NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 17 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Aoraki Dairy Conversion ‘massive learning curve’ Kim Newth A oraki Dairy is part of Pamu’s Moutoa Dairy Complex near Foxton in the Horowhenua. The 196 hectare effective property is currently two seasons into an organic conversion under farm manager Reece Bonnor and his team. Within Pamu’s national portfolio of Landcorp farms, there is a growing focus on organic farming and producing premium natural foods that are healthier for consumers and the environment. Pamu is a member of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand. Reece has been with Pamu for nine years and started his organic dairy journey in 2016 on Tas- man Dairy, also part of the Moutoa Dairy Complex. Tasman was created from an amalgamation of two dairy farms, including Tarawera that Reece had previously managed. “We had this perfect opportunity to amalgamate two smaller farms into one and go organic at the same time. I didn’t know anything about organic farming back then so it was a completely new venture for me. It was a massive learning curve because the organic farming approach is very dif- ferent to traditional farming in some fundamental ways, such as how animal health is managed.” Reece’s wife Letitia also works for Pamu as a farm technician for the Moutoa Dairy Complex and the couple are raising two children, Lillee, 5 and Carter, 3, with Reece now busy on-farm steering through Aoraki Dairy’s organic conversion. The target date for completion is 10 October 2022. “The reason we chose that date is because we generally get our peak grass growth around late September/early October. Throughout the first three years of conversion, we have to empty all feed sur- plus and supplement – everything has to be gone by 10 October so we can start again.” Aoraki Dairy is aiming for organic certification that meets strict USDA National Organic Program standards through AsureQuality. “That means we can’t use any soluble fertiliser or chemicals like sprays. All urea is out. We do use quite a bit of chicken manure and weed manage- ment becomes mechanical – it can be quite tricky at times. With animal health, organic farms can’t use antibiotics. There are a lot of drenches we can’t use as part of the standard. You have to use a lot of observation and there’s quite a bit of learning in trying to pick up and manage issues like mastitis before it flares up.” On the pasture side, the round (or grazing inter- val) is longer in an organic farm system. Through spring, a conventional farm system may run an 18 or 24 day round, as opposed to a 30 to 36 day round on an organic farm. “It’s so you can build a buffer and make your own supplement on the farm.” The stocking rate at Aoraki Dairy has dropped from three cows per hectare to 2.6, which had a big impact on production in the first season of the con- version. The farm used to milk 680 cows producing around 240,000kgMS, but is now peak milking 440 cows with average production of 168,000kgMS. “Yet we still have bills to pay so we’re running the farm to be quite high performing while also re- ally trying to look after the animals and the land.” Local contractors Guthrie Ag tubing organic maize silage at Aoraki Dairy near Foxton. The stocking rate has dropped with Aoraki now peak milking 440 cows, down from 680. Lillee, daughter of farm manager Reece Bonor, helps wash up after milking. Crimson clover, just one of the plants in Aoraki’s 26-species summer crop. Phone (06) 324 8426 F: (06) 324 8427 • E: info@farmsupplies.co.nz • W: www.farmsupplies.co.nz IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE DESIGN & ANYTIME SERVICE RONGOTEA • All Brands of Pumps for All Purposes • Irrigation Systems • Bore Pumps • Water Purification • T asman T anks • F arm Effluent Systems • All Brands of Dairy Equipment • Reporoa Backing Gates • Water Meters Milka-Ware Total Dairy Systems IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE DESIGN & ANYTIME SERVICE Phone: (06) 324 8426 Fax: (06) 324 8427 • E: info@farmsupplies.co.nz • www.farmsupplies.co.nz Pumps for All Purposes • Irrigation Systems • Bore Pumps • Water Purification • Water Meters Farm Effluent Systems • Dairy Equipment • Reporoa Backing Gates • Tasman Tanks RONGOTEA GEA FarmTechnologies TEAT SPRAYING TECHNOLOGY AN COMPANY EXCELLENCE IN DAIRYING EFFLUENT PUMPS & SYSTEMS TEAT SPRAYING TECHNOLOGY AN COMPANY EXCELLENCE IN DAIRYING • Fertiliser spreading • Cultivation • All bulk silage requirements • Round baling & wrapping • Bulk cartage • Square baling & wrapping • Hay - large rounds / large squares • Stockists of Hatuma Lime • Ravensdown consignment store with certified weigh bridge Agricultural Contractors - Levin Contact Garry 027 232 2380 Rowan 027 452 2562 Serving the Horowhenua since 1924 SERVICES OFFERED: Your Animal Health Professionals • Best Prac�ce Accredited • Complete Pet Care • Physio and Rehab • Animal Health Products • Farm Services • Available 7 days by appointment 518 Queen Street Levin Ph: 06 368 2891 www.lhvc.co.nz Proudly part of the Totally Vets group now