Manawatu dairy farmer, Jeff Williams*, continues to prove that intensive and environmentally sustainable dairy farming can go hand-in-hand. Milking 440 Friesian cows on 100ha effective using 10t of DM/ha of mixed supplementary feed, up to 620kg of MS per cow is being achieved.
The Williams' irrigate effluent onto half (50ha) their farm and have not had to apply conventional fertilizer to this block for 18 months. Having found that nutrient levels are now to their liking on this block they are planning to extend the effluent irrigation system to the rest of the farm, they believe this spending will be compensated for in fertiliser savings.
Martin and Judith Bennett, who farm 295 cows on 85ha effective in Putaruru, are saving around $2300 per 100 cows on fertiliser costs with the increase in the area of pasture they are irrigating with effluent. Using a nutrient budget and comprehensive soil tests to ensure the right material is going in the right places at the right times, has shown direct increases in production as well as cost savings and obviously we are compliant with effluent regulations.
Martin has a simple philosophy about making changes such as effluent management. They have to work and they have to show a good return.
Clearly, dairy effluent managed correctly and effectively, can be a win-win for both the farmer and the environment.
* Jeff Williams is not a Hi-Tech client - this information is reprinted from the Dairy Exporter magazine, we do however understand and admire Jeff's understanding of the value of dairy effluent back onto pasture.
