| 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.
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