40 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Myfanwy Alexander / James Matheson Leading from the front, on farm and off Sue Russell At just 11 years of age Welsh-born Myfanwy Alexander knew she wanted to be a farmer; drawn not so much by a desire to sit on a tractor and work the machinery, but an innate love of and respect for animals. Taking herself off to the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester, England created the rst meaningful step toward realising that dream. “While we were at Uni we had to do work experience so I packed my bags and headed over here for calving. The moment I completed my degree I was on the rst ight out back to New Zealand. That was 15 years ago now,” Myfanwy says. And working day in day out on a farm gives one an appreciation for the full cycle of nature by which all farming is bound. For Myfanwy, being outside with the animals is the best place to be. Today her journey has taken her to Duntroon at the top end of the lower Waitaki Valley, where over the last many years there has been a large number of conversions to dairy. With two girls, growing up fast, life has had its fair share of challenges, however the attitude has always been to focus on the positives and opportunities that farming in New Zealand presents. Partner Scott Kingan and Myfanwy have created their farming business, Penmark Farms Ltd, in order to move their joint aspirations forward. At the end of last season the couple commenced work on Andrew and Megan Black. Their farm’s name is Torach Farm farm where Penmark Farms Ltd contract milks 1000 cows. Though partners also in the business the day to day working on the farm is left with Myfanwy, as Scott runs a dry stock farm just down the road. “We’ve just come through our second calving here. Weather-wise it’s been a mixed-bag. Calving started 1st August and is due to nish early October and so far it’s been a good run.” In the full ush of calving Myfanwy works with a team of six on the farm and once that’s through the team will drop to four. “Together with the owners we are working to breed a cow perfect for the North Otago hills and longer walks. We have been mixing a number of breeds, with a special interest in Shorthorns and Norwegian Reds but a number of other stronger framed breeds added to the mix as well, such as Flekvieh and Normande. Myfanwy Alexander with daughters Emily (13) and Isabelle (11). We are seeing positive results in both milk in the vat and improved BCS,” says Myfanwy. The very open communication and positive relationship her and Scott have with Andrew and Megan has helped tremendously to come on to the farm well. They are a couple, she says, open to trying new ideas. There are a number of new technologies and ideas embraced on farm, establishing dung beetle colonies to improve manure break down in the paddock, solar panels, All ex collars for animal health to name but a few. The milking power-house is a 50 bale rotary (Waikato) and milk is harvested from a 280ha effective platform. “We have All ex automatic drafting which is proving really good for mating and getting a good picture of animal health.” Inside the shed barley is fed while on the paddocks all the land is irrigated, with a combination of centre pivot, pods and K-line which will mostly be changed to xed grid. And as if running a farm with 1000 cows and staff isn’t enough Myfanwy still sets aside time to involve herself in farming related activities, off the farm. She is Dairy and Sharemilker Section Chair of North Otago Federated Farmers a role she enjoys for its challenges and sense that she’s giving back to a sector that she very much values. “A lot of meetings are zoom and every so often we have nation-wide meetings as well. I think its really important for young people coming through to get involved, so there’s a whole range of ideas and opinions around the table.” The local Dairy Womens Network is another organisation she is vested in. Running local events and getting everyone off the farm. “We hold training days in aspects of running a farm but also its about getting together socially and helping each other out.” Myfanwy also holds strong opinions on those who ‘bag farmers and farming’, saying that her experience is that there’s no better way of life and community than a rural one. A local discussion group has also sprung up; an opportunity she says for farmers in the district to rub shoulders and check in with each other. “Those connections are really valuable and so important at this time when farmers have such a lot to deal with.” ‘People are the key’ to Richard Loader Otago dairy farmer James Matheson never set out to be a dairy farmer, but he has also never looked back from the day he started his journey twelve years ago and says he is very thankful for the life it has provided. Playing rugby league in Australia was James’ calling when he left school, but one thing led to another and James decided to stay in hometown Clinton and lend his talents to the local team – if the coach could nd him a job; any job. The coach’s brother owned a dairy farm in Waipahi and that is where James found his job. The following year he was managing the property and while there have been a number of variations over the years, James has been on that property ever since. “Even though I didn’t grow up on a farm, Clinton is a very rural community and it wasn’t as though I’d never been on a farm. “You just know that farmers are hard workers. They go out on the farm in rain, hail or snow, which is exactly what happens down here. I always had that respect for farmers, but when I went and did it myself, I appreciated how much time is put into the farm, and the sacri ces that farmers make to do what they do. “I always had that respect for farmers, but when I went and did it myself, I appreciated how much time is put into the farm, and the sacri ces that farmers make to do what they do”. Proud to support Myfanwy Alexander - Penmark Farms Ltd Meet Sidekick. 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