Farmer happy with bigger-than-expected payout

Photo by Sally Rae.
Photo by Sally Rae.
Waitaki Plains dairy farmer Rogan Borrie (pictured) was happy yesterday.

Mr Borrie (28) rushed home from tagging heifers to watch Fonterra's announcement of a 60c increase in the co-operative's 2007/08 forecast payout to $7.90/kg of milksolids, and a record opening forecast of $7 for next season.

"Great'' was his reaction.

Mr Borrie and wife Michelle own a 450-cow dairy farm on 116ha effective at Papakaio and have gone into partnership with another 240ha property at Ikawai, near Waimate.

The couple have three children - Blake (4), Summer (2) and six-week-old Fynn.

The Borrie name has been synonymous with farming on the Waitaki Plains for many years.

Mr Borrie left Waitaki Boys High School shortly after starting his sixth-form year and worked for six months on a dairy farm before heading to Telford Rural Polytechnic.

He spent two years at the polytechnic, completing a certificate in agriculture and then a diploma in agriculture.

After a six-month stint in Australia, he worked as a herd manager on the Waitaki Plains for two years before going contract milking, and later going on to farm ownership.

Mr Borrie said it was a great time to be involved in the dairy industry and expected more conversions.

He did feel for farmers in other sectors of the agricultural industry who were struggling.

"Who's to say in five years time, it's not going to be the other way round,'' he said.

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