NZ Dairy Spring 2024

After 14 years contract milking, Manpreet Singh Boparai is hanging up his overalls and ready for his new venture - Page 27 The end of an era SPRING 2024 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

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NZ Dairy accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #nzdairy #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Alastair Neville �� 03 Adam and Zoe Hands �� 04 B&T Hopson Partnership �� 06 Bali and Gagan Farming Ltd �� 07 Benio Dairy Limited �� 08 Bruce Dinnington �� 10 Carse-O-Fern Holsteins �� 12 Cawdor Jerseys �� 14 Sam Dodd & Belinda Wilson �� 16 Jack Roper and Duncan Johnson �� 17 Fabco Enterprises �� 18 Jack and Brian Symes �� 20 Cleams Dairies �� 21 Farm Source �� 22 Greenacre and Ballinamore Farms �� 24 Jared Crawford and Paramount Dairies �� 26 Jenkins Road Dairies Ltd �� 27 John Glasson �� 28 Luke and Sunny Oud �� 29 Matriarch Genetics - Philip Brewster �� 30 Matriarch Genetics - Shaun and Catherine Terry �� 31 Matthew and Samantha Bell �� 32 Maxnco Farms �� 34 Michael and Lindy Bennett �� 35 Omega Milk Ltd �� 36 Ruahine Range View �� 38 Paul and Rosie Franklin - Calf Rearing �� 40 Scott Kirkham �� 41 RLW Ltd �� 42 Ryan McPherson �� 44 Waikeria Prison �� 46 Willmor Pastures Ltd �� 48 Wairarapa Moana Incorporation �� 49 Waka Dairies �� 53 White Gold Pastures and Plattfields �� 56 Riverside Farms �� 57 Bella Vacca Jerseys Ltd �� 58 Bob Lawson �� 59 H&M Pastoral �� 60 Craig and Tania Rowe �� 60 James Wallace - Ngatea �� 61 Innesbrooke Farm �� 61 Nan and Marissa de Haan �� 62 Reuben and Deb Connolly �� 62 Puketiro Farm �� 63 Ricky and Maria Johnson �� 64 Robert and Cate Willis �� 65 Steve Ireland �� 65 Tahora Farm �� 66 Bryan Tucker and Alice Gysbertsen �� 67 Pratt Brothers 2000 �� 68 Reid Harrison (1980) Ltd �� 68 Dairy Vets �� 72 Northland Farm Services Ltd �� 73 Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services �� 74 The Hoofman Ltd �� 75 Advanced Dairy Barns Ltd �� 76 Dairycool Ltd �� 76 20 | Honing system change in Southbridge OUR PARTNERS: RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Paul Bulacan, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan. 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| 3 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Alastair Neville Alastair’s natural interest in dairy farming Richard Loader Alastair Neville was three years into his Agri-Science degree at Massey University when the call came through from his parents, Stephen and Teresita, with the opportunity to buy the farm’s dairy cows and take on a 50/50 sharemilking contract on the family farm at Reporoa. “My plan had been to get my degree and become a rural professional for a few years before returning to the farm in my thirties. Halfway through my degree I realised just how much I loved the farm and the outdoor life it afforded. I grew up wanting to be a farmer. My grandfather was a dairy farmer after the war, Dad was a dairy farmer, and growing up all I wanted to was be outside and be with Mum and Dad on the farm. I just had a natural interest in it.” Accepting his parents’ offer, Alastair became a sharemilker from his desk at Uni, with his parents providing farm management support until the conclusion of his studies in November 2011. Alastair has continued in his 50/50 role throughout his journey. The farm is 150 hectares effective, complemented with a 26-hectare support block ten minutes away that is used for young stock and dry cows. Easy-going flat to rolling with some steep gullies the farm has been in the family since the early ‘50s when Alastair’s grandfather was awarded it as a WW2 ballot farm. “Granddad developed the farm from scratch which included a lot of land clearing and contouring, and Dad has built on it from there. For my Fiancée Tamzyn and I, we’re putting our own spin on the farm using modern technology and farming practices.” The farm is currently milking 315 Friesian cows, all Autumn calving with a winter contract to Fonterra. In July 2017 Alistair started to transition the herd from spring calving to autumn calving, a decision that he says was made for both climate and lifestyle reasons. “Reporoa was quite prone to dry summers at the time, and winters were not as harsh as they used to be. Grass growth was more reliable in winter compared to a dry summer. The covered feedpad provided a facility where we could justify winter milking, and not suffer pasture damage. And because we do a lot of our own cropping and silage work it spread our workload through the year.” Two years ago, Alastair invested in Halter collars, which he says has been a massive change with virtual fencing easing the workload, increasing pasture utilisation and enabling time efficiency. “I really wish Granddad was still around to see it. I remember the first week we had the collars on, and Dad said he never thought he would see the day when cows were break fed without an actual break fence.” Alastair’s parents are still on the farm and at 74 Stephen enjoys doing the farm maintenance, working when he wants to. “Dad’s spent his life farming and it’s nice that he’s at a point where he can get out and be on the farm but not obligated to it every day.” The farm is currently milking 315 Friesian cows, all Autumn calving with a winter contract to Fonterra. Alastair Neville and Fiancée Tamzyn Coady. Farm Dogs Gin and Borris. INDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | RURAL 24/7 BREAKDOWN SERVICE PH: 0274 954 615 ELECTRICAL S T E V E N H A Y Not just residential building... From milking, implement and pole sheds to effluent systems, feed pads & bunkers, and vat silo stands. Trust the builder with extensive rural build experience.

4 | nzdairy Adam’s full 50/50 sharemilker status Adam expects the regular moving of cows around the pastures to result in more even grazing. Virginia Wright Since 1st June 2023 Adam Hands and his wife Zoe have transitioned out of their equity partnership with Adam’s parents to achieve full 50/50 sharemilker status on the property they are farming in Norsewood in the Manawatu. While Adam jokes that it simply means that there’s more interest to pay, he also acknowledges that they’re happy to take ownership of their own business progression and create a track record for themselves to support their goals for the future. “We’re milking 750 cows split calving, so we milk 150 through winter and the others are spring calvers. Total effective area of 500 hectares, fully self-contained in terms of grass silage and we buy in palm kernel or other supplement if it makes sense to,” summarises Adam. Adam runs the farm while Zoe works fulltime as a relationship manager with ANZ and between them they’re bringing up their nearly three-year old twins George and Charlie. With lots to do and not enough hands to do it, wanting to both put a value on their time and acknowledge their priorities, Adam and Zoe worked through some cash flows and made a decision they hope will bring added efficiencies. “One of our team members left at the start of this season which fast-tracked our transition to using Halter collars on our Kiwi-X herd,” says Adam. “I’ll be dropping down to two full time staff from three, with a part-timer to help out as needed. We’ll still be busy but I’m expecting more time efficiency with moving cows and better” says Adam. Happy, well fed stock is always the focus and improving their feed conversion efficiency is something Adam monitors closely. With the halters providing virtual fences Adam can move the cows electronically and hopes to be able to allocate five or six feeds to the cows a day rather than the current one or two. “Shifting them multiple times a day encourages their eating. We’ll go smaller breaks per feed before we shift them so they’re not actually getting more feed but it encourages their regular eating rather than gorging then sitting down. The science behind it shows that you’re growing up to 12% more grass so we’ll be able to see that DAIRY PEOPLE » Adam and Zoe Hands Air Conditioning Factory Trained Mechanics Engineering Workshop & Field Service Total Oil Distributor Hydraulic Hose Service YOUR SPECIALIST SALES & SERVICES TEAM F O R MA C H I N E R Y S U C C E S S U S E L T S 2 0 2 2 Proud to be associated with Adam Hands 8 Makirikiri Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 7731 Dave 027 244 1213 Proudly supporting Adam Hands Contact Stu Davies 021 025 74676 fogartyspraying@gmail.com Derek’s Electrical Ltd Derek Massey Kathy Massey For all your electrical needs, wool sheds, dairy sheds, car sheds, Wiring new & old houses, security lighting, Alarms cctv cameras Test & Tag your appliances Registered Electrician Kathy’s corner Shop: 06 374 6787 A/H: 06 374 9325 Mobile Derek: 027 220 6201 Mobile Kathy: 027 256 8880 Email: Dereks_electrical@xtra.co.nz

| 5 nzdairy Happy, well fed stock is always the focus and improving their feed conversion efficiency. DAIRY PEOPLE » Adam and Zoe Hands with pasture walks and obviously milk in the vat is the big one for measuring performance,” says Adam. He expects the regular moving of cows around the pastures to result in more even grazing leading to better quality feed for the cows. “They’ll have a good feed, then be moved so they can have another good pick, so we should have nice evenly growing paddocks instead of the current patches. It will be interesting to analyse and continue to address other opportunities within our business.” It’s a big investment which Adam hopes will pay off the summer season is in full swing. They’re currently producing around 255,000 kgs of milk solids per year, or around 340kgs of solids per cow and they’re expecting to lift that substantially. Already they’ve had massive gains since their first season on what was then a newly purchased farm four years ago when they only did 186,000 or 200kgs per cow. There’s plenty more work to do and so far the twins love helping out so Adam and Zoe hope to have two willing helpers on the farm as they get older. “We’ll go smaller breaks per feed before we shift them so they’re not actually getting more feed but it encourages their regular eating rather than gorging then sitting down.” TIVE RETRACTING VER SYSTEMS ps feed or fertiliser dry h system for easy access as or steel cladding options time and cuttewas 62 788 roofs.co.nz groofs.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 Northbrook Wok Dam is Northbrook Wonder and Sire is Treeton Pingerly Northbrook Lacy Dam is Northbrook Nc Lucy and Sire is Oceanbrae Logics Plato Northbrook Open Dam is Northbrook Operetta and Sire is Northbrook Titan ET Milking Shorthorns are proud to be part of the New Zealand dairy industry for 200+ years 798 Reid Line East, RD11, Palmerston North Email: northbrook2016ltd@gmail.com Phone (David): 027 200 2726 Phone (Anja): 021 180 4931 Milking Shorthorns

6 | nzdairy Tree change just the ticket for Caitlin Calving 2023. Randall Johnston Farming on a property just west of Paeroa, Caitlin Snodgrass has won the Dairy Trainee of the Year Runner Up Award for the AucklandHauraki Region at the NZ Dairy Industry Awards. “I haven’t been farming that long compared to some of the others, so it was a nice surprise,” she says of the achievement. “I had only just finished my first season but I love it so much and I’m really keen to keep learning and improving as much as I can.” Prior to her career change to farming, Caitlin worked in service user experience for New Zealand Telehealth Services in Auckland. Raised in central Auckland and ‘primed to pursue a corporate career’, Caitlin says she’s never been happier in her life or work as she is now. “I had never really even experienced rural life or livestock until much later in life, when I had some exposure through friends. I knew I really needed a career change, so I went and studied to become a veterinary technician, which took a year, with various work experience placements that included assisting vets on dairy farms. That’s when I met some cool farmers who asked me to relief milk and it went from there really.” The first person she relief milked for was Richard Lynch who farms in Kerepehi, near Ngatea – who she met while assisting on an AB run. The second relief milking job she got was with Ethan and Sarah Koch in Patetonga. “I had met their young worker Rita Jeffrey, who won trainee of the year last year (and encouraged Caitlin to enter the awards this year), so that’s how that opportunity came about. After that, I had become friends with another young worker who I met while doing AB testing, who was changing farms - so I did part of a season on that third farm as well.” This third opportunity led to the job on the farm she is currently on, which is run by Brendan and Tessa Hopson - a busy 650 Kiwi Cross operation on about 200ha effective of mostly flats that back onto wetlands. “I started here on June 1 last year and it’s just been amazing, I’ve learnt so much since then,” Caitlin explains. “Prior to coming here I had only dealt with smaller herds, like 350 cows maximum, so to jump into one with 650 was a whole different ball game, in a system with quite intensive feeding. There’s just a lot more to keep your eye on, especially in a one person shed, but I’m very used to it now and really love it” Animal health is still Caitlin’s passion, but she is learning more about pasture management and other aspects of farming more broadly every day. The judges picked up on Caitlin’s passion for farming; having come from the corporate world DAIRY PEOPLE » B&T Hopson Partnership “I had only dealt with smaller herds, like 350 cows maximum, so to jump into one with 650 was a whole different ball game.” PROUD SUPPORTER OF B&T HOPSON PARTNERSHIP gives her a different level of appreciation for rural life and its benefits. With this recent accolade and a desire to soak up all the farming knowledge she can, Caitlin is clearly poised for a bright future in the dairy industry.

| 7 nzdairy Awards put operation in the spotlight Baljinder Singh. During the Awards process, Bali and Gagandeep took on a contract for a third farm. Richard Loader Achieving Runner Up Share Farmer of the Year at the 2024 Hawke’s Bay / Wairarapa Dairy Industry awards is the second time that Baljinder (Bali) Singh has enjoyed success at the industry awards. The first time was in the 2017/18 season when he took third place in the Bay of Plenty Share Farmer of the Year awards, after being inspired by his boss who had won the award a few years earlier. Hailing from India, Bali travelled to New Zealand in 2010 after graduating with a BSc (Honours) in Agriculture and being accepted into the Indian University’s Master’s programme. While the intention was just to taste New Zealand farming, Bali fell in love with the Kiwi way of farming and decided to stay. Bali’s wife Gagandeep has been in New Zealand since 2014, and the couple farm together, contract milking in the Wairarapa. “Both our families farmed back home in India, so farming is in the blood. What I’ve learned here is if you are dedicated to your work you will do well. We love our job, to be honest. We don’t consider dairy farming to be work; it’s a lifestyle. I don’t mind how many hours we’re doing. Dedication, hard work and punctuality are the main drivers for our success. I believe Gagandeep and I are good at what we do, and you should always do what you are good at. We spend a lot of time together on the farms and so that’s a benefit; your personal life merges with your work life and we can see a very bright our future together.” Bali says that entering the dairy industry awards has provided the opportunity to network with other likeminded farmer and others involved in the industry. “You make so many connections, and learn so much from the experience. Going through the entry process and the lists of questions you have to consider forces you to look at all sort of things that you may not even be doing on the farm, and to dig deeper into farming techniques. The first time I entered I got so many job offers from people, and the same thing happened this time as well with a sharemilking job offer and a lease farm offer. Your name comes up from the awards, people ask who is this guy and how can I get his number?” At the time Bali entered this year’s awards he and Gagandeep were contract milking on two dairy units, near Carterton, both owned by Neer Enterprises. One farm has 500 cows, split calving with winter milk and has recently moved to ten-milkings- over-seven-days. The other farm has 550 cows, spring calving and twice-a-day. During the Awards process, Bali and Gagandeep took on a contract for a third farm, also near Carterton. “That’s a 210-cow farm, spring calving and twice-a-day, so we’re now contract milking on three farms. DAIRY PEOPLE » Bali and Gagan Farming Ltd “Going through the entry process and the lists of questions you have to consider forces you to look at all sort of things.” 06 379 8146 | office@scottsagcontracting.co.nz | scottsag.co.nz LTD AG CONTRACTING - STOCK FEED TRANSPORT - EARTH MOVING AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING WAIRARAPA WIDE Experts in Accounting and business advisory. Proudly Supporting Bali and Gagan Farming Ltd 021786138 | 0210363043 varun@bizwhiz.co.nz E3, 123 Ormiston Road, Botany Junction, Flat Bush, Auckland bizwhiz.co.nz Our focus is on supporting the financial success of milk contractors and orchard owners. With extensive experience in this sector, we specialize in saving you money on taxes and helping your business grow. We have great staff supporting us across all three farms, and all from different cultures which is really good.” Looking to the future, Bali says he and Gagandeep would like to take the next step in their farming journey by going 50/50 sharemilking or, preferably, lease a farm.

8 | nzdairy Cross-bred herd a good size for terain Santarna, Tracee, Regan, Jacob and Paul Smith. Sue Russell Regan Smith is this year’s Dairy Manager runner-up for Southland/Otago. When NZ Dairy spoke with Regan mid-July calving was immenent, with 640 calves due through a 10-week period. He farms on a 200ha effective milking platform just out of Pukarau. The farm is a combination of rolling to steep ground and Regan admits it comes with some challenges. “Our topography is quite steep but I enjoy this farm. I enjoy the cross-bred herd because they do the production and they are a good sized cow for the terain.” The farm operates to a System 3 and tends to get dry in summer. Inshed feeding happens all year round and the farm grows summer turnips as supplementary feed on a 100ha run-off. Owned in an equity partnership by Kayne Smith and Bruce and Sue Cunningham Regan admits he isn’t from a farming background. Working with Regan is Herd Manager, Phil Balacuit. “I grew up in Dunedin and had a friend whose parents managed a sheep farm. When I had the opportunity I just loved being outside with the animals. Once I finished studying business majoring in tourism I decided I wanted to be on the land.” One of the aspects that works so well in the dairying sector is that it’s an industry that you can really grow and achieve in and this is certainly a key factor that appealed to Regan. He found his current job through Fence Post and at the age of 21 has firm aspirations to one day move into sharemilking and on to an equity partnership arrangement. DAIRY PEOPLE » Benio Dairy Limited ëƟ · ÍĖıƋ What are your cows missing? Revitalise your herd with a precise mix of pelletised minerals and supplements that are easy to feed in-shed and 100% utilisable without wasting another hour dusting. 0508 678 464 | cplimesolutions.net.nz/vitalise

| 9 nzdairy Regan at the awards. DAIRY PEOPLE » Benio Dairy Limited Regan came into the dairy industry awards on the encouragement of friend Ann-Kristin Loferski who won Dairy Trainee the year before. “She was telling me how great an opportunity the awards presented. I’m so pleased I did as there was so much great learning.” Key learnings, Regan says, were about diving deeper why he does what he does. “I Focused on the nutrients we use on farm as it was an area i needed to improve my knowledge. There is so much to talk about when putting it together into a 1 ½ hour presentation.” He began this with an overview of the whole farm, explaining the use of Halter, the benefits this brings to pasture utilisation, animal health and reproduction. “Halter has been a game-changer for us and the industry. It means we can feed the cows fresh pasture upto 8 times a day, it is especially great when it comes to ensuring that each cow leaving the milking shed still gets their fair share of grass.” The virtual fencing, has revolutionised how pasture is managed. The clever technology applied means that Regan can adjust the feeding breaks from his phone, every couple of hours. “The app tells us the kgs of pasture consumed by the herd at any given time. It’s our aim to fully feed the cows to maximise milk solids production.” Asked to explain how the herd is trained to understand where to go and where not to go on the collars, Regan says its a case of introducing them to the tones and vibrations the collars emit, over a two week or so period. “In those early days we still actually have a physical break line and when the herd get near it they receive a vibration that causes them to turn either left or right, depending on which ear the tone occurs in. It’s an incredibly clever technology and we wouldn’t be without it.” After the presentation on the farm, judges viewed the herd while Regan talked about cow condition scoring, use of fertiliser, reproduction and milk solid targets. He also talked about his training, having completed Levels 3 and 4 Primary ITO units. Regan has also attended a Dairy Training limited Contract milking course and a Rabobank Agpathways course. Regan attended classes in Gore which he says he enjoyed very much. “Attending these courses has introduced me to likeminded farmers and broadened my knowledge to progress in the industry.” Not only did Regan receive runner-up in the event held in Invercargil but he also received two merit awards: The Fonterra Dairy Management Award and the AWS Legal People and Leadership Award. “I was thrilled and surprised to receive these awards. I’m definitely keen to enter again and am already starting to prepare for next year’s Judging.” Proudly supporting Benio Dairy Limited 21 Springford Street PROUD TO PARTNERWITH BENIO DAIRY LIMITED

10 | nzdairy Adopting robotic manure management tech According to Bruce the results have been impressive. The impact of these technologies on the farm’s operations has been profound. Kim Newth Bruce Dinnington, a third-generation farmer, is pioneering the use of revolutionary technology on his family farm at Dacre, setting a new standard for barn cleanliness and cow welfare in the process. His farm is the first in Australasia to implement the Lely Discovery 120 Collector, a state-of-the-art manure management system. Unlike conventional scrapers, this robotic system vacuums manure, effectively eliminating waste build-up where cows stand. The Discovery 120 Collector features a lithium battery and wireless charging station, allowing for more frequent cleaning routes. According to Bruce the results have been impressive: “The floor is so much cleaner which in turn keeps the beds significantly cleaner. We’ve seen quite a drop in somatic cell count. The cows are also clean and shiny as the beds are so clean.” Bruce’s foray into robotic farming began with the introduction of a Lely Calm automatic calf feeder, which he came into contact with after a neighbour bought one. Impressed by the results, he progressively added more Lely technology, including the Astronaut robotic milking system and the Juno automatic feed pusher. This integrated approach, along with other changes, has yielded significant benefits, with milk production increasing from 560 kgs MS per cow to 750 kgs MS. DAIRY PEOPLE » Bruce Dinnington

| 11 nzdairy Unlike conventional scrapers, this robotic system vacuums manure. DAIRY PEOPLE » Bruce Dinnington The impact of these technologies on the farm’s operations has been profound. The robotic milking system, for instance, allows the farm’s 350 Friesian cows to be milked on their own schedule. “They’re milking three times a day, which takes the pressure off the udder,” Bruce explains. “The feed in the robots is production-based. My big milking cows get the actual supplements they need to keep them going. With our old rotary system, we couldn’t tailor feed to individual cows. Our high producers weren’t getting the nutrition they needed, which made it challenging for them to maintain condition and conceive. Now, with the robotic system, we can precisely meet each cow’s needs. The big milkers are thriving - they’re getting the right nutrition, and the stress-free environment has made them noticeably more content. It’s a win-win for cow health and productivity.” The Dinnington farm has always aimed to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation and continues a family tradition of embracing new technologies that dates back to 1947 when Bruce’s grandfather first established the farm. Bruce sees the farm as a testament to the potential of these technologies but remains surprised by the slow uptake of the technology in New Zealand. “It baffles me why this hasn’t taken off here,” he says. “Robotic milking is becoming very popular overseas and there have been huge advancements in the technology. If you put in a top-line rotary, a robotic system is not that much more expensive, and the return is much greater. It’s about a 10-15% production increase in the first year alone and the reduction of one to two labour units depending on the size of the farm. Lely estimates the Juno alone could save farmers up to 180 hours an year so for me robotic farming is a no-brainer.” “With our old rotary system, we couldn’t tailor feed to individual cows. Our high producers weren’t getting the nutrition they needed, which made it challenging for them to maintain condition and conceive.” Now available in New Zealand! With the Discovery Collector, daily hosing or f--" 5 1& !-3*" be a thing of the past! A perfect fit for sheds and barns The Discovery Collector navigates independently using built-in sensors. You can program your preferred route and set your schedule around peak & off-peak traffic times. How easy would it be for you to schedule the Discovery Collector around your milking times? Interested? Scan the QR-code and learn more. Bright farming is yours by choice Scan me: Proud to support Bruce Dinnington Contact the team at Rogers 84 Leet street, Invercargill – 032189584 www.rogersyamaha.co.nz

12 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Carse-O-Fern Holsteins Recognised for pasture & dairy management Annie has a real passion for genetics and breeding cows. Randall Johnston Otorohanga-based Annie Gill has won the Dairy Manager of the Year Runner Up Award for the Waikato Region at the 2024 NZ Dairy Industry Awards - a huge achievement in a large pool of talented competitors. She also won the Pasture Management Merit Award, the judges noting her skill, understanding and depth of knowledge in that area. This latest win adds to her title of Runner Up Dairy Trainee of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Annie’s dad was a pedigree Holstein breeder, as are Fonterra-suppliers Doug and Lorraine Courtman, who she currently works for. Annie has a real passion for genetics and breeding cows. Many years ago, Annie purchased a heifer from local farmer Doug, who also allowed her to keep it on his farm. As Annie acquired more animals, Doug kept accommodating them on his farm and Annie also started showing some of Doug’s animals at various events. “I was working as herd manager for Dan Brice (herd of 800), when Doug had a health scare and he was considering what to do next and how he was going to maintain the farm and that’s when we came up with this arrangement I started working for Doug,” Annie explains. “I now get to milk my own animals, which is lovely and it allows Doug to have more time away from the farm. The calves that we’ve shown through the year stay home, so we show them as in-calf heifers as well. Because we are a pedigree farm, also rely on stock sales to a degree.” “We breed mostly overseas Holstein cows - mainly North American genetics, however we do also use one or two New Zealand Holsteins Genetics Leaders bulls every year - to support the breed and other breeders.” 83 Kio Kio Station Rd, RD4, Otorohanga Ph: 07 873 1800 Mob: 029 833 0011 Email: johnclarkcontracting@xtra.co.nz 67 High Street, PO Box 141 Hawera 4640 Phone 06 278 5058 Proudly Supporting Carse-O-Fern Holsteins

| 13 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Carse-O-Fern Holsteins Annie and a group of five other young Kiwis traveled to Belgium to compete against 26 other countries via the Holstein Breeders Association. Doug’s farm is 56ha of rolling land with 140 cows, milking twice a day; last season the herd producing 68,000 kilograms of milk solids. The soil is fairly free-draining and stock can easily be rotated to avoid certain paddocks in times of heavy rainfall. Water is sourced from a bore and 2-3 ha of maize is grown on-farm each year and about another 70-tonne is brought in. “I cut grass silage bales when I have the surplus feed in the late spring and we buy in about about 65 bales of hay for the winter-early spring and 100 square silage bales, but that gets split between the home farm where our cows are and - if our heifers are short – we send some bales down to them.” In August last year, Annie and a group of five other young Kiwis traveled to Belgium to compete against 26 other countries via the Holstein Breeders Association at the European Young Breeders school. That experience allowed her to meet a lot of farmers and other young breeders based in Europe and Annie has recently returned from a five week trip with her partner Eoin, making their way through England and Ireland where Annie worked on show strings and visited farms along the way. “It was a great experience. They had had so much rain that they were a month behind getting crops in the ground. They are far too wet to have cows outside all the time. Having them inside is also very labour intensive, but it’s the only way they can do it there.” People who have helped Annie on her farming journey over the years include Roly and Briar Rogers, who gave Annie her first farm job where she worked for three years; she then worked for Dan and Michelle Brice; she’s also enjoyed and appreciated support of Warren and Michelle Ferguson and Wendy and David Harker. Annie aims to be 50-50 share milking by age 30 and loves farming for the variety of problem solving skills it requires. With this latest accolade under her belt, her future is looking bright in 2024 and beyond. TRACTOR PARTS DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR HIGH QUALITY NEW AND USED PARTS FOR MOST TRACTOR MAKES & MODELS Delivered to your farm within 2-3 days NEW TRACTOR PARTS ENGINE PARTS TRACTOR DISMANTLING All The Common Brands & Complete Engines www.agspares.co.nz Fertilisers • Organics Soil Testing & Fertiliser Recommendations Lime • CalciMag • CalciCrop 0800 40 10 40 | www.rorisons.co.nz Proudly supporting Carse-O-Fern Holsteins helping you grow

14 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Cawdor Jerseys Cawdor tops NZ production worth rankings Contract cows. Discussion group. Karen Phelps What started as a passion for genetics has culminated in an extraordinary achievement for Fraser and Christine Macbeth. Their Cawdor Jerseys stud now boasts the highest Production Worth (PW) Jersey herd in New Zealand, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and profitability in the industry. “We’re passionate about genetics,” says Fraser. “We’ve always wanted to create balanced cows and good bulls for the industry. Although we’ve had success, we’re still working towards that ultimate goal. Genetic gain becomes an addiction.” The Macbeth’s herd, consisting of 160 Jersey and crossbred cows (with around 100 pedigree jerseys), has a current Breeding Worth (BW) of 434 and Production Worth of 532. Fraser says these figures not only top the national rankings but also reflect their unwavering commitment to breeding efficient, profitable cows suited to New Zealand’s farming conditions. The Macbeths have optimised their farming practices to suit their unique environment. Their 115ha ha farm is high altitude and has long dry summers. Fraser says that Jerseys are ideal as they are more friendly, loyal and willing than Friesians, and aggressive grazers, even when covers are low. They perform well in pasturebased systems and hold steady production even in dry conditions. Their herd averages around 400 kilograms of milksolids per cow from a 270-day lactation, achieved through a full-season once-aday milking system. The Macbeths have also achieved remarkable reproductive performance, averaging around an 80 percent six-week-in-calf rate with approximately a 10 percent empty rate from just 8.5 weeks of mating. Fraser says this efficiency is crucial to maintaining their high genetic standards and overall farm profitability. The Macbeths’ breeding strategy is both meticulous and forward thinking. They rear all heifer calves and bring through about 30 percent replacements, selling the rest as in-calf heifers. Fraser says the high replacement rate applies selection pressure, and that has helped drive the herd’s genetic gain. This approach has not only improved their own herd but has also contributed significantly to the wider dairy industry with bulls in sire proving schemes. Cawdor Jerseys also regularly sells bulls for use as natural mating sires, with their high indexes and self-contained operation making these bulls particularly attractive to buyers. It’s also reflected in their own herd which boasts several cows with PW’s of 700-plus by their own natural mating sires. Additionally, they hold annual online auctions where they sell a selection of their top cows, allowing other farmers to benefit from their genetic advancements. The Macbeths’ journey to farm ownership began in 1998 when they took on a 50/50 sharemilking position, managing 580 cows on Fraser’s brother’s newly converted farm in Maruia. This experience provided them with valuable insights and skills in dairy farm management. After seven years of hard work and dedication on the converted property, Fraser and Christine were ready for their next challenge. In 2005, they made the significant decision to relocate to their current farm in Korere, situated just off the Nelson-Murchison state highway. This move marked the beginning of their independent farming venture and laid the foundation for what would become Cawdor Jerseys’ remarkable success story. Over two decades down the track Fraser and Christine remain committed to the farm and the industry they love. Special needs youngest child Hamish, 28, enjoys the farming life and oldest son Jason, 34, and wife Beth are sharemilking in Golden Bay. “Our future plan is to stay on farm as long as we can,” says Fraser, who is currently 62. “We’d also like to take more time off and spend more time doing other things we love such as fishing in Marlborough Sounds.”

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