32 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Waka Dairies Intensive model and environment can be balanced Karen Phelps Winning the 2025 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award proves that intensive dairy farming and good environmental outcomes can go hand in hand, says owner of Waka Dairies Michael Phillips. “Winning means a huge amount - industry recognition, contributing a positive story to industry and the wider community and pride at what we’ve done on farm,” says Michael. “We are showing we can be a system five farm that is efficient and effective. It’s about showing ourselves and industry what can be applied in this space to achieve good environmental outcomes.” Based in Dannevirke, Waka Dairies operates a 650-cow, autumn-calving system producing 650 kilograms of milk solids per cow annually. But the numbers that truly impress lie beneath the surface: nitrogen leaching sits at just 30kg per hectare and the operation generates 8.5kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of milk solids. The transformation hasn’t happened overnight. A decade ago the farm milked 850 cows, imported feed costing $1.54 million annually and struggled with profitability with nitrogen leaching reaching 96kg per hectare. Today it imports just 8 per cent of its feed, compared to the previous 40 per cent, and has reduced nitrogen leaching by 65 per cent. “We knew we had to have a better environmentally and financially sustainable system,” explains Michael. “We went away from historic principals that you have to grow grass to be profitable and that you had to milk on all your land owned.” The farm’s state-of-the-art composting shelter system exemplifies this innovative approach. Cows calve indoors on composting bedding packs, dramatically reducing milk fever rates from 20 per cent to just 1-2 per cent of the herd while calf Based in Dannevirke, Waka Dairies operates a 650-cow, autumn-calving system. • to page 34 Proudly supplyingWakaDairies with quality agricultural machinery DAIRYVET THE YOUR DAIRY VET PROFESSIONALS Offering service throughout Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua PROUDLY PROVIDING SERVICE TO WAKA DAIRIES 0800 MOOVET (666838) thedairyvet.co.nz Our experienced five vet and four technician team provide a full range of emergency and preventa�ve services, specialising in proac�ve herd health and we offer free on-farm deliveries. PEOPLE • PASSION • PROGRESSION Proud to support Waka Dairies Hay, Baleage & Feeds Kevin Hermansen 027 485 5755 Silage & Trucking Paul Glover 027 286 1699 Agricultural Cultivation Kevin Hermansen 027 485 5755 Email: hermycontracting@xtra.co.nz mortality has dropped to less than 1 per cent. The composting process creates valuable fertiliser that closes the nutrient loop on farm. Technology underpins every aspect of the operation. Cow collar sensors detect illness before symptoms appear and monitor heat stress, automatically triggering moves to the shelter when temperatures soar. During summer cows retreat indoors from 10am until late afternoon. “The ability to measure heat stress allows happy, relaxed animals resulting in efficiency in production and minimising feed wastage,” explains Michael.
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