“Do what is right” – that’s the mantra of Whakatane dairy farmers Fraser and Katherine McGougan, who aim to operate their business in an environmentally sustainable manner.

And it’s paid off – they were named 2019 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards’ Supreme Award winners at a gala dinner at TrustPower Baypark in late-February.

Fraser and Katherine took over the family farm at Taneatua from Fraser’s parents in 2011. This season they’re milking 431 cows on 150ha – 134ha effective – on Willowvale Farms next to the Whakatane River.

All waterways have been fenced and the family is now fencing off small areas of native bush featuring stands of large kahikatea. “We’re also rejuvenating these bush areas with our three young children helping to do additional planting.”

A Bay of Plenty Regional Council land management officer has helped with planting, plus weed and pest advice.

Fraser’s had some success using Cinnabar moth to control ragwort and is considering use of a biological control to manage Californian thistles.

Efficient use of farm fertiliser is managed using a GPS mapping system attached to a spreader. Soil testing is undertaken biannually on every paddock with a block test in alternate years. “This means we’re getting the right type and rate of fertiliser applied to where it’s needed.”

A heat recovery system on the cowshed’s refrigeration unit provides free hot water to 52 degrees Celsius. Fresh water is reused up to three times in the cowshed before entering the effluent pond.

Ambassador

Matching the stocking rate to what the land can carry is important, says Fraser. “If you look after your pasture and soils, you look after your cows.” Minimising waste and recycling are everyday activities. Ballage wrap and scrap metal are recycled.

Fraser is a climate change ambassador for DairyNZ. This role involves keeping up-to-date with the latest science feeding this back to other farmers.

The McGougans are planning an eco-tourism operation by renovating an old cottage to be located in a patch of bush so visitors can help with replanting. “We see this as a great way to open the farm-gate so people can experience first-hand the positive things that are happening on dairy farms.”

The judges said: “Fraser and Katherine are a great team with complementary skills covering planning, key metrics and cost control, as well as excellent HR practices and policies – evidenced by the ongoing success achieved by their employees”.

“A passion for the future of the dairy industry also motivates the couple to be involved outside the farm gate.” And that: “Fraser’s enthusiasm for collecting information about soils and nutrients is remarkable. Farm activities are considered within this context”.

The McGougans also won four other awards – the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award focusing on excellent management of soil as well as appropriate use of nutrients; the DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award recognising dairy farmers who demonstrate a strong commitment to managing, protecting and enhancing their environment; the Norwood Agri-Business Management Award recognising the approach farmers take to accomplish important management practices of operating a successful farm business, including development and use of a business plan, benchmarking and succession planning; and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environment Award, for good environmental practices that are sustainable and beneficial for the environment of the whole farm.

Standing ovation

The couple were met with a standing ovation as they accepted their title and trophy. Katherine thanked Fraser, saying he makes up large portion of why they were on-stage.

“His knowledge of soils, pastures, his enthusiasm for the environment, the ways he interacts with his staff – thank you Fraser,” said Katherine, who hopes to represent the BOP well in the national awards.

Fraser thanked awards sponsors and fellow contestants, then said he’d like to put together a group of farmers, growers, and industry professionals interested in environmental sustainability discussion.

“This can be in any form, anyway, anywhere – because as we bounce ideas off each other we can grow stronger and lead and help others.

“That’s kind of why I entered this competition; it’s not for us, it’s for others and trying to get information and disseminate it out to others.”

He also made reference to a lost colleague, saying primary producers have a lot pressure put on them and he encouraged people across the industry to look after each other. “It’s about doing what’s right.”

Run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the awards champion sustainable farming and growing through an awards programme that sees one regional supreme winner selected from 11 regions involved.

The 11 winners will be profiled at the awards’ National Sustainability Showcase in Hamilton, on June 6, with each competing for the national award, the Gordon Stephenson Trophy.

As regional winners, the McGougans will also host an on-farm field day offering a unique, pan-sector forum for networking and sharing of ideas and information among farming/growing peers, agribusiness professionals and the wider community. This will be held on March 26.