In a new blog, renowned young farmer, Tom Everall, AKA Tom the young farmer, talks about his farming lfie and his travels to new Zealand.
Arriving on the other side of the world, I was full of excitement for this new chapter of my life; I had made it here after months of planning and waiting, and quickly decided that I was not ready to get into work, so booked myself onto the Kiwi Experience tour around the country. Being on my own, this turned out to be a great decision, and I got to meet new people from all backgrounds and countries, all whilst seeing the incredible scenery and culture this country has to offer.
I was fortunate enough to be able to hop off the tour and meet up with my family connections dotted around the North Island.
Meeting my family - most of whom I had never met before - was a complete joy. I was welcomed with open arms, and really made me feel like I had a home away from home out here.
I spent Christmas with my second cousin Kathy and her husband, Murray, who fortunately for me worked on a dairy farm, giving me my first crack at some Kiwi farming - after a month or so away from cows, I was keen to get back in the milking parlour and learn how they milked.
Other than the cows being half the size of what I am used to at home, I was also surprised at the paddock set ups they have here and how they are managed. On this farm the majority of paddocks were all the same size and they had two main herds in a rotation around them mob grazing. This method of grazing is widely used around New Zealand and is simple and effective - apart from the initial costs of the fences and getting water and power to the paddocks, maintenance is the only additional cost.
I would like put some paddocks in back home, and while they would not suite all our ground, with some fields in a rotation with cereal crops, I could see them improving our grass management and productivity on permanent pastures greatly.
After a small taste of farming over here, I continued with my exploration of the county and got a flight down to the south island for New Year. To anyone who is considering travelling or working in New Zealand, Queenstown is the place to be, especially at New Year.
Here I met with many friends and fellow young farmers from back home, and saw in 2023 in style in the worlds adventure capital.
After a long weekend partying I caught a lift up to the Canterbury plains, stopping off at the Wanaka Rodeo. In the scorching January sun we witnessed some of the countrys best bull riders hang on for dear life - this was my first experience of a rodeo. It really is brilliant to watch in person, the videos you see online do not give it justice and it is a shame we donot have the sport back home in the UK.
After a couple days staying with friends in Canterbury I made my way to Christchurch to meet my two best mates from back home, who I had convinced to join me on the bus tour of the south island for three weeks.
Touring the South Island was breathtaking; the scenery really stands out, with stunning mountains and crystal clear lakes it is hard to keep your camera away. The three weeks flew by with memories and friendships to last a life time, and I loved every second of my time traveling - I was certainly hungry for more in the future, however, my bank balance was telling me work was to be my next endeavour.
I had decided if I was to work anywhere it would be where the majority of my British friends were based, and this was the Canterbury region - a huge, ridiculously flat area with dairy and arable being the predominant farming types. I headed down the dairy path, and posted an advert that I was looking for work on a Canterbury farming Facebook page. I was met with a dozen replies in the first afternoon alone.
I was spoilt for choice and it is a good incentive for anyone wanting to work out here - no matter your experience, work is very easy to find whether it be just for a season or longer.
Look out for the next blog all about the differences between UK farming and farming in New Zealand - and Toms renewed passion for the industry
