22 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Kaiwaiwai Dairies Installing a 54 kW solar array beside the dairy shed and irrigation pump shed in 2021 has turned out to be a very smart investment. Kim Newth Four years after installing a 54 kW groundmounted solar PV array, South Wairarapa’s Kaiwaiwai Dairies is exploring a further solar expansion to take its energy efficient operation to the next level. Located between Featherston and Martinborough, Kaiwaiwai Dairies Ltd comprises a 337-hectare milking platform, along with a 305-hectare dairy support block. The operation peak milks over 1,000 cows, and calves 600 cows in spring and 300-320 in autumn. Directors Aidan Buchan, Neville Fisher and Vern Brasell have long taken a strategic approach on investing in innovation to boost efficiency, resiliency and environmental performance. Over recent years, Kaiwaiwai Dairies has won accolades at both the Zimmatic Trailblazer Irrigation Awards and Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Installing a 54 kW solar array beside the dairy shed and irrigation pump shed in 2021 has turned out to be a very smart investment for the team. “When we first put it in, the cost of power from the national grid was around 21c/kWh and it’s now just under 30c/kWh,” says Aidan. “Our return on investment has gone from just under 14% to somewhere over 18%.” The farm makes maximum use of their solar array to power the cow shed and irrigators. If the existing solar setup doubled in size, more than 90% of the energy could still be used on farm. In fact, the team is currently exploring an even more ambitious expansion. “We are looking at adding another 240 to 290 kW to our array and installing a 200 kW battery. Even in this scenario, we’d still be using most of the solar power generated (70-80%) on farm. We’ve applied for funding for a trial with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to support our plans and are working through that process at the moment.” While positive momentum is continuing to build in New Zealand dairy sector, Aidan says costs of production have also been ramping up. The pros and cons of every investment decision still have to be carefully weighed. “We’d be looking north of $500,000 if we went ahead with this expansion. The return on investment is attractive but it’s competing with other things that would be useful too, such as composting barns or a bit more technology.” Kaiwaiwai Dairies has already made a sizeable investment in SenseHub Dairy (formerly Allflex) cow collars this year, having introduced them to the spring herd during calving. As Aidan observes, ‘return on capital’ was not the main motivation for investing in these collars. “It was more about the flow-on benefits for cow management, animal health monitoring and reproduction. The heat detection aspect of these collars is very helpful. They save a lot of time on the stand picking cows over mating. Stepping up solar plans in South Wairarapa They also pick up sick cows early and generate an alert, so staff know what’s happening and can respond proactively.” Aidan says he’s talked to other farmers who are not necessarily getting the most out of their various monitoring tools. He’s suggested that NZ Dairy host a field day or discussion group for farmers on this topic. Meanwhile, Kaiwaiwai Dairies continues to work hard on preventing nutrients and sediments from getting into waterways. “We’ve sloped another couple of raceways (400-metres) away from drains this year and have done a block by the cow shed too.” Associated planting was done in conjunction with the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Contact Shane P: 06 379 5504 • M: 027 453 3505 E: grayscontractingltd@yahoo.co.nz SOLVE EFFLUENT COMPLIANCE ISSUES ALL AGRICULTURAL SERVICES AVAILABLE - Large reduction in artificial fertiliser requirements - Eliminate effluent separating equipment - Minimise laneway & paddock damage - High flow rate for fast & efficient effluent discharge - Up to 200 cubic metres shifted per hour - Highly cost effective for emptying large ponds - Significantly less nitrogen loss to the atmosphere Dip.Ag., B.B.S., C.A. 35 Jellicoe Street, Martinborough P: 06 3069 491 | E: office@cans.co.nz COTTER& STEVENS • Electricians • Water pumps • Water treatment • Milking equipment • 24/7 call out service PROUD TO SUPPORT KAIWAIWAI DAIRIES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=