The Rise of Paerata and the fall of farming in Franklin

Tue, 11 Aug 2020

Franklin farmers Steve and Andrea Mills are facing up to the loss of their dairy farm's prize asset, their 50-bale rotary cowshed, which will make way for the fast expanding Paerata Rise township within a year or so.For the Mills, who have been 50:50 sharemilkers for property owner Grafton Downs for the past 15 years, losing the $500,000 milking system is the price of progress.The Fonterra suppliers have already had to cut their dairy cow herd from 560 to 480. Days are numbered also for the attendant five hectare kiwifruit or...

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