Business Central July 2021

36 | T T to page 38 “We’re very well positioned to produce energy, be carbon neutral, element stable, milk price hedging, cash returning, flexible, inter-generational agri- businesses.” Dynamic and sustainable farming T T Richard Loader Embracing a milking platform of 244 hectares and a 53 hectare support block, Waka Dairies has 650 kiwi cross cows, each producing 650 kilograms of milk solids annually. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tararua - Waka Dairies I n the sixteen years Michael Phillips has been working for his family’s Tararua dairy farm, Waka Dairies, he has observed a massive shift within the industry in respect to the care of the animals and land. The industry and individual farmers have been exposed to a continual shift in respect to environmental management, animal welfare, and health and safety — to name but a few! While Michael supports the principles of those changes, he says the speed and sheer weight of the dynamic required to shift within the industry has been exhausting. But with Tararua’s large dairy and food production sector, Michael believes the region has weathered the storm of changes very well. “Waka Dairies has been fortunate that the farming system changes and investment in physical assets have resulted in multiple layers of positive benefits throughout animal welfare, environmental effect, farm perfor - mance and staff wellbeing. But if we’d got that wrong we would be in a very different position.” Telling the story of dairy farming and rein- forcing to its customers and the public that the industry is a clean, efficient and modern custodian of land and producers of food is key sustenance for those who work in the industry. “The public’s perception of dairy farmers is not correct and I feed off that to keep driving forward to change that perception.” Michael says there is a need to voice to the public that as an industry they are not just dairy farmers who sell milk. “We’re very well positioned to produce energy, be carbon neutral, element stable, milk price hedging, cash returning, flexible, inter-generational agri-businesses. These are the things that I’m targeting to be a dynamic and sustainable farming system. “I think dairy farming and Tararua are ex- tremely well placed to prosper in this dynamic, but both need to remain focused and there are plenty of difficult challenges ahead.” Michael suggests if Tararua could focus on growing the skill set required to manage the land, environment, animal well-being and sustainably produce high quality foods, then what a wonderful region to be in. “This ethos stands nationally too, not just regionally. There is such a high skill level need- ed to run our business at all levels throughout the industry and it is in short supply.” For all your Rural Transport needs 027 688 2081 • orders@bealetrucking.co.nz “For the real deal call Beale”