| 23 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Mark and Karen Spooner Improved efficiency, resilience and animal health Exposure to pasture based systems, whole foods and a strong organic market prompted them to reassess their own operation. Alexia Anderson A move to organic dairy farming has proven successful for Te Aroha farmers Mark and Karen Spooner, who have since seen improvements in efficiency, farm resilience and animal health. Mark and Karen are the third generation to work the farm, initially purchased by Mark’s grandparents Ev and Jim Spooner, before his parents, Nola and Warren, took over. After studying at Massey University, Mark returned home where he progressed from contract milking to sharemilking alongside Karen. In 2001, they purchased a neighbouring farm, which they added to their existing property, now collectively operating as Oakdale Organics. The Spooners initially ran a conventional system. They were milking about 335 cows on 102 effective hectares, 109 hectares in total, and started questioning whether more cows necessarily meant more production. “We started to reduce cow numbers, but didn’t see an impact in production and, in fact, production went up and we wanted to see how far we could take that number.” That curiosity marked the beginning of their shift in thinking. While they had friends already involved in organic dairy farming, it wasn’t until they went on a family trip to the United States that their perspective truly changed. Exposure to pasture-based systems, whole foods and a strong organic market during a trip to the United States prompted the Spooners to reassess their operation. Mark noted it was less about the systems themselves and more about the value placed on grassfed meat and dairy, which attracted a premium that organic certification now allows them to access. When they returned home they realised their system was already closely aligned with organic principles, with some minor adjustments required. They made the decision to convert in late 2016 and have not looked back since. Their first step was to approach Fonterra about their plans and within a year the conversion was well under way. They then removed synthetic fertilisers, including urea, which was replaced by a greater reliance on natural systems and on-farm inputs such as effluent. That move saw the emergence of red clover in their pastures, marking an early indicator that they were on the right track. “That was the driver to continue down that road of letting soil biology take its own course and really try to kick that into gear. Sometimes doing less is allowing your farm to do more.” Diverse pastures are central to the Spooners’ system, providing resilience during environmental stress such as flooding, heat or drought. “They stand up and do the heavy lifting,” he says, of the pastures under pressure. Mark credits the help of Gavins Ltd for its support and knowledge along the way. As a result, the Spooners have been able to make maize a big part of their overall system and benefit from surplus grass growth, allowing them to manage feed quality. However, the benefits extend beyond pasture performance. Mark says animal health has also improved, reducing the need for veterinary intervention. With a current production of 410kg milk solids per cow, the Spooners are proving that strong performance can still be achieved organically. Even where production might dip, the reduction in input costs leaves farmers “substantially better off”. The move has also meant the farm has become more self-sufficient, protecting the business from external pressures, such as rising fuel prices and reliance on imported feed. While the transition has required careful planning and compliance, including working with certification body BioGro, it has added to the Spooners’ passion for farming. Site & Demolition Work | Drain Cleaning & V Drains Auger For Drilling Holes | Race Preparation & Maintenance Suppliers Of Rock | Metal & Sand Cartage Tractor & Trailer Hire and much much more... WE DO ALL GENERAL EXCAVATION The team at Waihou Excavation offer a number of different excavation services around the Waikato. We have 4 excavators, 6, 13 & 18 Tonne diggers. 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