6 | nzdairy Good season on first 50:50 sharemilker position Richard Loader Johno and Tania Burrows have been fortunate to have a good season on their first 50:50 sharemilker position. “We are on target to achieve 500 kilograms of milk solids per cow and the team has settled in well, which is fantastic,” says Johno. The couple are on 211-hectare Bealey Farm at Kirwee, approximately 40 kilometres west of Christchurch. Their herd of 710 predominantly Friesian cows has performed exceptionally, thanks in part to Allflex collars they had a great mating result, achieving one of the top five six-week in-calf rates at their veterinary clinic. The farm itself presented an intriguing challenge. With an unusual configuration resembling two squares meeting at a point, it requires careful management. “When you move onto a new farm, you need to give it time to show you its own character,” explains Johno. “This first year has been working out the best system for the farm. We are always looking to improve and do things better so we will be changing some different feed inputs to look after cows even more and hopefully push results a little bit harder next season, lifting cow numbers to 750.” While Johno manages the day-to-day farm operations with a team of four, Tania is making her own impact through the dairy industry’s future workforce development. Working with Dairy Training, she has been instrumental in piloting the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme, designed to help school leavers transition into Dairy careers. “It’s about attracting more Kiwis into dairy farming and improving retention rates by supporting that transition into dairy farming,” says Tania. “As an industry we need to work on the retention rate of young people coming into roles,” explains Johno. “So the programme will help fill that gap and people should know more and feel more supported when they start on a farm.” The programme targets Year 12 and 13 students, offering a hands-on career pathway that combines learning while earning and making a tangible impact. The programme is currently hosting four students in its pilot phase. “I’m helping with recruiting new students and also host farmers who might look to come on board. I think if farmers are genuinely passionate about supporting people into the industry they should get involved. There are also benefits for their team and for their professional development in teaching a student their role. The feedback from students has been really strong. They are really enjoying what they’re doing and we have some incredible host farmers.” The Burrows’ approach reflects a holistic view of agricultural development. DAIRY PEOPLE » Alpine Dairies While Johno manages the day-to-day farm operations with a team of four, Tania is making her own impact through the dairy industry’s future workforce development. EFFECTIVE RETRACTING COVER SYSTEMS Keeps feed or fertiliser dry Winch system for easy access Canvas or steel cladding options Save time and cuttewas 0800 262 788 info@slidingroofs.co.nz www.slidingroofs.co.nz COST EFFECTIVE RETRACTING ROOF SYSTEM C2007kdRetractable CANVAS COVER STEEL CLADDING 0800 262 788 info@slidingroofs.co.nz • www.slidingroofs.co.nz 100% NZ MADE Can be retro tted to existing concrete wood or block bins Unique space saving sectional design Canvas or steel cladding options Winch system for easy access Keeps feed or fertiliser dry Kitset options available COAST SLIDING ROOFS FERTILISER SPREADING | FARM MAPPING GPS TRACKING | VARIABLE RATE SPREADING LIVESTOCK CARTAGE | DAILY FREIGHT CONCRETE SUPPLIES | GRAIN CARTAGE SHINGLE SUPPLIES | FERTILISER SUPPLIES Leeston: 03 3248 070 | Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz The preferred milking systems partner for Dairy Farmers Ph 0800 577 583 | www.morrisonagri.co.nz Proud to support Alpine Dairies Milking Machines Rotary Platforms Engineering Pumping & Plumbing Chemical Johno, recently appointed vice dairy chair of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, sees dairy farming as more than just a job. “It’s a wonderful career for those engaged in working hard to secure their own future,” he says, highlighting the multiple business structures and opportunities within the sector. “It’s an industry that has been really good to us and our family,” adds Tania. “It’s an incredible pathway for people to follow - there is a lot of free training and opportunities.”
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