A chance to change perceptions

When you go to the top of the hill and look over the land, it's amazing how it has changed in 23 years Andrea Barry

Ashley Clinton farm owner Andrea Barry and manager Craig Pennell hope to change the public’s perception of dairying after winning the Farm Environment Awards for the East Coast.

Barry’s farm, Parkhill was one of the first three dairy farms converted by her and late husband Peter in 1994. Barry said she is proud of the work that has been done and still being done on the property.

‘‘When you go to the top of the hill and look over the land, it’s amazing how it has changed in 23 years,’’ she says.

‘‘It’s a beautiful property that deserves to be showcased.

‘‘I’m ready to show it off. We haven’t entered environmental awards in the past because of people’s perceptions of dairy. Here’s our chance to change that.’’

The win was announced at an awards dinner at the Napier Conference Centre on March 28. They will host a field day this month.

Pennell said the award was a credit to the Barrys for their vision at the start.

‘‘And we are carrying on that passion.’’

Pennell has managed Parkhill for three years with the help of a herd manager and two assistants with casual extras at busy times.

A former Fonterra Networker, Pennell had previously been sharemilking in Southland and Bay of Plenty and contract milking in Waikato, but this is his first position with a corporate enterprise.

‘‘There are lot of opportunities here to make a difference. I love sharing my knowledge and experience with others still coming through.’’

Parkhill peak milked 880 cows from a 268ha milking platform.

The total production last season was 177,076kg of milk solids (MS) from 770 cows on 220ha (809kgms/ ha).

To date, the farm is on track to surpass its target of 275,000kg MS (1026kg Ms/ha). It has a history of being grade free, which was a testament to the team’s attention to detail around milking procedure and hygiene, as well as herd health, the awards judges said.

As well as being named the regional supreme winners, Parkhill won the soil management award, agri-business management award and the innovation award.