Nic & Kirsty Verhoek Flexibility key in high input system Nic and Kirsty Verhoek with Isabella and Ferguson. Sue Russell N ic Verhoek has strategised a clear path toward ultimate farm ownership and he says that even today, that goal for those entering the industry is attainable, given a plan, seizing opportunities as they are presented and following your dreams. Today, Nic, wife Kirsty, daughter Isabelle and son Ferguson, are settled on a 186ha Tataufarm at Tahuna in the Waikato and for Nic, who was the 2019 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year, the move to this 50:50 sharemilking situation is perfect. Meddo Farm, owned by Hans Geessink, is a high input System 5 farm which peak milks 740 cows, just north of Morrinsville. “This is a very well-tuned farming operation with the aim to always achieve the very best production and bottom-line and I feel we’re well on the way to achieving that,” says Nic. Supporting this view is Kirsty who has a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition. “The NZ cow is bred to be a high performing athlete and our whole farming approach is geared around realising this potential.” The farm has a 75ha run-off just over the road, where crops are grown and the cows are wintered. Asked what was important for him and Kirsty when looking for a 50:50 sharemilking farm, Nic says the make-up and quality of farm infrastruc- ture and facilities for feeding cows in this high input system were priorities. “We wanted the farm also to be close to family and be a property we could put our stamp on in time.” With a high stocking rate, and typically dry summers, the farm system relies on additional feeds to the staple grass offering in the paddocks. Nic has a variety of other feeds on hand including maize and grass silage, soybean meal, PKE, and straw to name a few. They also use a summer Isabelle Verhoek checks out the young stock at Meddo Farm near Morrinsville. The herd in for milking – Meddo Farm, owned by Hans Geessink, peak milks 740 cows. crop and trialled chicory for the first time this summer with great success. He acknowledges that the feeding regime has involved a lot of trial and error to get the right mix to meet cow require- ments. The herd is predominantly black and while f14 Friesians and Nic says the flat and very well established farm is a pleasure to work over. As another stepping-stone toward eventual farm ownership, the couple have just leased a 115ha dry stock unit 10 min up the road towards Paeroa. Nic and Kirsty have always seen the rearing of youngstock as crucial to their overall lifetime performance. So, grazing young stock on the lease block will allow for full control of this. “We have three fantastic staff too, Lloyd, Sam and Lawrence. The timing of our move, during Covid, could have been better because everything was brought sight unseen so there was an ele- ment of faith in this move.” Nic says an important part in the employment of the staff has been to create a situation where all staff, while they have their preferences, can do everything. Having just moved into the district last June, Nic says there really hasn’t been time to get involved too much with the community beyond the farm gate. “Everything around us is dairying.” Looking back on what has been achieved since determining to become a dairy farmer not so many years ago now, Nic says setting goals is fundamental. “Find a good mentor and even though you have solid years of experience behind you, always be interested in other’s approach to farming because there is always something to learn.” When NZ Dairy spoke with Nic late February he described the last six weeks or so as very dry. This, he says, is where the flexibility of the System 5 operation comes to the fore. “We have a number of options to fine-tune feed to ensure our cows are getting what they need and not being stressed. This season we’re aiming for 550+kgMS per cow. Fortunately, the farm has a lot of trees to provide shade on really hot days. Going forward, the Verhoek’s are looking to continue to find their groove as they progress to their second season at Meddo farm. With a good farm team in place and a supportive farm owner, the goal is to streamline the farming business and ensure it keeps being profitable, sustainable, efficient, and enjoyable. Servicing the Waikato since 1932 Milking Machines | Water Pumps | Effluent Systems hutchies.co.nz 186 Thames St, Morrinsville 0800 HUTCHIES 57 Great South Rd, Taupiri 0800 488 244 farmdairy? Call us today for a FREE on-site design consultation. Authorised licensee www.chapmandairy.com Herringbone or rotary Silage bunkers Feed pads 021 780 477 shanan@dcw.net.nz www.donchapmanwaikato.co.nz 07 889 6168 Don Chapman Waikato Ltd is your local specialist in farm design and construction.