NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 71 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Bart Luijten Promoting dairy as a career path key Karen Phelps L ike most farmers Bart Luijten typically prefers to keep a low profile. But all that is changing as he takes on the role of dairy chair for the Southland branch of Federated Farmers. He took on the job, as he wants to give back to an industry that has given him and partner Martina so much. The couple that hail from Holland came to New Zealand in 2004 right after graduating. Bart, who has a bachelor in animal livestock production, lined up a job as a farm assistant on a 700-cow farm in Centre Bush in Southland while still in Holland. After a year he progressed to the role of manager on the same farm before the couple went contract milking for two years on a 500-cow unit at Heddon Bush. They then entered into a successful equity partnership with the farm owners that lasted seven years before buying the farm they are now on at Oreti in 2015. They have just completed their sixth season. The 145ha effective farm milks a crossbred herd of 440 cows through a 50-bail rotary shed. One full time staff member is employed and Martina takes on the farm bookwork, calf rearing and relief milk- ing in addition to being a busy mum to the couple’s three children Sam, 11, Britt, 9 and Tom, 6. In his Federated Farmers role Bart is keen to keep progressing the path for young people to enter into and thrive in the dairy industry. He wants to do this by highlighting all the positives the industry has to offer and he is keen to show and help young people coming through with progression within the industry With change a continuum for farmers at present, Bart also wants to use his role to ensure any legis- lation achieves the right outcomes. “Farmers have got good ideas and we’d like Gov- ernment to start listening. We know what outcomes need to be achieved and we want to work towards them in a practical way that achieves the right end result.” The Luijten’s farm is flat and has free draining soil. Cows are wintered off farm at a grazier in Wendonside. The couple is in the process of riparian planting and creating wetland areas on the farm. Improving the reproductive rate of the herd is one of the main goals at the moment as they had a 70% six-week in-calf rate and 13% empty rate last season. Bart says ensuring the right nutrition at calving time will be a key strategy. The dairy shed has in-shed feeding and grain, palm kernel and distillers grain is fed year-round. After initially planning to go to New Zealand for just a year as part of their OE, Bart and Martina are now proud Southlanders and definitely here to stay. They’re not sure of the next step they might take in their dairy business and careers but are presently in the process of setting their up-coming goals. “Farmers have got good ideas and we’d like Government to start listening. We know what outcomes need to be achieved and we want to work towards them in a practical way that achieves the right end result.” As Southland dairy chair for Federated Farmers, Bart Luijten is keen to keep progressing the path of young people to enter and thrive in the dairy industry. VETSOUTHARE PROUDTO SUPPORT BART LUIJTEN BALCLUTHA | GORE | WINTON | INVERCARGILL | LUMSDEN | OTAUTAU | CLYDEVALE | TAPANUI 0800 VETSOUTH | vetsouth.co.nz