| 5 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Alastair Neville ‘More to farming than being inside the farm gate’ Karen Phelps Reporoa farmers Alastair Neville and his Fiancée Tamzyn Coady had success at the 2025 Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year competition walking away with the Industry Involvement merit award. The award recognises their significant contribution to the wider agricultural community. Both Alastair and Tamzyn serve on the RotoruaTaupo Federated Farmers committee, with Alastair’s involvement in industry organisations stretching back to 2008 when he was a member and events officer for Massey Young Farmers. His leadership roles have included Chairman of Reporoa Young Farmers and Vice Chair of Waikato Bay of Plenty, as well as convening the Young Farmer of the Year contest in 2014 and 2015. “It meant a lot to win that award. It reiterated the time and commitment we put into things over the years and showed that there is more to farming than being inside the farm gate. There is a lot of stuff that happens in the greater industry and it’s a great way to learn and create good networks,” explains Alastair. The 150-hectare family farm, complemented by a 26-hectare support block for young stock and dry cows, has been in the Neville family since the early 1950s when Alastair’s grandfather was awarded it as a WW2 ballot farm. Alastair took over operations three years into his Agri-Science degree at Massey University when his parents, Stephen and Teresita, offered him the opportunity to buy the farm’s dairy cows and take on a 50/50 sharemilking contract. Currently milking 325 Friesian cows, all autumn calving with a winter contract to Fonterra, Alastair transitioned the herd from spring to autumn calving in July 2017 to mitigate dry summers. A significant advancement in the farm’s operations came three years ago with the investment in Halter collar technology. The virtual fencing aspect of the system has transformed their farming practices, particularly in terms of time management and pasture utilisation. “Prior to getting the collars in the middle of winter we were spending up to three hours a day on break fencing between winter crops and pasture. Now with Halter it takes ten minutes,” says Alastair. The technology also guides cows to the milking shed without human intervention and handles mating management, eliminating the need for tail paint or heat detection. “Since we’ve had the collars our reproductive performance has become easier Alastair Neville and Tamzyn Coady. and improved, especially around the six week in calf rate. Last season that was around 78%. Before the collars that would have been around 72%,” explains Alastair. Alastair says the technology has paid off in a multitude of ways. They are in the middle of doing a study with Halter and AgFirst to ascertain the exact cost benefits across their operation. “It was either we put on another staff member or put on the collars, which would cost about the same per year,” says Alastair. “We’ve also had reduced costs in animal health and maintenance, plus we get valuable data. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and create efficiencies and Halter has Not just residential building... From milking, implement and pole sheds to effluent systems, feed pads & bunkers, and vat silo stands. Trust the builder with extensive rural build experience. been a great tool. It gives us more time to focus on other stuff within the business and we’re not in the trenches all day like we used to be.” This better work-life balance has been important; they are expecting their first child in June and planning their wedding.
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