Making money milking cows on 5.5ha
Peter and Claire Hansen are turning a profit milking less than 30 cows on five (effective) hectares near Rangiora. The decision to set up to supply raw milk to the public wasn’t without significant risk for this couple. They were already heavily committed in another business, and they had to build Fernside Fresh from the ground up with no promises and significant capital investment.
Managing Fodder Beet
I’m aware what fodder beet can do to cows if it’s handled wrong, and I’m countering that by transitioning cattle on and off it gradually, making sure our cows are full all the time, and supplementing them with the MAX PHOS LOOSE-LICK. The loose-lick is an important part of my management plan, and we’ve been using it for five years now.
Hard hooves save time
Anyone who has followed a lame cow up the track, knows it’s a lesson in fortitude for the cow, and patience for the person landed with the job.
Lead feed works. End of story.
Bill O’Sullivan says getting cows safely through calving in Southland is their priority. Along with his wife, Keri Kahotea, and family they milk 800 cows in a 50-bail rotary on 271ha. They produce 370,000kg of milk solids a year. Dairy farming is a constant challenge, and no two days are the same.
Getting it right for calves from day one
Sara, along with her husband Stu, share milk 750 Jerseys in Mid Canterbury. Both Sara and Stu come from strong dairy farming backgrounds with Sara having the honour of being a Dairy NZ Environment Leader and has also achieved Synlait Lead with Pride Elite Standard on their farm.
Cow health underpins income
A decision to go sharemilking has meant bigger bills, but it has also meant bigger pay cheques and more autonomy for a young Southland couple.
Dodging downer cows
Southlander John Riordan knows just how exhausting, time-consuming and expensive that downer cows are at the start of the season. The former sheep and beef farmer converted to dairy in 2008 when the price of lamb “was going nowhere”.
