| 17 nzdairy Young farmer takes next step on ladder Young Taranaki farmer Jack Roper has secured his first lower order sharemilking position, now on a 200-hectare effective dairy farm in Waverley. Karen Phelps In a testament to the power of networking and hard work, young Taranaki farmer Jack Roper has secured his first lower order sharemilking position through a client of his contracting business. This move marks a huge step up the dairy farming ladder for Jack, who has already made a name for himself in the industry when he was runner-up in the 2023 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards’ Share Farmer of the Year competition. Jack began his new lower order sharemilking role on June 1 where he is now on a 200-hectare effective dairy farm (260 hectares total) in Waverley, owned by Duncan Clare Johnston. “I knew the farm owners well because I had worked for them with my contracting business. This meant I knew the farm well too. It’s a steep learning curve but it’s been very rewarding,” says Jack says of his new position. This familiarity has led to a trusting relationship between Jack and the farm owners. “The Johnstons are hands-off on the day-to-day running, but they are there for support and I can run anything by them. They trust me to make the right calls and decisions.” The farm, which peaks at milking 620 crossbred cows, has a 60-bail rotary with Protrack and an adjoining covered feed pad. Jack is setting tangible targets. “The focus is on increasing production and reducing somatic cell count,” he says. “The farm’s target production is 500 kg of milk solids per cow, up from the previous 470 kg. I also want to reduce somatic cell count to an average below 150.” To achieve this Jack plans to concentrate on efficiencies, cleanliness in the shed, pasture management, and balancing feed inputs and minerals. “Overall attention to detail will be the key to reaching goals in both these areas,” he says. Jack’s journey to this point has been marked by diverse experiences in the dairy industry. He spent three years contract milking for his parents, took a year off to focus on his contracting business and travel overseas, before transitioning into his current role. This new position also brings new responsibilities for Jack including staff management as he now employs two full-time staff members. Alongside his dairy farming career, Jack continues to run his drilling contracting business, which focuses on direct drilling of chicory, turnips, and rape seed. This method, Jack explains, is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective for farmers. “It’s really coming into its own now with environmental pressures and cost,” he says. “It looks after the soil, so it doesn’t destroy any of the structure. That’s what my focus is, and a lot of my clients are adapting. I will of course also continue to direct drill on the Johnston’s farm.” DAIRY PEOPLE » Jack Roper and Duncan Johnson Balancing both ventures requires careful time management, especially during the busy drilling season. However, Jack sees the contracting work as complementary to his farming career, providing valuable skills and connections. He employs a driver to do the work. Jack has his sights set on eventual farm ownership and sees both businesses as stepping stones towards this goal. He’s also already purchased a 30-hectare block of land next to his parents’ farm at Alton in South Taranaki, which he partially leases to his parents and uses the remainder for wintering cows and growing feed crops, all conducted by him remotely taking him yet further towards his goals. Jack Roper and Duncan Johnson HarrisTaylor Ltd CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Positive Action Positive Results Phone 06 278 5058 - Fax 06 278 4848 67 High Street, PO Box 141 Hawera 4640 Phone 06 278 5058 Proudly Supporting Roper Agriculture and Duncan Agriculture
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