54 | nzdairy It’s a family legacy Now a fixed grid set-up Kelly Deeks Richard Loader For Northland dairy farmer Michaela Lupton, farming is more than a career, it’s a family legacy and a way of life she’s determined to continue. At just 25, Michaela is farm manager for her parents Greg and Ingrid McCracken on the family’s 175-hectare Wellsford property, milking 375 cows. This year she was named runner-up Farm Manager of the Year in the 2025 Northland Dairy Industry Awards, adding to her earlier success as runner-up in the 2024 Dairy Trainee category. Farming alongside her parents and now her husband Hayden, Michaela is part of a tight-knit operation milking 650 cows across two properties. It’s very much a family business where everyone pitches in. “I was born and bred on this farm,” she says. “It’s more than just a business to me, it’s my family land. Whatever I do today benefits my family in the future. There’s potential for herd ownership down the track, so everything we do now is about building towards that.” Michaela manages the day-to-day operations, grazing management, team scheduling, and weekly meetings, all while balancing life as a new mum to Brydee, born in February. “Bridie was just 10 days old when I had my first round of judging for the competition,” she says with a laugh. “It’s been a big year.” Hayden joined the business this season after a decade working as a motorbike mechanic. “We both wanted our kids to grow up on the land, not in town,” Michaela says. “Hayden grew up on sheep and beef, and I’ve always been dairy, so this is a lifestyle that works for both of us.” Hayden admits he’s loving the change. “The plan was for me to try a season and see how it goes, and I’ve signed up for another,” he says. “We’re hoping next season to move into some form of sharemilking or contracting role together.” The couple credit much of their success to a strong team culture on-farm. “We’ve got two herd managers and a farm assistant who’ve all really stepped up,” Michaela says. “They show up every day and are always willing to help. We’re so thankful for that.” As a third-generation farmer, Michaela is equally DAIRY PEOPLE » Greg and Ingrid McCracken - Te Hana / Jaspreet Singh - Farm Right At just 25, Michaela is farm manager for her parents Greg and Ingrid McCracken. passionate about genetics and innovation. She and her father Greg are focused on breeding strong, efficient cows while also embracing new technology to improve performance and animal welfare. Last year, the McCrackens introduced Halter collars across their Te Hana farm - solar-powered, GPS-enabled technology that allows virtual fencing and individual cow monitoring. “It’s been a gamechanger,” Michaela says. “We can control exactly how much feed the cows get, make better decisions based on accurate data, and save time every day.” The results have been impressive. “We peaked at 1.9 kilograms of milksolids per cow per day on steep terrain, and production hasn’t dipped.” The collars also monitor cow health and heat detection, helping the McCrackens identify early signs of illness and respond faster. “We even found a missing cow stuck in a tomo on the hill because the collar flagged unusual behaviour.” With the technology now being rolled out across their second farm, the McCrackens are combining family values with forward-thinking farming - ensuring their operation is sustainable, efficient, and ready for the next generation. “Halter has given us more time, better insight, and happier cows,” Michaela says. “It’s helping us build a future we can all be proud of.” staff member earns 10 percent of their salary as a “reward” rather than receiving a traditional bonus. “It means sharing success,” he says. Jaspreet is also implementing measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By wintering 20 to 25 fewer cows than in previous years, the farm lowers waste and feed requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. Surplus calves and heifers are sold to other farms, aligning production with sustainability goals. The farm is also participating in national sustainability programmes in collaboration with Nestlé and Synlait, planting trees, investing in pond storage, and optimising irrigation practices as part of a five-year plan. “We did almost 300 plants last year, and we’re probably looking to do another 300 or so this year,” he says. Heat stress during January and February also drives operational adjustments. Jaspreet adapts the milking schedule to cooler periods - early mornings and late evenings - reducing strain on cows and staff. “In those months when it’s a little warmer, we move to two and one - so milk two times one day and one time the following day.” Jaspreet emphasises that the combination of technology, environmental focus, and team culture is driving both farm performance and staff engagement. Originally from Punjab, India, he moved to New Zealand to study business management in Waikato and quickly found his calling in dairy farming. In 2023 he won the regional top farm manager award at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, where he says the networking opportunities are invaluable. • House & Shed sites • Roading & Races • Contouring & Drainage • Subdivision & Forestry work 027 223 3185 | nigel@nclakeearthmoving.co.nz | www.nclarkeearthmoving.co.nz •Dams & Effluent ponds •Feed pads & Arenas •Cartage truck & Trailer •Reg drainlayer & Drilling to 10m S E R V I C E S We look forward to continuing to provide high-quality, ef cient service and repairs to north Auckland & Northland. Email: admin@ods.org.nz Phone: 021 133 9245 O'Dell Diesel Services Ltd For all your building requirements Specialising in: NEWHOMES • FARMBUILDINGS RENOVATIONS • CONCRETEWORK TR STACK BUILDINGLTD Terrence Stack - 021 024 93312 A/H. 03 307 0157 | E. terrencestack@gmail.com New Zealand Certified Builders Association CB LICENSED BUILDING PRACTITIONERS Building confidence youngelectricalltd.co.nz FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS PROUD TO SUPPORT JASPREET SINGH - FARM RIGHT Smarter irrigation and staff incentives are just two of the ways contract milker Jaspreet Singh is driving innovation at Ashfield Downs, a 382-hectare dairy farm in Ashburton. It is one of a number of properties FarmRight manages for New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Over the past few years, the farm has transitioned from traditional K line irrigation to a fixed grid set-up, with remotely controlled sprinklers mounted on fence posts. The system is managed via a phone app, allowing precise control over water application and reducing manual labour. Jaspreet says the change has improved both efficiency and safety. “It’s done by phone. We can set up how much water we want to put on and turn it on - and turn it off – automatically,” he says. “It’s saved a lot of labour for us, as there’s no need to go and move it every time.” The fixed system also reduces hazards for staff navigating the paddocks, particularly at night or on motorbike. The farm operates in a region that can get drier and windier than most, and water is drawn from the Mayfield-Hinds-Valetta (MHV) water scheme, a farmer-owned cooperative that delivers irrigation water to more than 58,000 hectares of farmland in mid-Canterbury, between the Ashburton and Rangitata Rivers. Jaspreet says efficient irrigation is essential to stay within allocations and maximise grass growth. They have also introduced a staff reward scheme that helps focus the team on shared end goals. When targets covering production, financial performance, and health and safety are met, each
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