Brian started building up assets after beginning farming through the farm cadet scheme. He did not have any family money or security available. Julie was a Dairy Board Consulting Officer, and is still involved in farm consultancy.
1986 - First 50:50 sharemilking position, Morrinsville, then Te Aroha.
1993 - Purchased first property. 49.8 ha of peat at Ngatea.
1997 - Secured a 50:50 sharemilking position, dairy conversion. Built up to 500 cows.
2004 - Sold sharemilking herd. During sharemilking period, utilized cash surplus to buy neighbouring farms next to original block. Land owned 138 hectares – two cowsheds operated.
2006 - Purchased neighbouring 96 ha to bring total farm area to 234 ha – 3 cowsheds operated.
2008 - Purchased 78 ha dairy farm, sold shares and converted to run off.
2009 - Built 70 bale rotary cowshed.
2015 - Purchased 90 ha dairy farm adjacent to runoff. Combined with existing runoff.
2020 - Leased neighbouring 44 ha dairy farm - combined this with our existing dairy farm.
During the past 5 years the major emphasis has been centralising the farm operation, upgrading farm races, updating the cowshed and restructuring our staffing requirements.
Presently:
The total area owned 1 March 2022 - 278 ha dairy farm, 168 ha runoff.We operate a pastoral based system, with strategic feed inputs and high outputs. Focus on growing our business in a sustainable manner. We supply Fonterra.
Our runoff has a full-time manager employed on it. He runs our calves, heifers and jersey bulls.
The herd is of high quality and young age. We milk 900 cows.
After 5 years of winter milk, we have moved back to spring calving. We will calve 900 cows from 1 July 2021.
Breeding Worth 198, Production Worth 250, recorded ancestry 99%.
The farm has been set up with future expansion in mind – water lines, races, effluent systems and main infrastructure set up for a 1000 cow herd.
Location:
We are approximately 6 km from Ngatea. The farm is on the corner of SH2 and Central Road North, on the Western side.
Future:
Maintain production at 380,000 kg Milksolids, using supplements strategically. Improve to 400,000 kgMS for 21-22 season.
Pay off debt.
Maintain a motivated and dedicated team of people working with us.
Improve and maintain farm infrastructure and housing
Have fun! Interests: Activities with the children – athletics, netball, school.
President of the Hauraki Plains Rural Show. www.haurakiplainsruralshow.co.nz
