Dannevirke: Dairy passion still strong

Tony Haslett, Fonterra's area manager for Hawke's Bay (left), Dannevirke dairy farmer Murray Caswill and Sandra Cordell, the former Fonterra shareholder council representative for Hawke's Bay.

Dannevirke dairy farmer Murray Caswill has made a remarkable 75-year contribution to the dairy industry in our district, as well as to our wider community.

"Murray is a foundation Fonterra farmer networker and one of the most effective ones in the co-op," Tony Haslett, Fonterra's area manager for the Hawke's Bay, said after a special presentation in Dannevirke recently.

Murray, 88, has been milking cows on Top Grass Rd since he was 13, leaving high school after just six months for the dairy shed.

"His passion is dairying," his son Brian told the Dannevirke News. "I've purchased the farm from him, but every morning after milking he comes over to the shed to wash up and he's still quite capable of milking too."

When Murray first arrived on the farm, it still needed to be "stumped" and he took the milk each day by horse and dray to the factory, bringing back whey.

"He's seen dairying go from milking by hand, to walk-through sheds, herringbone sheds and now the rotary on the property, with all the bells and whistles," Brian said.

Dairy farmer of 40 years, Vince Payne said Murray is "inspirational".

"He's a wonderful guy and his commitment and passion for dairying is right up there. Murray has been milking forever and has seen this industry through everything.

Murray Caswill, a dairy farmer for 75 years, remembers the old walk-through cowsheds of an earlier era on a visit to Clive Boyden's museum at Woodville.

"He'll carry on milking until the cows come home, but he's not stuck in his yesterday, he's always going forward."

Vince said Murray's recall of the past and his extensive knowledge has made him one of the most highly respected dairy farmers he knows.

"I've never heard a bad word about him and he is a great mentor to young people. Discussion groups have driven dairying forward and Murray was one of the earliest leaders of the local group."