12 | Technology monitoring cow health key The 204-hectare farm milks 544 cows through a 44-a-side herringbone shed. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Paul Koopal One year after claiming the Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year title and placing third overall nationally at the 2024 Dairy Industry Awards, Paul and Sarah Koopal are reaping substantial benefits from their competition success that extend far beyond the initial recognition. The Koopals, who operate as contract milkers on Paul’s family farm at Rerewhakaaitu, say that their prize of a three-year subscription to CowManager has had great benefits for their operation. “CowManager is collecting data 247,” says Paul. “Being able to use that data to make micro changes to diet in and around the transition period and throughout mating, has been invaluable.” The farm has maintained a 77% six-week in-calf rate and just 10% not in calf rate. The technology continuously monitors cow health, enabling early intervention before issues escalate. “The team receive health alerts on individual cows so we know before it’s obvious that there is something wrong so we can investigate it earlier and get improved outcomes.” explains Paul. “We are saving time in the cowshed as we don’t need to tail paint and CowManager is also integrated with the drafting gate meaning all on heat cows are automatically drafted out every morning.” Another major benefit has been eliminating the need for bulls during mating. “Because Cow Manager does all the heat detection, we now use AB for our whole mating programme and have been able to make strategic mating decisions. Having no bulls on farm also eliminates another biosecurity and health and safety risk,” says Paul. The competition victory has opened numerous doors for the couple. They’ve taken on committee roles helping organise this year’s awards and have been involved with the Share Farmer programme. “It’s been very rewarding giving back to the industry. We were involved from trainees to sharefarmers and it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm and talent coming through,” says Sarah. Their competition profile has also attracted quality staff. “When we won in 2024, a young farm assistant Sophie Kors, was in the audience and sought us out. She is joining our team next season as our farm assistant. It’s a big deal as it’s important for us to get young, enthusiastic and career driven staff,” explains Sarah. Their competition success has not only validated their farming practices but also their approach to staff development. The couple’s employees have experienced their own competition success, with Jessie Pope winning the 2024 Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year and Jasmine Hall taking the trainee title the previous year. “Jessie is going on to help manage a farm in Reporoa. It’s been positive for her to enter the awards as well. Jasmine is studying for a Bachelor of Agriculture. We’re so proud of both of them,” says Sarah. The 204-hectare farm milks 544 cows through a 44-a-side herringbone shed with automatic cup removers, Protrack automatic drafting and automatic teat spray. The couple have focused intensively on genetics, with their herd now ranking nationally in the top 10% to 20% for breeding worth and production worth. “What’s really important to us is our six-week in-calf rate because a tighter calving spread means more days in milk, increased culling options, lower NZ Farmers Livestock proudly supports Paul and Sarah Koopal Working with Farmers for Farmers Michael Conwell Your Local Agent m 027 226 1611 k michael.conwell@nzfll.co.nz replacement numbers, increased days to get back in-calf and reduced greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of milk solids, We are on track to have a record production season,” says Paul. The Koopals are now exploring their most significant opportunity yet - buying into the farm through an equity partnership with Paul’s parents, Stewart and Anne. “The farm has been in the family for almost 60 years,” says Paul, who represents the third generation to run the operation, “so to carry that on is pretty exciting.”
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