34 | nzdairy Hard work done, lifestyle now a priority Sue Russell “It can consume you if you don’t maintain some distance and a physical separation from the farm is essential I feel. Hard work has paid off for us. To go from lower-order sharemilking to 50:50 then to equity partnership has been the result of just that.” Michael and Lindy Bennett are equity-partner farmers near Te Awamutu, in the centre of Waikato’s rich dairy country. The partnership operates two farms, milking 1000 cows. For the past five years Lindy and Michael have contract milked to one of the farms, a 160ha unit, on Frontier Road. The farm carries 520 cows, while the second farm in the business, 13 km away, is home to 480 cows on a 131ha footprint. Asked how production has been this season so far Michael says it is shaping up to be on par with the last. “We had a very wet spring and we had to juggle where we grazed the cows for quite a while.” The Frontier Road farm, where the couple live has a 40-aside herringbone shed with automatic cup removers and a feed pad. Michael says the farm basically runs to a system 2 – 3. “That’s the most economic system for us to produce our milk volume from.” The smaller farm has a 34-aside herringbone and feed pad and operates to a slightly higher stocking rate. Currently the focus is on improving the herd’s genetics and with the help of a very good farm advisor, slight gains in composition and productivity from each cow is happening. Asked why he chose to take on the contract milking role Michael says it was simply time for a new challenge. “I like to see what can be achieved in terms of a farm’s potential. I’m always thinking of ways to enhance the farm’s performance, across all its systems.” Michael also says, among the more recent challenges, have been hikes in prices of farm products given increased transportation costs from Covid. “While the pay-out this season looks very good, farm costs have increased by 25%. So the businesses success is all relevant to the cost of inputs.” The herds are predominantly Jersey with a smattering of Friesian. “I find Jersey are ideal for the soil conditions, as a smaller framed animal.” Looking ahead, and with a young family in the form of three year old Olivia and new-borne Abby, Michael says the priorities are on a stress-free lifestyle, enabling time to enjoy the family and keep life in balance. The couple are members of Federated Farmers and Lindy is the Te Awamutu group secretary. And with responsibilities to the other farm, where a contract milker is engaged, Michael aims to spend one day a week on that property. A lot of effort has been put into developing a pasture management system that delivers results. “We put chicory in on poor performing paddocks. Soil sampling indicated some paddocks Michael, Olivia, Lindy & Abby Bennett. 2IC Amanda Strong on the job (below). DAIRY PEOPLE » Michael & Lindy Bennett were low on lime and we’re continually monitoring performance through the paddock rotation of crops, chicory and grass,” says Michael. Each year 200 tonnes of maize silage is purchased, topped up with a little bit of Palm Kernel. Michael is also a very strong believer in and supporter of Fonterra as a farmer co-operative. He says dairy farmers need a strong marketing voice and Fonterra provides this and returns the benefits to farmers. With a well-earned small summer break looming with Lindy and the children Michael says its important to see farming in the big picture. “It can consume you if you don’t maintain some distance and a physical separation from the farm is essential I feel. Hard work has paid off for us. To go from lower-order sharemilking to 50:50 then to equity partnership has been the result of just that.” Both Michael and Lindy come from farming stock, with Michael’s grandparents, dairy farmers, while Lindy’s parents had a sheep and beef property. Lindy attended Lincoln University, gaining qualifications in agronomy. “We’re happy with our situation and intend to stay where we are.” years 42 40 Paul Chestnut 027 266 3358 2310 Cambridge Road RD1 Te Awamutu 3879 waipaelectrical@hotmail.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=