22 | nzdairy Sharemilkers look at next farming step Sue Russell Shaun and Nikoia McKelvie are currently lower order sharemilking 1600 cows in Southland on a property owned by Bathan and Jane Muir and Ken and Jill Muir , five minutes from Edendale. When NZ Dairy caught up with Shaun toward the business end of 2023, he explained that after 14 years this season would be their last on the farm and that they were keenly interested in moving up to a 50:50 sharemilking situation, in the same region. “Farm owners wanting to have 50:50 sharemilkers is a bit of a rare thing these days, so we’ll see what opportunities present,” Shaun says. The farm extends over 552ha and is home to two herds of 820 cows, milked through 60 and 54 bail rotary sheds. Nikoia and Shaun McKelvie. DAIRY PEOPLE » Maxnco Farms Often its a case of word-of-mouth, hearing about possible new situations, however Shaun says both he and Nikoia are pragmatic, given they have three children, two in high school, and family life is also a priority. “The owners have decided to change the farm management structure and we were offered the opportunity to stay on one unit but we saw this as a good time to advance our farming business.” Asked how the season is tracking Shaun says he’s been very pleased with milk production. “Last season we did 484 kg/MS/cow and our goal this season is to reach 500 kg/MS. We’re slightly down on cow numbers yet getting the same production which is pleasing.” Looking after staff is a big part of the job, with two teams of four engaged to handle the herds. They are doing a great job. Three new staff arrived on 1st July last year. Since the couple began employing all existing staff have moved on from the dairy sector to other industries which is a shame to lose good people to the dairying. “We also had our best calving ever, with 8 clinical cases of milk fever. I put this down to very stringent management delivering our mineral dosing over calving. It’s certainly had an impact on cow health.” Partly, this is also due to the good quality infrastructure the farm has with all cows calving inside in one of the wintering barns. Shaun says the payout level is a concern, however he and Nikoia just budget according to the forecast, tuning expenditure areas to what is most important accordingly. “It’s one of the challenges in dairying, to establish the farm budget when there is uncertainty as to the final payout, but you just have to get on and make the best decisions and prioritize the essential cost areas.” Interests outside the farm gate are important too! Nikoia has established a local dance studio (Dance it Out Studio) teaching upward of 150 children from age 3 upwards. The studio is in Gore. “Most of my spare time is doing activities with the kids or trying to get away hunting. I’ve lived in this region all my life and don’t want to move away as Southland has so much to offer in terms of access to the great outdoors, and a great community . “Each winter Shaun ‘sneaks away’ with three farming mates to hunt Thar. It’s a great chance to get away off farm and unwind.” He is optimistic that the next farming step will present in the right time-frame. “Farming has provided us with a good family lifestyle and Nikoia and I are pleased with what we have achieved to date.”
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