| 61 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » James, Emma and Victoria Burnby About 60% of the farm has been re-grassed Emma and Victoria. The herd is now about 280 cows, although James expects to milk 270 this season. Russell Fredric Proud to support JAMES, EMMA & VICTORIA BURNBY FOR ALL YOUR DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL REQUIREMENTS Experienced Electricians providing dairy shed maintenance, rebuilds, conversions and solar 03 418 2762 | accounts@mcelrea.co.nz Regrassing is helping the Burnby family lift cow numbers, with a strong Ayrshire influence shaping the herd’s next generation. James Burnby is in his fourth season leasing a Moore Road property in South Otago near Balclutha from John and Annette Moore, with him and his two eldest daughters, Emma and Victoria running the business. The dairy platform covers 123 hectares, with a further 105 hectares of effective runoff; the milking platform is flat to rolling, with the balance comprising steeper country. When the family arrived, they bought a standard crossbred herd comprising Friesians, Jersey and crossbred cows, with a small number of purebred Ayrshire. The herd is now about 280 cows, although James expects to milk 270 this season. Last season 236 cows produced 430 kilograms of milk solids each, equivalent to 821kgMS/ha. James describes that result as slightly above average in a system 1 to system 2 operation which does not have large quantities of bought-in feed Pasture renovation has been a core focus. About 60% of the farm has been regrassed over the past four seasons, at about 20% a year., with the regrassing intended to support production rather than simply drive cow output higher. “We’re just trying to take the vulnerability out of seasonal feed, feed cows better. We want to do good, solid production year in, year out,” James says. This season’s target is to hold production at 430kgMS per cow while increasing milking numbers and James expects that combination to deliver about a 15% lift in total production, quantifying the benefit of the regrassing. Feed is planned around what the farm can grow itself. On 30 hectares of the non-milking block, winter kale is followed by oats, which are baled as oat baleage with 500 to 700 bales made for the following winter. Another 500 to 700 bales of baleage are produced from the dairy platform and runoff as surplus feed to fill seasonal gaps. The platform grows 15 hectares of summer turnips and 5 to 8 hectares of giant kale. Cultivation, spraying, fertiliser application and baling are all carried out in-house. Halter was introduced this season, while automatic cup removers in the 30-side swingover shed were installed three season ago. James says the technology is particularly useful for wintering because cows can be moved and back-fenced without someone having to go out and flatten the crop. James has been involved with Ayrshires for most of his life. There are only about12 purebred Ayrshires in the herd, but genetically about half herd has herd has Ayrshire influence. The Burnby family’s Ayrshire programme is being driven particularly by Emma, who is passionate about breeding red and whites. The Burnby’s are crossing Jersey-Friesian cows back to Ayrshire to add strength and capacity while gaining hybrid vigour. Purebred Ayrshires are being bought each year, with the longer term plan to keep breeding in that direction. “My thoughts with the Ayrshire is, I like that we all enjoy milking them. They’re enjoyable. They’re a little bit different. It’s a point of difference.” “My thoughts with the Ayrshire is, I like that we all enjoy milking them. They’re enjoyable. They’re a little bit different. It’s a point of difference.”
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