| 75 nzdairy ON FARM » Pat Schnuriger With great feed going into the herd, Pat says they are in the best condition they have ever been in. Sue Russell Turning the corner on improving fertility It was Shelley Schnuriger’s interest in the Holstein breed that eventually brought her and Pat together 15 years ago. Growing up on a sheep and beef farm and on a dairy farm her parents sharemilked and drawn toward the stature and presence of Holstein Friesian cows, Shelley bought her first show cow, Tahora Nelson Lark VG85, from the Tahora Topshelf sale. With the help of her father Shelley bought a couple of cows and asked Pat if she could graze them on his farm and that’s how the partnership began. Shelley’s cows mixed in with Pat’s own crossbreed Holstein Friesian herd and this was the beginning of what would eventually become a the fully registered Holstein Stud, Raetea, located some 30 minutes south of Rotorua. When NZ Dairy spoke with Pat, toward the business-end of November, he described the farm as ticking along very well. “It’s been busy of late but it generally is, however we’re just starting to quieten down.” Ahead is the Rotorua A & P’s 116th show, an event both Pat and Shelley look forward to. This year they’re entering three calves, two yearlings and three cows and while traditionally Raetea Holsteins has performed admirably in such events, Pat’s of the view that ‘it will be what it will be on the day’. “Shows are a great way of measuring your animals against the very best in their class and of course the judges have their view on what they’re looking for. It’s a great off-farm interest that we’ve been involved in for years.” This is the second year Rotorua’s show has been back in action and Pat says its important to support such events. On the farm mating has just finished across the herd of 100 cows. Silage has been made with a bit more to come and Pat says what’s boosted pasture production has been a very mild winter and great spring. “As long as we keep getting the sun and rain as we have been, it’s stacking up to be a great season.” The mating season has been shortered to seven week AI, with good reason, as Pat explains. “We’ve struggled traditionally to get some cows in calf on the first cycle. We’ve effectively chopped out three weeks of mating, three weeks that will be spent calving and moving to fully AI has been a good decision. We feel we’ve turned the corner on improving fertility.” And with great feed going into the herd Pat says they’re in the best condition they’ve ever been in. Even before winter they were in better condition and winter has been very kind. Things have changed a little on the farm in terms of daily tasks as daughter Gabriella is stepping into the milking shed, freeing Pat somewhat. Both Shelley and Pat are on the farm most of the time, however Shelley’s interest in horses provides an interest off-farm. “Shelley and Gabriella train horses and provide equestrian lessons to people. They’re currently in Taupo at an event.” With the weather-gods kind, the herd in great condition, Pat’s expecting a bumper milk production. Last season on average each cow produced 654kgMS resulting in a total herd volume of above 66,000kgMS. “Already production is ahead by 2% at this stage of the season so its looking very promising that we’ll surpass last season’s effort.” Raetea Holsteins is situated in the Waikite Valley and the farm extends over 80ha (72ha effective), with all young stock on farm. “This is good dairy land here and most of the farms around us are dairying, however five minutes drive away the terrain changes and its more into sheep and beef.” 021 148 0322 | bluffcountry.co.nz | karl@bluffcountry.co.nz like us on Ph: Proud to support Pat Schnuriger Waikite Agricultural contractors servicing the greater Rotorua region
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=