30 | nzdairy Kim Newth In their second season contracting milking 1000 cows near Opunake, Daniel and Monique Newell are paying close attention not just to their herd but also to the health and well-being of their farm team. Working with them on the 320ha dairy platform are three full-time employees and two casual milkers. “People are our biggest focus,” says Daniel. “We do a ‘ ve on, two off’ weekly roster averaging 45 hours, or up to 50 hours through the spring. It’s all about trying to give our team a normal weekly routine.” While they have a 2IC, the couple is proactively managing other farm roles to help create opportunities for progression on farm. One of the milkers has been appointed as cow shed manager, in charge of shed routines and procedures, while another senior team member has been tasked with making sure ef- uent systems run properly. “We’re trying to nd solutions to add value to their jobs by adding a bit more responsibility in speci c roles, rather than just having one team leader. I try my best to let our guys use their initiative in getting the jobs done. At the same time, we have a group chat on WhatsApp to ensure everyone is on the same page.” Farm owners Ian and Judith Armstrong also own a smaller dairy farm and a 200ha run-off block. Their son-in-law Jonathan Wright oversees the whole operation, meeting weekly with Daniel and Monique who also meet monthly with a farm advisor. Daniel Daniel and Monique Newell with son Bowie. Daniel and Monique Newell are paying close attention not just to their herd but also to the health and well-being of their farm team. DAIRY PEOPLE » Daniel Newell Building a solid team says Ian and Judith have invested heavily in farm development over the years, with a strong focus on improving the environment with riparian planting. Clear processes and plans have been established, particularly around health and safety. Daniel says while there was a lot to learn at rst, he is now nding it easy to teach new staff and can see the bene ts. “We have inductions for machinery and for different types of work that needs to be done. Doing these health and safety inductions means that we’re showing how to do best practice as well. It’s a really great approach because it means you have to teach people how to do things the right way from the start, rather than just sending them off on the tractor with no clear guidance on say how to feed that bale out.” Daniel grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Taranaki, before studying at Lincoln University and then going sheep shearing for six years. Eventually, he had to quit shearing because of a sore back and made the switch to dairy farming. He spent two years as a junior on a Taieri Plains dairy farm, then progressed to a 2IC role in Oamaru. “My wife and I then went sharemilking on a 300cow farm in Eltham, South Taranaki before moving to this contract milking role. This is our fth season in Taranaki.” Daniel says his years in shearing gave him with a strong work ethic that has helped with progression in the dairy industry, (and he’s had no further back trouble since starting work on dairy farms). He and Monique are now also sharing the dairy lifestyle with their own new addition, their baby son Bowie. • ALL FARM WIRING & REPAIRS • NEW HOUSE WIRING & ALTERATIONS OPUNAKE 027 207 7775 • NEW COWSHED WIRING & ALTERATIONS • ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS WALSH AGRIMEC TYRES & SERVICE owned by people you can believe - people you can trust! AGRIMEC ARE proud TO SUPPORT Daniel newell & LOCAL BUSINESS 06 761 8999 - 027 256 8083 accounts@agrimec.co.nz hydraulic fittings • batteries • agricultural spares automotive supplies • atv/motorbike servicing tyres • welding & light engineering • hardware
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