34 | Improved feeding and new revenue streams The farm uses a Cobra Travelling Rain Gun irrigation system, which achieves low application depths and rates for compliance. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Te Wae Wae Herringbone Te Wae Wae Dairies in Southland is continuing to lift performance through improved feed strategies and new revenue streams from alternative calf markets, as the large-scale operation targets higher production and system efficiency. The 583-hectare dairy business milking around 1,700 cows across two units is owned by a syndicate and operated by FarmRight, an agribusiness investment manager. Te Wae Wae Dairies operations manager Andrew Hazlett, the 2024 Dairy Farm Manager of the Year for Otago/ Southland, says the focus remains on doing the basics exceptionally well. “We are aiming to produce an extra 30,000 kilograms of milksolids this season through optimal feeding, high-quality baleage to cover feed deficits and strong attention to detail across the system,” says Andy. “Staff training has also been strengthened to support this. The focus is on doing things as best we can.” A key area of development has been creating alternative markets for bobby calves that would traditionally have been sent to bobby trucks. Andrew has led efforts to establish local buyers for Friesian and Hereford calves, achieving significantly better returns for the business. “We sold 110 calves at around $100 per head last season and the target is more than 200 this year. Word-of-mouth demand has helped build a returning customer base and I’ve been very proactive at spreading the word locally. This also reflects a broader farm philosophy of reducing bobby calves.” Health and safety and operational systems have also been overhauled across the farm, with Andrew prioritising a stronger workplace culture and improved digital reporting. He says the business has moved from being bottom ranked within FarmRight to fourth, with an aim of reaching the top position as the largest single farm in the group. The Onside platform is now used for digital sign-ins, hazard recording and daily communication, helping make safety practices routine. Calving systems have also been redesigned to reduce fatigue, including dedicated calf feeders and changes to routines during bad weather to improve animal welfare and survival rates. The farm uses a Cobra Travelling Rain Gun irrigation system, which achieves low application depths and rates for compliance, large distance spread, lower labour input, is easy to move around and irrigates larger volumes per hour. It is supported by two effluent ponds, each providing 120-day storage capacity. Environmental work includes riparian planting of 2–3 hectares of pines. Andrew says he is looking at recording the herd and DNA testing to improve genetics. BALING SPECIALISTS 027 222 0991 “We’re hoping to start that shortly. We’ll be able to understand the genetics and what’s in our herd and what we can breed from. Better cows, better production.” Andrew says he wants to see where his career can progress, including opportunities to oversee more farms in future. “Te Wae Wae Dairies, working closely with FarmRight, is a great company to work for and there’s certainly plenty of room for career growth.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=