52 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Nic and Kirsty Verhoek Strategic calf management, smart tech Karen Phelps In the face of on-going challenges in the primary sector farmers Nic and Kirsty Verhoek have demonstrated resilience and adaptability by refining their farming approach to minimise wastage and maximise efficiencies. The couple, who are 50:50 sharemilking a herd of 740 Friesian and Friesian Cross cows on a 160ha effective farm in Morrinsville for farm owner Hans Geessink, have successfully implemented a no waste farming strategy that includes a no bobby calf policy and utilising Halter solar-powered wearable technology. One of the key components of the Verhoek’s farming strategy is their lease of a 125ha block in Paeroa. This is an important part of their no-waste approach by eliminating bobby calves and adding huge value to their overall business. Over the course of four years the couple have developed and fine-tuned the system, raising approximately 100 weaners and 100 R1 Hereford/Charolais cattle each year. The Verhoek’s initiated a no bobby policy two years ago marking a significant transition that required careful planning and adjustment. “Season one we tried it and it was a miserable failure and much harder than we thought,” says Nic.“With 740 cows to go to a no bobby policy immediately we had to find homes for them all and that wasn’t easy.” Recognising the need for a well-designed system the couple spent the subsequent seasons learning about sales strategies, understanding buyer demand and ensuring they had the right facilities on the farm to support their animals. “Late calves are never desirable so we carry them over on our beef farm,” says Nic.“The system includes three tiers with early-born, well-marked bulls sold at ten days old followed by the sale of well-marked 100kg weaners. The third tier consists of late-born and poorly marked calves, which are raised to R2s and sold during spring when market conditions are favourable.” To create the ideal product the Verhoeks carefully select specific semen over specific cows using sexed dairy semen for heifers replacements and sexed beef semen for bull beef. Nic says this targeted approach ensures the right genetics for their breeding goals. The couple also emphasises herd welfare using polled semen. “We start calving late June and those early bigger cows are in calf to sexed Charolais bull calves, which is a hot market early in the Waikato. All the top cows that are cycling well are in one herd and we AI those with the sexed dairy semen. The other herd we put the bulls out to. It has simplified the process and created less wastage.” Cull cows play a vital role in the Verhoeks no-waste strategy as well. These cows are sent to the lease block where they calve down and continue to produce milk. “They may not be good dairy cows anymore but they are still producing around 30-40 litres of milk Calf feeder and calf covers at the Morrinsville farm. Young stock (below) grazing at the lease block. each day so we also put a couple of 4-5 day old calves on each cow from the dairy operation. We essentially have a nursery there. Last year we had 30 cull cows at the lease block that reared 80 beef calves between them. These beef calves do really well and we wean them at 100 plus kgs. The cull dairy cows are then culled as beef cows in October/November at the peak of the market, doubling their value compared to traditional culling methods.” In addition to their strategic approach to calf management the Verhoeks have embraced technology to enhance their farming operations. The implementation of Halter solar-powered collars on their herd has not only saved labour hours but also allowed the farm staff to enjoy a minimum three-hour break in the middle of the day, contributing to overall job satisfaction and well-being. “For us farming is about making money but also looking after our people and enjoying and being proud of what we do.”
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