| 47 nzdairy BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS » Pukatea Dairy Farms Pukatea Dairy Farms is a business Stuart has been involved with for 30 years. Leading with purpose and integrity Anne Boswell Stuart Neill and Pukatea Dairy Farms Ltd has set the bar pretty high when it comes to dairy operations that have all their ducks in a row. Not only is Stuart’s commitment to his staff and animal welfare commendable, but so too is his effort to create an environmentally sustainable business that is literally wiping its footprint from the environment. Pukatea Dairy Farms Ltd – a business Stuart has been involved with for 30 years, and as an operational director/equity partner for the past 12 - was recognised for its outstanding commitment to sustainable and environmentally-conscious dairying by being awarded the 2025 Canterbury Regional Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The 200ha effective, fully irrigated Culverden farm is a model of low-input, high-efficiency production, milking 635 cows that produce around 1300–1400kgMS/ha annually. Stuart keeps inputs low, bringing in just 300kg of supplement per cow each year. “The goal of the business for me is to grow grass that gets turned into milk,” Stuart says. “It’s a very simple operation.” Over the past 30 years Stuart has been involved in the project management of over 80 dairy farm conversions, including his current farm 30 years ago. “It has helped me see things from so many different perspectives,” Stuart says. Because of this, Pukatea Farm’s environmental journey began decades ago when Stuart began looking for ways to mitigate nutrient loss. “I believe a business has to pay the full cost of a business,” he says. “If a farmer is putting nitrates in the water, someone else down the line will be paying the cost, in most cases.” The Culverden farm sits on heavy soils, particularly vulnerable to pugging and nutrient leaching. Over the past 20 years, Stuart has invested in both updated drainage systems and extensive riparian planting to redirect the water before it exits the property. “It was trial and error as to what plants would grow in our swampy ground,” Stuart says. “We have chipped away at the plantings over time, and recent water monitoring has shown that nitrate levels in the water leaving the property are unmeasurable.” Three years ago, Stuart introduced a 10- milkings-in-7-days schedule. Despite a minor drop in production (3-4%), they saw major gains in cow fertility and staff wellbeing. Empty rates halved to 9%, and 6-week in-calf rates jumped to 74–75%. “The goal of the business for me is to grow grass that gets turned into milk,” Stuart says. “It’s a very simple operation. “I have created a business I want to work in – it runs smoothly, the staff and cows are happy and we are making a profit.” • to page 48 6 Blake St, Rangiora PH: 03 313 7824 team@prosser-quirke.co.nz www.prosser-quirke.co.nz Proud to be associated with Pukatea Dairy Farms Personal & Professional Service, Farm, Commercial & Business Accountancy Taxation Advice, Financial Returns Phone Steve
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