Dale and Jaclyn Harris took the leap into 50:50 sharemilking last year. Before that they had been contract milking and decided to take the next step, purchasing 140 Kiwi-cross cows, milking them on 40ha on the Taieri Plain.
"We already owned the plant and equipment, so it made the financial outlay to purchase the cows doable", Mrs Harris said.
There were more lucrative sharemilking opportunities further south, but the couple knew the family support network they had around them on the Taieri was going to be key to their success.
"Both of our parents live nearby and help a lot with our children. We know how priceless that kind of support is."
When the couple took on the sharemilking opportunity, they did the budget based on a higher payout and lower costs. "That was with me working about 10 hours per week on a seasonal basis for a compliance company. When the payout dropped and costs went up, I got a second job at the Farmlands Taieri store working Sundays and Mondays," she said.
In January, she finished with the compliance company and took on more hours at Farmlands, she now works 37 hours a week.
Running a smaller operation, the couple don’t need to employ staff and have a focus on doing the basics well to ensure optimal production.
"We averaged 538kgMS per cow last season which we were happy with and have a goal to make further gains this season," Mrs Harris said.
A trained AI technician, Mr Harris did the farm’s AI himself last November with pleasing results.
"There’s something really satisfying about knowing we’ve picked the genetics and this season’s calves will be from our own hard work."
Having a break from employing staff has been a welcome change for the couple, but it also means Mr Harris works seven days a week most of the year.
"Dale didn’t miss a single milking last season. It can be very tiring, but at the same time he has built in flexibility to his systems so he can work life around milkings when he needs to."
"I am a big believer in being involved in our community and doing what I can, so it has been quite hard to accept that I can't do it all. I do have Fridays off and that is my time to connect with our community."
The couple’s children, Lexi and Lane, have become more helpful around the house. "They are expected to do their wee jobs when they get home from school. They might have the odd wee whinge about it but I know they will thank us for it one day."
With calving around the corner, Mrs Harris expects life will get "a little chaotic" with early morning feeds before her 9am day job. "But we’re not dealing with big calf numbers like we have in the past, so it won’t be too bad."
Despite the sacrifices, she "loves" her job at the Farmlands store.
"There is an awesome team culture; we have good laughs. I know a lot of the customers and I feel like I can relate as we are going through the same challenges on our farm as well. Some farmers that come through the door have quite possibly been working on their own out in the back blocks for weeks at a time and their visit to our store is their social connection; that’s not lost on us, if they are up for a yarn, then that’s fine by us," she said.
The job has become so enjoyable for Mrs Harris she doesn’t plan to leave any time soon. "Even if the payout does increase, I don’t think Dale would get me back on the farm fulltime again."
Housework was one area Mrs Harris conceded that had taken a back seat. "If you come to my house, you will need to make an appointment first," she said, laughing.
By Alice Scott
