December 14, 2025 • 7 mins
Bruce Eade looks at winter feed options and his changing of routine regarding traditional crops.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Bruce Seed Farms at Kelso and joins us this afternoon
as sagean Dan farming round up. Thanks the Sergeant. Dan
Stock Food's based here in good Bruce. How's everything in
Kelso this afternoon?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Good afternoon, another breezy day in Paradise, Andy. You think
there wouldn't be much win left in the sky that's
been bowing the last two and a half months, but
it appears that's not the case.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
You'll be growing good levels of grass.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Yeah, no, it's not too bad. We've actually made the
decision we're going to top some of our second round
again because the first lot of the part of the
first the first part of the first round we topped,
has sort of gone to seed again, so we're nipping
that off as we go, which we'll go forward it
in a couple of weeks. That was the right decision.
(01:01):
But there is a few week days in the forecast
and the immediate future, so hopefully we've made the right call.
But yeah, it's still growing. The summer or the winter
crops are poked out of the ground and that now
and the maze is bolting ahead in this hot pine weather.
So yeah, things are definitely grown.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
So how would you put the situation feed wise compared
to say, twelve months ago.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Oh, I'd think we're in a better spot where we've
made well made the first round of silage in that
and funnily enough, I thought we were a bit earlier
this year, but the day after we've done it, it
came up on memories to say that we've made silage
the following day the previous year. So we're on about
par but it's definitely still growing now.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You're maze as well.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Is interesting because you're one of the first people around
the area to try it truth to be known, and
you're doing it each year.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
You think it's got a place.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, yeah, I wouldn't say one of the first, but
we've got on the bandwagon, so this will be year three.
So yet, No, we've decided it's it's a regular part
of air farming operation and rotation now, so it was
in it was on four days later this year than
last year, but sill conditions and weather conditions since they've
(02:20):
been ten times better. So we've had an amazing strike
and you know, it's it's looking great, so who knows
that can change, but it doesn't mind if it's it's
dry and hot, so either way we'll be a winner.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
It's interesting though, because we've always got told South and
wasn't the right climate for maze. You almost needed like
a lean land Ninia weather ped and coming through every
year being hot and windy. But I think last season
told us anything.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
But yeah, well it's the hybrid, the hybrid Maze. Now
we're obviously the technology and the breeding of the plants
that they can. They've managed to come up with a
couple of varieties that thrive in the south here in
their difficult conditions. But yeah, like I said, we're third
year into it. I think there's another go out here
(03:08):
is about five years into it, so yeah, it's probably
here to stay or say for the foreseeable future.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Now you're robustic milking set up, you've got there, it's
just ticked over two years.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yes, yep. First milk went away on the third eighth
of December twenty twenty three, so time flies. So yeah,
I know we're we're very happy with the decision to
go down that route. So KOs in the air really
kicking goal. They had to look up yesterday. The top
k was actually yesterday down sixty seven liters. Would you
(03:41):
believe it. So that is she's fear trucking, and so
she'll be on for a good record and that So
the good thing is we can hold the we can
hold the production and letting the milk curve. I suppose
you could say in the regard of they're not at
the mercy of the dry whether outside the lack of feed,
(04:02):
the stage of the grass, or the lack of So yeah,
it's it's very good for a consistent milk flow. So yeah,
I know we're very happy with the decision.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So how would you rate the farming year from your
leans Bruce?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Out of ten overall, when you take into account the
milk price and the weather and all the other outside noise,
I'd probably give it an eight. Here on farm, you know,
we've had a few struggles through the spring, like most
and that, but obviously the power shortage there for a
(04:41):
while and the damage from the wind we weren't too bad.
But obviously a lot of people got scheduled. So I'd
give it a solid seven point seven five, let's say,
all up, but no, there's not too much to complain about.
And at the end of the day, who listens if
you can plain anyway?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
That's pretty much about it.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
So as far as the GDTs, there's another one j
before Christmas. You're pretty relaxed about the situation as such.
I wouldn't say relaxed, but you're pretty as a matter
of fact.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
It is what it does.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Well, you know how I roll. My job is to
get the milky out of the cares. It's frontier and
everybody else's job to get the most money they can
for it. So odds on it could drop the way
it's looking, but you know, it is what it is.
I suppose that's pretty much Bruce is saying, isn't it
When it comes to GDT. Five years ago nobody knew
(05:33):
what it was and now every tirement it's on, it's
on the national news. So it's obviously a big part
of the New Zealand economy and New Zealand psyche at
the moment. But like I've always said, we control what
we can and the outside forces and markets in the
world they have the biggest bearing on everything. So it
(05:55):
sounds like we're going to take a drop. Obviously, not
as bad as friends in the UK I spoke to
last week. They just lost another eight cents off their
milk price. They obviously parleeter, but you know that's I
think my friend said they were down to eleven cents or
something in the last month and a half, so that's
quite a big hit to take. So at least we've
(06:16):
got a bit of forecast and they can give us
a bit more of a heads up at what's coming.
But I'm still reasonably positive that we're going to be
another good player. I mean, need a thing with a
niner is good. It wasn't that many years ago. It
was a season and we thought that was good. So
we've probably just got bigger expectations nowadays that we hit
that magic team.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Pro sed of Kelso you, Tanyre and the kids have
a good Chris Fist of season. Always appreciated your time
on the Muster and we'll talk again next year.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, no, thanks Andy for having us on. I hope
we haven't bored the listeners too much with my ramblings
and that, but it's been good to chew the fat
and I hope everybody has a safe and merry Christmas
in New Year, and we get some rain when we
need rain the sunshines, We're gonna have a barbecue and
go for a s one and we'll catch us all
again next year.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Bruce Eed of Cowso and the Sergeant Dan Farming roundup,
remembering text Vets South to five double O nine to
keep yourself in the draw for the Master Christmas Giveaway.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
A salute to the farmers. That's of course, thanks to.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Vet South for the day's prize and the Cargo MP
and Monster for the environment.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Penny Simmons is next
Bruce Seed Farms at Kelso and joins us this afternoon
as sagean Dan farming round up. Thanks the Sergeant. Dan
Stock Food's based here in good Bruce. How's everything in
Kelso this afternoon?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Good afternoon, another breezy day in Paradise, Andy. You think
there wouldn't be much win left in the sky that's
been bowing the last two and a half months, but
it appears that's not the case.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
You'll be growing good levels of grass.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Yeah, no, it's not too bad. We've actually made the
decision we're going to top some of our second round
again because the first lot of the part of the
first the first part of the first round we topped,
has sort of gone to seed again, so we're nipping
that off as we go, which we'll go forward it
in a couple of weeks. That was the right decision.
(01:01):
But there is a few week days in the forecast
and the immediate future, so hopefully we've made the right call.
But yeah, it's still growing. The summer or the winter
crops are poked out of the ground and that now
and the maze is bolting ahead in this hot pine weather.
So yeah, things are definitely grown.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
So how would you put the situation feed wise compared
to say, twelve months ago.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Oh, I'd think we're in a better spot where we've
made well made the first round of silage in that
and funnily enough, I thought we were a bit earlier
this year, but the day after we've done it, it
came up on memories to say that we've made silage
the following day the previous year. So we're on about
par but it's definitely still growing now.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
You're maze as well.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Is interesting because you're one of the first people around
the area to try it truth to be known, and
you're doing it each year.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
You think it's got a place.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, yeah, I wouldn't say one of the first, but
we've got on the bandwagon, so this will be year three.
So yet, No, we've decided it's it's a regular part
of air farming operation and rotation now, so it was
in it was on four days later this year than
last year, but sill conditions and weather conditions since they've
(02:20):
been ten times better. So we've had an amazing strike
and you know, it's it's looking great, so who knows
that can change, but it doesn't mind if it's it's
dry and hot, so either way we'll be a winner.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
It's interesting though, because we've always got told South and
wasn't the right climate for maze. You almost needed like
a lean land Ninia weather ped and coming through every
year being hot and windy. But I think last season
told us anything.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
But yeah, well it's the hybrid, the hybrid Maze. Now
we're obviously the technology and the breeding of the plants
that they can. They've managed to come up with a
couple of varieties that thrive in the south here in
their difficult conditions. But yeah, like I said, we're third
year into it. I think there's another go out here
(03:08):
is about five years into it, so yeah, it's probably
here to stay or say for the foreseeable future.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Now you're robustic milking set up, you've got there, it's
just ticked over two years.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Yes, yep. First milk went away on the third eighth
of December twenty twenty three, so time flies. So yeah,
I know we're we're very happy with the decision to
go down that route. So KOs in the air really
kicking goal. They had to look up yesterday. The top
k was actually yesterday down sixty seven liters. Would you
(03:41):
believe it. So that is she's fear trucking, and so
she'll be on for a good record and that So
the good thing is we can hold the we can
hold the production and letting the milk curve. I suppose
you could say in the regard of they're not at
the mercy of the dry whether outside the lack of feed,
(04:02):
the stage of the grass, or the lack of So yeah,
it's it's very good for a consistent milk flow. So yeah,
I know we're very happy with the decision.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So how would you rate the farming year from your
leans Bruce?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Out of ten overall, when you take into account the
milk price and the weather and all the other outside noise,
I'd probably give it an eight. Here on farm, you know,
we've had a few struggles through the spring, like most
and that, but obviously the power shortage there for a
(04:41):
while and the damage from the wind we weren't too bad.
But obviously a lot of people got scheduled. So I'd
give it a solid seven point seven five, let's say,
all up, but no, there's not too much to complain about.
And at the end of the day, who listens if
you can plain anyway?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
That's pretty much about it.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
So as far as the GDTs, there's another one j
before Christmas. You're pretty relaxed about the situation as such.
I wouldn't say relaxed, but you're pretty as a matter
of fact.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
It is what it does.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Well, you know how I roll. My job is to
get the milky out of the cares. It's frontier and
everybody else's job to get the most money they can
for it. So odds on it could drop the way
it's looking, but you know, it is what it is.
I suppose that's pretty much Bruce is saying, isn't it
When it comes to GDT. Five years ago nobody knew
(05:33):
what it was and now every tirement it's on, it's
on the national news. So it's obviously a big part
of the New Zealand economy and New Zealand psyche at
the moment. But like I've always said, we control what
we can and the outside forces and markets in the
world they have the biggest bearing on everything. So it
(05:55):
sounds like we're going to take a drop. Obviously, not
as bad as friends in the UK I spoke to
last week. They just lost another eight cents off their
milk price. They obviously parleeter, but you know that's I
think my friend said they were down to eleven cents or
something in the last month and a half, so that's
quite a big hit to take. So at least we've
(06:16):
got a bit of forecast and they can give us
a bit more of a heads up at what's coming.
But I'm still reasonably positive that we're going to be
another good player. I mean, need a thing with a
niner is good. It wasn't that many years ago. It
was a season and we thought that was good. So
we've probably just got bigger expectations nowadays that we hit
that magic team.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Pro sed of Kelso you, Tanyre and the kids have
a good Chris Fist of season. Always appreciated your time
on the Muster and we'll talk again next year.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah, no, thanks Andy for having us on. I hope
we haven't bored the listeners too much with my ramblings
and that, but it's been good to chew the fat
and I hope everybody has a safe and merry Christmas
in New Year, and we get some rain when we
need rain the sunshines, We're gonna have a barbecue and
go for a s one and we'll catch us all
again next year.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Bruce Eed of Cowso and the Sergeant Dan Farming roundup,
remembering text Vets South to five double O nine to
keep yourself in the draw for the Master Christmas Giveaway.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
A salute to the farmers. That's of course, thanks to.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Vet South for the day's prize and the Cargo MP
and Monster for the environment.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Penny Simmons is next
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.