Saturday, March 30, 2024

Ruapehu resourcefulness in tight times

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Dairy farmers in the foothills of Mount Ruapehu face a range of challenges requiring creative solutions and resourcefulness. Not only do their businesses need to be resilient to a volatile milk price, but also a volatile climate and the challenges of isolation. 
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A newly established DairyNZ discussion group in the Ohakune region in the central North Island has allowed those farmers, operating in a range of ownership structures, to talk through the challenges they are facing and support each other with solutions. 

Ohakune discussion group convenors Lisa Hicks and Graeme Sorensen moved to the Ruapehu district at the beginning of last season as contract milkers and found the number one challenge in an isolated dairy area was finding reliable staff. 

With Graeme working off-farm for extra income this season, Lisa needs an enthusiastic team to help her get the job done. Her farm team is unique. Lisa is passionate about training people in the industry, so alongside her son Andrew and two other full-time employees, she has a number of vet students and overseas exchange students who want to learn on the job. 

Lisa has three Japanese agricultural university students on the farm, as well as Sarah, a German tourist who started chatting to Lisa while she was taking the cows across the road one day. Sarah is now a full-time employee, keen to learn about dairy farming.

Lisa, who is dyslexic, believes simple repeatable systems and clear instructions with photos, pictures and labels are the key to training and managing her diverse team in the dairy. 

Milking 750 cows in the tourist township of Ohakune on a farm which runs alongside the popular walkway, Old Coach Road, might have benefits for staff recruitment, but Graeme and Lisa are also very aware of the importance of public perception to the industry and their employer. They therefore focus on the presentation of the farm – it’s something to be proud of. Also members of the discussion group are Mark and Emmy Bethel who are in their second season as variable-order sharemilkers. Farming in an isolated area has taught Mark and Emmy the merits of doing their homework and always being prepared. Not always being able to access service people right when they’re needed means a plan B is always needed.

Emmy has been working full-time off-farm this season to “fund their farming career” as it has been an extremely challenging season for them as variable-order sharemilkers. When it comes to doing their homework Emmy, who is an accountant herself, emphasises the importance of ensuring your contract and budget are reviewed at least annually with your farm owner. She also stresses the value of regularly communicating the plan with everyone involved in the business. 

Support available

Through its Tactics campaign, DairyNZ provides extra support and information to dairy farmers who are facing an especially difficult season due to a low milk price.

One example of that is the facilitation of support for sharemilkers by working with industry partners. This support includes an hour free-of-charge accounting time for variable-order sharemilkers and free assistance from Federated Farmers facilitators who can assist conversations between sharemilkers and farm owners. This service is available to all sharemilkers regardless of membership. DairyNZ’s DairyConnect service has also been boosted this season to connect farmers seeking advice with farmer mentors.

For more details about support on offer and more resources to help you manage during a low milk price season, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/tactics

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