NZ Dairy Autumn 2025

Autumn 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Less waste, a reduced environmental footprint and increased productivity through soil-focused partnership and technology - Page 16 Dairy giant gets soil savvy

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NZ Dairy accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #nzdairy #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Aaron and Fiona Campbell �� 03 Adrian and Pauline Ball �� 04 Alastair Neville �� 05 Alpine Dairies �� 06 Aaron Frazer �� 07 Andrew Hazlett and Paul Diprose �� 08 Buttercup Dairies �� 09 Capil Grove Limited �� 10 Celene Taylor �� 12 Cotti Dairy �� 14 Evan Smeath �� 15 Adam Hands 50/50 Sharemilking �� 15 Dairy Holdings Ltd �� 16 Greg McCullough and Buddhiya Alankarage �� 20 Hillbrae �� 22 Ian and Carmen Comins �� 23 Jared Crawford and Paramount Dairies �� 24 Jaspreet Singh - Farm Right �� 25 Fabco Enterprises �� 26 Karl and Jesica Wood �� 27 John and Wendy Allen - Matriarch Genetics �� 28 John Austin Ltd �� 30 Hayden McDonald and Terry Curtis �� 33 Lynden Muggeridge �� 34 Mangorewa Pastures �� 36 Nathan Clough �� 37 Otto Dogterom - North Otago Federated Farmers �� 38 Reece and Natasha Cox �� 39 Richie Martinovich �� 40 Jimmy Gerritsen �� 42 Reshure Farms �� 44 Ross Soffe �� 45 Scott Galletly �� 46 Shane Ardern �� 47 Tim Fransen �� 49 Shortland Farm �� 50 Wairarapa Moana Incorporation �� 52 Murray and Rachel Perks �� 53 Mitchell Dairy Farms Ltd - High Road Farms �� 54 Dev and Joy Thomas �� 55 Harakeke Farm �� 56 Isabella Pannatteire Thornton Park �� 57 Bogaard Farms �� 58 Astra Farms �� 58 Tony and Lesley landers �� 59 Miah Smith - Kere-Ki-Uta �� 60 Scott and Sue Narbey �� 61 Duncan Allison �� 62 Opadadus Farming �� 63 Pinta Dairy Unit �� 64 CCMP �� 65 Barnan Dairy Farm �� 66 ABC Milking Solutions Ltd �� 67 Cambridge Pumps and Filtration �� 68 Marsh Contracting �� 70 Energy Vets Taranaki �� 71 Davidson Engineering �� 74 Illawarra Contracting �� 75 King Farm Services �� 76 Flexi Tanks NZ �� 77 Nind Diary Services �� 78 Sheds Direct �� 80 McGregors Farm Services �� 82 Milktech NZ Ltd �� 83 Paul Franklin - Hawkes Bay Irrigation �� 84 Stock Ezy �� 85 Camco Dairy Services �� 85 Veehof Dairy Services �� 86 Corkill Systems �� 88 Forbes Agri Ltd �� 90 Agritech NZ �� 91 Hanze Farms �� 94 Will and Louise Bailey �� 95 Streamline Holsteins �� 96 Annabelle Scherer �� 98 Bella Vacca Jerseys Ltd �� 99 Jason and Kaylene Bennett �� 100 Mokoia Holsteins �� 101 Te Awa Land Co �� 102 Meadowvale �� 104 12 | Ownership dream will soon be a reality 44 | Making the most of technology 49 | Fourth season as certified organic 09 | People travel from all over to buy raw milk OUR PARTNERS: RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan. OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Alexia Johnston, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Tracey Edwardes, Russell Fredric, Aimee Wilson, Bernadette Cooney, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Rosa Watson, Randall Johnston, Virginia Wright.

| 3 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Aaron and Fiona Campbell Sibling rivalry works well on the farm Richard Loader It’s about work/life balance, people, faith and friendly competition for the Campbell family. Aaron, 50, and Fiona, 46, have three sons, Josh 21, Ethan 19, and Mathew 17, helping run their dairy farm near Bunnythorpe, half way between Feilding and Palmerston North. Sibling rivalry works well on the farm. “They have separate jobs, and all learnt to drive a tractor,” says Aaron. They give each other a hard time if something’s not done right, which saves me a of bit work! Just like their sports, where they compare cricket scores, you still need to get along with your team mates. The common goal: Keeping Dad off your back, getting the job done, and getting paid.” “Our middle son said ‘do we get time and a half today.’ He’s very aware of the stats! says Fiona. “They’re independent and put money aside for school trips etc, and finally have their own cars, so I’m no longer taxi driver.” Aaron has noticed work-life balance improving. Years ago, it was “whatever it takes”. Not taking time off takes its toll. “Having two full-time workers and myself wasn’t working. So now it’s one full-timer, Dave, who’s been with us for six years. He gets Friday and Saturday off, so I have Sunday free. Our eight amazing part-timers can then pick and chose their hours and days to suit. We have cups on at 3.30-4am, finishing at 6.30am, so staff have time to go home and drop kids at school, and an afternoon shift finishing at 4pm. Fiona is a relief teacher in-between doing the flexible roster, accounts, and loves analysing herd records and rearing the calves. The flat 91ha terrain farm, running 380 Friesian light crossbreeds, has an extra leased 70ha which they have improved. “My Dad was a big Friesian/Holstein breeder. He fed his cows on grass only, but a cow needs more to reach her potential. We grow two tonne of our own maize annually, on our System 5 farm. Simon Redmond our nutrition specialist has us feeding a palm kernel molasses mix for gut health. The herringbone 34-aside cow shed was extended from 24 since buying this farm seven years ago, saving 1-1.5 milking hours. We’ve only used A2/A2 bulls for the last decade, and keep things simple and low cost for better returns on investment. This is thanks to advice and assistance from our BNZ banker, Brigit Boon, and long-time accountant, Keith Earl. Our per-cow milk solids have increased from 530 to 550. The couple bounced off each other’s strengths during their 20 years of farming. Fiona from Koputaroa a P.E and Health teacher, met Aaron from Foxton, then an agriculture science teacher at a private MataMata agriculture school. Aaron says his faith has grown since last February and has a strong sense their next chapter is pastoral work. So fences are being fixed and a clean up is in action to put AFJEM Holdings on the market this October. “So much has been happening, we’re enjoying more time with people and mentoring couples,” says Fiona. Aaron adds that while much is bible based, he enjoys simply helping people and community. “The focus is off myself to concentrate on blessing others. Aaron and Fiona, have three sons, Josh 21, Ethan 19, and Mathew 17, helping run their dairy farm. 180 John F Kennedy Drive, Palmerston North (06) 356 2195 Proud to support Aaron & Fiona Campbell Now after a day flat-out milking, we’ll have conversations in the shed, talking about what’s happening in our lives. When you know what’s going on and understand your staff, you can look after their needs. Sharing difficulties lightens the burden.”

4 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Adrian and Pauline Ball Environment awards have opened doors Richard Loader Recognition through the Ballance Farm Environment awards has opened doors to influential industry positions for a Waikato farmer, creating opportunities to advance sustainability both on his own property and across New Zealand’s agricultural sector. “I’m becoming very aware of where the industry is sitting in terms of markets internationally and the opportunities for all our ag sectors. I think New Zealand is positioned very well with our natural resources and environmental stewardship to tell a great story on the world stage,” says Adrian Ball. Adrian owns Dennley Farms in Tirau with wife Pauline and the couple won the 2019 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, becoming the new National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing and the recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy. This success has led to Adrian’s appointment on the Fonterra Sustainability Advisory panel, alongside directorships at Silverfern Farms Co-operative and Woolworks NZ. He says these positions enable him to provide critique on environmental and sustainable strategies, alongside the governance responsibilities across multiple agricultural sectors. Dennley Farms is a 196-hectare property, which comprises a dairy operation milking 270-280 Holstein Friesian cows and a beef finishing unit fattening approximately 150 animals annually from their own dairy herd in a closed system for Silverfern Farms. The beef operation operates with a low stocking rate of three animals per hectare and is completely off-grid, using solar power, a deep well water supply and solar electric fencing. The property, which runs alongside the Waihou River, features fencing setbacks of over 20 metres to allow for revegetation of the riverbanks. The Ball’s business philosophy is encapsulated in their tagline ‘creating value inside the farm gate’, which extends across environmental, social and economic aspects. Their integrated approach includes autumn calving and winter milking to obtain price premiums, growing high-quality forage crops to reducing the more unsustainable imported feed, and utilising a covered feed pad that both controls nutrient loss and maximises supplement efficiency. Adrian says beef integration lets them breed dairy replacements out of their best cows while innovations around sexed semen and genomics let us have better cows across the herd and produce more with less feed inputs. “This is also a massive environmental win by producing more milk and meat with less feed with fewer animals.” Adrian’s broader industry involvement allows him to promote nature-positive farming approaches that emphasise biodiversity, riparian planting and freshwater management. He has observed tangible results on his own property, with different species emerging in waterways and soils as a result of providing habitats that support biodiversity. The couple’s commitment to sustainability has driven them to be involved with the Blake Aspire Programme for five years hosting young environmentally minded year 13 students from all over New Zealand on scholarship to help them understand farming better. “It’s been great educating and watching these groups seeing New Zealand farming as a solution to a global climate crisis rather than thinking it is the problem.” They are also NZFAP Plus gold certified, positioning them to capitalise on emerging market opportunities, alongside five consecutive years of Te Tihi status in Fonterra’s Co-op difference program. “We are really starting to see the value coming back to us for our investment made over the last ten years,” explains Adrian, noting that companies like Nestlé and Mars have recently announced they will pay premiums to the most efficient farmers. “We are certainly full throttle on efficiency - how we can produce more with less - it will be a combination of genetics, feed quality and feed conversion efficiency while reducing the more unsustainable feed inputs.” Adrian says that looking back he can see how the Adrian and Pauline are also NZFAP Plus gold certified, positioning them to capitalise on emerging market opportunities. Dennley Farms award winning ef uent system is another example of a system being successful as a direct result of the collaboration between the farmer and the Yardmaster Design Team to match the right pumps & equipment for the job. A PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS www.yardmaster.co.nz 1 Waihou St, Matamata 3440 Phone: 07 888 8224 REID & HARRISON 2019 Supreme National Award Winner Visit the Yardmaster System Design page to view the Dennley Farms System Case Study CS:BAL01 Y O U R D A I R Y S P E C I A L I S T S Milking Systems | Machine Testing | Water & EffluentFarm Consumables Maintenance EngineeringDrafting & Automation | Spa & Pool Chemicals 10 Waharoa Road West, Matamata | info@betamilking.co.nz Ziggy 021 394 555 Chrissy 0275 394 555 www.betamilking.co.nz Ballance Farm Environment awards helped them better understand their business allowing them to make great progress in the years since the awards. “I am continually inspired by the Ballance Farm Environment Awards entrants and winners, they are continually pushing the barriers of change with new systems, innovations and ways of thinking. They do an outstanding job for New Zealand.”

| 5 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Alastair Neville ‘More to farming than being inside the farm gate’ Karen Phelps Reporoa farmers Alastair Neville and his Fiancée Tamzyn Coady had success at the 2025 Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year competition walking away with the Industry Involvement merit award. The award recognises their significant contribution to the wider agricultural community. Both Alastair and Tamzyn serve on the RotoruaTaupo Federated Farmers committee, with Alastair’s involvement in industry organisations stretching back to 2008 when he was a member and events officer for Massey Young Farmers. His leadership roles have included Chairman of Reporoa Young Farmers and Vice Chair of Waikato Bay of Plenty, as well as convening the Young Farmer of the Year contest in 2014 and 2015. “It meant a lot to win that award. It reiterated the time and commitment we put into things over the years and showed that there is more to farming than being inside the farm gate. There is a lot of stuff that happens in the greater industry and it’s a great way to learn and create good networks,” explains Alastair. The 150-hectare family farm, complemented by a 26-hectare support block for young stock and dry cows, has been in the Neville family since the early 1950s when Alastair’s grandfather was awarded it as a WW2 ballot farm. Alastair took over operations three years into his Agri-Science degree at Massey University when his parents, Stephen and Teresita, offered him the opportunity to buy the farm’s dairy cows and take on a 50/50 sharemilking contract. Currently milking 325 Friesian cows, all autumn calving with a winter contract to Fonterra, Alastair transitioned the herd from spring to autumn calving in July 2017 to mitigate dry summers. A significant advancement in the farm’s operations came three years ago with the investment in Halter collar technology. The virtual fencing aspect of the system has transformed their farming practices, particularly in terms of time management and pasture utilisation. “Prior to getting the collars in the middle of winter we were spending up to three hours a day on break fencing between winter crops and pasture. Now with Halter it takes ten minutes,” says Alastair. The technology also guides cows to the milking shed without human intervention and handles mating management, eliminating the need for tail paint or heat detection. “Since we’ve had the collars our reproductive performance has become easier Alastair Neville and Tamzyn Coady. and improved, especially around the six week in calf rate. Last season that was around 78%. Before the collars that would have been around 72%,” explains Alastair. Alastair says the technology has paid off in a multitude of ways. They are in the middle of doing a study with Halter and AgFirst to ascertain the exact cost benefits across their operation. “It was either we put on another staff member or put on the collars, which would cost about the same per year,” says Alastair. “We’ve also had reduced costs in animal health and maintenance, plus we get valuable data. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and create efficiencies and Halter has Not just residential building... From milking, implement and pole sheds to effluent systems, feed pads & bunkers, and vat silo stands. Trust the builder with extensive rural build experience. been a great tool. It gives us more time to focus on other stuff within the business and we’re not in the trenches all day like we used to be.” This better work-life balance has been important; they are expecting their first child in June and planning their wedding.

6 | nzdairy Good season on first 50:50 sharemilker position Richard Loader Johno and Tania Burrows have been fortunate to have a good season on their first 50:50 sharemilker position. “We are on target to achieve 500 kilograms of milk solids per cow and the team has settled in well, which is fantastic,” says Johno. The couple are on 211-hectare Bealey Farm at Kirwee, approximately 40 kilometres west of Christchurch. Their herd of 710 predominantly Friesian cows has performed exceptionally, thanks in part to Allflex collars they had a great mating result, achieving one of the top five six-week in-calf rates at their veterinary clinic. The farm itself presented an intriguing challenge. With an unusual configuration resembling two squares meeting at a point, it requires careful management. “When you move onto a new farm, you need to give it time to show you its own character,” explains Johno. “This first year has been working out the best system for the farm. We are always looking to improve and do things better so we will be changing some different feed inputs to look after cows even more and hopefully push results a little bit harder next season, lifting cow numbers to 750.” While Johno manages the day-to-day farm operations with a team of four, Tania is making her own impact through the dairy industry’s future workforce development. Working with Dairy Training, she has been instrumental in piloting the NextGen Dairy Farmers Programme, designed to help school leavers transition into Dairy careers. “It’s about attracting more Kiwis into dairy farming and improving retention rates by supporting that transition into dairy farming,” says Tania. “As an industry we need to work on the retention rate of young people coming into roles,” explains Johno. “So the programme will help fill that gap and people should know more and feel more supported when they start on a farm.” The programme targets Year 12 and 13 students, offering a hands-on career pathway that combines learning while earning and making a tangible impact. The programme is currently hosting four students in its pilot phase. “I’m helping with recruiting new students and also host farmers who might look to come on board. I think if farmers are genuinely passionate about supporting people into the industry they should get involved. There are also benefits for their team and for their professional development in teaching a student their role. The feedback from students has been really strong. They are really enjoying what they’re doing and we have some incredible host farmers.” The Burrows’ approach reflects a holistic view of agricultural development. DAIRY PEOPLE » Alpine Dairies While Johno manages the day-to-day farm operations with a team of four, Tania is making her own impact through the dairy industry’s future workforce development. EFFECTIVE RETRACTING COVER SYSTEMS Keeps feed or fertiliser dry Winch system for easy access Canvas or steel cladding options Save time and cuttewas 0800 262 788 info@slidingroofs.co.nz www.slidingroofs.co.nz COST EFFECTIVE RETRACTING ROOF SYSTEM C2007kdRetractable CANVAS COVER STEEL CLADDING 0800 262 788 info@slidingroofs.co.nz • www.slidingroofs.co.nz 100% NZ MADE Can be retro tted to existing concrete wood or block bins Unique space saving sectional design Canvas or steel cladding options Winch system for easy access Keeps feed or fertiliser dry Kitset options available       COAST SLIDING ROOFS FERTILISER SPREADING | FARM MAPPING GPS TRACKING | VARIABLE RATE SPREADING LIVESTOCK CARTAGE | DAILY FREIGHT CONCRETE SUPPLIES | GRAIN CARTAGE SHINGLE SUPPLIES | FERTILISER SUPPLIES Leeston: 03 3248 070 | Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz The preferred milking systems partner for Dairy Farmers Ph 0800 577 583 | www.morrisonagri.co.nz Proud to support Alpine Dairies Milking Machines Rotary Platforms Engineering Pumping & Plumbing Chemical Johno, recently appointed vice dairy chair of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, sees dairy farming as more than just a job. “It’s a wonderful career for those engaged in working hard to secure their own future,” he says, highlighting the multiple business structures and opportunities within the sector. “It’s an industry that has been really good to us and our family,” adds Tania. “It’s an incredible pathway for people to follow - there is a lot of free training and opportunities.”

| 7 nzdairy The farm’s performance has lifted significantly Richard Loader Aaron Frazer has already made changes in his first season as farm manager for Pouarua A, which have seen the farm’s performance lift significantly. Located on the Hauraki Plains just outside Ngatea, Pouarua A is part of an iwi-owned enterprise representing Ngati Maru, Ngati Paoa, Ngati Tamatera, Ngati Tara Tokanui and Te Patukirikiri. The business is managed with a long-term perspective of sustaining the whenua. Pouarua A comprises 213-hectares effective milking 600 crossbred cows through a 54-bail rotary milking shed equipped Waikato Milking Systems technology, automatic cup removers and Protrack automatic drafting. The farm supplies 100% A2 milk to Synlait. Technology has played a pivotal role in Aaron’s management approach. Allflex collars monitor cow rumination and Halo systems track water, milk and effluent. The unique challenges of farming on peat soil have required adaptability. “The peat soil is very different from what I’ve been used to,” explains Aaron. “It’s been a bit of a learning curve in terms of how it behaves and how the grass grows on it. Peat is very moisture dependent and you can get in a feast or famine situation quite quickly.” To mitigate these challenges, Pouarua have rigorous pasture management techniques. Ten-day pasture walks monitor growth rates and covers, ensuring optimal grass quality and cow nutrition. Strategic grazing management, including round speed topping and silage production, has been crucial in maintaining high-quality feed. His most significant achievements this season include a big improvement in reproductive performance. The six-week in-calf rate is 78%, an increase from the previous season, while the empty rate dropped to just 8%. To achieve this focusing on cow health has been key. Farming is a family affair for Aaron with his wife Nikki supports the operation, helping with calf rearing and currently exploring relief milking opportunities off farm. Three of their children are already establishing careers in agriculture: Harley, 21, in a management role; Lane, 19, working on a sheep and beef farm; and Lincoln, 17, working as a full-time farm assistant. DAIRY PEOPLE » Aaron Frazer The six-week in-calf rate is 78%, an increase from the previous season, while the empty rate dropped to just 8%. M: 0274 954 037 | E: barksdigs@xtra.co.nz Steve Barker LtdDigger Contractor - Ngatea HAURAKI PLAINS MOTORS LTD For all new and used farm machinery 1 Pipiroa Road, NGATEA - Ph. 07 867 7021 e: admin@hpmotors.co.nz www.haurakiplainsmotors.co.nz Miles Shelley 027 227 1121 Michael Duffin 027 440 4681 “It’s been a bit of a learning curve in terms of how it behaves and how the grass grows on it. Peat is very moisture dependent and you can get in a feast or famine situation quite quickly.” PROUD TO SUPPORT POUARUA FARMS Aaron is aiming to continue to build on the better condition of the cows and further increase production as well as improving the farm’s infrastructure.

8 | nzdairy Competition transformed his career prospects Karen Phelps Team leader of the Southland Farm Manager of the Year Awards Andrew Hazlett credits the competition with transforming his career prospects and helping him to secure a significant promotion in the dairy industry. After winning the 2024 Dairy Farm Manager of the Year for Otago/Southland and taking home the DeLaval Livestock Management Award at the nationals, Andrew has a new role as operations manager for Te Wae Wae Dairies in Southland, starting 3 June. “It’s a big step up overseeing two dairy farms, 1700 cows, up to 14 staff and a run off. This is purely from my increase in confidence and winning the title at the dairy awards. It’s very exciting,” says Andrew. His achievements are particularly remarkable considering the personal challenges he has overcome. Andrew has dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome, which causes visual alterations including sensitivity to light and poor adaptation of colour contrasts. These conditions weren’t diagnosed until he was nearly a teenager. “I’m not a uni boy but entering the competition and where I am now means anyone can do it. Even though I struggle with my dyslexia it doesn’t have to hold you back. You can push past it and become very successful.” Having experienced both sides of the competition - as a participant and now as team leader - Andrew is uniquely positioned to encourage new entrants. “We’ve just gone through the second round of judging and some entrants were stressed out as they felt it was daunting so it’s been interesting seeing the other side of the competition. I was one of those people last year and I thought about pulling out too so I understand how they feel and helping the entrants this year has really helped my people skills.” Andrew says the feedback process when he was a contestant last year proved particularly valuable for his professional development. “Feedback on health and safety was particularly helpful for improving but the feedback in general showed me how much I actually knew.” Andrew currently works on Paul and Rachel Diprose’s 208ha, 570-cow Thornbury property. Under his management, the herd is in the top 5% in New Zealand for breeding worth and the top 3% for production worth. His wife Hannah also works on the farm, and together they have four children. DAIRY PEOPLE » Andrew Hazlett and Paul Diprose Andrew’s achievements are particularly remarkable considering the personal challenges he has overcome. As he prepares to take on his new role at Te Wae Wae Dairies, Andrew remains grateful for the opportunities that arose from his participation in the awards. “I was asked ten years ago to enter the competition and didn’t enter because of lack of Proud to support Andrew Hazlett & Paul Diprose Proudly supporting AndrewHazlett & Paul Diprose confidence and the daunting prospect of the paperwork side of things. But I would tell people not to hesitate and to enter. The paperwork to enter the dairy awards is really the type of paperwork farmers have to do every day now. Entering has really helped with my confidence levels in my career and also public speaking. I’ve made a lot of contacts and friends out of it, past winners and the committee members, and I’ve also had a number of job offers. I owe a lot to the dairy awards and entering was one of the best decisions I made for my career.”

| 9 nzdairy People travel from all over to buy raw milk Tracey Edwardes Neil and Glenda Gray’s regular customers travel from all over to buy fresh raw milk from Buttercup Dairies. The cows are milked each morning at Turua, on the Hauraki Pains, where unpasteurised ‘white gold’ is sold from their self-serve vending-machine. “People can bring containers, or we sell glass bottles,” says Neil. ”Zero processing is involved, so our production carbon footprint will be low. There’s no transport costs, because we can only sell on farm. Around 200 litres are sold each day, equating to 100 recycled bottles not being bought from the supermarket. That ticks the sustainability box. “Natural raw milk is unpasteurised, non- processed, non-standardised and non-homogenised - nothing is ‘ised’! We just pass it through a paper filter, then cool it down immediately, and sell it within 24 hours of being collected. Whatever fat or protein content from the cow that day, is what you get. Our cow’s milk composition at the start of lactation is 8.5-9 percent milk solids, increasing to 10 percent near the end, with daily variations.” Buttercup Dairies website has links to a Microbiologist’s presentation analysing raw milk’s beneficial bacteria and enzymes, and arguments against pasteurisation with healthy cows, and instead keeping raw milk ‘cool clean and covered.’ And a synopsis of Keith Woodward’s book The Devil in the Milk, explains how A1 milk contains a protein fragment, BCM7, associated with dairy intolerance and autoimmune disease. “We’ve been DNA testing our KiwiCross cows for over 10 years, 90% are A2, and all our 20 raw milk cows are 100% genetically profiled as producing the A2 protein,” says Glenda. “Working alongside our commercial dairy farm, it’s impossible to get to organic status, but we farm very closely to organic. Our raw milk cows are only fed home-grown pasture and silage. Imported feed or supplements are just for our 480 commercial cows. We farm ethically, with no intentional harm to our animals, our land, or our people. That is our commercial dairy farm’s mission statement and the way our family has farmed for over 100 years. Our daughter will be the 5th generation.” Strict rules and regulations are required to be a registered raw milk provider. “Registering with MPI protects our customers and us. Raw milk was completely unregulated and sold out of vats, until MPI placed new rules in 2016. DAIRY PEOPLE » Buttercup Dairies Buttercup Dairies website has links to a Microbiologist’s presentation analysing raw milk’s beneficial bacteria and enzymes, and arguments against pasteurisation with healthy cows. This ensures raw milk from farms is clean enough to drink. Those with existing raw-milk businesses had until 2018 to meet minimum standards, or shut down. We opened in 2017 and happily accepted those rules. The process is much easier now. We follow procedures everyday to supply a product we can stand by. Should any challenges arise, we’ll shut down until confident our milk is very clean again. We have zero tolerance for any pathogens, which pasteurisation normally removes.” The couple say quality natural milk should be attainable to the average New Zealander. When they started the business seven years ago, they made raw milk affordable at $2.50 per litre, only increasing it to $3 last October. “It is a profitable and simple model for us, better than selling to a processor, even with the extra hoops,” says Neil. Ready for peace of mind with a reliable effluent system? Contact us today for a customized solution to fit your farm's needs. Farm Effluent Equipment | Installation | Full System Design | Service 0800 4 EFFLUENT www.williamsirrigation.com Proudly supporting Buttercup Dairies P & J HARRISON LTD HAY AND SILAGE CONTRACTORS Phil Harrison 0274 726 456 | 07 867 5130 | ita@xtra.co.nz | 429 Piako Road, Turua • 2 Baler Wrappers • Big Sq Bales • Round Hay & Silage Bales • Conventional Bales • Hay & Silage - 4 Sale • Lime & Fert Spreading Specialising in - • Tractors & Trailers 4 Hire • Stack Silage (2 Loader Wagons) • Power Harrowing • Under Sowing • Digger Hire • Wrapping • Mowing • Ripping • Discing “We promote a positive image for the dairy industry, showing how we look after our cows. We enjoy educating school groups and customers. People are regaining interest in the back story of where their food comes from, and how it is produced.”

10 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Capil Grove Limited Environment Southland consents concern Carl and brother Blake manage the day to day operation of the 340ha farm situated at 444 Springhills-Tussock Creek Road. Karen Phelps It has been an arduous, confronting and soul destroying experience for the Lindsay family as they have grappled to navigate Environment Southland’s consenting pathway to establish a sustainable dairy farm at their Grove Bush property just out of Invercargill. In an open letter to Council dated 14 February, Nelson Lindsay has articulated the concerns and experiences he encountered while working through the regulatory processes required to receive consent to change a piece of land already consented for dairy support into a dairy unit. As Nelson says in the opening paragraphs: ‘We had a vision to create an innovative farming system that would improve environmental outcomes and establish a new opportunity for a farming system in Southland. However, the process to gain regulatory approvals to allow our development has brought us significant frustration and angst, and came at a great cost which we fear will hold others back from joining us to develop better, more sustainable farming systems. While the rules are clear, it is the regulatory process and how the rules are managed by Council that have created concern for us.’ In all, twelve pages of detail follow, in which Nelson explains his experience of every barrier met along that journey, which has resulted in consent, which was finally granted in May last year, two and a half years after the application was initially submitted. For son Carl, who along with brother Blake, manages the day to day operation of the 340ha farm situated at 444 Springhills-Tussock Creek Road, the frustrations lie in the inconsistencies and lack of real engagement they experienced by Environment Southland. A reticence to avoid productive conversations that would have kept the application moving forward at a good pace. “We are thankfully now out the other end, but it has been an awful experience for us all. We estimate that our cost to gain consent was $430,000. But in total it will be in the millions for us if we add the cost of lost milk production and the two and a half years of farming in limbo, Its just madness we would have such difficulty with a proposal that improves environmental outcomes.” Overseer modelling proved that there would be an environmental improvement to milk 640 cows and have no winter grazing. “We needed the milk income to pay for the infrastructure to stop winter grazing cattle.” Currently the original farm is home to 850 dairy cows with the second block currently being converted to farm an additional 640 milking cows,” says Carl. Blake and Carl manage the original farm which has a 64 Delaval rotary plant and the conversion which is a 30 aside twin-pit Waikato that’s been modified to milk cows from its original sheep milking purpose. Blake looks after the machinery and cropping side of the business. Carl says, with the help of advice from Pieter at DNMS, massive gains are happening in improving cow nutrition with Dairy Nutrition & Management Solutions Ltd OPTIMIZING GRASS BASED SYSTEMS www dnms co nz | 027 280 0435 peter dnms@gma l com | howard@dnms com Monthly on farm consultation Optimising pasture based dairy systems to maximise profitability Annual plans modelled to ensure maximum profit Monthly body condition scoring & monitoring Qualified nutritional advice Independent annual milking machine check Specialising in slurry with precision injector drill & muck spreading, full baling services, full cultivation service & silage Proudly supporting Capil Grove Ltd

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