NZ Dairy Winter 2021

68 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Chris & Pauline Prattley Ayrshires firm favourites with couple Richard Loader W hen Chris and Pauline Prattley married, they made dairy farming their career of choice because it was an industry they could work together in. Thirty-eight years later they continue to enjoy their farming journey together and the great life- style it has provided for their family. Pauline says even though the hours have been long, hubby was always nearby and could come home for lunch or she could take their three sons out to be with him on the farm. “We have always farmed as a couple. I’ve milked and reared calves and looked after all the administration.” After progressing through the ranks, the couple bought their own farm in 2001. Nestled on the Canterbury Plains in Killinchy, the farm was origi- nally 114 hectares, with a 24-hectare run-off. Over time the milking platform has increased to 204 hectares/190 hectares effective with an additional 54-hectare run off. While the 54-hectare run-off is used for year- lings and up to two year olds about to calve, the 24-hectare run-off is used for calf rearing. Nowadays Chris and Pauline tend to the young stock, while a lower-order sharemilker, his wife and three staff look after the day-to-day farm operation, milking a herd of 750-cows. During Chris and Pauline’s journey to farm own- ership they were introduced to the Ayrshire breed and fell in love with them. Their herd now includes 200 pedigree Ayr- shires, with the balance made up of Friesians and Friesian-Jersey crosses. “There is something gentle about the cow; they have beautiful eyes,” says Pauline. “But we don’t breed for pretty cows. They still have to put milk in the bucket. We breed cows that perform with the rest of our herd and if they do not perform, I’m afraid they can’t stay. We have to protect our sharemilker’s income.” Chris adds that the breed is very easy calving with human intervention only required if the calf has got its head or legs back. “Otherwise, you go out to the paddock and the calf is on the ground. They are very good foragers and very good at looking after themselves, while the Friesians will be bellowing over the fence. Production wise, within the herd they stack up very well. They’re probably only 10kgMS/cow behind a Friesian but overall that is not too bad. The whole herd does around 500kgMS/cow and the Ayrshires around 490kgMS.” Recently attending the Ayrshire New Zealand AGM, the Prattleys herd was awarded the lowest somatic cell count for the district. • to page 69 • Concrete • Fertiliser Spreading - Farm Mapping - GPS Tracking - Varible Rate Spreading • Livestock Cartage • Grain Cartage • Shingle Supplies • Daily Freight Leeston: 03 3248 070 Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz · IRRIGATION SYSTEMS · REMOTE MANAGEMENT · PRECISION VRI IRRIGATEWITH CONFIDENCE · IRRIGATION SYSTEMS · REMOTE MANAGEMENT · PRECISION VRI IRRIGATEWITH CONFIDENCE PROUDLY INVOLVEDWITH CHRIS & PAULINE PRATTLEY Photos: Sharemilkers Heidi (holding Lylah) and Jade Dyson with farm owners Chris and Pauline Prattley. The herd grazing on winter feed on the Canterbury farm. Profile your business with the NZ Dairy Publication Phone Mike: 027 272 8058 OR 03 324 4323 A/H sales@gmcontracting.co.nz www.gmcontracting.co.nz • Irrigation • Drainage • Driveways • Auger Hole Drilling • Land Clearing & Development • Culvert Installation • Construction Site Works • Tree & Hedge Removal • Concrete Breaker • Lawns