| 21 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Burgess And Burt Passion never waned for Kerry Burt Richard Loader Within seconds of talking with Kerry Burt, I know this is a young dairy farmer on a mission, and absolutely passionate about the business of dairy farming. “I love what I do to the point that it makes me emotional talking about it,” says Kerry. “I love this industry, I love what this industry has given me and I love going to work. Every day you get to put milk in the vat and actually show something for those hard days. Aimee and I love the cows and spend a fair bit of money on breeding, trying to get where we want to get with the herd.” Kerry grew up on his parents’ Whakatane sheep and beef farm and spent as much time as he could helping his dad on the paddocks. There wasn’t the opportunity to join his dad in the business, so Kerry did a two-year automotive course — which he didn’t enjoy. After completing a six-month agri-course with a focus on dairy, Kerry packed up his Nissan Bluebird with all his worldly possessions and headed south. That was 12 years ago. Kerry was 20 and the dairy boom was on. Kerry’s rst job was farm assistant on a 500cow farm in Morven, South Canterbury, and as if by divine intervention, that is where he met, Aimee, who lived on the neighbouring farm and who became his partner in life. For the next few years Kerry worked his way up the ladder, taking bigger roles on other farms, soaking up knowledge and experience along the way. During the journey, Kerry married Aimee and they now have two wee children — daughter Riley 4 and son Wyatt 2. Another wee one is due on the 4th of October, right on the busy calving period — which Kerry says wasn’t very good planning on his part. Three years ago, the couple were also given the opportunity to go 50/50 sharemilking on Gary and Lynda Burgess’s 580-cow Leeston farm, and then this season took a second 50/50 job in the Burgess’s Kerry Burt with his son Wyatt, 2, and daughter Riley, 4. 450-cow farm, 50 minutes away in Hinds. With a 2IC in Leeston and a farm manager in Hinds, Kerry oversees both operations, while he and his family live on the Leeston property. “We have an amazing relationship with Gary and Linda,” says Kerry. “They gave us the chance to take on our goals. We see them as family. Going forward we might be able to look into equity partnerships with them as well.” But Kerry credits Aimee as being farm’s ‘biggest asset’, saying that she is amazing. “I do the day-to-day running of the dairy farms and producing milk. “I love what this industry has given me and I love going to work. Every day you get to put milk in the vat and actually show something for those hard days.” Practical training for tractor, machinery & motorbike operators. Funded courses to suit all skill levels and situations. 0508 AG DRIVE (24 37483) paulasyben@agtechnz.com www.agdrive.co.nz • Concrete • Fertiliser Spreading - Farm Mapping - GPS Tracking - Variable Rate Spreading • Livestock Cartage • Grain Cartage • Shingle Supplies • Daily Freight Leeston: 03 3248 070 Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz But we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of Aimee. She does all the accounts, looks after the calves, and looks after the kids.” Both Kerry’s and Aimee’s parentsplay and active role in looking after their grandchildren as time allows, and the couple also have a very good friend network. We’re pretty lucky. We have a fair bit of support around us. In this job you meet a lot of great people. Everyone I have worked with I still have a great relationship with. We just believe farming is bloody awesome.”
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