NZ Dairy Spring 2022

84 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Richard & Rebecca Clough Consolidation, new cowshed on farm plan Sue Russell Stratford dairy farmers Richard and Rebecca Clough 50:50 sharemilk on one farm and contract milk on a separate farm in central Taranaki. These two farms adjoin the separate ‘Home farm’ where Richard’s ancestors have been farming since 1881. “Rebecca does the majority of the calve rearing on all three properties. We also employ a full-time herd manager who has been critical to our ability to run two separate dairy farms. Our plan in time is to merge two of the three farms. At the moment there are three cow sheds with circa 220 cows run on each separate milking platform. Over the next season or two a new cowshed will be built on the home farm.’’ The farms operate to system 1 and 2 – basically grass is the mainstay. This season the herd was dried off early to preserve body condition as winter supplement was scarce. Calving began in August. On the sharemilking farm the herd was bought off the owners who were staunchly Friesian while the home farm is kiwi-cross. “On the other farm we contract milk the herd is 2/3’s J16 Jerseys and the other 1/3 Friesian.” Last season, Richard says, one of the positives is that with the milk pay-out the cost of feed was good. “We lock in all our feed in June. In all we probably grew 15-20% less grass than the year before given the weather. We farm 400m above sea-level and we had a summer drought.” Calving traditionally goes really well Richard explains with a duration of nine to 10 weeks. The home farm has an inshed feeding system. On a normal year 140 tonne is contracted and fed to 230 cows over the milking season. On the contract milking farm 100 tonne of PKE is generally purchased and fed through out the seasons milking months while on the system 1 sharemilking farm no feed is bought in. The home farm produces milk through a 25 aside Herringbone shed with automatic cup removers, while Tarbot Hill (contract milking farm) has an 18 bail rotary. Konini Farm (sharemilking farm) has a 10-aside shed with 20 cups on each side. Off the farm Richard is involved with the local Rural Support Trust. He says it’s a way of giving back to the sector. “I used to work in Rural Banking in Australia. The Rural Support Trust is a good way to give back & utilise some of the professional skills I gained from being over in Australia.” Asked about the things that matter for him most in his farming journey he says the home farm was bought by his ancestors in 1881 who cleared it of scrub. Back then that was an enormous undertaking, requiring endless patience and energy. And for advice to offer those considering a career in farming Richard says it is really important to understand the reason they are drawn to the land. “Some like the animals, some like the lifestyle and exibility, some like the opportunity for nancial freedom. For me, my family gets me out of bed and the ability to be my own boss is really important.” “I used to work in Rural Banking in Australia. The Rural Support Trust is a good way to give back & utilise some of the professional skills I gained from being over in Australia.” On the sharemilking farm, the herd was bought off the owners who were staunchly Friesian, while the home farm is kiwi-cross. 39 Cu�ield Street, Inglewood 0800 662 6455 www.moamilking.co.nz 94 Broadway, Stra�ord NEW PLYMOUTH 36 Eliot Street / 06 759 0105 ELTHAM 11 Stanners St / 06 764 8305 www.schurrireland.co.nz m ow rin y ur ea f t r E p e g o id l u u e. Schurr & Ireland are proud to support Richard & Rebecca Clough.

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