36 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Paul and Rosie Franklin Each dairy unit works independently and has a manager in charge of the day to day. Sue Russell Paul and Rosie Franklin, well-established dairy farmers of Hawkes Bay, operate a business extending over three dairy farms, three runoffs, with a fourth leased, a substantial enterprise spanning over 1500ha of milking platform and just shy of 900ha in support blocks. Each dairy unit works independently and has a manager in charge of the day to day, giving Paul the business structure that means he’s regularly touching-base with the workings of each farm. “I meet with each manager and then once a month all the managers and I meet on one of the dairy farms. It’s a good way to keep the connection and for each manager to see what’s happening on the other properties,” says Paul. Since NZ Dairy last spoke with Paul, the bridge on the Council’s road between run-offs on the home-farm that was destroyed when Cyclone Gabrielle wrought havoc in the region, has been reinstated, a process Paul reflects took a long time and with outcomes that, he says, are less than satisfactory. “I still have no satisfaction from Regional Council regarding the state of the river. When it rises some of it still flows through the bottom paddock, because the river is so choked.” Running a farming business of the scale Springhill Dairies calls for equal measure of fortitude and patience, particularly Paul says, when it comes to dealing with the regulatory world impacting the farms. Paul also uses the skills and experiences of consultants to support his decision-making. “With the size it is now, you have to work smart and in my case that’s about getting good people around me, in areas such as fertiliser, immigration/ HR people, nutrition/feed mixing/animal breeding. I’ve learnt you can’t do everything yourself.” And carrying a philosophy that ‘you have to have a reason to get up every morning’, Paul admits he still can’t let go of the physical activity; with days starting at 6 am. Each dairy unit works independently Proudly supporting Paul & Rosie Franklin Contact Stu Davies 021 025 74676 fogartyspraying@gmail.com We keep you growing We’re proud to support Paul and Rosie Franklin proudly locally owned and operated Power Farming Hawke’s Bay | 06 879 9998 B.B.S., C.A. We’ll help you Asked how the dairy units have been going Paul says they enjoyed a good summer, however it did dry out a little toward Christmas. “Hawkes Bay has enjoyed three pretty favourable years in terms of weather, thank goodness. I also have the reassurance of a big irrigation dam that should it dry out too much and I lose access to the river water, I’m covered for water access.” The predicted El Nino weather over summer is in back of Paul’s mind. This typically brings drier conditions to the region and given this, he’s expecting the dam water will be needed. Having lived the life of a farmer for so long, Paul holds opinions on the deficiencies our political system delivers. “With MMP each party can promise earth and never have to deliver. Under the coalition agreements there is little accountability. In the last election it was promised live exports would be reestablished and there’s been nothing done. That disappoints me! MMP leads to very weak governments.” Equally, he feels river control should be prioritised as a core responsibility of Council. “Sadly, from my own experiences, down our way, it isn’t!” A new zero bobby calf policy is now in force over the dairy farms. Instead, they are now reared and sold when they reach 120kg. Reflecting on the health of the business Paul says each year milk production increases. He’s got good teams of workers on each farm and says this is a real positive. “With such a large operation, it’s imperative I have good people around me. I make it a priority to ensure they are well looked after and settled. That’s a big plus to the overall health of the business.”
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