| 37 nzdairy Karen Phelps Nicole Barber has just wrapped up her first season at Keystone Dairies, and by any measure it has been a success though the Cheshire-born farm manager would be the first to acknowledge that success rarely comes without a steep learning curve. Keystone Dairies sits near Gore in Southland’s East Chatton district, spanning 275ha hectares effective and running a herd of 800 predominantly Friesian cows through a 50-bail rotary shed fitted with Protrack, automatic cup removers and an automatic teat sprayer. For Nicole, who previously managed a barn-based system, the transition to a more grass-based operation has been the season’s defining challenge. “I wanted a change and to challenge myself with a different system and work with new staff,” she says. The farm has a tunnel barn used over winter and calving and a recently installed silo will mean PKE can now be fed in-shed meaning less damage to pasture and more time for other jobs. The farm also has two support blocks, a 62-hectare block across the road used for calves and a 75-hectare block five kilometres away carrying rising twoyear-olds. Surplus grass on both blocks is turned into baleage and silage meaning Keystone Dairies operates as a self-contained system. Pasture renewal is a constant with around ten per cent renewed each year. The production numbers from Nicole’s first season tell their own story. The herd produced 420,000 kilograms of milk solids (around 525 kilograms per cow) a result that surpassed the previous season by 10,000 kilograms of milk solids, achieved while drying off ten days earlier. Much of that improvement is being attributed to a sustained focus on genetics. Keystone Dairies has been using Samen genetics American-European bloodlines for three seasons now with the aim of breeding bigger, higher-producing cows with superior conformation and longevity. The results are becoming visible throughout the herd. “The two and three-year-olds coming through, it’s crazy how well they are producing for their age. Our top two-year-olds are doing over 600 kilograms of milk solids this season, so that’s pretty impressive for a two-year-old,” says Nicole. Sustainability remains a priority, as it has throughout Nicole’s career. Transition to a more grass-based operation Keystone Dairies has been using Samen genetics American-European bloodlines for three seasons now. DAIRY PEOPLE » Nicole Barber Recycling is a particular focus, with plastic from baleage going to Plasbac and containers handled through Agrecovery. Nicole grew up on a 60-cow organic farm in Cheshire before relocating to New Zealand, initially planning to stay just a year. A job on a dairy farm in Clydevale changed that and she has built her career steadily across Southland ever since, winning the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Southland and Otago Dairy Manager of the Year title along with the national Meridian Environmental Sustainability Award and three merit awards covering planning and financial management, livestock management and pasture and feed management. Now settled into her role at Keystone Dairies, she is characteristically focused on what comes next, PADDOCK BY PADDOCK. CORNER BY CORNER. Using our in-depth knowledge of customers’ land, businesses and objectives, we tailor highly specific solutions that differ from farm to farm, even paddock to paddock. To ensure these agronomy-led solutions stay on track for success, we also regularly walk the crops corner to corner to make recommendations along the way. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz Proudly Supporting Nicole Barber both for the farm and for the wider industry. “It’s really great seeing more females farming and managing, share milking and contract milking on their own. It’s encouraging and something to strive for to take the next step.” LOWES ELECTRICAL Serving the Otago and Southland Regions GET IN TOUCH 027 300 6866 loweselectrical1@gmail.com INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL DAIRY FARMS HEAT PUMPS MAINTENANCE 022 646 1959 www.hargestagri.com We are committed to delivering cost-e ective, friendly and e cient service throughout Southland & Otago. ROUND BALING • SQUARE BALING • CULTIVATION • DRILLING
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