28 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Gladvale Farms Ltd Five dairy units across 1,530 hectares Karen Phelps A Central Southland dairy operation that has invested millions in environmental protection systems has lodged an appeal against a recent court ruling, claiming the judgment relied on assumptions rather than facts. Gladvale Farms Ltd was fined $82,500 by the Invercargill District Court in relation to an effluent discharge incident dating back to 2019 but the company maintains no discharge into water actually occurred. “We are disappointed with the outcome and have appealed the decision,” explains David Lindsay, Director of Gladvale Farms. “We believe the judgment relied on assumptions about what could have occurred rather than what did, and this sets a concerning precedent for responsible, well- managed farming operations.” The sixth-generation farmer leads one of Southland’s largest dairy enterprises, operating five dairy units across 1,530 hectares with over 4,000 cows and employing 35 staff. The business was founded by David’s father Geoff in 1978 and David says that since 2005 Gladvale has invested extensively in infrastructure designed to not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements. Gladvale was recognised as the winner of the agribusiness management award at the 2016 Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards, acknowledging its systematic approach to sustainable farming. “We take environmental responsibility seriously,” says David. “Our effluent infrastructure includes real-time monitoring, emergency response protocols, staff training and regular system audits. These systems are designed to go beyond compliance, and we remain confident in their performance.” The business was founded by David’s father Geoff in 1978.
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