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
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