54 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Mitchell Dairy Farms Ltd - High Road Farm Testament to environmental management Karen Phelps In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle’s destructive path through Hawkes Bay, Greg and Gail Mitchell’s dairy farming approach stands as a testament to the power of proactive environmental management. Their land care and conservation efforts not only minimised damage but demonstrated how sustainable farming practices can provide resilience against extreme weather events. “We always want to leave the land in a better place,” says Greg. The Mitchells’ farm a 460-hectare effective operation in Patoka known as High Road that milks 1550 cows and 300ha effective farm 10 kilometres away called Kaweka Farm, which milks 900 cows and has a contract milker. Prior to the cyclone waterways were fenced off, ineffective areas retired and native plantings undertaken in areas prone to slippage, which provided natural stabilisation, significantly reducing potential damage. Another important aspect of their strategy involved sediment management with traps placed along farm races. “We can divert water and hold rain water so sediment doesn’t enter the waterways,” says Greg. “This really slowed water runoff during the cyclone, preventing damage.” The 230ha run-off block at Patoka , however, told a different story. Acquired after the cyclone, it required extensive rehabilitation: new fences, water systems, race repairs, and extensive native plantings. “We’ve literally just hammered in the last fence post after two years to complete work on it,” says Greg. With support from the Hawkes Bay Regional Council, the Mitchells planted 14,000 native trees on the run-off block. They hope this will not only stabilise the ground but contributed to broader ecological restoration. Soil management is another big focus for the couple. Every paddock undergoes comprehensive soil testing every three years, allowing precise nutrient replacement. After the cyclone, many paddocks required significant nutrient replenishment due to leaching. “It’s definitely paying off this year,” says Greg. “Grass is starting to get back to full pasture production.” A larger than necessary effluent system gives them further resilience. Five times larger than required by consent it functions like an irrigation dam. Two 25-metre weeping walls and a 25-million-litre pond enable efficient water storage and utilisation during summer months. In 2023 the Mitchells were crowned Regional Supreme Award winners at the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards, collecting multiple merit awards including those for soil management, sustainability and farming efficiency. By viewing land not just as a production asset but as a living ecosystem, they hope to create a model of sustainable agriculture that can withstand nature’s most challenging tests. They are presently undertaking another round of planting on High Road. Proud to support Mitchell Dairy Farms - High Road Farm Power Farming Hawkes Bay | 06 879 9998 “We’ve literally just hammered in the last fence post after two years to complete work on it.” The Mitchells’ farm a 460-hectare effective operation in Patoka known as High Road that milks 1550 cows and 300ha effective farm 10 kilometres away called Kaweka Farm, which milks 900 cows and has a contract milker. “We try and do native planting each year and we can see the areas now where stock can’t get and the water is cleaner and the farm runs better as stock don’t get stuck in places,” says Greg. “We’re just doing our bit. In the future when the trees are fully grown it will look pretty impressive. We are probably only halfway through the planting we want to do.”
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