82 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Tocker Farm Shorthorn Conference well worth it Richard Loader The opportunity to network once again with like-minded breeders and farmers was one of the great take-aways for Manawatu farmer Russell Tocker, after attending the NZ Milking Shorthorn Conference 2023, following a twelvemonth hiatus resulting from Covid. The conference was held from the 6th to the 8th of March at the Devon Hotel in New Plymouth and was attended by about thirty passionate members/breeders from around the country. Russell says he was lucky enough to draw the long straw to attend the conference while his brother Zac and father Jerry held down the fort at the farm, looking after their 700 cows, including 120 pedigree milking shorthorns. “There’s a lot of learning at these conferences, talking to other breeders and what bulls they’re using or breeding. That’s the good thing about having a small association, you get to know everyone and talk to everyone at the conference. There’s also a lot of mentoring for the younger members too. I’m only thirty, so it has been good for me, with older members passing their knowledge on. You go back to your own farms all enthusiastic with new ideas. And, it was also an opportunity for the Association to wrinkle out any problems and plan for the year ahead.” The first day of the conference consisted of a board meeting, while the second day saw the attendees on a bus tour around the region, visiting a number of places of interest including three farms. First port of call was the Maketawa John Deere Museum near Inglewood, which was established by Barry Bishop four years ago and is now full of vintage classic John Deere machinery and of much interest to any farmer. “After that we looked at two herds; Oliver Woods herd and Kingleigh herd,” says Russell. “Following lunch we visited a farm with twin 40bale rotary sheds that also used cow collar halter technology.” Between dinner and dessert on the evening of the 7th, the Milking Shorthorn AGM Sale of 16 in-calf heifers, three calves and one lot of semen, was projected onto the big screen for the viewing pleasure of the attendees, with on-line bidding through the Bidr system. “There were animals from both North and South Islands on offer. One calf sold for $3900; that was the top lot. Everything made their reserves and sold on the night. I think the breeders would have been pretty happy. I had twenty straws of polled bull semen in the auction, to be a bit different, and that went well. In the past it was only the people at the sale who could bid, whereas with Bidr anyone around New Zealand can look at it on line and place a bid from the comfort of their home. In the future we might put a couple of in-calf heifers in the sale.” The final day of the conference consisted of the AGM along with a presentation about storm response from Fonterra’s Taranaki representative. Retiring long serving board member Ian Dibble was also thank for his valuable services and contribution to milking shorthorns. Russell and his family farm in Tiakitahuna, 10 minutes south of Palmerston North. The farm has been in the family since Russell’s great grandfather obtained it in 1919, as a ballot farm just after the First World War. The original piece of land was 40 acres but Russell’s father has grown the farm to 400 hectares. Today, Russell, his brother Zac and Russell all farm in equity partnership in the farming business. Proud to Suppo Maegan and Ter Legg Call Murray: 021 414 227 Grass, Wholecrop, Maize, Stacking, Bagging, Buying & Selling, Round Bales, Hay & Baleage, Conventional Bales & Ground Work For all your harvesting needs Pr ud to Support Tocker Farm Tocker farms milking shorthorns. Working with Farmers for Farmers NZ FARMERS LIVESTOCK Richard Trembath - Livestock Specialist / Auctioneer MyLiveStock Website | Mobile | App 41 Thames St, PO Box 14, Rongotea 06 355 0550 | 027 499 3992 06 324 8135 | richard.trembath@nzfll.co.nz
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