| 15 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » 1 Arrow Ltd With two milkings each day, it takes about three and a half hours to move the herd through the 54-bale rotary shed. CropX, a moisture monitoring system, aggregates data from soil to sky and provides a clear view of field conditions. Jonny says it has been working well since adopting it four to five years ago, offering insights that support irrigation decisions and paddock management. While the farm makes use of tools, Jonny keeps the process simple. “I keep an eye on the information that’s given to me by the milk company,” he says. However, systems like MaxT and Milking By Time (MbT) have helped improve efficiency in the shed. MaxT sets a maximum time per cow, ensuring clusters come off promptly without affecting production or udder health. MbT has also been of great value, standardising routines, monitoring rotation times, and making milkings more consistent for both cows and staff. Data plays a role in herd management too. Jonny inputs detailed records into MINDA, LIC’s herd management platform, which helps him make faster, better decisions. It is that system, and others, that appears to be working well for One Arrow, after it won the Fonterra Te Tihi Award for over 90% milk quality excellence for the last three seasons. However, Jonny says technology can be great, but it is only as effective as the people using it. The key focus for the team at One Arrow is to make the best decision with the information they have on the day, particularly around animal welfare and sustainability. Looking ahead, Jonny expects technology will continue to evolve, but believes its value will always depend on how well it is applied. “The data is only as good as the person inputting it and then the person using it.” He believes there is no right or wrong direction to go in for farmers considering their options. “There’s some very good farmers with technology and there’s some very good farmers without technology,” he says. PERMBRAND.CO.NZ permbrand Contact PHILL SHAW 027 570 2772 Email: phill@permbrand.co.nz • Rotary, Herringbone & Robotic Sheds • Molasses’ Systems • PKE & Pellet Systems • Silos • Augers • Mills - New Generation - Skiold DISC MILLS • Mineral Dispenser’s • Dust Kits • Air Fluidizer Kits AND MUCH MORE FROM THE COMPANY THAT UNDERSTANDS MEAL FEEDING Proudly supporting 1 Arrow Ltd FERTILISER SPREADING | FARM MAPPING GPS TRACKING | VARIABLE RATE SPREADING LIVESTOCK CARTAGE | DAILY FREIGHT CONCRETE SUPPLIES | GRAIN CARTAGE SHINGLE SUPPLIES | FERTILISER SUPPLIES Leeston: 03 3248 070 | Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz Ultimately, the winning formula at One Arrow does not depend on adopting every new tool on the market, but in knowing how to use the ones they do embrace well.
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