8 | nzdairy Family focus on succession planning Karen Phelps DAIRY PEOPLE » Claxby Farm A 1400ha farming operation in Eyrewell, Canterbury, is about to pass to the next generation. “Historically succession hasn’t been done as well as it could have been so this generation has placed an even bigger focus on planning,” says Marcus Spencer-Bower. “The biggest preparation has been making sure the companies’ structures are set up correctly so when shares transfer it is easy. Allowing for open discussion means that everyone has a chance to speak up on their future.” The property spans three dairy units and a shared dairy support farm. A total of 3000 crossbred cows are currently milked across the three units. In the near future Marcus will lease 400ha of the land and milk 950 cows from parents Margaret and Richard. His brother Sam and sister Olivia will lease the remaining 1000ha and milk 2000 cows. Each farm will have its own support block. Marcus says this will give the option for them to run the farms more autonomously. The original land has been in the family since 1852 when Marmaduke Dixon voyaged from Lincolnshire, England.Claxby is the original farm name, derived from a small town in England the family originated from. Largely sitting along the banks of the Waimakariri River some 20 kilometres from Rangiora, the land was used for farming sheep before converting to dairy.Spring calving in early August, it’s now typically a twice a day operation that transitions to 16 hour milking when the peak tapers off. Cow collars help eliminate risk through mating and make drafting easier. Marcus has been using Hereford semen over the bottom end BW of their dairy cows to reduce the number of bobby calves while creating additional value, selling the calves at 4-10 days old. Marcus says the family only wants to breed replacement dairy cows from its better cows. “I have tried AI programmes with the heifers but with poor results so have moved back to using bulls and keeping it more natural for the first calvers,” he says. Currently the brothers are running the farms they each plan to lease. The farm Marcus is in charge of will move into a development period to have the farm fencing, lanes and layout updated to make the farm more efficient. Paddocks at present are a variety of shapes and sizes and have varying infrastructure. Chloe, Jo, Ruby and Sam Spencer-Bower. “One paddock will have one trough and one two etc. Some gateways are so small you have to drive a certain way to get through them so it’s about making everything work better. It will also help to attract and keep staff.” Efficiency is a real focus for the family: “Like everyone, with the way costs are going, it’s about getting more out of what we are spending. Improved pasture species, fertiliser utilisation and feeding cows better as well as staff efficiencies. It’s about sticking to our knitting but doing it really well.” “The biggest preparation has been making sure the companies’ structures are set up correctly so when shares transfer it is easy.” VERSATILE - ROBUST - PRECISE BA MURRAY LTD “Our Machine Can Be Perfectly Adapted To Suit Your Requirements” • Versatile From Direct Drilling To Cultivated Soils • Metering Of Up To Three Individual Components • High Coulter Pressure • Suitable For All Sowing Conditions FARMING WITH PASSION • Self Propelled Sprayers • Truck Mounted Boom Sprayers • Handgun Unit • Spreader Trucks • Proof of Placement Mapping HIDE SPRAYING LTD REGISTERED CHEMICAL APPLICATORS IN ALL CLASSES Ph/Fax: (03) 313 5278 • Mob: Andrew 0274 372 006 Ph: (03) 313 7723 • Mob: Graham 0274 333 786 Email: hidespray@xtra.co.nz • 211 Mt Thomas Road, RD1, Rangiora 7471 Hide Spraying is proud to support Claxby Farm - Landcare Servicing North Canterbury, Hurunui and surrounds M: 021 730 865 P: 03 4233162 E: office@canterburywaterservices.co.nz • Pump Sales, Service and Installations • General Farm Water Services • New and Existing Dairy Shed Water Reticulation • Sales, Design & Installation of Secondary Irrigation (Solid Set Irrigation) • Lifestyle and Domestic Water Pumping Systems • General Irrigation Needs
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