| 25 nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Joe & Danielle Kehely Northland sharemilkers Joe and Danielle Kehely. Staying connected through a tough season Northland sharemilkers Joe and Danielle Kehely haven’t been able to get the tractor out for months now because pastures are still so wet, but the couple are working through the challenges proactively and staying focussed on herd condition and budget. Staying in touch with the wider rural sector is another important priority for the couple, who were named as runners-up for the 2023 Northland Share Farmer of the Year in March. They received two merit awards: the LIC - Animal Wellbeing, Recording and Productivity Award and the DeLaval Business Performance Award. Joe has a track record of success in the Dairy Industry Awards having previously been named the 2019 Waikato Dairy Manager of the Year. “Whether you’re a winner or a contestant, it’s good to enter these awards because of the people that surround you in the process. Everyone there is a professional. If the bank reps and sponsors see you there, they will invest more time in you in future to answer your questions. From an employer’s perspective, the awards also provide a great opportunity to see the next generation coming through and who will be at the top in future.” Joe is a fourth-generation farmer who has always had his sights on farm ownership. He saw his own parents grow their herd from 190 cows to 1300 cows over 15 years through perseverance and hard work. The lesson wasn’t lost on him. Joe started his own dairy career as a 2IC in Te Awamutu. Within a few years he had progressed to the dairy manager role with Craig and Jan Tomalin, managing three neighbouring dairy farms in Putaruru; it was during this time that he won the top dairy manager award. From there, he and wife Danielle took up a threeyear contract milking role in the Kaitaia area before Kim Newth “Whether you’re a winner or a contestant, it’s good to enter these awards because of the people that surround you in the process. Everyone there is a professional. “ Proud to be associated with Joe & Danielle Kehely 09 431 2127 info@kaiwakamotorcycles.co.nz KAIWAKA MOTORCYCLES facebook.com/KaiwakaMotorcycles going to their current position, 50/50 sharemilking 1000 cows for Peter Flood and Paul McCullogh on their 365ha property at Ruawai.South African-born Danielle shares Joe’s family farm background, with her parents having farmed in the Waikato. Together, they make a good team. “We each specialise in the areas we enjoy. For Danielle, that’s animal health, shed hygiene and calf rearing and she does a lot of the paperwork too. I enjoy pasture management, starting the season up working with the team and I have a passion for budgeting.” The couple did their research before selecting a banking partner that would be a good fit for their business. “Their rep comes out every second month and goes over everything with us; when you are operating at scale, as we are, it really helps having that professional support.” Their first season at Ruawai has been hugely challenging. While there’s been plenty of grass, the quality has been poor. Flooding in February submerged 200ha of farmland that then had to be re-grassed. Milking shuts down from the start of June with calving starting on 14th June. The focus through autumn has been on supporting their cows’ condition. “This season [2022/23] has been the worst in decades,” says Joe. “If we can get through this, we know we can fly through any season in future!”
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