At tackling climate change
in a Southern Pastures property, Kowhai Farm at Te Pirita, near Hororata, which on June 1 switched supply from Fonterra to Westland Milk Products.
Theona is also one of DairyNZ’s 15 climate change ambassadors, helping to spread the word about climate change mitigation opportunities amongst farmers.
‘‘I want to make a difference in the community and share with other dairy farmers that it is possible to balance the social, ecological and financial aspects of dairy farming.’’
Like many of her fellow dairy farmers, Theona says she is new to the climate change journey and doesn’t claim to be an expert on ways to reduce emissions.
‘‘Being relatively new to my role as a climate change ambassador, I am still getting up to speed on the technical aspects of climate change. What has been a significant relief, however, has been the realisation that much of the environmental work farmers up and down the country are doing right now is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
‘‘While we are all waiting on a technological solution to really tackle methane emissions, the work we are already doing to improve water and soil quality is also making a difference to our emissions profile. This is reassuring.’’
For the first two years the Bloms have been getting to know the farm and managing an increase in cow numbers from 750 to 900 as the 236 hectare property moved from a selfcontained unit, to being used entirely as a milk platform, with the cows wintered away. The lift in herd size has required an upgrade of the effluent plant as well as replacement of the previous 40-aside herringbone with a 60-bale rotary.
The herd is now wintered on the next-door neighbour’s farm. ‘‘It was easy for us as it was only a matter of opening a neighbour’s gate. So we didn’t have to go on the road at all.’’
The effluent application area on the farm has been increased from 15 per cent previously using a travelling irrigator, to 65 per cent now it can also be applied via centre pivot irrigators. The fully irrigated property sources water from the Central Plains Water irrigation scheme.
The farm is mainly grassbased, with no palm kernel and some in-shed feeding of barley.
‘‘For me it’s about being efficient in everything you do on farm,’’ says Theona.
‘‘How can you know if you don’t measure.
‘‘You need to record everything on farm as much as possible.
‘‘When you capture data you can look at options, whether it relates to cow numbers, pasture, or staffing.
‘‘We review processes onfarm on a regular basis.
‘‘We have proved ourselves wrong many times on what we think we can remember.
‘‘When you go back to the figures it gives you an accurate record.
‘‘Then you know whether something is the most profitable option.
‘‘It is each farmer’s responsibility to get those answers for their own farm. One size doesn’t fit all.’’
Theona has a full-time job in the office, gathering information and considering different scenarios. This also reinforces to the team the importance of timely and accurate record keeping.
‘‘We would like to build a business that will sustain through the seasons and an uncertain market.’’
Having bedded in the farming operation to the increased herd numbers, the Bloms say the next phase is more native planting. ‘‘This farm is already well sheltered, but we want native planting along boundary fencelines and around the effluent pond.’’
‘‘As farmers we are managers of nature. Whatever we do it’s important that it is good practice.’’
The Bloms say they have no regrets about moving to New Zealand.
‘‘I don’t look back. I am very happy here,’’ says Theona.