Looking back on a successful first eight years in dairying, Karl and Jilly Haywood say their achievements to date would not have been possible without the opportunities provided by farm owners along the way.
Originally from the United Kingdom, the couple moved to New Zealand 13 years ago to pursue a long term dream of farm ownership.
From a mostly cropping background, they decided to take up dairy farming here as the best means of reaching their goal.
They got their start at Pleasant Point working for dairy farmers Brent Isbister and Susan Coker, where Karl rose from dairy assistant to farm manager over four years.
“Brent and Susan were real mentors to us and were very influential in us securing our first 50/50 sharemilking position,” Karl says.
The couple then spent three years 50/50 sharemilking in North Otago for Roy and Tania Rawson before moving to their current position in Mid Canterbury as 50/50 sharemilkers for Charles and Jan Whitehead, of Hillpark Dairies, just below Mt Hutt, Methven in Canterbury.
While they are yet to achieve their goal of farm ownership, Karl and Jilly estimate they will get there sometime over the next four to five years.
“Despite some setbacks we’re still heading towards our target. Without the assistance of our farm owners, family and having those key partnerships at different stages, we would not be where we are now. I think people are very quick to burn bridges and write people off, but with a bit of patience and by working together you can still achieve your goals.”
Charles and Jan’s Mt Hutt farm, comprising a 328 hectare effective dairy platform, is right at the foot of Mt Hutt, (with the land elevation averaging around 450m above sea level).
“We have a very unique climate here – Charles describes it as a Southland farm in Canterbury! Our annual rainfall is 1200mm a year [virtually double that of Christchurch] and we have a short growing season so it comes with its own challenges.”
Karl and Jilly, with their children Ella, 9, Maisie, 6 and Bert, 5, are in their second season at the Mt Hutt farm. The property is milking 850 cows out of a 60-bale rotary shed. Last year was “very upside down”, with above average rainfall punctuated by two large dry spells.
This winter has been much easier with hopes high that this will flow through to higher milk production.
While the couple is passionate about their industry, they do worry that increased fears around biosecurity could lead to a reduction in sharemilking contracts.
“Yet it’s those contracts that attract good people with ambition and drive into the industry.”
Within their own team of three full-time staff and one part-timer, Karl and Jilly strive to help people set and achieve their goals and provide opportunities for career progression.
The couple’s own medium term goal is to develop closer connections with school and community groups and work on growing an awareness of what the rural lifestyle has to offer.
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