West Coast dairy farmers awarded for profitability
20 December 2010
West Coast dairy farmers awarded for profitability
Michael and Christine Hart of Totara Farm Ltd Totara Flat, Grey Valley have been awarded a $5000 prize for being the overall winners of the Westland Milk Products – DairyNZ DairyBase Profit Challenge.
The Westland Milk Products – DairyNZ DairyBase Profit Challenge called for entries into the competition in November 2009.
A total of 35 West Coast dairy farms participated in the contest which focused on tracking and increasing on-farm profitability and productivity.
The Harts’ prize was sponsored by Westland Milk Products and Rabobank and was awarded at an event at Shantytown on 14 December. The couple won the prize by achieving the highest average farm operating profit for 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 as reported in DairyBase.
DairyBase is a web-based package that records and reports standardised dairy farm physical and financial information. It is an investment by New Zealand dairy farmers through the dairy industry good levy and operated by DairyNZ.
Four additional prizes were awarded to West Coast farmers participating in the Profit Challenge, including:
- Nathan Keoghan of Westport - Milk Production from Pasture Prize, sponsored by PGG Wrightson, $1000. Awarded for the highest feed conversion efficiency among all participants.
- Tim and Maylene Burden of Kowhitirangi - InCalf Animal Health and Reproduction Prize, sponsored by Westland Vet Services, $500. Awarded for exceptional reproductive performance – the farm’s in calf rates, empty rates and animal health costs were all better than industry averages.
- Tane and Rachel Little of Kowhitirangi - Nutrient Efficiency Prize, sponsored by Ravensdown, $500 mystery weekend. Awarded for the most efficient farm in converting nutrients into milk solids.
- Danny King and Katherine Hands of Mawheraiti - Participation Prize, sponsored by Marshall Heaphy Chartered Accountants. It was drawn from a hat to give all participating farmers a chance to win a prize.
DairyNZ West Coast Consulting Officer, Alexis Perez, says the purpose of the Profit Challenge was two-fold.
”We wanted to challenge West Coast farmers to measure and improve their profitability and productivity. We also wanted to increase the number of farmers using DairyBase as a reporting and benchmarking tool,” Alexis says.
Profit Challenge participants had to enter physical and financial information into DairyBase for three consecutive seasons from 2007 to 2009 to be eligible for the prizes.
“The farmers who participated in the Profit Challenge have really seen the value of recording, tracking and benchmarking profitability. It’s been great to see many of the farmers involved using the information to make changes and improve their farm businesses,” Alexis says.
DairyBase Manager, Dr Adam Barker, says farmers throughout New Zealand can learn from the example of the West Coast farmers participating in the Profit Challenge.
“DairyBase allows farmers to compare their operation to other farms and gauge if they’re keeping up with the industry or falling behind. Farmers can compare themselves to a national benchmark, regional benchmarks or individual farms – whatever makes sense for them.
“What’s been great about this challenge is seeing how the participants used the data to make changes and improve problem areas. That’s the true power of DairyBase – when you use the information to make decisions that affect your bottom line,” Adam says.
DairyBase is available to all dairy farmers throughout New Zealand. Farmers can register at www.dairybase.co.nz or by phoning 07 858 3890.
In addition to the cash prize sponsors, the Westland Milk Products – DairyNZ DairyBase Profit Challenge was also supported by: Grey Vet Centre, Hokitika Veterinary Centre, and Buller Vets.
Winner’s farm facts:
Michael and Christine Hart, Totara Farm Ltd, Totara Flat, Grey Valley
Westland Combined Three Years Farm Profitability Prize
The Harts achieved:
- Excellent cost control: They have some of the lowest Farm Working Expenses (FWE) in the country. They are operating consistently around $1.60 - $1.70/kgMS for an owner/operator. That allowed them a consistent profit per hectare over the last three seasons (average $3,136/ha).
- Optimum Production: They are achieving 840kgMS/ha on a self contained farm (System 1) with minimum imported supplements (89kgDM/cow) and low nitrogen (37kgN/ha).
- Good Pasture Management: Their pasture and crop eaten is around 12tDM/ha (80% pasture harvest; 9.5t/DM BM).
Nathan Keoghan, Westport
Milk Production from Pasture Prize
Nathan Keoghan achieved the highest Feed Conversion Efficiency of all participants at 8kgDM/kgMS. The average between the Profit Challenge participants was 11.5kgDM/kgMS.
Tim and Maylene Burden, Kowhitirangi
InCalf Animal Health and Reproduction Prize
The Burdens achieved very good reproductive performance: 6 week in-calf rate was between 73-82% (the industry target is 78% and the average between Profit Challenge participants was 71%). They achieved a low empty rate with 12 weeks mating of 6-8% (the industry target is 6% and the average between Profit Challenge participants was 8.3%). Additionally, they had low animal health costs of $0.08-$0.14/kgMS (the average between Profit Challenge participants was $0.14/kgMS).
Tane and Rachel Little, Kowhitirangi Valley, Westland District
Nutrient Efficiency Prize
The Littles were the most efficient farm in converting nutrients into milk solids. They achieved 826kgMS/ha with 140kgN and 29kgP/ha/yr over the last three years.
Media Contact for photos and further comment
Hayley Gavan
DairyNZ Communications Assistant
Phone: 07 858 3750
Mobile: 021 703 068
Email: hayley.gavan@dairynz.co.nz