| 49 nzdairy Identifying that wintering costs were a significant farm spend, the couple decided to dry cows off 60-65 days before calving: “We’re always looking at ways to be more efficient,” says Kass. “If we can save money we will.” DAIRY PEOPLE » Josh & Kareena Sneddon / Kass & Emily Rauber Tahau Kingpin Gift One of of Tahau Jersey Stud (above). Soil testing is key Karen Phelps With the rise in costs becoming one of farming’s biggest challenges, Kass and Emily Rauber of Hedgehope have found that by individually soil testing their paddocks they have shaved huge amounts off their fertiliser bill. They started doing this around two years ago and now apply a custom fertiliser brew to each paddock. It means they are only putting on what’s required in the right place at the right time and Kass says savings have been in the ballpark of $10,000-15,000 each year. Enhancing the savings further total tonnage of grass has increased one tonner per hectare netting over 170 tonnes of additional feed. This has meant less feed has been bought in and cows are fed better. Environmental benefits have been another bonus as they are applying far less nitrogen now. The only downside has been that rather than one large application of fertiliser across the farm it takes longer to apply (they do this themselves) as they tackle it one paddock at a time. Production has remained steady at just over 500kgsms per cow, or 230,000kgs across their herd of 430 Jersey cows. “We’re always looking at ways to be more efficient,” says Kass. “If we can save money we will.” Another example is that identifying that wintering costs were a significant farm spend, the couple decided to dry cows off 60-65 days before calving. WE HAVE YOUR DAIRY LIVESTOCK NEEDS COVERED CONTACT SCOTT-GIBSON-SMITH Southland and Otago representative 027 255 8501 VFRWW JLEVRQ VPLWK#FDUUȴHOGV FR Q] 77 CLYDE STREET, INVERCARGILL, PH (03) 214 4254 www.southlandhonda.co.nz SOUTHLAND HONDA For the best Parts, Sales & Service in the south The longer milking time means more milk in the vat to help offset the cost of wintering in Southland. Feed is bought in – predominantly silage and palm kernel. A mixer wagon is used to create the right blends and maximise feed. This is fed on a new woodchip pad, which also helps reduce environmental footprint and protect pastures. Young stock is grazed locally through a grazier. The family farms 170ha effective, owned by Kass’ parents, the late Janine and Guido, who purchased it in 2000 and converted to dairy. Kass and Emily are leasing the farm from a family trust. Kass, who is a qualified mechanic, grew up on a dairy farm then worked overseas before returning to New Zealand and entering an equity partnership on a 65ha unit at Hedgehope where he was a lower order sharemilker before moving to the family’s Hedgehope farm. Kass is hands on through calving and mating as well as completing AI. He is assisted on the unit by two full time staff and Emily who helps out on the farm as needed. The couple has three children: Rosemary, 9, Charlotte, 6 and Isabelle, 4. Kass is a keen supporter of Federated Farmers in Southland, and has held various roles including sharemilking chair and delegate for Young Farmers. He says the organisation is a great network for farmers to help them meet the on-going challenges the industry faces. He says his focus will remain on improving his farming system where he can, including continuing a re-grassing programme, and farming for the future.
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