| 39 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Reece and Natasha Cox Second season and another step forward Richard Loader Whakamaru sharemilkers Reece and Tash Cox continue to enjoy life on the 270ha farm in the Taupo district. This is their second season and represents another step forward toward their goal of farm ownership. Reece described 2024 as a text-book year, as he recalled how both weather, cow condition and milk production delivered positive results on time, unlike this year which has presented some challenges. “We’ve had 20ml of rain in the last 30 days which isn’t helpful,” says Reece, when NZ Dairy spoke with him early February. The herd of 700 cows have progressed through the season in good condition. Shortening AB from six to four weeks and putting the bulls out for six weeks has been a positive ‘tweaking’ to the system. Another shift in farm management is to reduce the quantity of winter crops grown on farm, with the plan to have everything in grass by spring. “The numbers stack up. The cows go next door for winter grazing, under our management. This reduces the impact of pasture damage, therefore allowing us to grow more grass in the spring. Reece was keen to explore the opportunities that present to people keen to work hard and make a real go of dairy farming. He says this element to working on the land is important for those considering farming as a long-term career. “One of the things that gives me great satisfaction is to see the team I have each aspire toward their own farming goals, whether that be contracting milking, farm management, equity partnerships or farm ownership. This is a sector that offers so many possible ways to progress,” Reece says. Having support from farm owners in providing opportunities to grow equity in your farming business is important, as Reece explains. “We were lucky to have a farm owner who gave us the chance to buy surplus young stock and build equity in our business. Adopting a long term view of how to build this, year in year out, has been critically important in helping us attain the situation we are in now, with farm ownership likely to be the next step when the opportunity presents.” Another thing Reece says is important to understand is that it is still possible for anyone with a firm commitment toward building their own farming business to attain their ultimate goals. The industry provides opportunities to progress into various contractual situations. Training opportunities exist through Primary ITO, with specific learnings for those working in the dairy sector on offer. “I would encourage anyone starting their journey to seize opportunities to learn all the day to day skills there are to farm and animal management. These learnings can take you right through to Level 5 qualifications and on to diplomas and degrees. Cows being held up before going to summer crop. It’s also important to surround yourself with like-minded people, intent on making a success of their farming business.” Currently working with Reece is a team of three, with Keegan in the role of 2IC, Sarah full-time and partner Daniel working in a part-time capacity. Keegan is leaving the team at the end of this season, to further his own pathway and, in time Reece will engage another member of staff. “I will be looking for someone who is progressive in their outlook and very much able to fit into the team. Someone who will turn up on time and is well organised. Those are the qualities I’m interested in. The rest can be taught.” Reece can’t stress enough just how fortunate he has been with his team over the past six years and he’s very supportive of them each, in time, finding their own pathway to build their farming business. He also says its important when a farm worker is contemplating the next move to do their due diligence. “We had a very good farm management job 8 years ago and we really did our homework for 2 years before we moved on. At that time I was in the NZ Farmers Livestock proudly supports Reece and Natasha Cox Working with Farmers for Farmers Michael Conwell Your Local Agent m 027 226 1611 k michael.conwell@nzfll.co.nz Proud to support Reece and Tash in their farming journey. Need support on yours? Give us a call for a free consultation on howwe could help you. 44 Te Heuheu Street Taupo | 07 376 1700 info@strettons.co.nz | facebook.com/strettons 07 378 2453 41 Nukuhau Street Taupo | parts@promoto.co.nz middle of doing my diploma in agri-business which really helped me understand all the parts that go toward creating a successful farming business. I was always very cautious about budget forecasts and viewed projections conservatively.” Leasing a farm up the road and rearing surplus heifers meant that by the time Reece and Tash moved to their current situation, they already owned 250 cows. “Capitalising on a solid pay-out to reduce debt means that our goal to own a 400 cow farm in five years is more achievable. We can make some great gains when the payout is strong and interest rates are decreasing. Part of being resilient and reducing risk is by strengthening the books when times are good. With the building blocks in place toward eventual farm ownership, we’re feeling very positive about our farming business’s future,” says Reece.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=