34 | nzdairy DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS » Waka Dairies Technology underpins every aspect of the operation. • from page 32 MAKE THE MOST FROMYOUR LAND Whether you’re trying to achieve higher yields, faster growth, better nutritional value or optimising current resources, our complete solutions achieve your commercial objectives by taking your unique land, farm systems and environment into account. We call it Performance Agronomy™. To find out more go to catalystag.co.nz. Paddy Contracting Ltd • Complete forage Harvesting Services • Beet Harvesting • Beet Planting • Full Cultivation Services • Strip Tillage • Maize Planting Proudly supporting Waka Dairies Precision agriculture technologies further maximise efficiency and help to minimise waste. Modern CLAAS tractors have auto-steering and section control, preventing overlap in spreading, spraying and seeding. The farm’s SMART fertiliser approach - assessing Source, Method, Assessment, Rate and Timing - ensures each paddock receives precisely what it needs based on individual soil tests. Environmental stewardship includes extensive planting. Since 2018, Waka Dairies has planted 12,504 plants in riparian areas, with a further 7.7 hectares planted last year through the Fonterra/ Nestlé greenhouse gas partnership. The 30-hectare retirement and native afforestation project includes wetland restoration and plans for traditional food sources like tuna and koura habitat. Michael also credits service providers and suppliers with assisting Waka Dairies to achieve all it has. “We aim to be a leading dairy producer and we simply couldn’t do what we do without them.” By producing enough milk daily to feed 38,000 people their dairy intake plus 27,000 portions of beef annually across 380 hectares Waka Dairies is proud to do this while maintaining environmental standards that exceed many extensive systems, says Michael. “Responsible dairy farming to us means being an efficient food producer that ensures the environment, animals and people are all nurtured and respected. This place is my home; my family connection to it reaches back nearly 120 years. My passion and respect for the taiao (environment) and porihanga (society) drive my ongoing efforts to continue to build on an efficient, sustainable and contributing business.”
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