| 61 nzdairy Kim Newth DAIRY PEOPLE » Scott and Sue Narbey Steering forward positively in Helensville Farm gullies on Scott and Sue Narbey’s dairy farm, just south of Helensville, are being transformed into native bush havens, thanks to the couple’s year-on-year planting efforts in conjunction with Trees for Survival. The charitable trust runs an environmental education programme that brings together school communities with landowners, planting native trees to create a lasting legacy. “We are now into our eighth year with Trees for Survival, working in partnership with Auckland Council, Rotary and Waikowhai Intermediate School,” says Scott. “Our next planting day is in July. It’s a really good learning experience for the students who grow the trees from seedlings at school. They look after them and then come out and plant them. Horticulture students from Kaipara College also come out and assist on the day. There will be 800 new seedlings going into one of our gullies. It’s amazinghow quickly the plants become established.” As fourth-generation Helensville farmers, Scott and Sue take a long term view on being good stewards of their land. They have fenced off stock from bush areas, drains, ponds and along the Kaipara River boundary, with marginal areas progressively retired into wetland. Their investments in a feed pad and calving pad and smart water use systems underline their commitment to land and stock. In 2017, the couple won Auckland’s Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Along with their 145-ha home dairy farm near Helensville, they own a 90ha run-off at South Head, Kaipara where Scott’s parents live –“and Dad still helps with managing that”. Plus, they have a 35ha block at Waitoki used for growing maize, as a beef block and to rear young stock. They run a 410-cow, system 4 operation and milk through a 44-bale rotary shed with automation features. “Last season we put on Allflex collars, which made mating a lot easier. We haven’t got the results yet: we’re waiting to do pregnancy testing shortly. We’re still learning as we go but we’re already starting to see the value of them.” Keeping a close eye on production targets are contract milkers Hannah and Kez Sullivan, who are in their third season with the Narbeys. “They now have their own staff member too, Davis Hemingway.” Having been through a prolonged drought in 2020 followed Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 (with a third of the farm having to be re-grassed), the family farm has endured some challenging seasons in recent years. Dry conditions are now starting to bite again. Caleb Jackson Contracting Rural Business specialising in: • Round Hay & Silage Bales • Conventional Hay Bales • Full Paddock Renovation • Re-grassing • Fencing • Other Ag Services : • Full hayandsilage@gmail.com CalebJacksonContracting 027 252 5526 www.cjcontracting.nz il il. l i . j i . Milking machine tes�ng, Wes�alia and Milfos parts and servicing from Helensville to the Cape! Call Gary Wilson on 021569661 or email gea.midnorth@gmail.com Scott says summer turnips (10ha) are helping to meet their feed needs through to the maize harvest – “but some good rainfall would be very welcome.” Sue and Scott also own a Physio Flex, a local physiotherapy practicemaking a positive difference in the greater Helensville area. Sue leads the practice as its principal physiotherapist. As well as supporting their community beyond the farm gate, Scott says it complements their farm business and supports the bottom line. The couple’s children –Bella, 14, and Ollie, 13 – are both now very involved with their respective sporting interests being touch rugby, tennis and rugby, with fishing also on the radar. “We are now into our eighth year with Trees for Survival, working in partnership with Auckland Council, Rotary and Waikowhai Intermediate School.” School planting day. Narbey family.
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