Going dairy pays off for young farmer

Bellyful North Waikato

Waikato dairy farmer Jimmy Cleaver is a 23-year-old farm manager who is passionate about his work in the dairy sector and looking after his team.

“I went dairy farming because of the possibilities it offers me. Not many jobs allow you to climb the ladder as quickly, becoming a farm manager by 19 and then be able to go off sharemilking by 26,” says Mr Cleaver.

“I get to work with a fantastic team, be outdoors with animals, while still enjoying a good lifestyle, including being able to get off farm and pursue my hobbies by going hunting or diving.

“I always encourage people to give it a go and see if you like it. I believe that you never know how you will find it until you just get stuck in.”

Jimmy was named Auckland/Hauraki dairy manager of the year at the 2022 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and received the national DairyNZ people and leadership award.

“The first year I entered the dairy industry awards in 2021, I went in with an open mindset. I was young and just wanted to see what a young person could achieve, and see what I could learn and improve on,” say Mr Cleaver.

“When I entered this year, our farm had just had a very good year. I had taken on the feedback from the year before, and ahead of the awards night I knew that I had done everything I could do to win. “Looking at my future goals, I want to go sharemilking in a few years’ time, and I already own some of my own cows to help achieve this. My other goal is to be able to offer others the same opportunities I have received, as I am grateful and want to pass that on to others.”

DairyNZ’s GoDairy programme continues its recruitment drive showcasing careers, like Jimmy’s, in the dairy sector. DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Nick Robinson says the sector continues to encourage Kiwis to join the sector, as one-third of dairy farms seek to fill on-farm vacancies.

“The dairy sector provides 37,000 on-farm jobs for Kiwis. We want to continue to recruit good people, and there are plenty of opportunities out there for keen Kiwis to join us and get involved, while starting on great salaries and having clear progression pathways,” says Mr Robinson.

There are plenty of opportunities for young Kiwis to start on a good salary and be promoted into management roles. Farm managers can earn over $100,000. Becoming self-employed as a farm owner or sharemilker is another option on the career ladder. Many farms offer reasonably priced on-farm accommodation, which means no commute to work or daily travel costs, helping them save for future goals.

Dairy farm teams work closely with animals, help protect the environment, contribute to their local community and are making a difference to the future of New Zealand.

For more information about joining the dairy sector, visit godairy.co.nz.

Drone monitoring project gains ‘beyond visual line of sight’ aviation approval to help protect Mâui dolphins

A project aimed at protecting Mâui dolphins using drone monitoring technology has been granted beyond-visual-line-ofsight (BVLOS) approval by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), to enable tracking of the threatened mammal.

Tane van der Boon from MAUI63, the non-profit wildlife technology organisation that has successfully developed a drone capable of finding and tracking Mâui dolphins using artificial intelligence (AI), says gaining the CAA approval is a “huge win”.

“To effectively track the Mâui dolphins, we need BVLOS to fly far offshore, to survey their entire habitat,” Mr van der Boon says.

“It means we’ll be able to get out and survey up to 50km away from the pilot in a single flight without any observers required for spotting the drone or surrounding airspace.

“This will take our work to the next level and allow us to collect better data than ever before.

“We’ll be able to monitor the dolphins continuously, which will help us predict their movements more accurately, and better understand the ecology of this species.

“We’ll then ensure the information is shared with anyone who needs it, to help put data-driven protection measures in place.”

MAUI63 joins a handful of organisations in New Zealand with full-time BVLOS approval for a remotely piloted aircraft. The approval is for a 50km stretch of ocean off the West Coast of Aotearoa’s North Island, where Mâui dolphins live.

The CAA approval comes at the conclusion of the Mâui Drone Project, a collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, MAUI63, WWF-New Zealand, and fishing companies Moana New Zealand and Sanford Limited.

The project enabled the development of a model and methodology for non-intrusive drone-based aerial surveys of the Mâui dolphins. The AI technology can distinguish Mâui and Hector’s dolphins from other species with more than 90 percent accuracy. Flying high overhead at an altitude of about 120 metres with a 50x optical zoom camera the drone can find, follow, and film for up to six hours.

Steve Penno, MPI’s Director of Investment Programmes, says gaining BVLOS approval means MAUI63 will be able to start collecting more meaningful data, translating years of research and development into practice.

“The latest estimates are that there are just 54 Mâui dolphins left. With this technology we aim to help bring these precious taonga back from the brink of extinction.

Photo shows Mâui dolphins swimming off the North Photo shows Mâui swimming off the Island’ Island’ Island’ Island’ Island’ s west coast, February 2021. s west coast, s west coast, February 2021. s west coast,

Lime Race Rock

Apart from the vet bills the cost of cow lameness can mount, lost production, problems with mating and getting them in calf and the potential of having to cull the cow.

Avoca Lime’s race rock has already gained a following in the North Waikato since its introduction three years ago. It is great for reducing lameness and improving cow flow.

Screened to GAP (general all passing) sizes GAP30 and GAP40 (30 or 40mm mm top size) is generally recommended for farm races. Applied correctly, Avoca race rock goes a lot further than unscreened and larger sized limestone because of the screened sizing. As it is screened, more fines are generated in the process which means Avoca limestone will form a hardwearing surface in high traffic areas. Lime’s natural cementing properties packs down to a durable surface with no sharp stones as found with other rock types. With natural calcium and smooth edges Avoca’s lime race rock reduces stone bruises and hoof infections in your herd.

Now as conditions on farm are improving it is time to think about getting your races right while it is dry. Contact Rev Crawford on 021503029 today Contact Crawford 021503029 today 021503029 to find out more. find out more.

Huntly Fishing Club Ladies Fun Day

21st January 21st January 21st January 21st January January, 2023 , Fine weather!, fish and fun!

Fine fish and

This was just what our recently postponed Waikato Hunting and Fishing sponsored event provided for our FISHING LADIES. Plenty of fish were caught, although there were not many HUGE ones. With good prize money the challenge was on!! Jane Luke won the $500.00 heaviest snapper prize, Brooke Douglas the $300.00 second, and Nicole Vitasovich the $200.00 third prize, all presented by our Hunting and Fishing representative Logan Baxter.

Our past Mayor, Allan Sanson had also supported us with a generous donation from the Mayor’s Fund which saw all our fishing ladies receive fabulous spot prizes.