| 25 nzdairy Jaspreet went from a few cows to 1415 Richard Loader DAIRY PEOPLE » Jaspreet Singh - Farm Right Jaspreet Singh grew up with a handful of cows on a farm just a couple of hectares in size in Punjab, India; now he is contract milking 1,415 cows on 382 hectares in Ashburton, with a dream to own his own dairy farm. In June he made the switch from farm manager to contract milker at Ashfield Downs, one of a number of properties FarmRight manages for New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Eight months in, Jaspreet says the transition has been helped by a strong team at his side. “I have six staff and myself working on the farm...It was a big help that they stayed with me, so I didn’t need to hire anyone new.” He has spent some time getting his head around managing the payroll and understanding the ins and outs of employment law, now that he officially employs the workers. “There was definitely a lot of learning that I had to do,” he says. Jaspreet moved to New Zealand to study business management in Waikato, but he was quickly drawn to a career in dairy farming. “My father used to be (a farmer), my grand- parents used to be (farmers). It’s in the blood.” He reckons Kiwi dairy farming opens doors, particularly for new immigrants with big dreams. “People like me, who came to this country with no English, with no money. “You can end up on your way to owning a multimillion-dollar business one day. “That is the great thing about farming.” Jaspreet’s workforce is comprised of other recent arrivals. Farming looks after them, he says, by providing housing, reliable pay, a community, career development and lifestyle. He looks after them too – bumping up pay packets with bonuses based on shed hygiene and milk quality, and managing holidays to allow for a good stint of time off to visit family overseas. Jaspreet moved from Hamilton to Canterbury, saying the jobs on offer as a result of the region’s “big farms” and corporative business models lured him down. “Plus, the weather is pretty great here.” At last year’s Dairy Industry Awards, Jaspreet took out the regional prize for top farm manager. He enjoys the challenge of chasing recognition and says the networking awards enable is invaluable. Jaspreet moved to New Zealand to study business management in Waikato, but he was drawn to a career in dairy farming. “As farmers, we are very practical people. I want to make sure I actually step outside the box and do something else too, to challenge myself. “I know that if I want to move, take my next step, then I need to know more people than I know now.” For Jaspreet, that next step is owning his own cows, on his own block of land, like his father before him, and his grandfather before that, “That is my motivation, owning a farm one day.” To get there, he is looking to revenue generators YOUR TRUSTED CONTRACTOR LANE MAINTENANCE UNDERGROUND SERVICES M I C H A E L : 0 2 7 3 6 9 4 4 7 8 a d m i n @ w e l s h y . c o . n z w e l s h y . c o . n z WELSHY CONTRACTING WELSHY AGRI SERVICES SITE WORKS HIRE OPTIONS HEDGE CUTTING & TREE TOPPING Keep on top of your dairy tracks with our different options including our soft sweeper for minimal impact on your lime Our directional drills can sort any underground services project without disrupting the ground. We can install fibre ducts and moleplough in water pipes and mainline RUT BUSTING AGRICULTURAL SERVICES WELSHY 8m reach with mess free mulcher head with an adapted saw blade and slasher Our tree topper with integrated blade can guarantee a clean and quick cut on trees up to 400m thick Ask us about our stone free rut busting option Fix your pivot ruts with our tractors, gravel trailers with screens, shingle supply, diggers and roller The preferred milking systems partner for Dairy Farmers Ph 0800 577 583 | www.morrisonagri.co.nz Proud to support Jaspreet Singh - Farm Right Milking Machines Rotary Platforms Engineering Pumping & Plumbing Chemical outside of farming as well, and he is hoping to soon add an additional residential property to his name to help position him well when the time comes. Jaspreet is grateful for the opportunities provided by the dairy industry, particularly the career progression supported by former employers. “I always want to let other people know that. “We need more good people in farming.” Proudly supporting Jaspreet Singh • SURRY OPERATION • MUCK SPREADING • ROUND & SQUARE BALING • RUT BUSTING • CARTING & HEAVY HAULAGE • FEED SALES & SAMPLING 027 439 3936 www.tacontracting.co.nz 186 Winslow Road, Winslow, Ashburton
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