NZ Dairy Spring 2021

64 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Pouarua Farms Jenna Smith with the Lewis Road Creamery A2 milk – 100% produced from Pouarua Farms. Lucerne crop established on farm, this is the first time Lucerne has been grown on the platform (below). Of course, you still have to make the economics work, but there are different ways to profit. We’re looking at it with a long term lens.” All dairy farms are run as System 2 and sit on soft peaty land. How this land is being farmed is progressively changing. “On Farm B [74ha], for example, we have just made a system change into running a split calving herd, calving in autumn and spring so we can milk all year round. We have purchased an all-new herd – a pure bred Jersey A2 herd.” The switch to Jersey cows is a win for environ- mental management, lightening the stock footprint on the land, and it has also paved the way to an A2 milk supply deal with premium Kiwi dairy company Lewis Road Creamery. This alliance is a good fit both ways, with farm and creamery sharing GMO- free principles and a commitment to well cared for cows raised on grass. Cropping is being efficiently managed with sor- ghum direct-drilled behind summer turnips to pro- vide two summer crops in one. Pasture biodiversity is on track for further enhancement with a multi- species grass trial underway on Farm B, comprising seven different species including lucerne, chicory, plantain, clovers and ryegrass. As well, Pouarua is making smart on-farm investment. Farm B’s 20-a-side shed is soon to be retired in favour of a new 60-bail rotary shed with advanced automation that will be shared with neighbouring Farm C. “We have purchased an all-new herd – a pure bred Jersey A2 herd.” • from page 63 HAURAKI PLAINS MOTORS LTD For all new and used farm machinery 1 Pipiroa Road, NGATEA - Ph. 07 867 7021 e: admin@hpmotors.co.nz www.haurakiplainsmotors.co.nz Miles Shelley 027 227 1121 Michael Duffin 027 440 4681 Proud supporters of POUARUA FARMS Helping grow the country Contact us for all your livestock requirements pggwrightson.co.nz | 0800 10 22 76 Proud to be the chosen Electrician for Pouarua Dairy 07 867 7049 www.laserelectrical.co.nz 29 Orchard West Rd, Ngatea ngatea@laserelectrical.co.nz