Northland voice for farmers

Waimate North farmer Michael Cook has been elected to the Livestock Improvement (LIC) Shareholder Council.

Michael sought membership of the Council because he says he strongly believes that LIC, as a farmer owned business, has a major role in ensuring New Zealand’s low cost, pasture-based dairy farming structure is protected.

He says he intends to ensure that the views of dairy farmers in his region are well represented and he encourages shareholders to contact him on any matters relating to LIC.

Michael and his wife Julia are 50:50 sharemilking on the 270 ha Cook family farm at Waimate. They are milking 520 predominantly Kiwi Cross cows this year, through a 40 cup herringbone. In their best season they produced 142,00 kg/MS, although last season’s production dropped to 132,837 kg/MS due to wet/early winter. The target this season is 150,000 kg/MS and they are currently 10 percent ahead.

Info: Phone 09 405 9567, mobile: 021 471 322, or email: powerfarms@maxnet.co.nz