NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 29 nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Donna & Derek Baker: Hump Bridge Milk H ump Bridge Milk recently included more cows in its herd to keep up with demand for its A2/ A2 raw farmgate milk sales. Owned by Derek and Donna Baker, this pint-sized dairy herd near Te Awamutu is punching well above its weight – with customers paying $3 a litre ($39/ kg of Milk Solids) for its unpasteurised produce. On the face of it – regardless of its growth – this is arguably one of New Zealand’s smallest dairy herds. Derek and Donna own 14 cows – 10 of them in-milk at any one time throughout the year. They are milked in a 11-a-aside herringbone (using only one side). The herd includes a Friesian, a Jersey, two Ayrshires and several Kiwicross cows. The couple bought the eight-hectare Pokuru Road business as a going concern in December 2019. Since then it’s been a labour of love with Derek working off-farm, and Donna shouldering the day-to-day farm work and milk sales. Their eager bevy of buyers regularly come from as far north as Auckland, and as far south as Tau- marunui, with the odd Wellingtonian included. Donna says they know they must be doing some- thing right when retired dairy farmers and Fonterra tanker drivers routinely stop in to buy. A2/A2 milk contains only the A2 beta-casein, and its purported health benefits have been an impor- tant drawcard. All of the cows are A2/A2 confirmed, and Donna says low somatic cell counts is another critical part of the business. Donna says the secret to producing excellent raw milk is extreme hygiene throughout the process. Every cow’s teat is washed, dip-sprayed, wiped, and every quarter is hand-stripped before milking (to check for mastitis). In addition, it makes it easy when the cows enjoy being handled. The milk has a direct feed from the plant to spe- cially designed refrigerated pods (mini vats). Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regulations for farmgate milk sales are stringent. Before the milk becomes available to the public, it passes through a water plate cooler, before moving through a second “ice-bank” refrigerated plate unit, which rapidly brings the temperature down to three degrees Celsius as it enters the pod. The pod is wheeled out to the refrigerated vending machine, which holds its temperature at two degrees Celsius. The vending machine self-sterilises after each pour. Glass bottles, which can be returned for refill- ing, complete the paddock to plate experience. Donna said retired farmers who come to buy their milk often offer their thoughts on her operation, and the city visitors enjoy seeing their cows grazing happily in the front paddock, and to hear about the personalities they have on-farm. “The older generation are often returning to what they remember,” Donna says. “They tell me how my grass is looking, and they love to see the cows. “Our city customers ask all those questions that everyone asks. Big milk taste from tiny milking herd Dianna Malcolm They often want to see the cows and the calves, and I’m happy to show them. I like showing off my animals because they do look good. These cows have a pretty cruisy lifestyle.” Derek is completing a barista course, which will be a happy bonus for customers when it is given the final sign-off by MPI and council. But there are no immediate plans to push the workload to producing cheese or ice cream. The size of the operation means it’s always all hands on deck. Their 13-year-old daughter, Casey- Lee, is the sole help they have on-farm. “It’s been a lifestyle move, we’re not going to get rich doing it,” Donna said. “But it’s so amazing to make milk available to our customers which looks like milk should look.” WHEN YOU NEED A LAWYER WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU TeAwamutu 07 872 0236 | Otorohanga 07 873 7179 | www.edmondsjudd.co.nz Edmonds Judd is proud to support Donna & Derek Baker - Hump Bridge Milk “Our city customers ask all those questions that everyone asks. They often want to see the cows and the calves, and I’m happy to show them. I like showing off my animals because they do look good.” Photos: Donna and Derek Baker with 13-year-old daughter Casey-Lee, who helps run Hump Bridge Milk. Life is pretty “cruisy” for the Hump Bridge herd. The distinctive milk bottle marks the spot for Hump Bridge Milk’s customers. Photos supplied. WAIKATO 07 871 4058 nzfss.teawamutu@fonterra.com 366 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu nzfarmsource.co.nz Proudly supporting Donna & Derek at Hump Bridge Milk.