120 | nzdairy Stockmanship, stewardship and steady improvement Lorraine and Noel Fox have spent decades building their dairy operation. Russell Fredric Finalists in the 2026 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Noel and Lorraine Fox have spent decades building their dairy operation around stockmanship, stewardship and steady improvement. The couple began sharemilking the property in 1992 and bought it in 2019 after years of treating it as if it were already their own. About 20 years ago they purchased a neighbouring 30ha block, which is now their home property. That long connection to the land now underpins a system milking 180 cows on a 61ha effective platform, with the wider block also carrying young stock, some beef animals and 40 Suffolk ewes. The awards recognised both livestock performance and environmental management, with Noel and Lorraine receiving the 2026 Waikato Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award and the 2026 Waikato DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award. One of the more satisfying aspects of the awards process was seeing their small dairy unit recognised alongside larger operations. “We’re very honoured to win these awards, especially as there were very strong contenders that made it to the final.” While ownership did not dramatically change the way Noel and Lorraine farmed, it did give them greater freedom to make decisions and invest in longer-term improvements. “We put an in-shed feeding system in the shed, which has really added to production, and the cows are getting fed a lot better.” Ballance Farm Environment Awards » Noel and Lorraine Fox Our ear sensor seesmore thanyour eyes can. One person can’t watch 400 cows. We monitor micro-movements and ear temperature giving you visibility across your whole herd, allowing you to make informed decisions early. Health Behaviour and ear temperature tracked 24/7 Fertility Heat detection based on individual activity Transition Tracked from dry-o through calving Nutrition Rumination and feed intake MORE THAN EAR TAGS. See the full system at National Fieldays© 0800 770 566 www.cowmanager.co.nz SITE PE 10
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