The NZ dairy industry is in a very interesting place right
now. On one hand they generate serious export dollars; their contribution to
the national income is undeniable. The wealth generated by dairy products means
that most New Zealanders enjoy a good standard of living. On the other hand
they are viewed by increasing numbers of thinking New Zealanders as exploiting
our natural resources to the detriment of the environment. Sir Paul Callaghan
spoke at the “StrategyNZ: Mapping our Future conference” in March 2011,
pointing the finger at dairy farmers but also illustrating the economic
reality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCAyIllnXY&feature=related
Dairy farmers have a real challenge: - to produce milk but to reduce the impact
on the environment.
Andrew, Jenny & Fred Hayes are NZ Landcare Trust
Ambassadors. In 2005 they won the BFEA- Heritage Restoration Award on their
dairy farm for their work around Lake Kaituna & Lake Komakorau. Lakeland
Farms surround both of these Waikato peat lakes. Dairy Consultant Alison Dewes
(Headlands) told the Waikato Balance Farm Environment Award Alumni Field day that
the Hayes family farm system is strongly aligned to their values & beliefs
to improve the environment in which they farm. They are aware of what impacts
their farm has on the wider environment & they are open to new ideas &
ways of thinking. Andrew & Jenny like to measure, assess & review their
performance on a regular basis. They have formed a Lake Care Group & invited
in many outside experts such as University of Waikato (Prof David Hamilton),
water quality PhD student Bex Eivers, Environment Waikato & DairyNZ to help
them improve & restore their peat lakes. Involving a wide range of outside
people & other local farmers has brought together scientific & regional
expertise & practical common sense.
I was particularly impressed with the work experienced Dairy
Consultant Alison Dewes (Headlands), has brought to the farm.
http://www.headlandsenviro.co.nz
Her work suggests
that moderate stocking rates, close monitoring of inputs & costs can
generate more profit when there is an environmental “push” & focus by the
farmers. This is a seriously important message as many farmers believe that
complying with environmental standards will in some way reduce their
profitability. The Hayes farm is a shining example that their passion for a
better lake environmental outcome has in fact improved many of their key
production efficiencies & increased their profits. This year they expect to
harvest 14.5 TDM/ha of pasture (which puts them in the top 5% of Waikato dairy
farmers). The profit per ha is very high & means their Return on Assets (ROA)
is over 9%. Over the last 8 years they have reduced nitrogen use from 180kgsN
to 30kgsN/ha/yr. Nutrients are much better utilised & recycled with 90% of
the farm is covered with farm effluent once a year & no fertilizer is
brought onto the farm. So it can be done & the Hayes family are a very good
example to all dairy farmers in NZ.
Prof David Hamilton explained to the field day that the
Waikato Peat Lakes were formed 15-18,000yrs ago & are today biodiversity
hotspots that have important functions of moderating extreme flood events &
reducing nutrient flows into the river systems. The health of the lakes
reflects the health of the landscapes. Relatively low cost on farm changes are
considerably more affordable that major lower catchment mitigation which is
prohibitively expensive. There are 94,000ha of peat soils in the Waikato with
80% developed into agriculture & horticulture. Developed peat soils are
highly productive soils but there is a risk of them being over drained &
lost to farming.
Andrew Hayes created a 16ha buffer zone around the peat
lakes, which were badly silted & completely retired a further 2ha of land.
Willows were removed & more suitable species planted in the buffer zone. On
the 10 inflow drains silt traps were constructed. Bex Eivers PhD study is
looking at the effectiveness of the silt traps. The work around the lake &
the more water that is being retained in the lake has had a positive impact on
the farm as the retention of moisture has helped to minimise the peat shrinkage
& Andrew doesn’t have to cultivate the peat soils. A flatter milk
production curve has resulted from more summer pasture growth. Andrew quite
rightly credits what is happening in the soil & water as being vitally
important & Consultant Alison Dewes (a key team member) focusses on pasture grazing
management, profit & cost control.
There is a saying "that YOU (farmers) can’t
be GREEN if you are in the RED." Very true! However it is also a truth to say
"that if YOU (farmers) want to be in the BLACK you must also be GREEN."
