"It was a last-minute opportunity. We weren't offered the job until May, which meant it was hard finding additional experienced staff," said Shiralee.
Rob inspects a mob of R1 Holstein Friesian heifers. Photo / Supplied
The Seerden's employed two people who were already working on the farm.
The property, which produced 155,000 kilograms of milksolids (kgMS) in 2019-20 (production was down because of the drought), is one of 12 dairy farms in the area.
The farm produced almost 100,000 kgMS in the 2019-20 season, which was 20,000 kgMS behind the couple's original target. However, the result still eclipsed the farm's previous production record by 20,000 kgMS.
Some of the Seerden's herd. Photo / Supplied
The Seerden's worked hard to ensure they came into their second season on the farm well set-up and with plenty of feed.
About 150 tonnes of maize silage was contracted just as the drought started to tighten its grip on the region.
"The maize helped us get through the summer and autumn and we were still feeding it in the winter," said Rob.
In mid-June, the herd had an average body condition score of 4.9, a month out from calving.
Rob Seerden and Seerden Brave Betty S0F. Photo / Supplied
"We are really looking forward to having a good season," he said.
"We have regrassed about 80 per cent of the milking platform with hybrid Italian ryegrasses and our average pasture cover is 2,400 kg/DM/ha."
The herd started calving in mid-July. It is their first spring milking heifers born following an overhaul of mating practices.
Previously, cows were mated using sires from a single genetics company.
But in 2017, when the Seerden's were nearing the end of a 10-year stint 50/50 sharemilking in Norsewood, they adopted a new approach and had their herd scored by approved aAa analyser Tracey Zimmerman.
aAa is a dairy cattle breeding guide created in 1950 by a Vermont Holstein Friesian breeder.
Analysers study all the parts of each cow and determine the causes of functional problems, such as a narrow pelvis.
They then show breeders how to prevent the same problems from occurring in the next generation of animals.
Rob Seerden enjoys teaching his children about farming. Photo / Supplied
"We looked into it after we got talking to another dairy farmer about it and thought it sounded like a good investment," said Shiralee.
"Under our previous system, we were becoming frustrated with the quality of the feet and udders in our herd," added Rob.
For the past three years the herd's two-year-old heifers have all been inspected and scored by Tracey's partner Jurjen Groenveld prior to mating.
They receive an individual lifetime score - a six-digit code - which is used to find a bull to correct the animal's weaknesses.
It is not an easy task. Rob and Shiralee source bulls from five or six genetics companies, with the aim of producing a "strong cow with good longevity".
"We're doing it because we're 50/50 sharemilkers and our herd is our asset, so we want to do all we can to maximise its value," he said.
About 270 of the couple's animals, including young stock, are registered Holstein Friesians.
The business produces zero bobby calves. The main milking herd is mated to Holstein Friesian and Hereford sires.
Rising two-year-old heifers are mated to fully DNA profiled, home-bred Holstein Friesian bulls.
Rob and Shiralee, who are members of Holstein Friesian NZ, are continually upskilling to make their business more robust and attractive in a competitive job market.
Rob is a trained artificial insemination technician with LIC, a seasonal position he has held for 22 years. Shiralee also delivers semen for the genetics company.
In 2017, the couple were named Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa Share Farmers of the Year in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards.
Entering the prestigious competition pushed the Seerden's outside of their comfort zone, but the win has opened doors for them.
"Prior to entering the NZ Dairy Industry Awards, we frequently wouldn't even get a response when we applied for a 50/50 sharemilking job," said Shiralee.
"Winning the title changed everything for us."
"People started calling us back when we applied for positions and often didn't even want to look at our CV. The turnaround was amazing," she said.
The Seerden's are both self-described introverts, making them the "most unlikely people" to enter the awards.
Rob and Shiralee Seerden were named the 2017 Hawke's Bay Wairarapa Share Farmers of the Year. Photo / Supplied
The rigorous judging process requires entrants to articulate and demonstrate how they run their business to a panel of experienced industry experts.
"Standing up and speaking in front of people was the most terrifying thing either of us could ever imagine doing," laughed Shiralee.
"But you'd be amazed at the confidence the process has given us. It's really helped Rob improve his communication skills with staff."
"We wouldn't be where we are today if we hadn't entered the NZ Dairy Industry Awards. It's helped us focus on our goals and make informed decisions quicker," she said.
The Seerden's manage four staff, two on the 600-cow farm and two employed as part of their 50/50 sharemilking operation.
That property is owned by John and Jocelyn Chrystal. It is hoped this year all young stock will be able to be grazed on the farm.
