| 15 nzdairy Halter freeing up time Karen Phelps DAIRY PEOPLE » Evan Smeath / David Hands 50/50 Sharemilking Having his firewood in the shed before Christmas was the ultimate proof for Manawatu farmer Adam Hands that using Halter in his farming operation was freeing up time. “Normally we get to about March and think – the temperature is cooling off a bit, we’d better do some firewood,” he jokes. “When we looked at putting Halter on, it wasn’t so much the financial aspect, although I believe it will pay for itself, it was mainly time. I can get off farm a bit more due to the ability to monitor and manage livestock from a smartphone. I’m actually getting to the kids’ swimming most weeks now. That’s something money can’t buy.” Adam and wife Zoe are in their second season as 100% owners of the sharemilking business and fourth season sharemilking the 750-cow dairy farm. Where Adam would typically require three staff members during calving, he managed the first six weeks entirely independently. “Management of mobs and break fences could all be done over the phone,” says Adam. “It was a massive difference. Pretty exhausting on my own, but I could do it.” The technological intervention has yielded multiple benefits. Adam has reduced his workforce from three full-time staff to two, with a part-time worker assisting as needed. The Halter system allows him to move cows electronically, potentially allocating five or six feeds daily instead of the previous one or two. “Shifting them multiple times a day encourages their eating,” explains Adam. “We go smaller breaks per feed before we shift them so they’re not actually getting more feed but it encourages their regular eating rather than gorging then sitting down. “Pasture management has been easier and better. As an example, our crop paddocks were the same break feeding allocation every day compared with a fence getting put in the wrong spot, so my crops lasted longer than in the past.” Beyond immediate practical benefits, the Halter system has enabled broader farm development. An additional 45 hectares of their 500-hectare Air Conditioning Factory Trained Mechanics Engineering Workshop & Field Service Total Oil Distributor Hydraulic Hose Service YOUR SPECIALIST SALES & SERVICES TEAM F O R MA C H I N E R Y S U C C E S S U S E L T S 2 0 2 2 8 Makirikiri Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 7731 Dave 027 244 1213 Proudly supporting David Hands 50/50 Sharemilking property has now been introduced to the milking platform, a development made possible by the time saved not physically herding cattle. Adam runs the farm while Zoe works fulltime as a relationship manager with ANZ and between them they’re bringing up their nearly four-year old twins George and Charlie. The farm milks 750 cows split calving, milking 150 through winter and the others are spring calvers. The farm is fully self-contained in terms of grass silage and they buy in palm kernel or other supplement if it makes sense to. The farm currently produces around 265,000 kilograms of milk solids annually, a significant improvement from their initial 186,000 kilograms when the farm was purchased by Adam’s parents five years ago. “We’re aiming to go big next year – 300,000 wkgsMS. That’s what the farm should be able to produce year in year out. We’ll do that due to the better pasture management through Halter and the extra 45ha that has been introduced to the milking platform. “The pastures are slowly getting developed out of native species. It’s an ongoing project. I can see it will take another ten years to get right but good things take time.” Sustainability focus Anne Boswell Third-generation Northland dairy farmer Evan Smeath has dedicated his life to improving the sustainability of his farm, ensuring that future generations, including his own children, can continue to work the land. Born and raised in Kawakawa, Evan moved to Hukerenui with his family in 1964 when he was ten years old. In 1977, he saw the opportunity to expand his farming future by taking over his neighbour’s farm, officially starting his own operation in 1978 with help from his father. Over the years, he steadily grew the farm from its original 80 hectares to 190 hectares through four separate expansions. Today, Evan and his wife Sherleen run a largely self-sufficient operation, wintering 280 cows and raising all their young stock. The only significant off-farm input they use is a small amount of maize, sourced externally in recent years, and a small amount of PKE to supplement the maize when required in extreme weather events. From the outset, the Smeaths have focused on improving the land they have developed; their achievements were recognised in 2007 when they were named the Supreme Winners of the Northland Balance Farm Environment Awards. “It has always been our goal to leave the place in a better state than when we found it,” Evan says. “And I think we have done that, by undertaking many improvements including drainage, fertiliser, fencing, wetlands, and native bush.” One of the most significant changes the couple has made is altering how the farm’s hill country is utilised. “We ceased milking on all hill country and put our young stock on it instead,” Evan says. “We went around fencing and planting out wetlands, made smaller paddocks, and we shift the young stock every day.” This approach has not only improved pasture management but also contributed to better water quality and erosion control. Long before environmental regulations became mainstream, Evan was already taking proactive steps, fencing his drains back in 1990. Additionally, his use of a covered feed pad and a mixer wagon has helped maintain pasture quality and minimise pugging. Evan has also made critical adjustments to how he uses fertiliser. In the past, he followed standard recommendations without questioning their long-term impact. However, when his heifers started experiencing a 26% empty rate - a serious issue for a Jersey breeder - he knew something was wrong. After conducting extensive soil testing and attending talks by experts like Dr Paul Dettloff and Dr Arden Andersen, he realised that the farm’s soil was imbalanced, particularly with excessive potassium levels. “We knew then that our soil and nutrients were out of balance,” Evan says. “We followed the teachings of William Albrecht and Neal Kinsey and turned the farm around.” The results speak for themselves: today, the farm’s empty rate has plummeted to just 2.9%, and the soil is healthier than ever. Off farm, Evan serves as the President of the Whangarei A&P Association and is also Chairman of the Northland College Farm Committee, overseeing its 520ha forestry and dairy farm. “I have a love and passion for cows, but I also like to help support young people in the industry, too,” he says. “I think we’ve made a positive impact in the dairy industry.” 160 Hariru Rd, Ohaeawai RD2 Kaikohe office@rtacontracting.co.nz 021 813 421 Ryan & the team at RTA Contracting are proud to support Evan Smeath • Round & Square Hay and Silage • Cultivation, Cropping & Drilling • Maize Planting & Harvesting • Bulk Haulage • Conventional Hay • Weighbridge Services • Lime and Fert Spreading • Digger Hire Kamo Vets are proud to support Evan Smeath and his team.
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