16 | nzdairy Sustainable farm Kim Newth DAIRY PEOPLE » Aquila Sustainable Farms New Zealand’s largest single supplier of organic milk, Southland’s Aquila Sustainable Farming (ASF), has expanded its land portfolio to help meet the challenges of successive drought years in the region. Originally, ASF’s Southland operation comprised six organic dairy units and two run-off blocks. Now two more run-offs – at Tokanui and Waimahaka – have been added to provide an additional safeguard for dry conditions. “When the drought hit last year, our buffers were significantly hit and our winter feed was affected,” says Jason Craig, ASF Compliance Leader. “We have to wait until it’s declared as a drought to be able to purchase feed that is still suitable for our farming style. That reaffirmed our need to plan for future scenarios. We now lease two prime run-off blocks from local farmers running an organic system with a view to grazing young stock and cows. We can also do ‘cut and carry’: cut grass and bring that supplement back to increase our buffers.” The Tokanui block has a lot to offer young stock, with ASF planning to shift farming of young stock from a hilly property in Tuatapere to Tokanui. Along with the land portfolio review, ASF has been moving quickly over the past two years to make the most of good opportunities in the A2 organic milk market. “We were seeing growth in that very niche market for A2 organic milk and took the decision to use our own breeding programme to support more A2 replacements,” says Jess Craig, ASF General Manager. “We went to the market to make up the shortfall, buying in good quality A2 cows that we could convert to organic and bring them into our system.” From 60% of their organic cows being A2 to start with, the percentage is now 90% organic A2 with eight of the nine milking sheds now also converted for organic A2. Only one of the farms is now A1. Using their own replacements will naturally enable full conversion to A2 organic milk over the next three or four years. Apart from a small amount of grain fed in the shed, ASF’s medium-input system is grass and pas- “We now lease two prime run-off blocks from local farmers running an organic system with a view to grazing young stock and cows,” says Jason Craig, ASF Compliance Leader. Jess Craig, ASF General Manager, says ASF is moving quickly to make the most of good opportunities in the A2 organic milk market by using its own breeding programme to support more A2 replacements. Barrett Ag Ltd Ph: Kahu - 027 5183 448 E: barrettagltd@gmail.com FB: Barrett Ag FULL SILAGE AND BALEAGE SERVICE ALL CULTIVATION Including direct drill and strip tilling - precision planting EXCAVATION 20 tonne digger/grader, D85 bulldozer/roller, tip trucks and trailers We are your locally owned and operated payroll specialists. • Payroll Outsourcing • Payroll Advice and Consultations • Payroll Training • Payroll Reviews and Remediations • Holidays Act 2003 Enquiries Call us today on 021 180 2255 - www.paycheck.nz www.paycheck.nz info@paycheck.nz or check us out on Facebook! ture driven. Organic fertiliser and organic products are only applied when needed, with this bespoke approach putting soil fertility on a very positive upward trajectory. Sustainable farming for ASF is centred on people, animals and the environment. Farm managers are empowered to make decisions that work well for their own teams. During last year’s drought, one of the farm managers trialled a 10/7 milking system to alleviate pressure on staff and stock, after having attended a session on 10/7 at the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) in Ashburton. Staff well-being improved as a result and the drop in milk production was very limited. “When we get into a dry period, that farm can now use that 10/7 system as part of its toolbox,” observes Jason. Aquila employs 36 full-time staff and supports their farm teams to pursue training and development. Within the ASF group are farm managers who started out as dairy farm assistants and herd managers. Staff retention remains very high.
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