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DAIRY PEOPLE » Richard Ash
NZ Dairy
The Rangitikei River runs along the back boundary of this farm owned by David and Sarah Marshall. Equity sharemilker Richard Ash says fencing and planting of waterways has been a major focus. The farm, centred between Marton and Hunterville, also has an 11 million cubic litre effluent storage pond.
Longtime partnership prospers Karen Phelps
We are focused on growing as much grass on the farm as possible and making sure we utilise it effectively. This will be achieve through good monitoring and pasture management.
Grassroots Support Congratulations to Richard for his success Let Denver find the solution for YOU!
0800 336 837 | denverfeeds.co.nz
First-time entrant and 2015 Manawatu Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year Richard Ash says he entered the competition because he was looking for a different challenge. He puts his success partly down to working for the same farm-owners – David and Sarah Marshall – for 11 years. “It has allowed us to put systems in place and get organised. I’ve been fortunate; we have a great working relationship.” Thirty-three-year-old Ash has been in an equity sharemilking partnership, Tutu Totara Farm Ltd, with the Marshalls since 2009. He started working on the farm as a manager after completing a Bachelor of Applied Science at Massey University and working on Fonterra’s Whareroa site at Hawera for two seasons. For a start he milked a herd of 550 cows on the Marshalls’ farm, with the balance of the property carrying sheep and beef. Over the last 10 years more of the farm, which is located between Marton and Hunterville, has been progressively converted. The 700-hectare (550ha effective) unit now
milks 1400 crossbred cows through two sheds: a 40-a-side herringbone used for milking autumn cows, and a 60-bail rotary with automatic cup removers built in 2009 and used for spring cows. The farm employs 10 full-time staff. Ash’s partner, Anna Trevathan, helps out part-time on the unit as well as working full-time as a receptionist in Hunterville. David Marshall contributes his financial skills. An accountant, he works for My Farm in Feilding. Ash says that because Marshall travels to other farms, he brings back ideas. Sarah Marshall assists with staff management, and Ash takes care of the day-to-day running of the farm. Richard Ash says the farm has a great staff, many of them long serving. Continued training through AgITO is encouraged and many staff are in the process of completing courses. He says there is a lot of emphasis on keeping costs down, particularly with the lower payout. Another major focus is the environment, especially as the Rangitikei River runs along the back
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We are delighted to provide accounting services to Richard Ash We are currently taking on new clients. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us to arrange an appointment.
196 Broadway Avenue Palmerston North 4410
11 Ward Street Dannevirke 4930
Tel: 06 357 0640 Web: www.nla.net.nz
Tel: 06 374 4266 Web: www.nla.net.nz
Feed grows on Tutu Totara Farm. Around 180 hectares of the dairy unit is under irrigation.
RICHARD SIMPSON CONTRACTING LTD Balage - Hay & Straw Baling - Rounds, Squares and Conventional Precision Chop Silage - Grass, Cereal, Maize and Earlage - Bagging Portable Certified Weighbridge General Cartage - Metal, Grain, Hay, Straw, Balage, Silage Buyers and Sellers of all Supplements
Phone: 06 327 5344 or 0274 423 689
Cultivation, drilling, harvesting, baling and transport services.
0272452910
RANGITIKEI & MANAWATU WIDE Proud to be working with Richard Ash & his team at Tuta Totara Dairy rr.simpson@hotmail.com 30 Godley St Halcombe