| 13 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Dayne & Sophia Addison Sue Russell Plans are that next year 95ha of the new block will be able to be milked off, leaving 13ha to run a small mob of beef animals. Working hard and investing wisely 40 Turongo St, Otorohanga 07 873 8673 www.pumpn.co.nz Patented Product You’d be hard-pressed to find a sweeter spot to dairy farm in than Maihihi, South of Te Awamutu in the Waikato. For Dayne and Sophia Addison, it’s the best place to be as they grow their farming business on by seizing opportunities, working hard and investing wisely. NZ Dairy last spoke with Dayne about a year ago and in the ensuing months he and Sophia have wasted little time growing their land footprint, enabling expansion of the herd and the greater economy of scale that goes with that. The latest pocket of land to be acquired came through a receivership sale, as Dayne explains. “We were fortunately able to purchase the 108ha of land as there were a number of ideas as to how best to sell the property and the parties couldn’t come to an agreement, leaving the door open for us. In total we now have 430 hectares, with an effective milking platform of 370ha,” Dayne explains. Currently 50ha of the new block is used for grazing the milking herd while 15ha has been planted in maize silage. Plans are that next year 95ha of the new block will be able to be milked off, leaving 13ha to run a small mob of beef animals. “We will peak milk 1100cows, with a stocking rate of 3 cows/ha.” The additional hectares means the couple have been able to put on an extra 100 cows, as they bring the farm up to scratch – the current priority. “We’ve invested in the new property with fencing, and putting on water.” The herd mainly comprise kiwi-cross F10 type cows. The more compact cows suit the hills and Dayne says they are good doers. Calving annually runs from the first week of May to about the 20th July. “Our calving went well. We’ve had a lot of rain since and production is about 6% down. Because we have extra cows to feed we put in-shed feeding in.” The plan is to increase the herd slowly by reducing the culled cow rate. Lameness has also been somewhat of a concern with the increase moisture but mastitis levels have been good. The farm operates to a System 3. An in-shed feeding system has been added to one of two dairy sheds where the ‘older girls’ get milked. These sheds are 40 aside and 36 aside herringbone respectively. Dayne says the opportunity to buy more land has placed their farming business on a strong footing. “We get the benefit of large scale farming but we have also got the joy of having two smaller herds.” And like many dairy farmers in New Zealand, Dwayne and Sophia are experiencing the benefits that come from employing South American farm hands, with a couple from Chile, an Argentinian couple and a man from Uruguay. With a new baby life is full-on for the Addison’s but they wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s perfect timing for me to have this team because with the new block it’s taking up a bit of my time. We run to an 8 on, 2 off roster which works really well. With the two sheds we needed four people on, with a staff member rostered off each day. It works very well.” The extra land hasn’t really brought in any substantive costs either yet the financial gain from increasing from a herd of 850 to 1150 is a positive reality for the balance sheet. Crops such as chicory and maize are grown annually to support the feed regime. There has been some adapting to new paddock sizes as well. Dayne intends to buy the extra cows to bring the total to 1150 through clearance sales. “We’re in a really positive situation now after years building up our capacity. With great staff and a growing family, these are very good times for us.” “It’s perfect timing for me to have this team because with the new block it’s taking up a bit of my time. We run to an 8 on, 2 off roster which works really well. With the two sheds we needed four people on, with a staff member rostered off each day. It works very well.”
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