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• Published date: 09 August 2023
• Publication title: West Coast Farming Times, The

"I had never worked for corporate farms and I had heard good things about Pamu," said Gurpreet

"I applied for the job and had an interview and was off ered the job. People from away have always said to me you won't like the West Coast. But that's not true, the people are welcoming and the weather is not what they say. Since I have been in New Zealand I have had the best summer here."

Gurpreet has been working at Cape Foulwind for nearly a year and has quickly settled into the routine of managing the large dairy unit.

"We run a herd of 1070 Kiwi cross cows, Friesian/Jersey cross. The breed is suitable for the area we are in and the terrain we have got here," he said.

"The farm is mainly rolling hills and pasture."

With calving season fast approaching there are busy times ahead for the Basset Farms, Pamu unit.

"At present all the cows are in calf and they have all been separated according to their calving pattern. The early calves are due on July 21 and there is a 12 week calving pattern for the herd. There are busy times coming up and at the moment the cows are being fed the winter crop which is swedes.

The first group will go onto grass on pasture for calving. Essentially they will be on grass and will be checked every two hours during the day and we do a night check as well."

The newborn calves are fed on colostrum and after eight milkings each cow joins the milk production herd.

"Milking is twice a day and progressively over the 12 week period the farm will be in full milk production. The farm has a 60 bale rotary screen," said Gurpreet.

"The mating season starts on the 20th of October. We have five full time staff including myself and one fixed termer who started on July 15 working through to February 15."

Gurpreet enjoys working in the dairy industry and says he is there for the long haul.

"I like my job," he said. "Pamu has given me a lot of control on the...