NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

| 55 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Earnslaw Pamu ‘Making a change for better’ • from page 54 organic dairy products internationally, Pamu is looking to convert more of its farms to organic. Other farms in the pastoral group that Earnslaw is a part of – Burgess, Mayflower and Broadlands - are in the process of converting. There are also organic farms in the Pamu Moutoa complex in Levin. Currently the organic milk being produce is sent to Fonterra, but Pamu eventually hopes to use the milk in its own brands of organic milk products as part of the bigger picture. Glenn says that farming organically has made him a better farmer: “It’s been challenging and I’ve grown a lot as a farmer, trying lots of different ideas. While Earnslaw and Tasman Dairy Unit at Moutoa Com- plex in Levin were the first, it’s now great to be part of other Pamu farms going organic, sharing ideas and how we do things. It’s really exciting to see other farms come on board and hopefully making a change for the better.” Photos: Cows in for morning milking and a birdseye view of Earnslaw Organic Farm looking towards Mount Tauhara and Taupo. 16 Miro Street Taupo office@mainlandeng.co.nz • Dairy shed milking plant and water systems • General engineering for the agricultural sector • Feeding systems for herringbone and rotary sheds If you have any questions please contact: MPTA President, Gary Reilly gary.reilly@onfarmagri.com Vice-President, Craig Burrows cburrows@dairymaster.co.nz Global food manufacturing has undergone massive changes in recent years with global population growth creating a greater reliance on imported food sources for some countries. With this greater reliance comes increased scrutiny from these markets and compliance is critical to maintain relationships and markets open for NZ exports. There is now a greater focus on animal health and wellbeing. A key on-farm component of this is the milking plant and making sure that it is not creating cow discomfort or harm. NZ was a pioneer with the development of the ‘Milking Machine Test’ to assess the function of the milking machine to the accepted industry standards. As time has moved on the adoption of an ISO testing standard internationally has evolved, creating a gap between the NZ Milking Machine Test and International ISO Tests. The NZ Milking & Pumping Trade Association (MPTA), who manage the Milking Machine Tester’s education and assessor training in NZ, have been working to align NZ milking machine tests with the ISO platform and from 1st March 2022 all milking machine tests must be completed to the new MPTA ISO Milking Machine Testing Standards. • To align New Zealand milking machine testing methods with international testing standards. • For MPTA to maintain the single point authority as Regulator of milking systems performance and the Accreditation Body for Registered Milking Machine Testers throughout New Zealand. • To protect our industry and the NZ dairy export market for the future by using the same test as those international markets we are trading in. • To anticipate the development of test equipment capable of automating the testing process, which will no doubt be developed in ISO format. • Some additional test ports may be required to be fitted in some dairy sheds. • Your Milking Machine Dealer or Technician will be able to advise what test ports are required and at what cost, and will be able to fit the test ports in place. • These fittings will need to be in place for all milking machine tests completed from 1st March 2022. Changes are happening to the way Milking Machine Testing will be completed Why the change? How does this affect the FarmDairy?