APRIL, 2018 ISSUE 90
GIPPSLAND REGION
Bruce Manintveld with his Jersey herd on his Mirboo North farm.
Riding out tough times with low-input system STEPHEN COOKE
BRUCE AND Fiona Manintveld’s low-input
farming system enables them to achieve a cost of production of $4/kg/MS, which is helping them achieve their business goals despite the
past two tough seasons. The former GippsDairy Focus Farmers run a 320-head Jersey herd on a 146 ha farm at Mirboo North they purchased five years ago. They have recently leased a further 56 ha next door, to run their young stock. Mr Manintveld said the low-input system
reduced the workload, which meant he did not have to employ labour. Mrs Manintveld, who works off-farm for Agriculture Victoria in Ellinbank, contributes 0.3 of a labour unit, primarily with calf rearing, herd testing and helping out where required. Mr Manintveld said he worked on average
between 50 and 60 hours a week. “If we paid labour it’s almost going to cost an additional 50¢/kg, and I don’t want to take on the hassle of employees,” he said.
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