44 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Paul & Robyn Williams Putting the best Tracey Edwardes Growing Chicory has proven to be a ‘game breaker’ on farm, says owner Paul Williams. RESIDENT IAL RURAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL F o r P r o f e s s i o n a l , p r o m p t & q u a l i t y s e r v i c e 2 4 h o u r s - 7 d a y s a w e e k Phone 0800WIRED4U (0800 947 3348 ) Ema i l o f fice@bt c . co . nz Address 29 Kenr i ck St reet Te Aroha , Wa i ka to FOR ALL YOUR SALES, SERVICE, REPAIRS & SPARES! Support Agent for: Paul Williams - Te Aroha McCormick · Landini · Strautmann · Lemken · Polaris · Husqvarna Pearson · Masport · Rata · Tyremax Tractor Sales · Servicing & Repairs of all makes and models · Farm Machinery Sales & Service (new & used) · Hydraulic Hoses & Fittings · Truck & Digger Servicing · Automotive Servicing WOF’s & pre COF Auto Electrical & Air Conditioning Service · State Roadside Rescue · Breakdown Service EWP & Crane Specialists · Sales, Parts and Service for all Garden & Lawn equipment Rebecca from LIC had the gures so we tried it. We do it right and get great results, mating four of our best cows each day. We now milk 140 cows once daily all year round, and the rest twice daily until end of January, with no production loss and the bene ts are no sore feet, better conception rate and better body condition. The cows like it, the workers like it so it’s a win/win. “I enjoy attending the local discussion group as it’s a chance to exchange ideas and usually when something is happening on our farm is similar for our neighbours” says Paul. “I’ll tweak ideas to suit our lifestyle. Every farm is different, but if you ask enough people usually the right answer comes. “Growing chicory this last season is one of the ideas. The long tap root is great in summer. The cows graze nearly four kilos for two hours before milking. They love it, it’s a game breaker for us as it takes away the uncertainty of the summer drought. We’ve just put in a lined ef uent pond so we can pump over the chickory during summer I tell my manager, don’t be afraid to change things if it’s an improvement. Next years goal is for him to be a contract sharemilker so I can get out of the cowshed, but still be around to help. The 55 year old says after 35 years milking cows it’s time for outdoor pursuits and travel. For now though, it’s being very organised and having four rules to farm by: Planning, prioritise, paperwork and paying attention. “My accountant has always said only spend money on things that make money or make life easier and that’s the way we’ve always farmed.” Listening to good advice and then acting on it has been fundamental for a Te Aroha dairy farmer. “I come up with ideas, but always seek opinions,” says hands-on owner Paul Williams. “Herd Health Veterinarian Katrina Roberts from Anexa came onboard 13 years ago as our advisor and body-condition scorer. She’s smart and a great sounding board, creating our point of difference. “We’ve since changed things around, becoming really good at what we do. I’ll have an idea, then Katrina has the systems, facts and gures to back everything up.” Born on 35 hectares of foothills near Te Aroha, Paul’s 350-cow farm bourgeoned to 125 hectares after buying two adjoining farms. Working with his farm manager of six years, he’s just employed a full-time second man to ease the load. Robyn, his wife, also takes pride with calving and milking. “The herd is crossbred and comes in all colours. For two years we mate to Friesian and the third, with a crossbreed sire. Friesian ensures they are strong, and crossbreed makes them a little smaller to handle the rolling hills”. “We now start mating three weeks with AI, four weeks with a bull, and last three weeks with short-gestation AI. This compacts the calving and works really well. We then nish calving earlier on 25 September, get cycling and mating from 20 October. We don’t use CIDRS anymore and have a 83% six week in-calf rate. We would never have used sex semen over the last three years, but Katrina from Anexa and
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