4 | nzdairy AWARDS » Kaiwaiwai Dairies High praise for outstanding stewardship Kaiwaiwai Dairies herd with solar panels and irrigator. Kim Newth Kaiwaiwai Dairies is an inspiring dairy environment leader in Featherston, whose efforts have been recognised by a host of awards including Supreme Award at the 2020 Greater Wellington Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Adding to the accolades, Aidan Bichan, Vern Brasell and Neville Fisher of Kaiwaiwai Dairies were recently named Supreme Winner Runner-Up at this year’s 2024 Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards. “I gather the judges ended up selecting four finalists this year, instead of the usual three,” says Aidan, who chairs Kaiwaiwai Dairies’ management team. “In such a tight field, the final results often comes down to very small differences. The judges looked at sustainable irrigation management and what we were doing to optimise our system and things like energy efficiency, irrigation scheduling, maintenance and monitoring, our practices around compliance and water efficiency, staff training and the impact of irrigation on the farm business, as well as environmental protection and stewardship.” Judges commended Kaiwaiwai Dairies for their exceptional community involvement and environmental stewardship, particularly their outstanding wetland restoration project. Head Judge Keri Johnston praised their passion, noting their evident love for their community and focus on people. “They understand the value of water and what it brings to their farm and business and they’re not afraid of technology and how it can support on-farm decision-making,” she observed. Kaiwaiwai Dairies has a farm area of 335ha (effective) with more than a third of that area under a three-pivot irrigation system. The pivots are supplied from a deep bore of good water quality. With VRI installed on two of the pivots, water can be precisely applied and used only when and where needed. When operating with effluent injection, VRI also ensures correct placement. The farm’s irrigation system, which is remotely monitored and operated, is designed to reduce risks of over watering. Energy efficiency is another hallmark of the system, as its electrical power supply is integrated with a 54KwH solar array. As well, the use of variable speed pump drive, combined with VRI, reduces power usage. “Our solar array is right beside the dairy shed and irrigation pump shed, as that’s the most efficient location. We have calculated that we’re achieving a nearly 20% return on investment and are currently using 93% of our solar energy generation [with just a small amount exported back to the grid in the quieter winter months].” “Our solar array is right beside the dairy shed and irrigation pump shed, as that’s the most efficient location. We have calculated that we’re achieving a nearly 20% return.” Dip.Ag., B.B.S., C.A. Contact Shane P: 06 379 5504 • M: 027 453 3505 E: grayscontractingltd@yahoo.co.nz - Large reduction in artificial fertiliser requirements - Eliminate effluent separating equipment - Minimise laneway & paddock damage - High flow rate for fast & efficient effluent discharge - Highly cost effective for emptying large ponds - Significantly less nitrogen loss to the atmosphere SOLVE EFFLUENT COMPLIANCE ISSUES ALL AGRICULTURAL SERVICES AVAILABLE 35 Jellicoe Street, Martinborough P: 06 3069 491 | E: office@cans.co.nz • Electricians • Water pumps • Water treatment • Milking equipment • 24/7 call out service COTTER & STEVENS PROUD TO SUPPORT KAIWAIWAI DAIRIES Kaiwaiwai Dairies has ambitious goals for additional solar generation, including plans to install panels flat across water races near the dairy shed. “Laying them flat, rather than sloping, will help to shade water races, in turn lowering water temperatures and suppressing weed growth.” Aidan says that Kaiwaiwai sees considerable potential in investing in technology to further optimise and automate how they use their energy as more becomes available. At Kaiwaiwai Dairies, risks of nutrient loss from overland flow and raceway sediments near drains are mitigated through the farm’s constructed wetland, as well as strategically placed sediment and nutrient traps and ensuring that high use laneways slope away from drains. Stock exclusion, waterway fencing and planting also help to prevent nutrients entering waterways. “We will be doing further laneway work this year to help ensure run-off goes into the paddock and not the drain.” Kaiwaiwai recently hosted a Wairarapa Water Users Group field day looking at water efficiency in the cow shed and energy efficiency.
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