| 15 RURAL PEOPLE » Drumderg Farm From a sheep farm into a large dairy operation Hewitt, Logan, Natalie, Robson, Mel and Lauren (in front with dog Somerset). Karen Phelps More than a century after it first entered the McKenzie family, Drumderg Farm continues to evolve. Located at Seaward Downs with sweeping views across the Mataura Valley and up to the nearby Fonterra dairy factory it supplies, the operation has grown from its origins as a sheep farm into a large-scale dairy business milking 930 cows across two sheds. The farm first came into the family in 1915 and has steadily expanded over the decades. Logan McKenzie, who was born and raised on the property, says farming has always been part of his life. “Being brought up here gives you a real attachment to the place and a desire to keep improving it for the next generation,” he says. The farm converted from sheep to dairy in 1996 under the stewardship of Logan’s parents, Robert and Barbara. Logan and wife Mel entered the business in 2007 after he completed university studies and gained experience working on other dairy farms as well as for Ravensdown as a field officer. Over time the couple gradually increased their ownership stake before fully taking over the operation in June 2025. A neighbouring dairy farm purchased in 2010, along with additional land acquisitions, helped build the business to its current size of 440ha total/380ha effective. Mel is an artist and sends art around the world from her art studio on the farm. The couple has four kids: Lauren, 17, Natalie, 15, Robson, 12 and Hewitt, 8. Drumderg Farm operates two rotary cow sheds - the original 36-bail rotary built by Logan’s parents and a newer 54-bail rotary. Both have automatic cup removers, Protrack systems and auto teat sprayers. The herd has also changed significantly in recent years. Logan says the move from Friesians to crossbred cows around eight years ago was aimed at improving efficiency in an all-grass farming system. “We wanted to get more hybrid vigour into the herd and improve milk solids production per kilogram of liveweight,” he explains. A major turning point came four winters ago with the construction of a cow barn capable of housing 300 cows. The farm also has a 460-hectare runoff block 15 kilometres away, complete with a wintering barn for 400 cows that is used for grazing both its own and other farmers’ dairy heifers. “We were traditionally a low-cost, low-input farm, but once we built the barn we saw production increases off the same footprint,” explains Logan. “It’s about investing on-farm to do better with what we’ve got while also making life easier.” Feed management has also become more intensive. Last season the herd produced about 425kg of milksolids per cow without supplementary meal feeding. This season, after introducing 550 tonnes of meal including palm kernel, DDG and starchbased feed, production climbed to 490kgMS per cow, totalling 455,000kgMS. “We spent about $300,000 on meal, but with another 60,000kg of milksolids produced the return will be around $540,000 if the payout was $9 so it has been very worthwhile,” says Logan. The business is continuing to invest in technology with the introduction of Halter planned for next season. The virtual fencing system will also be used for winter grazing at the runoff block. “That’s very attractive because it gets extremely wet down here and there’s a huge amount of fencing involved,” explains Logan. “Being able to run smaller mobs and adjust fencing virtually will make things much easier for staff. Let’s just say they are very excited,” he says with a laugh. Drumderg Farm plans to milk about 30 additional cows next season, with Logan focused on maximising returns from the existing land base rather than pursuing further expansion. PH: Nigel 027 231 9631 or Emma 021 160 5977 House Repairs | Alterations | Decks | Sheds | New Homes mobile 0272 488 220 email nathanmcdermott81@icloud.com Proudly Supporting Drumderg Farm Benefits of the system headoffice@cleangreeneffluent.co.nz www.cleangreeneffluent.co.nz FREEPHONE 0800 400 365 • Small foot print • No storage ponds • Fully automated • Low running costs • 0.25mm application / 24 hrs • Low man hours to maintain • 60% fresh water savings • Fully patented system
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