38 | nzdairy Hard work and investment paying rewards The old dairy farm is now used as a milkable run off. Rosa Watson Since taking over a large property near Dannevirke eight years ago, Mark Johnston and Rebecca Jeffrey have completely transformed the dairy operation. The couple purchased two properties in the 2016/17 season, naming it Ruahine Range View, and have undertaken extensive developments in infrastructure and biodiversity. One project was to close the old shed down and extend a second shed to a 40-aside herringbone shed from a 24, merging the two farms together with an underpass and two road crossings to further extend the 205ha effective block. A Kliptank, underpass and silage bunker have been installed. The old dairy farm is now used as a milkable run off in seasonal weather conditions. The following seasons involved refencing paddock sizes as the herd grew to 350 cows – a “sweet spot” for the operation, Mark said. “I prefer a lower stocking rate but high production over our season.” The results from the couple’s investment in the business have been remarkable. The herd peaked at 2.8kg milk solids per cow last season, with top cows producing around 840kg to 850kg of milk solids in 280 to 290 days. Last year, herd production was 193,490kg of milk solids. The herd are fed 3kgs per cow of in-shed pellets from Denver stock feeds. LIC testing had shown the herd, made up of Jerseys, Jersey cross and Friesian, is in the top five per cent breeding worth and top one per cent production worth. The property has two other run offs - a 302ha property two kilometres away and a 55ha property five kilometres away - which are used for the dairy heifers, supplements for sale, beef finishing, jersey bull trading and provides options to take in grazing or trade cattle. Mark said he tended to do fast rotation over a bigger area each day over the whole season, fully DAIRY PEOPLE » Ruahine Range View feeding the herd 365 days of the year, which results in a high peak and cows holding between 2.4kg to 2.6kg milk solids for 12 weeks. Each year, there is 12ha of turnips and 8ha of chicory, starting with turnips around January 5, and aiming to be re grassing by Mid-March, Mark said. Palmerston North | Taranaki | Wairarapa www.transag.co.nz Your Farm Machinery Specialists Proudly supporting Ruahine Range Views 027 546 2520 ellisoncartage@hotmail.com www.ellisoncartage.co.nz COVERING THE NORTH ISLAND DAILY • Dry Shavings • Sawdust • Bark Raw • Bark Mulch • Fertiliser • Lime • Aggregates • Palm Kernal • Soya Meal • DDG • Firewood • Compost ELLISON CARTAGE LIMITED - CARTERTON
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