NZ Dairy Autumn 2026

A strong service ethos and commitment to the dairy sector are shaping the future of Northland Dairy and Lifestyle Specialists - page 84 All about building relationships AUTUMN 2026 www.waterfordpress.co.nz

2 | nzdairy Contents #nzdairy #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Gavin Travers - Pa Hil �� 03 Adrian and Pauline Ball �� 04 Paramount Dairies �� 05 Bob Lawson �� 06 Bruce Dinnington �� 07 Capil Grove Limited �� 08 Chris and Sally Guy �� 10 Chris and Pauline Prattley �� 11 David Wood Shorthorns �� 12 Denise and Ivan Hopper �� 14 Kukuwai Farms �� 16 Hakirnic Farms Ltd �� 18 Heavenly Moos �� 19 Gayley Wood Farms �� 20 Jason and Michael Treder �� 22 Mark and Karen Spooner �� 23 Flett Family Farming �� 24 Luke and Sunny Oud �� 26 Noah Dibble �� 28 Surfing for Farmers �� 29 Omega Milk Ltd �� 30 Otto Dogterom �� 32 Oraka Farms �� 34 Patiki and Taurima Farms �� 38 Quinedale Farms �� 39 Paul Franklin �� 40 Raetea Holsteins �� 42 Rahi Partnership �� 43 Tamzyn Coady and Alastair Neville �� 44 Skibbereen Farm - Cloud8 Dairy �� 46 Theland Purata �� 48 Terpstra Farming Ltd �� 50 Blyth Farm Hopkins Group �� 52 Theo and Lucie Sneek �� 53 Two Rivers Ltd and Sumit Kamboj �� 54 Wilcock and Thompson �� 56 Wilith Farm �� 57 Ashley and Kayla Riley �� 58 Jason Radd �� 58 Kylie Evans �� 59 Orcada Farm �� 59 Paul and Lesley Grey �� 60 Sarten and Avery �� 60 Tania Riddington �� 61 Warric and Rachel Johnson �� 61 The Numan Farm �� 62 D Wards and Co. Ltd �� 64 Maungatua Dairies �� 67 Absolute Dairy Water Ltd �� 68 BHL Feeds �� 70 Bay of Islands Veterinary Services �� 72 Canterbury Farm Services Ltd �� 73 Cowley �� 74 Dairy Vets �� 75 Fogarty Spraying �� 76 JC Slurry Spreading �� 78 Jackson Ag Spraying Ltd �� 79 MF Agri �� 80 Milkio Foods �� 81 MyPod �� 82 Te Awamutu Bulk Spreaders Ltd �� 83 Northland Dairy and Lifestyle Specialists �� 84 Ordish & Stevens �� 85 Putaruru Veterinary Services �� 86 Beta Milking �� 88 Eco2Energy �� 89 Micheal Vining Contracting �� 89 Precision Slurry Ltd �� 90 Pumpn Ltd �� 91 Reymer Ag Contracting Ltd �� 92 Normanby Contractors 2017 �� 93 Milk n Water Services Matamata �� 94 TechniPharm International Ltd �� 95 Advanced Accounting & Business Advisory Ltd �� 100 18 | A partnership built on trust and honesty 46 | Laser focus for Aorangi’s top young farmer 81 | Major steps on the international stage 14 | Innovation and animal welfare efforts recognised OUR PARTNERS: T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. 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| 3 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Gavin Travers - Pa Hill A diverse offering of in-calf cows and heifers Pa Hill has also scheduled a combined breeds sale on Bidr for the following day. Karen Phelps Pa Hill is preparing for its upcoming sale, set for 14 April. Gavin Travers, who owns Pa Hill with wife Bronwyn, says it will be a diverse offering of in-calf cows and heifers, with between 50 and 70 animals available. The sale will be conducted entirely online via Bidr, something he started doing during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We put representatives of all our main Ayrshire cow families in the sale so there is something for everyone,” he explains. “I have diversified a bit into British semen. They are an outcross for us as the Ayrshires in New Zealand are so closely related now. If one does good production I put it back to a New Zealand bull.” Pa Hill has also scheduled a combined breeds sale on Bidr for the following day, 15 April, featuring incalf Jerseys, Friesians, and a couple of Normandys. Gavin says last year’s inaugural combined sale went well and allowed him to showcase some of the smaller studs he has developed over the years. “We had a friend that had half a dozen Jerseys and sold them to us. When the Roma herd dispersed I bought some more. They have all bred on really well. I also purchased half a dozen empty Jerseys from the Brown family in Dargaville. I bought a few high-index Jerseys a few years ago and last year was the first year I had a Jersey that outperformed any of my Ayrshires. LIC is telling me Ayrshires are 300 points behind Jerseys but I know they’re not. Now I have pets in the Jersey breed so I’ll keep on with them for a bit. But when I need to downsize the herd, due to my age, the Jerseys will be the first to go. They are more friends than cows.” The Friesians were acquired when he bought one of his farms, which came with a herd including a few pedigree animals. “I have quite a few good cow families. I show them at local shows and they’ve become pets too. A friend who went farming in Australia sold me two of her best Friesian cows. One of those cows left me a good family with good production and type. Because they came off a harder farm so they suit this property.” Basically whether Ayrshire, Jersey or Friesian Gavin likes to peruse the sales: “I like dabbling in sales, so if I see a cow that catches my eye I buy it,” he explains. He remains focused on breeding quality stock whether that be cows or bulls. “I’m always trying to breed a good bull to get them through the AB companies. One is coming up with his first proof this year with LIC and looks promising. Capacity and udders are the focus with cows. Our best cows do over 700kgsMS for clients if fed intensively but here the top ones manage 300kgsMS on just grass.” Pa Hill Ayrshires have long been a favourite across New Zealand thanks to their adaptability and hardiness. Gavin says he deliberately breeds cows that are not overly large, ensuring they survive and shift well to different farms while still producing strongly. He enjoys matching the right animals to the right buyers. Pa Hill is located near Kaitaia and covers a total of 604 hectares over seven properties, of which 420ha is leased, including the Travers family’s 134ha effective home farm. The dairy operation comprises three farms and three milking sheds effectively run as one unit, split calving and peak-spring-milking 430 cows on 270ha and winter-milking 220 cows. Beef cattle, calves and dry cows are grazed on 09 408 1950 33-35 Matthews Ave, Kaitaia e: sales@kaitaiamotorcycles.co.nz www.kaitaiamotorcycles.co.nz 021 034 8999 | vince@mawlimited.co.nz | www.mawlimited.co.nz For all your agricultural contracting services in the Far North. 333ha over five properties. From a kid Gavin says he was “mad keen” on cows and it’s stayed that way ever since. He enjoys his hands-on approach to farming, often working 15hour days from 6.30am to 9.30pm, with his brother Carl milking one of the herds. Milking Machine Testing, Servicing & Supplies Cleaning Chemicals & Rubberware Pumps, Water Supplies & Filtration Irrigation & Effluent System Solutions NORTHLAND DAIRY AND LIFESTYLE SPECIALISTS NDLS DeLaval Dealer - Northland 09 407 3400 | 021 533 916 | admin@ndls.co.nz | www.ndls.co.nz 24/7 BREAKDOWN 021 586 074

4 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Adrian and Pauline Ball The beef operation operates with a low stocking rate of three animals per hectare with pasture surpluses supporting the winter milk dairy operation. Karen Phelps The big opportunity sitting in front of dairy farmers is not simply higher milk price and volume but the ability to maximise revenue within the existing farm system, says Adrian Ball of Dennley Farms in Tirau. The 196ha farm, run with wife Pauline, 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. Over the past three to four years the Balls have focused heavily on lifting efficiency across both dairy and beef. The strategy is simple: maximise the intake of every animal, maintain and improve the quality of home-grown feed and ensure it is converted as efficiently as possible through superior genetics and agronomy. Production currently sits at 670kg of milksolids per cow placing it near the top end of efficiency across Fonterra suppliers. “In my view the big opportunities for farmers are in genetics and the ability to accelerate with genomics both in the bulls used but also in the dam selection on farm. The tools already exist to help farmers improve their efficiency,” says Adrian has directorships at SilverFern Farms Co-operative and SFF operating company boards and Woolworks NZ and also has spent time on the Fonterra sustainability advisory panel. For example Adrian says beef on dairy is a big global trend that can net farmers big results. “With the meat price going up significantly in the past two years and demand for beef globally being high and not going away, the opportunity for dairy farmers to play in that market is really clear. Our revenue line for stock sales has gone up 300 per cent in the last two seasons. That’s a combination of market returns, better breeding decisions and genetics and smarter positioning and timing in the market.” Technology has underpinned the progress. “Every cow is mated with a straw now and the quality in those straws is way superior because of the progress in genomics,” says Adrian. Lifting efficiency across dairy and beef “Being able to access the trait improvements in young bulls because of genomics is massive. The use of wearable technology has also accelerated across the industry opening up this opportunity and given more accuracy. The result is better cows, better beef, more profit and more efficiency in the farm system.” Sexed semen technology has been central to the shift. “In the dairy we are able to get heifer replacement calves out of a smaller number of elite cows which accelerates our genetic gain and efficiency,” explains Adrian. “In the beef breeding programme we are able to get sexed male calves which potentially grow out at $500 per head better in their lifetime, and that’s due to using sexed male semen. We have gained about another $600 per calf through the use of elite genetic beef sires, which result in improvements in growth rates and IMF traits. We are effectively doubling the profitability in the beef system through the use of genetics.” Environmental performance remains integral to the model for the past Ballance Farm Environment Award winners. The beef operation operates with a low stocking rate of three animals per hectare with pasture surpluses supporting the winter milk dairy operation. It 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. Recent ability to measure on-farm sequestration through Fonterra and Prism has highlighted the value of extensive tree planting along the Waihou River and selectively on the dairy farm. “A lot of the trees we have planted in the past ten years we are now able to use them to inset our farm’s emissions,” says Adrian. “They are reducing emissions by about four per cent.” For Adrian and Pauline, whose business philosophy centres on creating value inside the farm gate, the focus is on steady gains. “It’s about steady progress and continuing to have an eye on the detail,” says Adrian. A PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS 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. Visit the Yardmaster System Design page to view the Dennley Farms System Case Study CS:BAL01 2019 Supreme National Award Winner www.yardmaster.co.nz 1 Waihou St, Matamata 3440 | Phone: 07 888 8224 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 & Effluent | Farm Consumables Maintenance Engineering | Drafting & Automation | Pool & Spa Care 0275 394 555 for 24/7 Service info@betamilking.co.nz 10 Waharoa Road West, Matamata www.betamilking.co.nz Proudly supporting Dennley Farms PHONE. 07 885 1022 EMAIL. info@grahambrown.co.nz WEBSITE. www.grahambrown.co.nz Your business. Is our business. Proud to be associated with Adrian & Pauline Ball. Helping to grow rural business throughout New Zealand. “Making small improvements across a lot of areas is contributing to something quite significant. It is positioning us well to take advantage of new price incentives from customers in the market while also setting the business up thrive and adapt in a changing environment.” Proudly supporting Adrian and Pauline Ball GLENCLOTHIER 07 8888 158 (ext 225) | 027 702 5462 glen@wtcl.co.nz

| 5 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Paramount Dairies Farms are linked with the common purpose With the peak of the season now behind them, Jared says decisions will soon be made around which cows to off-load. Karen Phelps Lamorna Farm is a beautiful dairy property extending over some 524 hectares at Orari, between Ashburton and Timaru, home to 2,000 cows, a 100-bale Milfos rotary platform, and wellestablished infrastructure. The farm is also home to sharemilkers Jared and Sara Crawford and family, who own and operate Paramount Dairies Ltd. The farm is part of the Farmright Dairying Network, owned by the NZ Superfund, and Jared says while the collective of farms are run independently, they are linked with the common purpose of operating as efficiently and productively as possible. NZ Dairy spoke with Jared again in January, and he described the season as a very good one, with production tracking 9% above that of last year. “The cows are holding condition well at this time of the season. We’re always looking closely at ensuring we maintain the herd in the best possible condition, and this has meant making timely adjustments to feed, rotation lengths, and grazing management as conditions change,” Jared says. The focus during spring was to ensure a really good quality feed was delivered to every cow in the form of a DDG wheat blend early on. “With fully fed cows, it meant we were able to get them to peak a bit higher. With quite a dry winter and start to spring, putting that feed in helped significantly, as pasture growth did not fully come on until late October.” Jared says cow health generally has been very good this season, helped by the use of Allflex collars introduced to the herd 18 months ago, providing earlier and more accurate information, particularly when a cow begins to go off-colour before any obvious physical symptoms are visible. The technology also came into its own over mating, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of bulls required to be run with the herd — a win-win in terms of staff health and safety, as well as reducing bull-related costs. “That ability to intervene early is a huge positive for us, in terms of mitigating the impact should issues go undetected for longer. It’s a tool in the kit we’ve really come to value.” Working with Jared and Sara is a team of eight full-timers. The team is very stable, having, for the most part, spent several seasons at Lamorna. They understand the farm systems well and have taken to the Allflex technology extremely well. “After several years, one of our very valued team members is heading back to work in the mines in Australia, so I’m looking to make a structural shift by introducing a manager role. This will allow me to step back somewhat from the day-to-day operations and to concentrate more on training and overseeing.” With the peak of the season now behind them, Jared says decisions will soon be made around which cows to off-load and extending the rotation as attention turns toward the end of the season. “We will look to move to three-and-two milking.” Jared knows he is in a fortunate position as a sharemilker on the farm. He has invested significant time and effort into creating and fine-tuning farm management systems to achieve the best possible outcomes across cow health, milk production, staff training, and overall team experience. “There are not many sharemilkers who can say they have everything they need. We have good owners and a great management team supporting us. Everything is very well maintained.” Meanwhile, off-farm, Jared and Sara have taken sole ownership of the House of Hop, a brewery and restaurant that they now lease out near Geraldine. Steve 027 640 3414 E-mail: o ce@oliverbrothers.co.nz www.oliverbros.co.nz • Dairy Conversions • FarmTracks • Feed Pads • Underpasses • Silage Pits • Bulk Cartage • SiteWorks & Driveways • Tree Removal • Water Reticulation & Storage • Irrigation • Mole Ploughing • Light ConstructionWork • Composting Barns SPECIALISING IN DAIRY FARMS & MAINTENANCE 027 640 3414 www.oliverbros.co.nz Locally Owned & Operated For 25 Years JASON FARMER - 027 433 7704 www.farmerscanningservices.co.nz farmerscanningservices@gmail.com ULTRA-SOUND SCANNING OF SHEEP AND COWS - Experienced Technician using the latest in scanning equipment - Specialist in foetal aging in dairy cows - Experts at defining multiple births in sheep Farmer Scanning Services Ltd www.pyegroup.co.nz KEN CAIRD SALES m 027 268 4299 k ken@pyegroup.co.nz JAYDEN WARNER OPERATIONS m 027 686 1173 k jayden@pyegroup.co.nz Baling | Chopping | Mowing | Feeds Sales | Beet Harvesting | Cultivation | Drilling | Cartage | Effluent BDC - Working with Jared & Sarah Crawford at Paramount Dairies • General Excavation • Dairy Conversions • Dairy Lane Development and Maintenance • Drain Clearing • Stump and Tree Removal • Digger 4-25 Ton • Truck & Trailers • Bulldozer • Mobile Shingle Screen 0800 343 551 | blake@digger4u.co.nz Toby: 027 286 8577 | tobydownie@gmail.com EXCAVATION / LAND DEVELOPMENT

6 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Bob Lawson Bob Lawson’s Sunshine Dales Diva Sue Russell When you’ve been in the game of showing pedigree stock at various events through the show season for as long as Bob Lawson of Sunshine Ayrshires has, it takes something really inspiring to warrant special attention and one animal has done just that! “We had 18 animals go to Dairy Event, between my own, and those of my daughter and son and amongst them, I have one magnificent heifer, who goes by the name of Sunshine Dales Diva. I’m delighted but not surprised because she’s Dales daughter and she’s got wonderful form,” says Bob. Sunshine Ayrshires is situated near Woodville, 25km east of Palmerston North and is home to a fine herd of top-quality Ayrshires. The farm is owned and operated by Bob and wife Nikki Lawson who each contribute to its success. Dales Diva’s structural virtues are impressive indeed, with a good length in body, a good sweeping rib and correct rump structure. “With all these body points she has only got better with age.” Dale has achieved Junior Champion at Levin and at Dairy Event as a calf. As a yearling she is Junior Champion at Waikato Show and also Stratford where was named Royal Show Champion. “With winning at Dairy Event this year she is the North Island Junior Champion and was Reserve Junior Champion Interbreed Champion.” Acknowledging that they enjoyed a very good show, this particular heifer took out the top award for (Bob, can you please elaborate here, correctly describing what Dale managed to achieve and why – thanks!). This wasn’t the only success of course. “We also had a very good aisle and we had great people looking after it. There’s a lot involved in getting a collection of animals prepared and showing well on the day. A lot goes on behind the scenes. It takes a lot of experience and a lot of time.” Another stand-out cow in the milk production volumes is Dales sister Debbie who placed third. The storm that passed through the district a few weeks ago had an impact on milk production as well. Sunshine Rubicom Debi. “They took a bit of a hammering actually, but fortunately the farm drains very well and I think we’re tracking 4% up for the year to date so far.” The show season is over for the Lawson’s and when NZ Dairy caught up with Bob, relaxing in his massage chair, he said he had enjoyed the season and was very much looking forward to the next. Asked about the genetics he chooses to use, Bob says he’s used some ST Genetics with good results. He has also enjoyed good success with Semex bulls and says this year he will have some daughters by ST Genetics Rage and Molloss. Dale and her Dales Diva are both in-calf to Rage, so there’s plenty ahead to look forward to. “It’s important to mix it up a bit. I’m quite fussy about the bulls I select to use. You have to look at your animals quite critically and select a bull that will correct or enhance traits. With Dale, the only thing to improve is her fore-udder and possibly a bit more dairyness. I’m always aiming for balance when it comes to bull selection.” Bob says depth of rib is an essential conformation trait. “If you don’t’ have depth of rib, you don’t get a good udder and you have to have a good udder that will bind well to the fore-udder It all works in together.” For TOP (Traits, other than Production) Bob says some results have been outstanding. Bob’s history in breeding and in judging stretches back to his teens, some many decades ago now. WOODVILLE SERVICE CENTRE Lower McLean St - Woodville | 06 376 5232 | Alister - 027 248 3282 W.O.F, Engineering Tractors & Parts, Mowers Diesels, FarmMachinery & Parts Air Conditioning Factory Trained Mechanics Engineering Workshop & Field Service Total Oil Distributor Hydraulic Hose Service F O R M A C H I N E R Y S U C C E S S U S E L T S 2 0 2 2 8 Makirikiri Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 7731 • Dave 027 244 1213 a ll about people Well done Bob on all your hard work! “I’ve been a judge since the age of 15 and I know what I’m looking for. I stick to my own breeding goals when it comes to my herd and when you stand-up animals for judging you never know exactly what the judge will be focussing on. That’s the challenge!” Now the show season is over, Bob says looking out over the farm, he’s pleased with its condition. Grass production has been very good for this time of the year. “Yes, I’m pretty pleased with how the farm, which is only quite small, is holding up. Our herd is in very good condition as well.”

| 7 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Bruce Dinnington Once again embraced cutting-edge technology KarenPhelps Southland dairy farmer Bruce Dinnington has once again embraced cutting-edge technology adding the Lely Discovery robotic vacuum cleaner to his already advanced robotic plant. Installed in his barn in July 2024, the Lely Discovery Collector has transformed manure management on his farm, keeping floors cleaner and cows healthier. “They have taken off in Europe big time so it made sense to install it in our barn,” says Bruce Dinnington. “It was always on our minds since we built the barn. It’s keeping the floors significantly cleaner, which means the cows’ feet are cleaner. Their beds are also cleaner and dryer because they aren’t trekking stuff in there.” Bruce explains that the improved hygiene is already showing tangible results. “We are seeing udder health benefits including less mastitis. Somatic cell count has dropped by 50,000– 80,000 over the winter months.” Bruce is the first farmer in Australasia to adopt the technology and he says installation was straightforward. “Lely comes in and installs it. The process is simple: we discuss the installation requirements, place the charging station, programme the routes, and about a week later they follow up to assess performance.” Unlike traditional scraping systems, the Discovery Collector uses a vacuum-based approach. It collects manure rather than pushing it, making build-up a thing of the past. The compact, low-hindrance design allows the robot to navigate tight spaces, cross alleys and even areas in front of the milking system without cables or gutters. Water spraying from the front aids manure collection, while rear sprays improve floor grip, contributing to a safe and hygienic barn. “The routes and cleaning frequency can be set to match either my or the cows’ daily rhythm. I can adjust everything on my mobile phone.” Based in Dacre and now in his third generation on the farm, Bruce remains an advocate for robotic systems. Bruce milks his herd of 350 Friesian cows with the Astronaut robotic milking system. His suite of robotic technology also includes a Lely Calm automatic calf feeder and a Juno automatic feed pusher. “The robots feed grain, soy, and molasses in a production-based system. Big milking cows get what they need, and the poorer milking cows get smaller amounts. With the old rotary shed, all cows got the same feed regardless,” he explains. The addition of the Discovery Collector complements the herd’s automated routine. Cows move freely between four paddock blocks every six hours, self-regulating their milking and feeding schedules. “Because they walk in and out at their own pace, Proud to support Bruce Dinnington Contact the team at Rogers 84 Leet street, Invercargill 032189584 www.rogersyamaha.co.nz 60+ no bull, real world pricing. the smart farm choi ce. “The revolutionary manure cleaner.” Lely Discovery Collector Traditional cleaning is a drain on your time and your water supply. The Lely Discovery Collector vacuums manure to keep your shed spotless 24/7 Work smarter, not harder Find out more on lely.com/nz/solutions/manure/discovery-collector Get in touch on lely.com/nz/about-lely/contact/ they don’t get the same leg and foot issues either,” says Bruce. He enjoys the flexibility the technology provides. “I just have to change the filter sock in the morning and then I’m free until the next day. I can be off or on farm and still manage everything efficiently.” Based in Dacre and now in his third generation on the farm, Bruce remains an advocate for robotic systems. His production has risen from 560 kilograms of milk solids per cow to 750 kilograms. “Kiwis haven’t quite got their heads around it yet. With robotics gaining momentum overseas, farmers here are missing a huge opportunity. The Lely Discovery has only reinforced that, making our cows healthier and our operation more profitable.”

8 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Capil Grove Limited Consent process ‘completely defies logic’ Sue Russell Twelve months have passed since NZ Dairy spoke with Carl Lindsay, of Capil Grove Ltd, a two-farm dairying operation situated 15km east of Winton, Southland. In that earlier conversation the focus was the often challenging process Carl and his family experienced in gaining consent to grow the milking platform and extend the herd. “Thankfully that first hurdle is behind us, but the cost and toll it took on us to get to this stage is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” Carl says the fight to be allowed to farm is always ongoing. “We are only ever a couple of years away from consent renewals. There is talk of improvements in the process to gain consents but we aren’t holding our breath as we haven’t seen significant change yet. It is the strong anti-dairying attitude prevalent in almost all aspects of the consenting process that we find the most frustrating, an attitude so strong that it often completely defies logic.” Today, across the two farms, just over 1500 cows form the herd and when the conversation occurred in February, 1400 were being milked. A small portion of the herd are on an autumn calving cycle, allowing the farms to maintain high quality winter milk for Fonterra. In total 24 people are engaged to keep the operation ticking over. That number includes Carl and brother Blake, who looks after the machinery and cropping activities. The original farm is home to a 64 Delaval rotary plant, while the more recently converted second block has a new 30 aside twin-pit Waikato plant, retrofitted into a shed originally used for milking sheep. Construction of a substantial ‘flood wash’ wintering barn has eliminated winter grazing from the operation, creating an environmentally friendly overall dairy management system that Carl knows will bring lasting benefits. “It was all about building to a scale that would deliver long-term sustainability into our farming business, create better environmental and animal welfare outcomes and positively impact our staff.” Of the total team, about half are dedicated to looking after the herd and milk production. Carl says the herd is in good stead, though improvement is ongoing. “We are milking the best cows we have ever milked.” Carl says the farm has enjoyed its best season so far, spurred on by the summer rain which has been steadily falling. In total 24 people are engaged to keep the operation ticking over. The dairy operation is mainly grass-based with grass silage added to the mix. “We’ve got a new support block which we just bought last year and we have 180ha of wheat which is all palletised to feed year round. We have also been feeding fresh grass from the support blocks directly into the barn when running short of feed.” Asked about the genetics on board, Carl says they buy in a bit of everything though the tendency is to buy in more overseas Friesian genetics. “We definitely want to buy late spring calvers as replacements and I’d be keen to talk to anyone with surplus sound cows to sell. Please phone me on 02102788033.” Carl says the priority now is to get all the infrastructure work completed but otherwise the farm is looking good. The two farms are 8km apart but viewed very much as one farming business, with machinery shared between the two sites. The focus, Carl says, as well as finishing the big developments, is to concentrate on the ‘1%’ differences to management practices that each bring small but sustainable benefits. (03) 236-6077 or (027) 411-2805 53 Great North Road, Winton “Cow barn design and building specialists with 31,000 cows comfortably housed” • Turn key packages for complete design & build of shed • Hot-dip galvanised structural steel • Chain effluent scrapers • Full concrete placement • Full range of latex and rubber bedding • Stall dividers • Cow brushes Suppliers of: • Kitset Fabricated Structural Steel • Ready to bolt Together • Hot Dip Galvanised Finish • Meets all NZ Standards “It’s about getting the feed perfect, the silage perfect. It’s all those small details that long-term make a difference in production outcomes and the bottom line.” He’s also pleased with the quality and consistent volume of the milk produced from now milking each cow 12 hours apart. “With the huge consenting process of the new farming system behind us, everyone is looking forward to reaping the benefits the larger scale business will bring.” Specialising in slurry with precision injector drill & muck spreading, full baling services, full cultivation service & silage Proudly supporting Capil Grove Ltd

| 9 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Capil Grove Limited Carl says they buy in a bit of everything though the tendency is to buy in more overseas Friesian genetics. For all your Agricultural Engineering Needs Specialising in Dairy Shed & Yard Maintenance and Design Dairy Nutrition & Management Solutions Ltd OPTIMISE YOUR DAIRY FARM PERFORMANCE Practical, Proven Advice for Grass-Based Dairy Farmers • Grass-Focused Dairy Systems with Targeted Supplement Support • Maximise Profit with Qualified Nutritional Advice • Independent Advice with Monthly Farm Visits • Detailed Animal Health & Nutrition Monitoring • Annual Financial and Profit Plans Built for Your Farm Join successful farmers already improving profits. Call today to book a FREE introductory meeting. www.dnms.co.nz | 027 280 0435 | peter.dnms@gmail.com & howard@dnms.com Phone: (03) 341 8490 Email: admin@aakland.co.nz Website: www.aakland-chemicals.co.nz 88 Treffers Road, PO Box 323, Sockburn Free On-Farm Delivery Free On-Farm Service NZ Dealer for KVK Hoof Trimming Chutes SUPPLIER OF QUALITY HOOF TRIMMING PRODUCTS Available at www.hoofsolutions.co.nz

10 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Chris and Sally Guy Still going strong after six generations Chris Guy has been milking his family 80ha farm, with his wife Sally for the past 10 years. Aimee Wilson On the southern boundary of Auckland district, one of the country’s longest established dairy farms is still going strong after six generations. Chris Guy has been milking his family 80ha farm, with his wife Sally for the past 10 years, with the land having been in the family for 145 years. As well the 230 Fresian dairy cows, the farm has 200 dry stock, including 100 R1 (dairy/beef) and 80 R2 (dairy/beef) on an adjacent 70ha lease block. The couple were runner-up in the National Sharemilker Of The Year awards back in 2018, and in 2021 decided to sign up with Halter as a partner farm, to test the product and to help provide feedback and direction for the company. Chris said the AI-powered GPS cow collar system that enables virtual fencing, remote herd management, and health monitoring has been a game changer for the farm - particularly as a one-person operation. Using sound and vibration cues to guide animals, it eliminates the need for physical fences, allowing for precise grazing, improved animal welfare, and 24/7, app-based monitoring of cattle location and activity. “It just gives us flexibility as we only milk once a day all season. Not having to come back and shift cows or milk them in the afternoon, this gives the opportunity for more family time, ” he said. The solar-powered smart collars tracks cow health metrics like rumination, grazing, movement and heat detection. “It’s a massive time saving ability that we have available. We run two herds so it’s less time in the yard, and less pressure on the water systems in the summer.” He said the technology gives him the ability to graze the farm in an unconventional way, for example, by moving cows at night when bad weather is on its way - running the entire operation from his phone. “The pasture management is more efficient so we can refresh our paddocks quicker with the easy use of back fencing.” Situated 40 minutes south of the Auckland CBD, in Karaka, the couple also opened Little Guys Learning, an Early Learning Centre on the farm five years ago in 2021. Licensed for 100 children, the centre offers an outdoor learning program on the farm. The children get to experience life on the dairy farm and enjoy the outdoor classroom set up in the macrocarpa forest. Chris and Sally are busy with three children of their own (Hunter, (9) Fletcher, (7), Sophia, (6). His parents and two sisters also live on the property and his father Allan helps out on the farm where possible, often looking after the run off stock. • Maize silage • planting & harvesting • Loader wagon silage • Big square baling • Round baling • Full ground cultivation 027 4648 437 | murdoch.ag.contracting@gmail.com Chris’ mother Wendy is a great support to Chris and Sally, helping out with the grandchildren where possible. Being among one of the last farms left in the area, surrounded by new housing developments between Pukekohe and Papakura, there is no ability for farm expansion, however they will look at buying another (bigger) farm to ensure their children have the opportunity to continue the Guy family farming legacy. CHALLENGE LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT LIMITED • Stock Transport • Bale Cartage • Silage Trucks • Tipping work • Metal Supply/Deliver Contact Wayne 0274 747 899 EARTHWORKS & CIVIL CONTRACTING Grant Fitzgerald - 021 678 720 | grant@fitzgeraldearthworks.co.nz

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