NZ Dairy Summer 2020

16 | nz dairy Billy & team proudly support Bernard Stachurski STOCK HAY SILAGE BAGGED PRODUCTS Phone or text Jess JESS: 027 439 7698 keithbakercartage2020@gmail.com Bernard Stachurski Peter Laurence 027 252 2174 DAIRY PEOPLE » Bernard & Robyn Stachurski N estled in the farming district of Waitui, just east of Inglewood in Taranaki, is the Stachur- ski family farm. Part of the farm has been in the family since 1922 when great-grandfather Joseph Stachurski bought it. While 90 acres was sold in the late ‘60s, that land was purchased back in the early ‘80s. Another part of the farm was bought in 1936 and has been farmed continuously ever since. Neighbouring each other, both blocks of land are now farmed together. Fourth generation family member, Bernard Stachurski, says having grown up on the farm and farmed it all his life the farm is simply home. “There are creeks here that my grandfather and great-grandfather hand dug and put field tiles in – I know where they are and they’re still working 90 years later. I’m a caretaker of the land and I want to make sure I leave the land a place I can Sense of family runs deep on Waitui farm Richard Loader be proud of.” Bernard reflects that his journey has been about hard work, self-belief, a can-do attitude and work- ing as a team player. His wife Robyn, has been very much part of Bernard’s farming journey. Seven years ago Bernard and Robyn bought the family farm and now work the land and milk the cows as a team. Encompassing 123 hectares of rolling farm land inclusive of native bush and creeks, the farm is home to 280 cows, 65% of which are purebred pedigree Ayrshires with the rest Friesians and a smattering of Shorthorns. Transitioning to a system one farming opera- tion, Bernard says he and Robyn have returned to old school farming. “We tried high input and made good production but it wasn’t profitable and sustainable. So we reset ourselves and while our production is not as high, we are making a lot more money. We buy 150 bales of hay each year for the winter and the rest of the feed is grown on farm. We just have to be a little bit more conservative being system one, so our stocking rate is quite low.” The Ayrshire breed has long been in the Stachurski family’s DNA and the stud carries the Balmane prefix, which Robyn brought with her when she and Bernard were married. Bernard’s observation is that the Ayrshires have adapted faster and more easily to the transition to System One. • to page 17 “There are creeks here that my grandfather and great- grandfather hand dug and put field tiles in – I know where they are and they’re still working 90 years later.” PHOTOS: Family affair: Bernard and Robyn Satchurski with family Joe, Sam, Grace and Charlie. The farm is home to 280 cows, 65% of which are purebred pedigree Ayrshires with the rest Friesians and a smattering of Shorthorns.