58 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Pouarua Dairy Unit: Morgan Tibin Farm life a ‘massive learning curve’ Moving from the city to farming has been a massive lifestyle change for Morgan Tibin and his family. Russell Fredric Swapping city streets for farm tracks was a huge change for Morgan Tibin and his family, but they all agree dairy farming provides a great lifestyle. Morgan has been a farm assistant for two years on a Pouarua Farms dairy unit on the Hauraki Plains. He previously worked for Asure Quality as a meat inspector before taking on his present role. “I was working in Wellington prior to this. The city life wasn’t as appealing as the country life so, when I had the opportunity and positions were made for my wife and I to give it a go, I applied for a job here at Pouarua Farms.” Originally Kiribati and also part Tuvaluan, Morgan and his wife Bebe have two girls, aged 11 and six. A special moment after moving to the farm was the first time the girls looked up and saw the intensity of the stars in the black night sky. “It was life changing for them as well,” Morgan says. “It was really cool, it was a massive learning curve, very, very different to what I used to do. “It’s not the standard nine-to-five; you have more flexibility to be yourself, to come up with solutions on your own feet, and to present it to whoever’s managing you and just see what they say.” Iwi-owned by Ngati Maru, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Tamatera, Ngati Tara Tokanui and Te Patukirkiri, Pouarua Farms is the largest single platform in the region, totalling 2,200 hectares and lies within the Maori land blocks known as Ngarua, Waitakaruru and Puhangateuru. The business overall comprises eight dairy units, a dry stock unit, an arable block and a blueberry orchard. Morgan is working on Pouarua Farms and is studying towards a Primary ITO New Zealand level three Certificate in Agriculture - Dairy Farming. The F farm at Pouarua milks 450 autumncalved Jerseys and supplies milk for Lewis Road Creamery’s white milk brands. It has recently been certified in the 10 Star Certified Program, Morgan says. “It was rewarding to be a part of the team that achieved it.” Conditions during the past season have been challenging overall from the wet weather, but the farms have benefited from a “frenzy” of grass growth early this year. “Production-wise we have been steady to budget which is a good sign; we are slightly above last year’s production. This year there’s a lot more grass growth for the girls.” Morgan is keen to progress in the sector and is taking on additional responsibilities in the farm team. “I’ve been given the opportunity to work with grazing plans and assisting with cow health.” His short term goal is to move up to second- in-charge in the near future. He is feeling confident in the skills he has gained, as well as looking forward to developing further. “At the same time, with stepping up, I think it helps with a sense of purpose and direction and going forward. I do really enjoy farming.” “I was working in Wellington prior to this. The city life wasn’t as appealing as the country life so, when I had the opportunity and positions were made for my wife and I to give it a go, I applied for a job here at Pouarua Farms.” 021 780 477 07 889 6168 shanan@dcw.net.nz Don Chapman Waikato Ltd is your local specialist in farm dairy design and construction Herringbone or Rotary Effluent Systems Silage Bunkers Feed Pads Thinking about a more efficient farm dairy? Call us today for a free on-site design consultation www.chapmandairy.com PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING POUARUA DAIRY UNIT 0274 741 105 Hauraki Plains office@nicholsoncontracting.co.nz For all your Ag Contracting needs
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