44 | nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » McCarty Farms Same production with a reduced stocking rate Karen Phelps After attending a Fonterra course on how to reduce farm emissions, John and Donna McCarty of McCarty Farms in Kaponga made the decision to reduce their stocking rate. And now a season down the track their production is the same as before and their emissions significantly reduced. Also young stock, which were previously grazed out, can now be grazed on farm, which saw 62 young stock there this season. “We reduced cow numbers from 340 to 270 when we learned that higher per cow production and fewer cows reduces footprint on farm,” says John. “Our goal this year was 540kgsMS per cow and we’ll achieve about 545-550kgsMS per cow.” This rise in production is supported by supplements including maize grown on farm and PKE. “Every year with 340 cows I always ran out of maize around Christmas time. I’d be relying on a wet summer to get through and this year South Taranaki had the worst drought it’s had in years. This year as I had only 270 cows I had enough maize to feed right through. This meant I could have a 36-37 day round through January to March feeding a maize and PKE blend on the feed pad. Our next goal is to reduce use of PKE.” Improved breeding techniques have also been an important part of the mix. Using technology such as CowManager, implemented two years ago, has resulted in a rise in number of calves. “We had 105 calves this year because we had so many cows in calf early and had a 75% in-calf rate for sexed semen straws. CowManager has really assisted with heat detection and its worked a treat. The tags took our conception rate from 50-75%.” It is this proactive approach that saw McCarty Farms recognised at the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards for the Taranaki region taking out the Hill Labs Agri-Science Award. The couple has implemented a range of innovative practices across their 140-hectare property over the years. “We’ve been using organic fertiliser for 20 years with no super phosphate or acid fertilisers,” says John. “We have minimal nitrogen use - just 30 units of urea in September and November, around 75-80 kilograms per hectare.” The farm’s sustainable approach has resulted in thriving soil biology. “Our microbiology is working for us. We have clover all over the farm providing natural nitrogen. The natural cycle is working well on the property,” says John. Perhaps most striking in the McCarty operation is its complete elimination of antibiotics in the cow shed. John and Donna McCarty of McCarty Farms in Kaponga. • to page 46 Revital Fertilisers congratulates John & Donna on their success & thanks them for their continued support www.revital.co.nz “We haven’t used any antibiotics in our cow shed for six seasons. All mastitis treatment is done with probiotics rather than antibiotics. It’s worked a treat,” says John. The farm utilises Probiotic Revolution’s BioRumen DFM, a direct fed microbial fortified with probiotic bacteria, enzymes and yeasts. “Our microbiology is working for us. We have clover all over the farm providing natural nitrogen. The natural cycle is working well on the property.”
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