Starting again in new land not easy

Keeping records and analysing data are among the tools Johan and Theona Blom used to lift the production of their herd to 53 per cent of body weight by the end of December.


Production of this dairy herd has lifted to 53 per cent of body weight, thanks to breeding smaller, high producing cows.

Measure to know
“You have to measure to know what is happening,” says Theona.

When Johan and Theona immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa in 2008 they brought with them skill sets ideal for their new careers.

Johan had been working as a drystock agricultural extension officer, having gained a Bachelor of Science majoring in Agriculture, and Theona was an accountant.

The couple had always wanted their own farm but that was out of their reach in South Africa.

“We had read about the NZ dairy industry and its pathways to farm ownership so decided to come,” says Theona.

The ages of their children were another factor in that decision. Hanel was 10, Corien eight, and Charles six.

“We wanted to make the move before the children were teenagers, when the transition might be more difficult for them.”

Johan began as an assistant herd manager on the 420-cow farm of Mary Anne and the late Adolph Mathis of Tokoroa.

The next season the family moved to Cambridge, and the 400-cow farm of Pat and Sue Crowe. Eager to progress quickly up the dairy ladder, the Bloms next took a position at Reporoa 50/50 sharemilking 210 cows on Russell and Ruth Tremain’s irrigated farm.

Now they are 50/50 sharemilking 270 cows for Ron and Jan Hall at Ngakuru.


A herd of relaxed, healthy happy cows is the aim for Johan and Theona Blom.

Invaluable help
“We have been so fortunate with all the farm owners we have worked for. They have all supported and encouraged us. Their help has been invaluable,” says Johan.

The couple have no regrets about the decision to come to New Zealand, but leaving South Africa wasn’t easy. It’s a country they hold dear.

“Farming was completely different on the Eastern Cape where we lived. Drystock farms have one cow per 12 to 14 hectares and annual rainfall is 250ml to 400ml.

“It is however, rich in plant life and in 10 square metres I could find 150 different flowering plants,” says Johan, whose is passionate about them.

Theona not only left her homeland, she also gave up her accounting career to become a full-time farmer.

“I love farming, especially calving, and I keep the books for our business, but I do sometimes miss working in an office.”



Initially hard
The hardest thing about the initial time in New Zealand for Theona was a feeling of disconnection.

“I had no point of reference. I felt like I’d lost my contact book with all my friends and family listed in it. I didn’t know where to buy things. It was quite strange but I was overwhelmed at how kind and generous New Zealanders were in making us feel welcome and helping in any way they could. We feel really blessed.”

The attractive Whirinaki Valley Rd farm they are now sharemilking on just south of Rotorua is 110ha, with 97ha effective. The country is flat to rolling with around three per cent steep. Since February 17 the herd has been milked every 16 hours.

Kale is grown as a supplementary feed and a way to renew seven per cent of the pasture each season.

Fertility is good and the valley has received sufficient rainfall to keep the grass growing despite this summer’s dry conditions.

“Even though it’s been dryer than normal this summer, we expect to grow 12 to 13 tonnes of grass per hectare. This is a system two farm and we make our own grass silage, which is stored in the pit and some in bales,” says Johan.



Nitrogen leaching
The cows are milked through a 22-aside herringbone dairy, and effluent is spread across 44 per cent of the farm, which is significantly more than required for the herd size. “We are not in a sensitive area but are conscious of nitrogen leaching so only apply 66kg per hectare. It’s important to manage nitrogen leaching and there are several ways of doing this, including using liquid fertilisers and monitoring in-puts through nutrient budgets.”

Johan and Theona don’t employ staff so manage milking, calving, mating, and all aspects of the farm together. They are proud of their relaxed and contented, productive cows and the fact that in their years of sharemilking they have been grade-free.

“I think it comes down to the good systems we have in place,” says Johan.

Theona thinks happy cows are also a factor.

“They aren’t stressed and feel the dairy is a good place to go to.”

This is the third time Theona and Johan have entered the awards and even though they didn’t win awards the first time, they say they won in other ways.

“We frequently refer back to the judge’s comments and have implemented many of their recommendations. Their advice is so useful in helping us grow our business,” says Theona

The goal for the Bloms, who won $15,300 in prizes, is to invest in a drystock or heifer grazing block.


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