Hi all! We haven't updated in quite some time, and we have had many changes since our last blog! Kevin has accepted a job on the south island near Christchurch for the upcoming season. He will be managing alongside the farm owner on a 650 cow dairy. This is exactly the kind of job we were looking for, as it allows us to continue learning the Kiwi way of dairy farming while getting back into managing. The farm is very nice with a new 54 bail rotary and a new calf shed that is being built this week. Jennifer will be working on the farm starting in August when calving starts. This farm is a welcome change for us, as it is in the top 2% in milk production in New Zealand and we feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work here. We are trying to quickly learn the farm as the farm owner, Neville, is having heart surgery in May. He will be recovering for 6 weeks and we will need to mange the farm in his absence. This part of the country is VERY different from where we were on the north island. The farm is situated on the Canterbury Plains and is completely flat. We are irrigating all of our paddocks, as well as any crops that are grown in this area. The farm we are on happens to sit on the fault line from the September 2010 earthquake. So we now have a 1 meter high ridge that runs across the farm and some "jogs" in the roads that used to be straight! The September earthquake was nothing in comparison to the one that hit Christchurch in February. We had the opportunity to walk around Christchurch yesterday and view some of the damage. It is such a shame to see such a beautiful and historic city crumble. We have a beautiful new brick home to live in across from the farm. It has 3 bedrooms and an office. Quite large for the two of us, but we are grateful to have such a nice place to live. It is quickly becoming our home away from home. We have a great view of the Southern Alps from our dining and living room windows. We woke last week to find them covered in snow for the first time this season. We live only a 30 minute drive from Christchurch, which is great for us with everything we could need or want so close by. Our trip home in April has be postponed until July 5 due to Neville's surgery. We will be home for 3 weeks and are looking forward to seeing as many of you as we can! Here are some photos of the farm, our house and our view! Miss you all!
