38 | nzdairy Enjoying their farming journey to date Richard Loader DAIRY PEOPLE » Rua Awa Farming Ltd Jordyn Crouch and partner Isaac Alger are enjoying their farming journey to date. The couple are busy, not only contracting milking on a substantial dairy platform, owned by Robin and Claire Barkla west of Whakatane, in the eastern Bay of Plenty, but also own their own 130 ha farm inland at Atiamuri, about an hour away. It’s been two years since NZ Dairy last spoke with Jordyn, who sounded as busy as ever over the phone and she says the business has pretty well been working as it did before. “I still make a weekly visit from the property we contract milk on over to our own farm, where are former 2IC is doing a great job looking after the herd. I really enjoy those visits and the catch up, meanwhile life on the farm we contract milk on is as busy as ever”, says Jordyn. The focus continues to be paying off debt as the couple enjoy their now six seasons on the farm, however a change is ahead, as the couple have decided to end their contract milking work to focus eventually on new opportunities. “We have a great team working on the farm with us and it is our hope that the team will stay with the incoming contract milker, due to take over next June.” Jordyn and Isaac have decided to free up some cash, to further reduce debt and this is being achieved by a small subdivision of their farm, into a lifestyle size section where a house will eventually be built. The goal, Jordyn says, now in their journey is to buy another property. “I think its really important to be quite nimble in your thinking about how to best advance your business. Farming leads to so many opportunities to not only farm but to invest in new directions.” When NZ Dairy caught up with Jordyn they were three weeks into mating on the Whakatane farm. She says animal health has maintained well and the staff are in a great roster system, where every third day they each work in the milking shed, ensuring there’s plenty of variety for all. “I think it’s a really important thing to do well and to give certainty to staff of what our expectations are and that all the farm tasks are shared around. I work with them all once a week so it’s a space to touch-base. Isaac and I have worked very hard to ensure the team don’t have any worries and everything is organised for them well to just get out and do the work.” Jordyn was fortunate to be selected into the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme in 2022, an opportunity she says was of great value in terms of providing her with the tools to grow and succeed in the sector. Established in 1979, the programme receives three intakes of 24 students every year, providing them with opportunities to connect, network, experience and learn together. Part of the programme involves 18 days of programmed The goal, Jordyn says, now in their journey is to buy another property. 027 312 5082 or 07 307 0704 ⌂ 11 Te Tahi St, Whakatane o ce@milkingandwater.co.nz content delivered in three residential-based phases. There’s also a self-directed project students undertake during the learning phases.In total, the course extends over six months and Jordyn can’t speak highly enough of what that opportunity meant to her. “I met like-minded people who are very positive around the industry, positive around opportunities.” Jordyn also took some negative experiences she had had early on in her farming journey into creating a positive Business Group in the central Bay of Plenty. The group of five couples, who she says, were all at similar stages in their farming path was pivotal to supporting future decisions both her and Isaac subsequently made. “We started the business group before we bought our own farm, as a result of selling homes we owned in Rotorua. Buying a farm was one of the things the group pushed for us to do. It’s just been awesome for our career.” She describes it as being hugely impactful to be surrounded by this business positivity. Jordyn also ensures she doesn’t have anyone in her own circle who is negative and says that in farming in particular that is such an important tool for success. Her advice to others starting their career is to do the basics right; feed cows, hit residuals and look after people. “We try to be very organised. The rosters are always out a week in advance. All this helps the team with their mental health. It’s a matter of having both repeatability and autonomy in balance. Isaac and I try to take a bit of the unnecessary thinking out of the equation for our staff.”
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