18 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Broadlands Dairy Rewarding to ‘farm like my ancestors used to’ Karen Phelps Pamu’s Broadland dairy unit in Reporoa is a good example of how the company is aiming to be good stewards of the land. It is in its third season of converting to organic and farm manager Jacob Ratu says his all-Maori team has been at the forefront of initiating the change. The 515ha unit was converted to dairy from pine in 2006. It milks 1150 crossbred cows through an 80-bail rotary shed with automatic cup removers and MilkHub technology. Around 382ha of the farm is irrigated via centre pivots. Jacob says that Pamu is aiming to reduce emissions ‘as best we can each year’. Broadland is playing its part and no longer uses synthetic nitrogen and has a lower stocking rate of 2.2 cows per ha compared with when it previously farmed 1600 cows. Farming organically is about more attention to detail over the whole operation. This includes weekly pasture walks and sticking to the rotation plan, leaving higher residuals of 1600 instead of 1500 at key times of year, such as heading into spring. Farm manager Jacob Ratu says the goal at Broadland is to achieve the right balance between production and caring for the land. “We don’t have the same levers to pull as a conventional farm. For example, buying in feed is more problematic as it has to be organic and we can’t use antibiotics. “ It’s about being proactive rather than reactive, focusing on prevention rather than just treatment when there is already a problem,” he says. In terms of animal health that means more proactive vet checks, monitoring mineral levels and increased attention to detail in the shed to catch any health issues early. New treatments such as homeopathics are now used and according to Jacob they work. This has required a lot of staff training to keep the six staff engaged and on-board. Jacob has completed courses on management and human resources to upskill himself as well and says he likes drawing ideas out of his staff and letting them help make decisions. “I like to see people further themselves and giving them the tools to be better farmers.” Creating a team atmosphere is important. The farm has its own netball team, which includes wider whanau, and it’s a great way to get everyone together outside work, says Jacob. He says acting as kaitiaki of the land is important to the team, which is largely strongly local, meaning there is a lot of in-depth knowledge of the land and a deeper understanding and relationship with it. The goal on Broadland is to achieve the right balance between production and caring for the land. Total farm production has reduced during the organic conversion process with the lower stocking rate however the cows are producing more on an individual level. Last season the herd produced 379,000kgsMS and this season the target is 400,000kgsMS. Jacob thinks the overall farm optimal production will sit around 440,000kgsMS. It’s the first time Jacob has farmed organically and while he admits initially he was hesitant due to it being an unknown system to him now he wouldn’t go back to conventional farming. “I just find it better for the environment and it keeps you thinking all the time. “It’s rewarding and satisfying to farm like my ancestors used to.” 16 Miro Street Taupo office@mainlandeng.co.nz • Dairy shed milking plant and water systems • General engineering for the agricultural sector • Feeding systems for herringbone and rotary sheds Paul 027 244 3354 | Kyllee 027 688 8677 Paul & Kyllee Henton • DAIRY • DEER • EQUINE • PIGS • BEEF • SHEEP • ANTI-FATIGUE • WINTERING @AgriTechImportsNZ pkhenton@xtra.co.nz www.comfycow.co.nz BroadlandsDairyUnit LandcorpFarmPamu JacobRatu 027 511 2043 ratuj@landcorp.co.nz
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