38 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Otto Dogterom - North Otago Federated Farmers Makes sense all around to farm sustainably Karen Phelps Environmental innovation and financial resilience remain key priorities for farmer Otto Dogterom as the sector confronts increasing regulatory and economic pressures. “I want to know my grandkids can drink the water here so it makes sense both personally and professionally to farm sustainably,” says Otto. After moving to New Zealand from Holland in 1993, Otto has developed an agricultural enterprise that now encompasses five dairy farms totalling 1,000 hectares with 2,700 cows and an 800-hectare run-off block in Duntroon. The operation employs various management structures including sharemilkers, contract milkers and farm managers. Otto has also established partnerships with former employees across three additional dairy farms spanning 1,200 hectares with 1,800 cows, plus a 500-hectare beef drystock farm that runs 700 bulls and trading stock throughout Otago. Otto has implemented various sustainability initiatives across his operations with water management featuring prominently in his approach. Improved irrigation systems and water storage facilities have been developed to enhance resilience, particularly during challenging weather conditions. Three of his farms now utilise partial solar irrigation, generating environmental benefits alongside economic advantages. “It won’t make us rich but insulates us a bit from energy price increases. It’s good for New Zealand as well by generating electricity,” explains Otto who sells excess power back to the national grid. His farming philosophy emphasises achieving optimal production efficiency with minimal environmental impact. “We do pretty good production with quite low inputs and have low leaching and low emissions,” says Otto.This balanced approach has become increasingly important as the agricultural sector faces mounting challenges, particularly from regulatory changes and rising costs. In his role as Federated Farmers Provincial President for North Otago Otto is currently tackling proposed rate increases from the Waitaki District Council that could significantly impact farm businesses.“At the moment the proposed rate increase for farmers is between 15-25% we have worked out. The rural sector will get hit quite hard but not a lot of the revenue will get spent on our sector.”District planning overlays represent another significant hurdle for sustainable farm development. “We like to protect things but as soon as you have overlays on your farm and want to do any development it triggers a lot of extra expense and complexities and makes the future of our rural districts more challenging. What effects the rural sector effects the whole New Zealand economy.” Despite these obstacles, Otto, who has been farming in the district for 32 years, remains committed to demonstrating that environmental Otto has implemented various sustainability initiatives across his operations. Large Solar farms Solar for Full Dairy Shed systems Solar for Houses All other Electrical needs. CALECT SOLAR 0800 360063 calum@calect.co.nz Proudly supporting Otto Dogterom - North Otago Federated Farmers 3 Usk St, Oamaru 9400 | www.nops.co.nz | 03 434 7766 Otago Transport Ltd. 17 Tiverton St, Palmerston Ph: 03 465 1147 | Email: carey.turner@xtra.co.nz Contact Carey 027 458 5642 Specialists in... General Stock | Bulk Cartage | Stock Haulage Fertiliser Spreading | Sawdust | Wood Chips sustainability and profitability can coexist within modern farming systems. His operation focuses on running as efficiently as possible, both environmentally and financially. The sustainability ethos extends to the human element of his business, with strong staff retention rates and clear career progression pathways evident across his farming group. “One of my 50:50 sharemilkers still works for me but has managed to buy his own farm so that’s good to see. It’s a good example of what can be achieved in the dairy industry.”
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