Case studies

Beaumaris Dairies was purchased by the Dodunski Family in June 2017, and is managed by Tony. The farm is in the Cultural Sensitive Zone, and it’s challenges are more related to Phosphorus, Mahinga Kai, and heavy soils than Nitrogen. 

Mayview was converted in 2016 and purchased by the current partnership in July 2019.

The Taits focus on balancing sustainability with profit in their dairy farming practices. Based in Lowcliffe, Ashburton, the Tait Family Trust oversees an intergenerational dairy business that began milking in 2011.

Doug and Emma McLeod are 50:50 sharemilkers on flat to rolling land next to the Pomahaka River in South Otago. They supply milk to Danone. Up to 160 kg N/ha has typically been applied to pasture each year and effluent application is via a pod system.

Duncan and Anne-Marie are equity managers of a 210 ha flat farm near Taieri. They supply milk to Fonterra. Planned start of calving is 5 August with the majority of cows being wintered off-farm.

Success for this Western Southland farm is driven by a simple, pasture based farm system that is implemented by excellent farm staff. Good farm and strong financial management ensures operating expenses remain below industry average. 

Driscoll Dairies Ltd, Home farm, is a 675 cow, high input farm near Winton. Good pasture utilisation, and efficient use of in shed feeding are a priority. Building a sustainable and resilient business are important for the farm owners.

Jon and Birgit Pemberton are owner-operators of a 139ha farm in Brydone, milking approximately 400 cows producing 560 kg MS/cow through a 28-aside herringbone dairy with in-shed feeding. They supply milk to Open Country Dairy.

Rob and Rachael are farm owners for Brooklea Farm Ltd at Wendonside which was converted to dairy in 2008-09. They supply milk to Fonterra. A 100-ha unirrigated support block was purchased in 2020 allowing more of the wintering to be done in house.

Farming in the Lake Rotorua catchment means meeting challenging N-loss targets. Knowing they had to do their bit for the environment, Steve and Paula Holdem began looking at tools to reduce their N-loss from their farm.