| 81 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Rakaia Island The newly built external rotary. New infrastructure helping at Rakaia Island Kim Bowden Milking is underway in a new rotary shed on one of Rakaia Island’s four dairy units, part of a strategic infrastructure upgrade on the Canterbury property. The newly built external rotary replaces an older internal rotary shed and has been positioned centrally to cut cow walking distances by half. “The old shed was at the top of the farm, so the furthest walk was around three kilometres,” says operations manager Richie Turner. “From the new location, the furthest the cows will go is one and a half.” At the same time, the team has redesigned the farm layout, which included re-fencing, new laneways and a new stock water system. “We’ve taken the opportunity to lay the farm out as efficiently as possible and make the configuration of everything line up with the position of the new shed,” Richie says. It’s improved flow, both for stock and staff. Rakaia Island sits, as its name suggests, on a block of land between the north and south branches of the braided Rakaia River. There are four dairy units, with a total 4,850 cows, and a dry stock farm all on the one property. It is owned by Richie’s parents – Dave and Marg Turner – and governed with input from an advisory board. The board has an independent chair and Richie’s sister Francie, brother-in-law Ben, and wife Lucy sit on it, with Dave and Marg as directors. Having a large-scale dairy operation remain in family hands is rare, Richie says. “My parents and my aunt and uncle purchased the farm in 1994, so I guess I’m gen’ two.” • to page 83 PERMBRAND.CO.NZ permbrand Contact PHILL SHAW 027 570 2772 Email: phill@permbrand.co.nz • Rotary, Herringbone & Robotic Sheds • Molasses’ Systems • PKE & Pellet Systems • Silos • Augers • Mills - New Generation - Skiold DISC MILLS • Mineral Dispenser’s • Dust Kits • Air Fluidizer Kits AND MUCH MORE FROM THE COMPANY THAT UNDERSTANDS MEAL FEEDING
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