14 | nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Denise and Ivan Hopper Innovation and animal welfare efforts recognised Ivan and Denise together with their daughter Kelly-Anne. Kim Newth Southland dairy farmers Ivan and Denise Hopper have worked long and hard to build their dairy farm business and, with the next generation now starting to make their mark, the couple are proud that their effort is being acknowledged this year at the annual Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA). At the time of writing, Ivan and Denise together with their daughter Kelly-Anne were counting down to the Southland BFEA awards night after being named as finalists. Since moving to their Woodlands farm near Invercargill in 2007, Ivan and Denise have built a self-contained, highly efficient dairy operation comprising a 126ha farm (120ha effective) and two run-offs – one of 88ha and the other 41ha – used for wintering and growing supplementary feed. Kelly-Anne has inherited her parents love of farming. She was named Dairy Trainee runner-up in the 2022 Southland Otago Dairy Industry Awards, working at that time for Matt and Sarah McKenzie before moving back to the home farm, Dairy Patch. “She’s been with us for three years now as 2IC and is at the stage where she’s wanting to step up,” explains Denise. “She’s got a partner now who will help here too – it’s a new venture for him as well.” This year’s BFEA judges were impressed by the significant gains in efficiency that had been made through leveraging sophisticated technology as well as the family’s knowledge of dairy farming and evident commitment to a high level of animal welfare. Central to the efficient farm operation is an innovative robotic system that enables exceptional grazing management. Denise and Ivan installed five DeLaval robotic milking machines in 2018 and have since installed another couple of these machines to increase milking frequency by enabling more milking opportunity per cow. The robotic technology is easier on the cows and less hands on than regular milking. Back in 2018, Ivan and Denise were also grateful for the flexibility it opened up around family time. While Kelly-Anne, 26, has since come home to farm, their two sons • EXCAVATION • FERTILISER SOWING • BALEAGE &CULTIVATION • GRAVEL/ROCK SUPPLIES • EFFLUENT SPREADING • TRANSPORT www.wilsoncontracting.net OFFICE - 03 216 7777 Phone Shane - 027 659 8066 Pleased to Support Denise and Ivan Hopper Livestock Cartage General Cartage Fertiliser Cartage 4WD Computerised Spreaders Full Ag contracting and Earthmoving services Diggers, grader, roller, bulldozer 03 231 3238 admin@smithstransport.co.nz Fert Cartage and Sowing Brendon (Mouse) - Mobile 027 474 8088 Stock and Bulk Cartage Shaun - Mobile 027 474 8080 Diggers and Ag Contracting Shane - Mobile 027 659 8066 Call Grant: 027 544 5791 Phone: (03) 231 3165 Email: gtchamberlain@xtra.co.nz New Homes & Alterations • Dairy/Wintering Sheds Digger & Machine Hire • Concrete Work • Roofing Your Local Rural Builder are now forging ahead with careers of their own. Peter, 23, is an apprentice engineer with McMaster Engineering in Winton while Shaun, 20, is completing an electrical apprenticeship with Ballance. Another recent investment by Dairy Patch was in a new feed pad, added last autumn. The BFEA judges commended the Hoppers for installing the pad, which features grooved concrete designed for cow comfort. “Having this pad has definitely made a big difference – it gives us that security for winter milking,” says Denise. “We put rubber matting down too so if the cows are on it for an extended period, it’s not hard on them.” Over the past six years, the couple has also moved away from milking a Friesian herd to predominantly Jersey cross cows; these productive, lighter cows are a good fit for their country. Denise and Ivan say it’s nice to have the BFEA recognition and to have that confirmation that they are farming well. Yet, like any good farmer, they’re adaptable and always thinking about what’s next. “In the beginning, when you’re young, you know there’s a lot of learn but even now, after 35 years, we know there’s still more to learn!” “Having this pad has definitely made a big difference – it gives us that security for winter milking.”
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