16 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Alistair McFetridge True grit and support gets Ali McFetridge through Emma Bailey By his own admission Taranaki dairy farmer Ali McFetridge is lucky to be here after the conversion of his dairy shed nearly cost him his life. Ali farms 64 hectares in Inglewood with an adjoining 23 hectares of lease land, milking 200 cows. In April 2023 he was working on the roof of his shed, getting ready for the project when he fell through it. The terrible accident saw him fall five metres down to the concrete pad below with his shoulder and head taking most of the impact. This was along with broken ribs, a punctured lung, his skull cracked on both sides and multiple brain bleeds. He was alone in the shed as he lay there unconscious. “I shouldn’t really be here. I was out cold for about 30 minutes. Somehow I was able to call the right person who knew where to find me and what to do.” When that “right person”, Alan Bunning got to him he thought his friend was dead. Ali was flown to Waikato Hospital where the extensive recovery began. While Alan and many others helped keep the farm up-and-running. “In farming it’s all about community. Some things can’t really put into words – it’s about all the people that had my back when I was up against it, they are what kept me going.” “Dana Manson is my trusted worker who has done the majority of the milkings since my accident.” She had been his relief milker prior to the accident for a couple of years beforehand. On April 22 this year work began again on the cowshed. Undertaken by Harry Darke Builders, the rebuild entailed demolishing the existing 16 bale rotary cowshed, effluent and existing yards and replacing it with a 28 bale rotary cowshed, a new yard and adjoining pens, loading yards and new effluent system. The shed was back supplying mid August and was 95 per cent completed by November 1. “It has been made much more functional, especially with the new high pressure wash system on the yard gate and the drafting facilities for weighing and drenching. The speed of the milking time is getting better as the cows get used to it. “It was never an option not to finish the shed, I am not someone to let things beat me. I look back with a sense of pride after what I went through and Ali with Alan on the right. the support I had and now to see where we have got to.” Working with Inglewood based Moa Milking and Pumping made the conversion less challenging. “They were very diligent and easy to deal with. It was a complex site but they were always there to solve any problems that arose throughout the build. “We started calving which was a bit stressful because we still had a lot of contractors on the site.” This is his eleventh season on the farm, having purchased it in 2015. Having been through what he did, he focuses on keeping things simple now and going back to grass-roots farming. “I’m trying to make it a sustainable operation so some stage down the track I can step back and someone else can manage it. “As much as I love farming it is very demanding now from day to day. It’s not often you get a second chance at life so, I want to take the opportunity I’ve been given to spend more time with my kids, family and friends doing the things I love.” “I shouldn’t really be here. I was out cold for about 30 minutes. Somehow I was able to call the right person who knew where to find me and what to do.” Servicing and maintaining any brand of platforms and installing new Waikato Milking System rotary platforms. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just starting out, our commitment to excellence ensures that you get the best products and services. Two branches who cover the whole of the North Island. Matamata & Inglewood Inglewood & Stratford 0800 662 6455 www.moamilking.co.nz • Round Hay & Silage (plus sales) • Conventional Hay Baling • Fert Spreading • Hedgemulching • Hay/silage cartage • Tip Trailer Work OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Phone Amanda: 06 752 0698 Mobile: 027469 7353 GOBLE CONTRACTING Outstanding in Your Fields
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