12 | nzdairy DAIRY AWARDS » Jaspreet Singh Farming career offers ‘rich opportunities’ Sue Russell Winning the Canterbury / North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year category taking home $6,500 in prizes plus two merit awards was a very positive experience for Jaspreet Singh, who looks after one of Farmright Ltd’s dairy units near Ashburton. The farm extends over 382ha and is home to 1450 cows. It’s not Jaspreet’s first time entering the awards, which he says, act as a really great way to test your knowledge and measure yourself against others standing up for scrutiny. Born in India, Jaspreet arrived in New Zealand, initially to undertake business management qualifications, in 2012. Having said this, though, farming was a sector he was somewhat familiar with as he has parents in India who owned a farm. This is his second season in sole charge on the farm, an opportunity he’s thoroughly enjoying. Working with Jaspreet are six others. He describes the season just ending as a good one after a challenging couple of seasons before this. The plan is to dry off at the end of May and Jaspreet says everything is on target at this stage. “We operate to a system 2 on this farm, feeling 400kg of additional feed for each cow each season, made up of 300kg of grain and 100kg of silage,” Jaspreet explains. The staff roster works around a six day on, two day off schedule, with usually one person milking in the morning and two in the afternoon through the 80 bale fully-automatic rotary. “The guys work 40-45 hours per week and we have enough staff to cover off everything, so it works really well.” The farm is mainly flat and located 15 minutes from Ashburton. Jaspreet acknowledges he has clear ambitions to continue to move forward in The farm is mainly flat and located 15 minutes from Ashburton. dairying with the aim to step up soon to contract milking and then on to 50:50 sharemilking before eventually reaching the goal of farm ownership. “My aim is to stay until I reach 50:50 sharemilking in Canterbury and if we find a good farm in another region to buy we would certainly consider moving. “Farming offers such great opportunities to those who are prepared to work hard and move.” The current herd carries a high BW score and has a mix of genetics on board. Each season, 25 replacements are introduced into the mixed-age herd and a strict policy of culling is practiced. Calving, Jaspreet says, went well last spring with great weather. Calves intended for replacement stay on the farm until they reach 100kg. They are then sent to a grazier in Methven to grow out before returning. “We also keep 100 beef calves that are supplied to other Farmright beef farms The farm owners have invested in the last couple of seasons in staff accommodation and irrigation,” Jaspreet says. He was looking forward very much to the National Dairy Industry Awards to be held in Queenstown. “I am feeling a bit nervous with the judging but I know its going to be a really wonderful experience that I will gain much from.” Jaspreet, in fact went on to receive the Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award, in the Dairy Manager section of the event. YOUR TRUSTED CONTRACTOR LANE MAINTENANCE UNDERGROUND SERVICES M I C H A E L : 0 2 7 3 6 9 4 4 7 8 a d m i n @ w e l s h y . c o . n z w e l s h y . c o . n z WELSHY CONTRACTING WELSHY AGRI SERVICES SITE WORKS HIRE OPTIONS HEDGE CUTTING & TREE TOPPING Keep on top of your dairy tracks with our different options including our soft sweeper for minimal impact on your lime Our directional drills can sort any underground services project without disrupting the ground. We can install fibre ducts and moleplough in water pipes and mainline RUT BUSTING AGRICULTURAL SERVICES WELSHY 8m reach with mess free mulcher head with an adapted saw blade and slasher Our tree topper with integrated blade can guarantee a clean and quick cut on trees up to 400m thick Ask us about our stone free rut busting option Fix your pivot ruts with our tractors, gravel trailers with screens, shingle supply, diggers and roller The preferred milking systems partner for Dairy Farmers Ph 0800 577 583 | www.morrisonagri.co.nz Proud to support Jaspreet Singh Milking Machines Rotary Platforms Engineering Pumping & Plumbing Chemical Ph 03 308 8049 PROUD TO SUPPORT JASPREET SINGH ELECTRICAL YOUR TRUSTED EXPERTS -AGRICULTURAL - INDUSTRIAL -RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL Proudly supporting Jaspreet Singh • SURRY OPERATION • MUCK SPREADING • ROUND & SQUARE BALING • RUT BUSTING • CARTING & HEAVY HAULAGE • FEED SALES & SAMPLING 027 439 3936 www.tacontracting.co.nz 186 Winslow Road, Winslow, Ashburton
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