20 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Kim Turner Leading the way on reduced nitrogen use Bernadette Cooney In July 2021, the New Zealand Government implemented a cap on the application of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser for land grazed by livestock. However, four years prior to the regulatory change Wairarapa Moana Incorporation, a Maoriowned and led dairy producer in South Waikato, took proactive steps toward sustainability by trialling reduced nitrogen use on one of its dairy blocks in Mangakino. The results were positive enough that it is now a permanent operating procedure for Farm 4 and is likely to be rolled out across the other 11 dairy farms, says senior farm manager Kim Turner. “Farm Four, is known as a high efficiency-high care farm. Which means while our other dairy blocks use 190kgN per hectare per year (which is the cap), Farm Four has been using less at 150kgN per on irrigated land and 90kgN on non-irrigated, which averages 95kgN/ha across the farm.” Starting her seventh season on-farm, Kim says the data proved the trial was working. “In comparison to our other dairy blocks, I apply less nitrogen, yet I have the better breeding worth cows on my farm,” Kim says. Reduced nitrogen usage had not compromised pasture quality, rather it has contributed to improved soli quality and nutrient cycling. “There’s plenty of lush green grass about,” she says as she surveys the flat to rolling clover landscape, her 980-cow herd graze upon. Farm Four, bordered by Mitchell, Scott and Waipapa roads is one of 12 dairy farms across 3838ha, two dairy support units totalling 1219 ha at Mangakino plus a 6140ha forestry block and a separate 370ha dairy support unit near Rotorua - that Wairarapa Moana Incorporation (WMI) own and operate. Tank track shelterbelts and shed. WMI run all Kiwi Cross dairy breeds throughout, a cross between Holstein-Friesian and Jersey, and an increasingly popular dairy breed. Farm Four consistently gets around 430,000kg/MS peak herd, per year. Replacement heifers receive 14 days of artificial insemination using L.I.C A2 semen with bulls following up. Mixed age cows are mated for 10.5 weeks in total starting with six weeks of artificial insemination. WMI milks a total of 12,100 cows and its dairy support units rear around 2500 heifers each season. “We’re gearing up for drying off our early calving cows and lighter body condition cows in time for April, before we prepare them for start of calving at the end of July.” Farm Fours workforce includes four women and Kim encourages more women to consider a career “In comparison to our other dairy blocks, I apply less nitrogen, yet I have the better breeding worth cows on my farm.” in dairying. “I prefer them because I find they have better attention to detail and are better with the animals. More patient.” Each farm has its own 54 bale rotary milking shed and all milk collected is sent to Miraka dairy processing plant near Taupo. WMI are a cornerstone shareholder of Miraka, New Zealand’s second largest Maori-owned export business. It processes over 300 million litres of milk per year supplying $300 million of premium dairy products annually to global markets. Miraka is also a trailblazer in the utilisation of renewable energy. Powered by geothermal, Miraka sets a global precedent for environmentally conscious dairy processing. At the heart of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s success lies the principle of Kaitiakitanga, which encompasses the responsible guardianship of resources for the benefit of people, place and future. Bluegrass Contracting is proud to support Kim Turner 07 348 3628 | 19White St, Rotorua | www.abcmilkingsolutions.co.nz Wairarapa Moana Farm No 4
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