From hard drive to a herd drive

Dairy Industry Central Plateau Farm Manager of the Year Robert Hartley enjoys the rural lifestyle.

Robert Hartley stumbled into a career in dairying by offering to fix a farmer's computer hard drive.

In return Robert was taught the basics of herd management and pasture use.

Ten years on, the South African-raised IT professional turned Rerewhakaaitu farm manager is more likely to relate a hard drive to steering his ute over rutted paddocks than to googling a website.

Robert, 36, won Central Plateau regional farm manager of the year at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua last month.
He is currently the farm manager with Rerewhakaaitu Farms Ltd at 90 Yankee Rd, one of eight dairy farms owned by Trevor Hamilton Enterprises Ltd.

Robert's successful foray into farming began grubbing weeds near where he now lives.
Four years later he was hired "sight unseen" after an phone interview from South Africa with farm owner Trevor Hamilton, Robert told attendees at an open field day at Yankee Rd recently.

"I had a six month visa and had only intended a short visit before heading off to Canada and seeing relations in England," he says.

"But I had a few weeks to spare before I started an IT job in Rotorua when I saw an ad for weed spraying and grubbing for two weeks. It sounded fun working in the open air so I applied, got the job and loved it."

He left to start his IT job and met a Ngakuru farmer with computer problems.
The rest is history as the pair agreed to share tips and help each other out, he says.

"He knew nothing about computers, and I knew absolutely nothing about farming but liked what I saw of the lifestyle. I thought 'this is what I want to do'."
After three years working in IT he became a herd manager on a 450 cow farm in Hawkes Bay in 2004.

"It was exciting, all go, go, go, playing around on the bikes."
Robert says it was the opportunities and exposure to all types of farm duties in Hawkes Bay which provided the foundation to where he is now.

"I was allowed to make mistakes, rectify them and learn. It was a great experience and what I put in, I got back."
After two years, and a year in South Africa, he moved to Broadlands as a contract milker of 300 cows before contracting to Trevor and Harriet Hamilton in 2008. He has been farm manager at Yankee Rd since 2010.

Robert says being a part of THE Ltd is "unreal."

"It is hard to describe the true value I have gained of working here. Trevor and I never met each other before I was employed. We talked over the phone from South Africa and he offered me the job.

"I thought I would just give it a bash."

The 220ha farm is on target to finish the season on May 31 with 397kgMS/cow, or 1633kgMS/hectare, from 865 cows.

In 2011-2012 season production was 340kgMS/cow, or 1262kgMS/ha, from 780 cows.
Figures in 2012-2013 show the on farm costs were $3.76kg milk solids compared to Central North Island dairy base of $4.42kgMS. Projected costs for this season are $3.77kgMS, compared to DairyNZ economics groups Bay of Plenty forecast of $4.42kgMS.
As a result Robert's farm management skills - increased production without increased costs - are well regarded by his boss.

Trevor says company policy is to empower managers to help set targets with expectations to deliver goals.
"We have an excellent relationship with Robert," he says.
"I have only been on the farm three times but I am in regular communication with him. He sticks to the plan - no hungry, no thirsty days."

Robert, his partner, Ilse Pretorius, and children enjoy the farming lifestyle.
"As a family this is what we enjoy the most - the good balance between work and life," he says.

Long term Robert has clear targets including his own farm in 10-15 years.
He is currently completing the National Certificate in Agri Business level 5 course at WinTec.