4 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Barnan Dairy Farm Split milking system works well for Barnan Farm The farm has a free stall barn which can house up to 450 cows. Sue Russell Positioned almost exactly halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill at Waiwera South sits Darrell and Julie Wendelgelst’s 190ha (175ha effective) dairy farm. The property is home to 440 Holstein Friesian cows and operates a split milking system to produce milk all year for Fonterra. Calving takes place in late July and again in March, with 280 calving in the Spring and 120 in Autumn. Smart Collars have been introduced to the herd, freeing Darrell up somewhat during mating time and around awareness of animal health. Asked how the cows are looking in February when NZ Dairy spoke with him, Darrell says the herd is doing well, though the farm is quite dry. Additional supplements in the form of wheat, PK and canola are used while grass and barley silage are made on farm at the both the runoff and dairy platform, and used all year round. A team of three staff assist Darrell on a day to day basis with a roster of 8 on and 2 off, 8 on and 3 off meaning they receive a 3 day weekend every 3 weeks. “This seems to work really well, with each staff member doing 1 in 3 weeks of milking.” Darrell’s ‘machine-mad’ oldest son Ashley is now helping on the farm and if the new run-off purchase goes ahead Darrell says there’s plenty of work for him to get stuck into on that piece of land. Milk is produced through a 40-aside rotary plant which Darrell says works well. Asked why split calving, all year round milking suits, Darrell says to his mind a dry cow still costs money to feed, so having the ability to produce more milk through the herd compensates for this and supports the bottom line. The farm has a free stall barn which can house up to 450 cows and the herd are all inside through winter, regardless of whether they are in milk or dry. Calves, heifers and some beef cattle are also grazed on the run-off. “When it is time for cows to calve they do so in a loafing area covered with straw. This can easily hold 200 cows which gives them the very best possible start in life.” Where the farm is situated, Darrell and Julie’s neighbours are not dairying, with a mix of cropping and sheep and beef most common for the area. Activities off the farm include volunteering for the local Fire Brigade and belonging to the Lions Club. The community of Waiwera South close by is small, with perhaps 15 houses but it does have a school with about 30 children enrolled. The fire station is located near the school. Darrell says he’s still interested in improving his in-calf rate, with currently 28% of the herd dry after a 9 week mating period. “That’s about where it has been the last few years.” All in all Darrell is pleased with the situation of the farm and farming business. “We’re at the mercy of the pay-out each season but we’ve been operating this farming system long enough now to know how to get the best value from our hard work.” “When it is time for cows to calve they do so in a loafing area covered with straw.” Brad Hosking 027 754 6075 - 24 hours of ce@highlinedairy.co.nz MILKING SYSTEMS ead Specialising in: • Complete Dairy Shed Maintenance • New Dairy Shed Builds • Platform Repairs and Maintenance • Water and Effluent Management • General Engineering • Registered Milking Machine Technician • Read Milking Machine Service Agents BOTTING BROS. LIMITED BALCLUTHA • Silage • Ploughing • Digger & Truck Hire • JAMES 027 333 3844 • MATHEW 027 333 3851 Find us on Facebook
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