| 31 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Kyler Pastorals Beefies at runoff they reared. roughly fifteen minutes from the new farm. They intend to use it for wintering cows and young stock, growing crops and making baleage. They previously raised beef cattle and did dairy grazing there to raise equity to take the next step up the dairy ladder. The new farm is all flat with some lower-lying areas that could prove challenging in wet conditions. Pasture development and soil health will be a priority as well as managing pugging, something the calving pad is expected to significantly reduce. They are also looking forward to being able to calve on bark chip rather than muddy paddocks. The region is no stranger to severe weather. Last October a violent windstorm of near-hurricane force tore through Southland cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and destroying several thousand hectares of forestry. The Kyles lost power for a week and missed three milkings at peak, a blow the couple describe as heartbreaking. Yet the experience revealed what their community is made of. “It showed how resilient we were and how amazing our community is,” says Nicole. “People lent us generators and friends and family arrived with food.” The new farm owners have a generator on the property, which gives the couple considerable peace of mind heading into their first season. For Nicole and Brayden, who have two children - McKenzie, 8 and Jock, 6 - the move brings excitement for the kids as well. “They are really looking forward to having calf club calves they can actually keep and will be able to choose which bulls to put over them in a couple of years’ time,” says Nicole. The long-term goal for the couple is clear. “Once the herd is paid down we will look for the next opportunity,” she says. “Dairy farm ownership remains our goal and this move puts us one step closer.” When you’re ready to take the next step, Fonterra is ready to support your journey to farm ownership. Contact your local Fonterra representative for a chat. fonterra.com/your-co-op From Sharemilker to Shareholder.
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