The Ashburton District in Mid Canterbury is a world away from the bustling Kurukshetra district in Haryana, India, where dairy farmer Kuljeet Singh grew up.

With a population nearing one million and summer temperatures soaring to 47°C, Kurukshetra is a stark contrast to the frosty winters and rolling pastures of Chertsey.

“In India, we were small-scale cropping farmers with just six hectares,” Singh says. “We grew wheat and rice, so moving to New Zealand and working with cows was a complete change for me.”

Singh initially arrived in New Zealand to study business management, but a friend introduced him to dairy farming—and he was hooked.

“I’m made for dairy farming.

“I have a connection with cows. I know when they’re in pain or not feeling right.”

Now in his second year managing Penbridge Farm—a 725-cow property owned by James and Lynley Procter—Singh lives on-site with his wife Lovepreet and their two children.

Over the past decade, he’s worked his way up from farm assistant to manager and recently celebrated placing third in the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) Farm Manager category.

Singh has entered the NZDIA for the past three years and says the experience has been life changing.

“When I started dairy farming, I had no connections—just a few friends.

“I had passion, but no idea how to progress. The awards helped me see a pathway forward,” he said.

“Now I have contacts with accountants, bankers, and farm advisors, and I can see how to get from manager to farm ownership.”

Animal welfare is at the core of Singh’s management plan.

“If you look after the cow, she’ll give you her best,” he said.

“We focus on body condition, energy intake, and reduce stress.

“For example, if a cow is too skinny, we dry her off or put her on once-a-day milking.”

Productivity on the farm has improved dramatically.

“With help from CowManager technology, we’ve improved our in-calf rate by 10%.

“It’s been very beneficial for mating, feeding, and overall cow health,” he explains.

“We also made big gains in pasture harvest after changing our fertiliser policy last year.”

Staff wellbeing is a  priority.

“Staff are key to our success—I think of them as assets.

“We use a six-two roster, and everyone gets a decent lunch break,” Singh said. “

I believe in good training so staff can make confident, informed decisions.”

Communication, however, remains one of Singh’s biggest challenges.

“I knew a bit of English when I arrived in 2013, but I never used it to talk to people.”

“I worked with a tutor in India to improve, and I feel more confident now, but I’m still learning.”

Singh and his wife had an arranged marriage and then moved to New Zealand together. The isolation during Covid-19 was tough, especially when they couldn’t return to India to visit sick family.

“My mother fell ill during Covid and I couldn’t go back. That was a hard journey for me. “Homesickness is a real challenge—not just for us, but for all immigrants.”

Looking ahead, Singh is focused on future-proofing the farm for the next generation.

“We’re very careful about what we put into our land and waterways. I want to farm in a way that’s sustainable for the long term.”

He also encourages young farmers to enter the Dairy Industry Awards.

“It’s a great way to make connections and see a future path. And Primary ITO is another excellent way to upgrade your farming skills.”

by Claire Inkson