On the way to New Plymouth (just past Waverley) we visited the dairy farm that Jessica and Dean run as share farmers (Trudy’s daughter and husband). A truly fascinating experience and we learnt just how technical dairy farming has now become. Unfortunately we forgot to bring the camera so there are no photos of the milking shed or of the cows. However, it was an absolutely fascinating few hours and I will try to describe everything accurately.
First we had to put on gumboots because of the cow dung around and then drove to the milking shed, which was a little distance from the house. The first thing we saw was an oval shaped metal arrangement with lots of teats poking out of its sides, which is mummy to all the calves. The milk, which is a formula and is made up according to the age of the calves, is poured into it. The contraption is towed by a three wheeled motorbike. The calves love it of course. The calves are Jessica's responsibility.
Then we went into the shed to find a rotary milking platform which holds 40 cows. The cows walk on, the suction caps are attached to the teats and they rotate around and by the time each cow comes back to the starting point the suction caps come off automatically. It is all automated and is fully computerised. As each cow comes onto the platform their number is registered, their milk tested and any problems, such as infections, come up on the screen and can be dealt with straight away. It only takes one person to organise the milking of all the cows (400+), although Dean does have to get up at 4 a.m. The milk is piped into large containers outside and is immediately chilled. We had a glass of the milk and it was delicious. The milk is picked up by tankers and goes to a factory called Fonterra to be processed into dried milk powder.
We then piled onto the back of the tray of the ute (utility) and were taken around the farm. Dean drove very carefully thank goodness as the ground was uneven and quite hilly. I must admit I was a little nervous at first. We learnt all about how they move the herd of cows around so as to use the pastures productively, how they mix the breeding to improve milk production, the crops they grow for cow food and how to measure the grass.
The fences are all electric, even the gates so no touching them accidently. The cows are moved between fields and the milking shed on special dirt tracks which have to be maintained and covered in sand or soil so that the cows’ feet do not get damaged.
The main herd is kept together in one field, then there are the group of heifers in another field. They are waiting for their turn to be milkers (I think the bulls are visiting them at the moment), and the different groups of calves who are at different stages are in other fields. Of course the down side for the kind hearted like me, is that not all the animals make it to be milkers, ie the too small, the inadequate, the too old, the males and also the badly behaved, all get sent away for a ‘holiday’.
Walter took some photos when we got back. The view from their house was worth a million dollars – Mt Taranki on one side and Mt Ruapahu on the other plus undulating hills for miles around. The downside is the southerly wind that whistles across the land. Today it was warm and very sunny so was perfect. 
It was with great sadness that we said goodbye to the family and set out for New Plymouth. On the way we passed by Mt Taranki (also called Mt Egmont) and lots of really interesting little settlements. Now we are in another Top 10 Holiday Park, which has cost a bit more ($42) and onto Waitomo tomorrow. 
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