| 59 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Paul Franklin Delay in cyclone repairs a concern Sue Russell It’s been a year since NZ Dairy last spoke with Hawke’s Bay dairy farmer Paul Franklin so the conversation begins with a question about the state of the farm now, following the havoc Cyclone Gabrielle rendered on the region early last year. “Well, we still have the bridge out so we’re still having to ford the river with stock and machinery. We haven’t really heard much from the council, so it is concerning this much time has gone by and we’re still uncertain about what to expect,” Paul says. Part of the issue, Paul explains, is that Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is relying on central Government money. Some funding has been received, however there are conditions attached as to its use tied to building resilience. This means not only fixing up the bridge but investigating the route of the road leading to it, something Paul believes is an unnecessary activity and cost. “The road is fine. I can attend to that with my gear. I just need the bridge reinstated.” Balancing these tensions Paul says the farm has enjoyed an extraordinarily good summer with everything on the farm ticking along nicely. Paul owns three dairy farms, three run-offs and leases a fourth run-off. In all, the dairy units extend over an area of 1500 ha. In addition there is 870 ha support land of which 370ha is leased. Each unit acts independently of the other, though Paul says when additional help is needed on one property staff will move over to help. With such an extensive footprint, the whole operation processes milk from 4500 cows, with autumn split calving of about one-third of the entire herd. “We’ve also enjoyed our best mating through the spring which I put down to ample feed and good pre-calving condition.” This is the second year smart-collars have been employed on the herd, with benefits flowing through the mating periods, which, given the size of the herd is a major activity twice each year. The farms are also fully staffed; the first time in a while. With the bridge to his farm still out of use after Cyclone Gabrielle, Hawke’s Bay farmers Paul Franklin is forced to ford the river with machinery and stock • to page 60 For all your dairy livestock requirements contact Brownie: Phone: 027 271 4722 Email: sandfly1@xtra.co.nz Proud to support Paul & Rosie Franklin Proudly supporting Paul Franklin Contact Stu Davies 021 025 74676 fogartyspraying@gmail.com CLAAS Harvest Centre 1320-1322 Omahu Road 06 879 9090
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