| 63 nzdairy Declan and Mackenzie with R1s. Lake Mangahia. DAIRY PEOPLE » PJ Van Dongen On-farm changes for sustainable production Kim Newth When Pieter and Joy van Dongen first took up a 240ha dairy farm around a Waikato peat lake in 2003, they couldn’t even see the lake for all the willows. Their son Peter (known as PJ) and partner Sarah and their two children, who are the next generation at Lakeland Downs, are grateful for all the hard work that Pieter and Joy put in to spray out the willows and establish a large, well-planted riparian buffer zone. PJ and Sarah have carried on where they left off, with two hectares retired a few years ago where the lake inflow is sited. “We’ve dug some new sediment traps to help trap unwanted nutrients and pollutants coming down the drains. It’s about looking after the lake.” Since entering into a farm equity partnership with his parents in 2013, PJ has been running the farm to balance production and environmental goals. From being a System 4 using a lot of PK and maize, Lakeland Downs is now much closer to being a lower input System 2. Farm expansion is providing a useful buffer zone to get through dry periods. “Several years ago, we bought a run-off next door – 112 hectares of a neighbouring farm. Over the last two years we have started grazing 75% of the R2s off farm and increased the dairy platform to 280-hectares. We still keep 25% of the R2s on the home farm. “Having the adjoining run-off means we have a lever we can pull in our system when we need to. Instead of an in-shed feeder, we can walk our OAD herd to a bit of buffer land grazing. It’s working really well.” PJ works closely with his local TSR at Farm Source to finetune cropping and pasture. Maize has been dropped altogether. The farm was previously growing rape but moved away from that after rape scald issues. Lakeland Downs’ summer cropping choice is now 12-15 hectares of drought tolerant Pioneer Bettagraze. “It helps with re-grassing on the platform – only on the peats, not the clay.” The Lakeland Downs’ team comprises a farm manager, 2IC, two farm assistants and a part-time calf rearer. Sarah, who works part-time as a nurse in Hamilton, also assists with calf rearing. The busy couple have two young children, four-year-old Declan, and Mackenzie, aged 2 ½ years. The farm’s 800-cow herd is currently transitioning from Friesians to a crossbred herd with Jersey genetics. “Three years ago, we started putting Jersey strands/bulls in all the Friesian cows. This is our first season with the crossbred heifers in the herd. It has been very successful.” A big plus for the crossbreds is that they are a lighter animal that eats less grass while still maintaining the same milk solids production. “Sarah and I are both really focussed on changing the breed here – it’s about being sustainable moving forward.” While PJ says it’s still too early to predict the impact on total season production, he is feeling optimistic. “They were definitely more active at mating than the Friesians and have done more milk at each herd test. I’ve got fewer cows right now doing under half a kilo.”Good seasonal rainfall is also flowing through into a positive production picture this season. O ce (07) 825 9870 Mace 0275 397 602 Graeme 027 451 8143 Email: admin@gcl.net.nz 525 Te Pahu Road, RD5, Hamilton Goodwright Contracting Ltd is pleased to be associated with PJ Van Dongen Diggers • Bulldozer • Truck & Trailers • Tractor & Trailers • Effluent Ponds • Feed Pads Ground work • Ag Lime & Fert Cartage • All Grades of Metal • Sand Working with Farmers for Farmers All your stock needs in hand Download now Bid, buy, sell online at live auctions. Download the MyLiveStock App today! Mark Mackie | mark.mackie@nzfll.co.nz | 0274515311 MyLiveStock Website | Mobile | App
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