| 33 nzdairy “We are also in discussions with Primary ITO and Opotiki College to give students opportunities for two or three weeks at a time to experience farm work.” A fulfilling role for a passionate individual Proud to supply logistics and transport solutions to Whakatohea Trust Farms. www.rmt.co.nz E. dispatch@ rmt.co.nz P. 07 315 6454 (Opotiki Depot ) Proudly supporting Whakatohea “The Trust Board has an education branch to it and I think great things will come from this collaboration with the school.” Acknowledging also that a productive farm is the result of a great team effort, Josh says he’s fortunate to have some very experienced staff. “When you have this, it flows down to the next generation who over time step up to take up responsibilities. That’s what we aspire to see with our people. ”The farm has a 60 bail rotary with protrack, automatic cup removers and teat spraying systems. Milking switched from twice a day to three milkings in two days in early January. Josh says it seems to be good for both the staff and cows especially as the summer temps climb. Improving the farm’s environmental footprint is also a priority with riparian planting along its waterways an ongoing activity. Josh is also involved in the DairyNZ Eastern Bay of Plenty Maori discussion group.“It gives me the opportunity to talk farming practice with other managers and helps inform my decisions.” Josh finds managing a dairy unit near Opotiki owned by the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board is a fulfilling role. DAIRY PEOPLE » Whakatohea Sue Russell For Josh Collier, being responsible for managing a dairy unit near Opotiki owned by the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board is a fulfilling role, and one he says that contributes to the greater well-being of young people in the district aspiring to carve a career from farming. And when not working on the farm, you’ll find Josh chasing Stags as an avid hunter. “Getting out hunting keeps me reasonably fit.” Whakatohea is just about to sign its Treaty Settlement, ending years of negotiation and planning and heralding a new era with the dissolution of the Trust Board. Josh says its going to be great for young people as financial resources are directed toward enabling youth to experience real farm training opportunities. “The Trust Board has pretty big visions spanning the next 50 years and its exciting to be a part of this transition and furthering tribal aspirations.” Five years ago the decision was made to move away from bobby calves. That meant a change in the breeding philosophy, moving to using low birth weight Angus genetics over heifers. “I’m really happy with the Friesians. They get to the 100kg weight quite well and on the teat quickly.” Once calves reach this weight they are shifted to a finishing block 1 ½ hours inland. Josh is pleased with the herd’s reproductive capacity, with the empty rate being significantly reduced to 9% these past five seasons. It’s a system that works well on the farm with minimal wastage. Milk from the vat is used to rear 630 calves. Josh says the beef side of the operation is in tune with the dairy unit and together the two activities work well. Josh is also involved in an advisory way with his own family farm and he says his goal is to always progress. That involves taking on his own formal learning, to complete a Diploma in Agri Business. Acknowledging that he’s not one that learns readily in the ‘zoom’ situation, Josh nevertheless intends to complete the qualification as soon as possible. “We are also in discussions with Primary ITO and Opotiki College to give students opportunities for two or three weeks at a time to experience farm work.” The purpose isn’t necessarily to be a dairy farmer but to provide an environment where transferrable skills can be acquired that will open up employment opportunities in a number of directions for Rangatahi.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=