56 | nzdairy Jaspal managing dairy industry success Anne Boswell DAIRY PEOPLE » Harakeke Farm Outside of farming, Jaspal is a devoted father to two boys, Ryan (5) and Angus (1.5). Almost 10 years after coming to New Zealand with a very different career in mind, award-winning dairy farmer Jaspal Singh is contract milking 720 cows in Canterbury and has dreams to own his own farm. Born in North India, Jaspal moved to New Zealand in 2014 to pursue postgraduate studies in IT. However, after a visit to a friend’s dairy farm in Mossburn, Southland in 2015, he had other ideas. Jaspal secured a job on the Mossburn farm, milking 1,000 cows for sharemilker Sam Richards. In 2016 he married wife Ruby in India and she later joined him at Mossburn. Jaspal’s strong work ethic led to an assistant manager position on a nearby farm and in 2019, Jaspal secured a farm manager’s role in Waimate, South Canterbury, overseeing 800 cows. During his four years there, he entered the NZ Dairy Industry Awards twice. “The second time I entered, in 2022, I won the manager title for the Canterbury/North Otago region, and went on to win the National Manager title,” Jaspal says. His success propelled him into a contract milking role in Culverden, where he and Ruby are now in their second season. The farm, a corporate operation, runs under the guidance of Craig McBeth, with Jaspal managing 720 cows on 204 hectares of peat soil. The herd produces approximately 475kgMS per cow. With a structured calving season beginning on August 1 and a targeted 180 replacement heifers each year, Jaspal ensures the operation runs smoothly. Mating starts on October 24, utilising five weeks of artificial insemination followed by five weeks with the bull. The entire farm is under irrigation, with three pivots in operation - one shared with a neighboring farm. Sprinklers cover the remaining corners, ensuring optimal pasture growth. As contract milkers, Jaspal and Ruby have had some challenges to overcome. They have had to retain staff in a remote area, and perform well in their first season of contract milking. “Harakeke Farm was already on its highest production to date, at 340,000kgMS and low SCC, but with our team we were able to take farm production to a new level of 343,700kgMS and a lower SCC of 78,” Jaspal says. Jaspal says his team was completely new to New Zealand’s dairy industry, but they trained them well with their hard work. Not only that, but Jaspal and Ruby also reduced the farm’s expenses using their management skills. Looking to the future, Jaspal and Ruby aspire to own their own farm and are actively exploring sharemilking opportunities. “I would prefer to stay in Canterbury, but if a good opportunity comes up, we would consider making a move,” Jaspal says. Jaspal’s farm team includes three family members - his younger brother, brother-in-law, and cousin - who support him in daily operations. Ruby plays a vital role, rearing calves and occasionally milking, alongside her work in LIC herd testing. Outside of farming, Jaspal is a devoted father to two boys, Ryan (5) and Angus (1.5), and hopes they will one day share his passion for dairy farming. “New Zealand is a beautiful country, full of opportunities,” he says. “Dairy farming is not only a great career, but a great lifestyle – you can work outside in nature.” Servicing North Canterbury, Hurunui and surrounds 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 Call us on: 022 500 6144 • High quality agricultural lime • Capping lime for dairy lanes • 3 grades of chip • Established in 1945 www.amurilime.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=