| 49 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Dayne Addison Dayne and Sophia Addison are in an equity partnership on two farms next to each other at Maihihi. The business winters 840 Friesian cross-bred cows, peak milking 800. Profitability trumps production Sue Russell With very little rain of any consequence falling on his dairy farms since Waitangi Day at Maihiihi, south of Te Awamutu, Dayne Addison says he has been quite lucky getting through with adding a relatively small amount of supplement in the form of PK. Dayne and Sophia are in an equity partnership over two farms with an effective footprint of 265ha. Dayne is proudly a fourth generation farmer who says the district is a good one to live and work in. The business operates over two farms next to each other and winters 840 Friesian cross-bred cows, peak milking 800. Asked how production is heading as we get to the business end of the season, Dayne expects to be down 1% or 1800kgMS. “I’m hoping we’ll keep milking until the 10th May. I’m hoping if this rain kicks in we’ll get some growth in pasture.” PK is supplied to the herd when Dayne can see a bit of a hole approaching in pasture performance. He says the herd responds well and quickly to having some supplements provided. Dayne says that his focus has always been on pro tability rather than on production. “Anyone can make cows do huge production but at the end of the day you have to make a pro t out the other end.” When Dayne studied commerce at Lincoln one thing that resonated with him was the fact that New Zealand has a competitive advantage when it comes to growing milk, given this country’s temperate climate. He has developed a clear philosophy which underpins his farming practices. “We need to continue to push our clean green pastoral based farming practices.” The herd is split into older and younger aged cows to ensure the younger cows receive their fair share of good pasture. “Some of those older girls can get very bossy and push the young ones out, so by having them in old and young groups, that doesn’t happen.” Key to the success of the business is adopting a really simple approach. Tweaking around the edges is done when justi ed and always with an eye on pro tability. The original home farm is 90 years old, with great grandparents stepping on to the property back in 1931. Eleven years ago, the farm increased by 103ha, from its original 86ha with the purchase of a neighbouring farm. Five years ago, that footprint was substantially increased when Dayne bought another neighbouring farm at auction. “We run the same system on both properties. We grow chicory and the staff work over the two properties. “ I’ve been very lucky with the quality of workers I have employed. They are all from South America.” Traditionally Dayne has employed younger workers but he says there are de nite advantages to having a team who are in their 30’s. Their focus is on progressing their careers, not so much with having a good time. As if to reinforce this reality, Dayne says he had removed all the gardens from around the farm cottages, because past workers had neglected them. Now, they are being dug back in by his team, who want gardens and take pride in where they live. All his staff are currently in the process of applying for residency and want to make a future of working on farms in this country. “They’re just such hard workers and they care.” The topography also comes into play Dayne says, with a good balance of at and rolling. “It means our pasture is growing well at slightly different times and react to wet and dry conditions differently, so that gives us more options and a longer window of feeding cows on grass.” And having the right philosophy guiding decisions is also crucial to long-term gain. “Farming is a unique business in many ways. We’re not really ever in charge of all the factors that in uence how each season plays out. “You can’t forecast with certainty any part of your business so you have to constantly adapt and overcome.” “Farming is a unique business in many ways. We’re not really ever in charge of all the factors that in uence how each season plays out. You can’t forecast with certainty any part of your business so you have to constantly adapt and overcome.” www.pumpn.co.nz 40 Turongo St, Otorohanga 07 873 8673 www.pumpn.co.nz
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