20 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Jackson Farming Ltd Improvement & providing for a secure future Karen Phelps Hedgehope’s Richard Jackson has an eye to the future in more ways than one. “We are always looking to fine tune things; we are looking to be milking cows for another 20 to 30 years,” the Southland farmer says. Part of that process of continued improvement - and providing for a secure future – has seen Hedgehope Dairies recently dipping its toes in SGX-NZX Dairy Futures. “We’ve come up with a policy to hedge 10% of our milk on the dairy futures,” Richard explains. “At the moment we have hedged 12 lots, each of which is 6000 kilograms of milk solids. It’s rather exciting, as milk futures are trading at $9.90 for the season.” Dairy futures, he says, allow farmers to lock in their margins during times of market volatility. SGX-NZX’s Dairy Derivatives Market provides the dairy industry with a forward view of dairy prices and a simple cash settled way to lessen the risks associated with movements in dairy prices. “We have certainty 1 to 2 years out instead of being a price taker on the day. Going forward our policy is to hedge up to 30% on futures each year.” Richard, who studied a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, spent a couple of years as a shepherd before deciding in 2012 that dairying was the way forward. After four years as a 2IC on a 600-cow Clinton farm, he and his wife Danielle spent two years of contract milking in Otahuti, then got a 50/50 sharemilking job in Riverton, where they bought their first herd. “We owned several residential properties that we sold to buy into a 200-hectare farm at Hedgehope, where we milk 600 cows.” Using LIC genetics, the couple is progressively breeding out the Friesians from their herd to smaller, 480kg crossbreds. There are considerable advantages in putting Jerseys over his Friesians, including hybrid vigour and reduced feed costs, Richard points out. “A Friesian can harvest 3.3% of its body weight in grass per day. Friesians are a lot harder to fully feed and need a lot more additional concentrate. Jerseys will eat 4% of their body weight per day in grass.” This season Richard and Danielle have also leased a 157ha dairy farm, which they stocked with their favoured crossbreds. “We went to Canterbury and got to handpick 500 smaller crossbreds out of 1000. “The smaller cows eat less but produce the same amount of milk. We are probably averaging 460 kilograms liveweight and are on target for 550 kilograms of milk solids per cow. That’s close to 1.2 times their body weight.” With recent almost record rainfalls, Richard refers to spring as “out the gate” in terms of grass growth. Despite the setback, he is positive. “As time goes by, we are getting better and better at refining our systems. It’s so much easier when you’ve got them down pat. “I think now we’ve got a reasonable work life balance, increased profitability and production and we are able to make more time for our young family.” Digby Little 027 305 8310 dlittlecontracting@outlook.com Owner Operator Lane Maintenance / New Lanes • Farm Drainage Open Ditch Cleaning • Feed Pads/Silage Pads All General Farm Maintenance 027 786 0082 cbonnarcontracting@gmail.com CAMPBELL BONNAR CONTRACTING LTD Full Balage & Ground Cultivation services available 3Km of hose Proof of placement Per m3 charge out rate Less compaction in paddocks No laneway/gateway damage Based in Southland & Otago Umbilical effluent system For interest and enquiries phone Matt 022 430 5324 Richard ( Centre), who studied a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, spent a couple of years as a shepherd before deciding in 2012 that dairying was the way forward. Effluent Ponds Farm Drainage Dairy Lane Maintenance General Farm Earthworks Crushed Rock Bulldozing GEORGE’S HILL ROCK SUPPLIES All Sizes Available 100 Hedgehope Hall Road
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