NZ Dairy Winter 2021

86 | nz dairy Returning to farm touches a nerve Richard Loader W hile Sophia Hunt has always loved farming and agriculture, it was not till she returned to the family farm to help her father three years ago that she discovered just how passionate she was about the physical action of being a farmer. “I have found that I really enjoy knowing that the job is done well and that the cows are happy and relaxed. You know you are really into it when you look at cows beyond being a cow and see them as personalities.” But the practical Sophia says you can be this earth-loving, animal-loving farmer but you also need to be realistic with finances and make prag- matic animal husbandry decisions when appropri- ate. Orakau Dairy Farm in Te Awamutu has been in the Raine-Hunt family since 1916, when Sophia’s great-great grandfather purchased it for his sixteen year of old son. The farm now encompasses 130 hectares of flat to rolling country that combines good soil with good rainfall to produce good quality grass. An additional forty hectares down the road in Pukeatua is leased from Sophia’s grandparents and is home to the farm’s young stock. A system five farm, 25 hectares of maize is grown on farm, ensuring total quality control of the harvested product. The farm is home to 350 high producing Holstein Friesian cows, averaging 600 milk solids each year, supplied to Open Country. “We keep our empty cows milking right through winter, so we never turn the shed off. In the future we may need to go to split-calving or all year round calving to capitalize more on winter milking.” Sophia and her elder sister Margie, who works off-farm but provides relief milking when needed, have just formed a company to take over the farm’s business operation from parents Vernon and Rosalie Hunt. Sophie Hunt – right at home at Orakau, the farm that has been in the family since 1916. DAIRY PEOPLE » Sophie Hunt: Orakau • to page 87 “You know you are really into it when you look at cows beyond being a cow and see them as personalities.” Specialising In Grass, Maize & Wholecrop Silage • Strip Till Maize Planting • Side Dressing Maize • Muck Spreading • Loader Wagon • Precision Chop F oragers • Trucks & Trailers • R ound & Square Baling • Maize Planting, Drilling & Cultivation Proud to support Orakau Dairy Farm Campbell - 021 302 620 Paula - 021 302 610 Phone: (07) 872 4344 Phone: (07) 871 3456 MAKE THE MOST FROMYOUR LAND Whatever you’re trying to achieve, our complete Performance Agronomy ™ solutions take your unique land, resources and environment into account. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz