| 3 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Baljinder Singh Team improving efficiency and productivity Karen Phelps Wairarapa dairy farmers Baljinder (Bali) and Gagandeep Singh have focused on improving efficiency and productivity to build a stronger business that will ultimately take them closer to their goal of owning a farm. The couple contract milk two dairy units near Carterton for Neer Enterprises and have also just taken on a new sharemilking position on 300 cow Kahutara Farm near Featherston. “The opportunity came up to take on this sharemilking job and we could buy the cows and had enough equity sitting there. It’s a really good step for us,” says Bali. With three farms the couple are continually looking for ways to make their systems more efficient, reduce wastage and get more from the resources available to them. “Wairarapa can get wet and dry quickly so herd homes, in-shed feeding and feed pads can really mitigate a lot of things,” says Bali. In-shed feeding has just been installed at Haringa Farm. The farm uses a significant amount of supplementary feed, much of which is fed out in the paddock. Bali estimates about 25 per cent can be lost or wasted when feed is distributed this way. “In-shed feeding should make a real difference. We are expecting to increase production per cow as well as reduce feed wastage.” Neer Enterprises has also recently installed solar panels on the cow sheds in a further bid to increase efficiency. Effluent management has also been significantly streamlined through Clean Green Effluent systems at both farms. The system separates the solids from the liquid, with the solids remaining in the ponds while liquid effluent is automatically pumped to the paddocks when required. “It is so easy and efficient to manage. The automated system uses floats to trigger pumping when the tanks reach the required level, helping ensure the effluent does not overflow or overload the paddocks. We also use the recycled ‘green water’ to wash the yards, reducing the amount of fresh water required on the farms.” The results of the couple’s focus on efficiency are showing in the milk vat. The couple contract milk two dairy units near Carterton for Neer Enterprises. Experts in Accounting and business advisory. Proudly Supporting Baljinder Singh 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 milking contractors, share milkers and orchard owners. With extensive experience in this sector, we specialize in saving you money on taxes and helping your business grow. Benefits of the system headoffice@cleangreeneffluent.co.nz www.cleangreeneffluent.co.nz FREEPHONE 0800 400 365 • Small foot print • No storage ponds • Fully automated • Low running costs • 0.25mm application / 24 hrs • Low man hours to maintain • 60% fresh water savings • Fully patented system At Haringa, production has risen from 190,000kg of milk solids when they began to 228,000kgMS last season, despite having the same cows and infrastructure. This season, they are on track to beat their previous record again. Production at Chester Farm is also increasing each year and the new sharemilking farm has already recorded a 40 per cent increase for the season under their leadership. Technology is another important part of the couple’s strategy. They are in their second season using Allflex collars on both Neer Enterprises farms. “They are absolutely brilliant,” says Bali. “The technology makes our life so much easier. The collars detect cows coming on heat and automatically draft them in the morning, eliminating the need for tail paint or patches. Not a single cow was missed last season. It is so accurate and a real time saver.” The couple have already spoken with the owners of the new farm about opportunities to improve its systems and plan to transfer lessons learned from Haringa and Chester across to the operation. The collars will be their first priority. For Bali and Gagandeep, each improvement is another step towards a bigger ambition. Their ultimate goal remains farm ownership, and the couple hope the combination of growing production, smarter systems and continued investment will help make that goal achievable within the next few years. “We love everything about the farming lifestyle. We are lucky to have three really good farms and farm owners who always stand behind us and keep pushing us to go forward.”
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