16 | nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Kukuwai Farms Careful stewardship and efficient farm management Kukuwai Farms covers 77 hectares, with about 60 hectares effective. Russell Fredric PH: 027 463 5916 | 7 Gateway West, Whakatane 3120 | office@absolutedairy.co.nz | www.absolutedairy.co.nz ABSOLUTE DAIRY & WATER LTD • MILKING MACHINES • EFFLUENT SYSTEMS • WATER TREATMENT • WATER PUMPS & RETICULATION • POOL & SPA • NZMPTA ISO REGISTERED MILKING MACHINE TESTERS • 24 HOUR CALL OUT SERVICE PROUD TO SUPPORT KUKUWAI FARMS CONTACT US TODAY 027 449 2950 or 07 5333 356 | office@pikowaicarrierslimited.co.nz Proud to support Kukuwai Farms Specialising in livestock and bulk cartage ENABLING BETTER BUSINESS 0800 888 055 diprosemiller.co.nz WE ARE A CHARTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM WHODOESN’T JUST TICK BOXES, WE LOOK OUTSIDE THEM. Proudly supporting Kukuwai Farms Diane Alsemgeest 027 304 3398 diane@gcmfeeds.co.nz A small coastal dairy farm near Makeu is gaining recognition for proving that careful environmental stewardship and efficient farm management can go hand in hand. Bobby and Anna Dean of Kukuwai Farms are finalists in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards in the Bay of Plenty, recognition that highlights the couple’s practical approach to balancing production with environmental responsibility. The farm sits close to the Maketu Estuary, a location that has strongly shaped how the property is managed. Kukuwai Farms covers 77 hectares, with about 60 hectares effective, and milks around 195 predominantly Friesian cows through an internal rotary shed, supplying to Open Country Dairy. Bobby and Anna have owned the property outright for four seasons after initially entering through an equity partnership more than a decade ago. The couple also operate a 50/50 sharemilking position nearby, running about 650 cows on another Maketu property, but the focus of their environmental work has been on their own farm. “We just try to farm as best practice as we can,” Bobby says. That philosophy has guided a steady programme of environmental improvements during the past several seasons. A key focus has been waterways and drainage channels that run across the low-lying property. “We’ve planted close to 2,500 natives along the drains over about four years,” Bobby says. The plantings create riparian buffers along the drains and wet areas, helping filter runoff before it leaves the property while also encouraging native vegetation to re-establish. Wet areas and sensitive parts of the farm have also been fenced to protect waterways and allow natural regeneration. The work has already seen native species such as sea rush returning to restored wetland margins. Environmental care is supported by practical changes in the farm system. Stack silage has been replaced with baleage, reducing nitrogen
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