NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 81 nz dairy for inter-generational family farm DAIRY PEOPLE » Howard Family: Lanseair Farm Baby Hailee Amelia (born May 29) with parents Benjamin and Renee Howard on the family farm in Whakatane. “That has really good drainage and good dur- ing winter. It dries out over summer but we plant a few paddocks of chicory and that grows really well up there.” While Benjamin, Renee and Benjamin’s parents are working hard to improve the farm’s productiv- ity through pasture renewal, more fencing and a focus on breeding, that is balanced with main- taining family values and making a sustainable family farm with a family lifestyle. “It doesn’t take two people to feed-out but one of us will go down and shift a break fence, while the other is feeding-out. That just makes things so much easier while also enjoying family time.” Renee grew up in a dairy farming family and loves being outdoors and working with animals. “It’s also a great lifestyle in terms of bring- ing children up on the farm. It’s the way I was brought up and it’s the way I always wanted to bring my children up. And getting the rewards of putting work into the land and the animals.” Looking to the future, Benjamin and Renee will continue to increase their equity in the farm by purchasing more shares as they can afford to do so. And with the arrival of little Hailee, there is a possibility of another sixty-one seasons at least. “It’s a weird thing knowing that I don’t have to leave again. Every time I came home during the Uni holidays to work on the farm, I always had to go back to Uni. I’ve settled down on the farm now, I’m home.” 07 304 9471 pjbrogdencontracting@gmail.com PJ Brogden Contracting Ltd has proudly supported the Howard family throughout the four generations. • Maize Silage • Grass Silage • Maize Grain • Haylage • Cultivation • Baling Rounds and Squares • Truck & Trailer Cartage AFFCO is proud to support Lanseair Farm & the Howard family 11 Te Tahi Street, Whakatane 07 307 0704 Innes Richardson - 027 312 5082 milkingwatersystems@yahoo.com Proud to support the Howard Family at Lanseair Farm FARM MACHINERY AND ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS FARM MACHINERY SALES & SERVICE AGENTS FOR Bill Dippie A/H 07 308 9349 M 027 263 3322 25 Tuhoe Street, Taneatua 3123 P 07 312 9248 W wjdippie.co.nz E dieson@xtra.co.nz Profile your business with the NZ Dairy Publication