NZ Dairy Spring 2021

6 | nz dairy Helping out the next Dianna Malcolm L eaving school at 14 hasn’t held Anthony Kiff’s career back, and he’s now hands-on helping the next generation coming in behind him. The contract milker is in his fourth season developing the 620-cow milking herd on the Tauhara North No.2 Trust dairy unit with his wife Danelle. This steep property is 270 hectares (230ha effective) anchored by a 54-bale rotary cowshed at Tokoroa. His Iwi added the property to its portfolio close to six years ago. Anthony is a shining example of what is possible, and he is determined to share his knowledge. He finished runner-up and third respectively in the 2019 and 2020 Central Plateau Dairy Industry Awards (sharemilking category from a contract milking position). In 2017 he won the Dairy Man- ager of the Year for the Central Plateau and – in a formal nod to the direction his career has included – he was acknowledged at national level for his staff engagement and environmental work. He has contract milked on 750-cow herds, and worked on dairies that have milked up to 2500- head. “I’ve been that kid.” Now aged 37, Anthony and Danelle are building their own properties off-farm. They bought two adjoining beach sections along the Mahia Peninsula, near Hawke’s Bay. They have built a new house on one, and they plan to build on the other. Anthony wants young people to consider what dairy farming potentially offers them. To that end, the Tauhara North No.2 Trust to- gether with Anthony and Danelle’s business (Kiff Ag Ventures), Primary ITO, and the Ministry for Social Development has joined forces to offer dairy cadet- ships (New Zealand Certificate of Agriculture Level 3) with zero fees on-farm. It is open to Iwi members from Ngati Tahu – Ngati Whaoa. Anthony says they will recruit two young people this year. The 20-month programme has the goal of helping them develop into managers capable of second or third-in-charge roles. He also teaches a pasture course through Dairy NZ every month. Anthony and Danelle take some time out from the farm. DAIRY PEOPLE » Anthony Kiff “I’ve wanted to do this programme, because I’ve been that kid,” Anthony said. “I’m trying to create a pathway to the industry for teenagers because you’re not allowed to leave school at 14 anymore,” he chuckles. “But we need the help of Ministry of Social Development to be able to consider young people down to the age of 16. “The sky is the limit for this programme. I want to teach our Rangatahi to be Kaitiaki with a touch of tenacity and resilience.” Raised by his grandparents, Dennis and Valentine Phillips, Anthony remains strongly connected to his roots. He goes on to explain that the first grandchild in their Iwi is often reared by their grandparents, and he believes it changed his life. “It has made my core values different, and I believe it’s been the main reason that I’ve been able to turn my career into a success,” he said. “I was out in the garden from as young as I can remember and I spent a lot of time on the marae with my family. I’ve also met a lot of my wider whanau, which most people wouldn’t meet. “Now, I am in the position to create something for other young people, and pay that grounding that I received forward to the next generation.” Home is where the Iwi is It is part of the reason he has come back to his Iwi’s Trust farm. It is the second smallest dairy he has worked for. His former positions include operations milking up to 2500 cows, and he has contract-milked 750-head. He has succeeded on several farms where pro- duction has been easier to achieve, but the steep country on his current property – that is still having the rough edges knocked off it in terms of develop- ment – has been his focus for the last four years. Located on the Old Taupo Rd, its current produc- tion average is 410kg Milk Solids per cow with a projected 430kg MS per cow this season. They have added 20 cows to their herd this season as they pull the farm out of the bush. It’s current stocking rate is 2.7 cows to the hectare. “Three years ago the paddocks were smothered with weeds to the point that they were growing over the fence lines. The full shebang. I’ve had weeds “I’ve wanted to do this programme, because I’ve been that kid. I’m trying to create a pathway to the industry for teenagers because you’re not allowed to leave school at 14 anymore. But we need the help of Ministry of Social Development to be able to consider young people down to the age of 16. The sky is the limit for this programme. I want to teach our Rangatahi to be Kaitiaki with a touch of tenacity and resilience.” Multi Award Winning Law Firm www. r u r a l l aw. c o . n z BlackmanSpargo are rural law specialists. We have clients throughout New Zealand. Today’s technology allows us to have meetings at a distance and most legal work can be completed without our clients having to travel. Please call 07 343 9393 to speak with one of our solicitors. We take pride in delivering positive results for our clients and adding value to the rural community. Need a lawyer who understands your business? GRASS / CEREAL & MAIZE HARVESTING BALEAGE & HAY CULTIVATION DIRECT DRILLING ´ EARTH MOVING MANURE & EFFLUENT SPREADING SUPPLEMENT FOR SALE PHONE JOSH 021 921 196 J.W.CARSTON CONTRACTORS LTD AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS P 07 333 8259 M 021 593 163 E mierscontractors@farmside.co.nz 198 Butcher Road, RD2, Reporoa AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Miers Contractors (1995) Ltd • Harvesting • Cultivation • Supplements for sale & supply • Undersowing (all pastures & crops) • Earth moving • Truck cartage • Balage & Hay • Effluent Management Proud to support Anthony Ki Qubik are proud to take care of the dairy shed requirements for Tauhara Farms