| 67 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Kemra Farms The Morrison family have been farming on the Inch Clutha property since 1909. The health and well being of his stock #1 Emma Bailey After a challenging spring, fifth generation Inch Clutha farmers have once again enjoyed success at the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand southern districts dairy heifer competition in April. Kemra Farm on Inch Clutha was the winner of the calves section at a ceremony in Oamaru. Farm co-owner Brendan Morrison said this was the farm’s second year in a row winning the calves section. The win was a surprise after the farm was inundated with 200mls of rain in 48 hours on October 4 last year. “The season was looking really good before that, the cows got through that but production flatlined after the rain.” While the win was nice, Brendan takes it in his stride with his key focus the health and well being of his stock. The farm was visited and the mob of 93 calves assessed by judges. “They are looking at how well grown they are and the evenness of the mob. I think it is really important to have pride in your stock and doing what you can to look after them.” The milking herd size is 400 cows. “We do over 500 kilograms a cow with limited supplements thrown in. We have Alflex collars on the cows.” The Morrison family have been farming on the Inch Clutha property since 1909. Brendan was always destined to be a dairy farmer. As a young lad he was his dad Stewart’s shadow following him around the family farm. Now he is the fifth generation on the Morrison farm nestled between the northern and southern branches of the Clutha River, near Balclutha. Still very much a family operation they own three self-contained dairy farms, Kemra Farm, Haswell Farm which sister Megan Morrison manages and Kilfinan which is run by a lower order share milker. Brendan is lucky to be able to give his children Archie, 8, Mila, 5 and Callum, 2, the rural upbringing he enjoyed alongside his wife Brittany who is a relief teacher at Kaitangata and Balclutha Primary Schools. “Mum (Marie) and Dad are still very heavily involved. Dad and my sister Amy rear the calves and I am in partnership with mum and dad.” A trained accountant Amy also brings her business acumen to the operation. His sister Sarah is close by and is a primary school teacher at Balclutha Primary School. The herd has also been registered with the New Zealand Holstein Friesian Association. It is registered under the stud name Millhouse, which harks back to the hamlet in Argyle, Scotland where the family came from. “The genetics of the herd are mainly LIC with a little bit of CRV and Semex used. “CRV purchased a bull off us a couple of years BOTTING BROS. LIMITED BALCLUTHA Silage • Ploughing • Digger & Truck Hire JAMES 027 333 3844 • MATHEW 027 333 3851 Find us on Facebook Proud to support Kemra Farms 88 Clyde Street, Balclutha 9230 03 418 0626 | 027 232 6319 BALCLUTHA Call Gav for a demo today! www . ewa n a l l a n . c o . n z ago and it would be great to get one with LIC. This year we have had three heifer calves selected to take part in LIC’s Generate programme. The three heifers were all Embryo calves resulting from our dam taking part in the Discovery Project with Holstein Friesian New Zealand.”
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