By Fiona Sloan

Few farming stories begin: “I was a city boy.” However, that is exactly how Michael Neeley’s route into dairy farming began.

Intent on being a carpenter, after leaving school in Christchurch, New Zealand, he was laid off six months after starting, due to lack of work, just before the Christchurch earthquake hit in 2011. “As a stop gap,” explains Michael, "I looked for work on a dairy farm and loved it so much, I never went back to carpentry.”

Michael was fortunate to find work on a dairy farm, where he was given the support and gained the experience, to enjoy a career in the industry, to the point where on June 1, 2018, he will start his new share farming venture in New Zealand.

He will, however, not be going it alone as he takes with him his fiancé Margaret McGarva from Horseclose, Cummertrees, Dumfriesshire, who grew up among the famous Horseclose Ayrshire herd.

Having travelled to New Zealand on her gap year, Margaret was convinced that it was a place she would like to return to and in doing so, she met Michael through some mutual friends and the rest, as they say is history. The future is more important to this young couple and after spending two years contract milking, they decided it was time to make plans for their future.

“Michael had never met my family and friends,” explains Margaret, “so we decided to take time out, return to Scotland and travel here for a bit.” Before leaving last July, they secured a share farming agreement on a 50/50 basis and Michael returns this week, followed by Margaret in the next month, to take up their new challenge.

Share farming in the dairy industry, is common-place in New Zealand, not only allowing new entrants the opportunity to work in the industry but also to plan for their future, as there are stepping stones to expansion available.

Michael and Margaret provide the machinery, cattle and labour and the landowner splits the profits with them 50/50. “It is like a lease type agreement,” explains Michael. “We are also lucky to have a partner, who is keen to encourage young people in the industry and who already supports other young farmers in the same way.”

They will be milking 370 Kiwi-cross cattle, which are a Jersey, Friesian cross. Milk prices equate to those in the UK, although farmers are paid per milk solid, which is relative to the amount of fat and protein content, rather than litres. “I’ve always been keen on the principal of keeping cows outdoors all year round, so this is perfect for us.” says Margaret.

Sitting in a warm kitchen on a cold wet spring morning in Scotland, it is easy to see the obvious attraction of the weather in New Zealand and both agree that they are missing the warmth. While mum Janet and dad James, may not be jumping up and down at the prospect of their daughter living on the other side of the world, without their support and that of the farmer who initially supported Michael and still does, none of this would have been possible. Bon Voyage.