88 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » South Hughes Farms Ltd Herd genetics has been a key focus over the last three years. Southland dairy farmers Tania and Ross Hughes. Progression, diversification for balance and productivity Kim Newth Southland dairy farmers Tania and Ross Hughes have reached a new phase in their dairy journey, with a contract milker employed for the coming season. Over the past 20 years, they have worked hard to develop an efficient, fully self-contained farm operation in the Taramoa area. Their 460-hectare milking platform is supported by two 92-hectare run-off blocks. Herd genetics has been a key focus over the last three years, with World Wide Sires used to achieve a more Friesian-based herd that’s driving up production. “We achieved record production this year [up 40,000kgMS to 485,000kgMS], thanks also to strategic use of more feed inputs (Palm Kernel) and fertiliser use as well as a change of management,” says Tania. “Hayden and Sam, who have been with us for the last two seasons, are very good. We’ve now employed Hayden as our contract milker for the coming season. He’s keen, passionate and a really good cows and grass man. It felt like the right time to promote him and we were ready for it too.” For the first time in 30 years, Tania and Ross are planning a short break in August – something they normally never do – for a well-earned holiday in Rarotonga. “It’s that good relationship with Hayden that gives us confidence to do this, because we know him and know that we can rely on him to run things while we’re away.” Tania and Ross are currently looking for a farm for their eldest daughter Brooke and also want to be in a position to able to support her in future. The contract milking arrangement ensures they won’t be quite as tied to their own farm, day to day. “We’ll continue to support Hayden and Sam and, of course, it’s still our farm, our cows and our calves.” There’s a little more physical separation between farm and lifestyle now for Tania and Ross. Last April, they moved to a 10-acre block just outside Wallacetown, with their farm still just a five-minute drive away. With the contract milking arrangement starting this June, Tania feels she can now take part in a few more community activities. She’s enrolled in a volunteer Youthline counselling course and joined a weekly Pilates class. • LOCAL & NATIONWIDE LIVESTOCK CARTAGE • FERTILISER SPREADING • BULK CARTAGE • SPREADING, SPRAYING, SLURRY & MUCK APPLICATION WITH OUR JCB • BLOWER TRUCK • GRAVEL FOR LIVESTOCK GIVE MIKE LINDSTROM A CALL 027 960 2788 FOR BULK & SOWING GIVE TEGAN RACZ A CALL 027 564 4313
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=