Hauraki Plains farmer Henri Schipper has designed a windmill-powered stirrer for the farm effluent pond he built with the help of family and friends.

The judges describe the Schippers as “quiet achievers” and Henri as “very innovative; constantly thinking outside the square”.

The judges, and Henri, also credit Yvonne for the “very high standard” of financial management, including a strong history of debt repayment.

The farm is flat land; the soil-heavy marine clay requires special consideration in wet weather.

“Sometimes you can’t even get a bike in the paddock,” says Henri.

About five years ago they installed rubber matting in their cowshed yard to create another winter stand-off area. Using a hired grader, Henri has “humped and hollowed”, with minimal topsoil disturbance, about 80 per cent of the farm, to assist drainage.

Henri came to New Zealand from Holland at age 18 as a farmer’s son in search of opportunity for land of his own.

He and Yvonne were married and began sharemilking in June 1986. By 1992 they’d purchased the original 56ha of their farm, and have since purchased a neighbouring property.

The couple has four young adult children, Cole, Leo, Dennis and Magan. The two eldest live on the farm and work in the wider farming industry.

Judges’ comments
• Designed and developed innovative stirrer allowing energy efficient effluent management.

• Big overall energy awareness; well-maintained plant and machinery runs efficiently and cleanly.

• Diesel generator at dairy shed for back-up; proactive and great insurance policy.

• Glycol ice cooler, as a pre-cooler for milk, reduces overall energy costs.