| 41 Future proo ng focus for diverse business Karen Phelps Stanley Brothers has just completed signi cant upgrades to its farm ef uent system. “Ef uent application is very controlled and directive. All our ef uent application is via a dribble bar system on the back of a tractor on a GPS auto steer with ow meters. We know where it went, how much and when it was applied. This is combined with soil sensors to measure moisture content so we know the best part of the farm to put it on,” explains farm manager Karl Stanley. It’s yet another example of Stanley Brothers’ focus on harnessing the powers of technology to farm smarter and meet environmental regulations. It saw the business awarded the agri-science award at the 2020 Ballance Farm Environments Awards with the judges praising the operation’s commitment to adopting new technologies to address potential environmental impacts created by its farming activities. The business also won the soil management award. Karl says it is all part of the family’s focus on future-proo ng its operation. The Stanleys have owned the 133ha farm at Oaonui, on the coast near Opunake, for over 70 years. The business is diverse and comprises a highly productive piggery, cropping and cattle-fattening operation. The family involved are Noel and Susie Stanley, Ron and Kathy Stanley, and Karl (son of Noel) and Nicola Stanley. Staff includes a piggery manager and three additional workers. The piggery is the lynchpin of the business and Stanley Brothers supplies Wilson Hellaby, which operates a specialty pork processing plant at Ruakura in Waikato. Stanley Brothers has around 410 sows producing about 28 pigs per sow each year. There can be up to 3,800 pigs at various stages in their farm system. The move to maize production is another indicator of their strong environmental focus when they transitioned this land from dairy. They produce around 38ha of maize for local farmers utilising the precious fertiliser provided by their pigs. Karl says the aim is for a closed system – where anything generated on the farm is utilised, preferably to produce more income, rather than wasted. The maize is fertilised 100% by their natural fertiliser. They also produce around 2000 bales of baleage and hay. “It creates a win-win as it also helps our clients to reduce their nitrate use by purchasing our grain rather than growing it on their own land with arti cial fert. It’s about thinking of the bigger picture of what comes in and what goes out of the farm. It’s the way of the future.” The family also strives to ensure their waterways are protected and all are fully fenced with riparian planting complete. A 20ha wetland area has also been fenced off. “It’s the duty of a farmer to take care of the land and I believe farmers always have RURAL PEOPLE » Stanley Brothers the intention to do that.” They are also transitioning the lighting system in their piggery to LED and seriously looking at the possibility of a biogas system to generate at least half of their electricity from the pig ef uent to, once again, make the most of that by-product. Other farm improvements have been undertaken to comply with regulations to produce pork humanely and to the highest standards. This saw Stanley Brother’s invest over $3 million dollars to re-develop their piggery including farrowing crates to prevent piglets being crushed, and pens that can house groups of up to 10 sows. Stanley Brothers has space to build two new grower sheds but, now more regulatory changes are afoot, it is in limbo waiting to see what the future of the industry holds. YOUR ELECTRICAL AND REFRIGERATION SPECIALISTS ALL WIRING FOR COWSHEDS AND HOUSES NEW AND RENOVATION WORK REFRIGERATION FOR MILK VATS AIRCON AND HEAT PUMPS Okato 06 752 4084 Stratford 06 765 4499 Hawera 06 274 8084 Electrical & Refrigeration Ltd Opunake 761 8084 Sinclair Pleased to be working together with Stanley Bros The 133ha farm at Opunake includes a highly productive piggery, cropping and cattle-fattening operation. waterways are protected and all are fully fenced with riparian planting complete. A 20ha wetland area has also been fenced off. 200a Lower Kina Rd, Opunake Kieran Young 0276432721 i , • Trailer work • Steel & tyre roller il l ll • Roller drill • Direct drill ll ill i ill All your round silage & hay bale requirements. ll il l i .
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