Farmer profiles
Examples of other activities that are on the agenda.
Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks, Indiana - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
If the cows aren’t happy, nobody’s happy. That’s the philosophy at Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, Ind., which houses 30,000 cows on 10 dairy sites owned by the Bos, den Dulk, McCloskey, Schakel and Van Ravenswaay families. Fair Oaks Farms are environmentally conscious dairy farms that place a special emphasis on animal husbandry, which is casually referred to as cow comfort.
”Cow comfort is one of the most important things a dairy farmer can do for his or her cows,” says Mike McCloskey, president of Fair Oaks Farms and a licensed veterinarian. ”When animals are happy and treated well, they respond by producing a greater amount of milk.”
Each of the happy cows at Fair Oaks Farms produces almost 10 gallons of milk per day, which is enough fluid milk to supply all the citizens of Chicago with milk each year, McCloskey said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average dairy cow produces six gallons of milk per day.
Medeiros & Son Dairy, Hanford, California, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
Medeiros & Son Dairy has come a long way in its 17 years. The 2,400-cow dairy in Hanford, Calif., U.S.A., started out as a 64-cow farm when Brian Medeiros and his parents began milking cow for themselves in 1994. When the family originally moved to America from Portugal in 1987, Brian’s dad, Rui milked cows for another dairy in Southern California. However Rui had a dream to become an entrepreneur, where his family would have their own farm, with their own cows. Today, the farm produces 62 million pounds of milk a year, contributing to California’s distinction as the largest dairy state in the United States.
To remain economically and environmentally sustainable, Brian and his father focus on quality and efficiency.
“We are trying to make a difference on our farm by considering the information and technology available to us,” Brian says. “We are trying to make a difference so we can survive in the future, and continue to provide for all of our stakeholders. I don’t just work for myself or my family, but for all of the families that consume our milk as a staple in their diet.”
Brian and his family have implemented environmentally sustainable efforts since the beginning — water is recycled 5 to 6 times before it is used as a nutrient for their crops; and fibers from the manure are composted and then used for bedding.
The Benefits of Increasing Feed Efficiency - David and Jane Homer, England
| Source : Lindsay Consulting Ltd. |
![BGSDairyCoRABDFApril09 069[1].jpg](http://www.dairy-sustainability-initiative.org/Public/resize_image.php?path=/media/GreenPaper_submissions/20111008/BGSDairyCoRABDFApril09 069[1].jpg&format=document)
David and Jane Homer farm 220 milking cows in central southern England. They rear their own replacement stock and grow grass, maize and wheat as feed for these animals, minimising the amount of feed purchased from external sources.
Having undertaken carbon foot printing over a 5-year period, the Homer’s have been able to identify where key areas, that if focused on, would increase the efficiency of production and also reduce the emissions related to their production system. Feeding of the animals was one of these areas.
Actions taken:
- By including up to 25% clover in the grazing land, not only is the quantity of ‘natural nitrogen’ increased in the soil, grazing dry matter production has increased by approximately 20%;
- Though high yielding cows, the cows are producing considerably more of their milk from grass resulting in a 16% reduction in purchased concentrates;
- Production of high quality silages;
- Measurement of daily feed intakes by the cows and aligning this with the animals production;
- Measurement of grass growth and allocation to the cows planned accordingly;
- Ensuring that the cows are able to have easy access to all food stuffs;
- Consider animal health and welfare as fundamental to any development in the system.
Nutrient Management - David and Jane Homer, England
| Source : DairyCo |
David and Jane Homer farm in central southern England and have 220 milking cows yielding in the region of 10000 litres per annum.
The Homers were early adopters of carbon foot printing and use the outcomes of this as a management tool in the continued drive for increased efficency.
One of the key areas of focus over recent years has been the effective management of fertlisers, as although the cows have quite high yields, they are still generating much of their production from the grazing of fresh grass - hence whether it is grass or other forage crops the fertiliser regime needs to be as accurate as possible to ensure maximum production without depleting the natural resources.
Actions taken:
Soil tests: All paddock on the farm are soil tested to establish the exact nutrient requirements.
Slurry analysis: To establish the nutrient content of natural fertiliser - slurry
Nutrient Management Plan: A Nutrient Management Plan is generated that matches the nutrient requirements (including the anticipated crop requirement) of the soil with the level of nutrient in the organic slurry based manure.
Crave Brothers Farm and Farmstead Cheese - Wisconsin, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“Through our dairy farm and cheese factory, we enjoy telling the story of dairy farming that emphasizes cow comfort, quality milk and working in harmony with the land to produce quality milk and award winning cheeses.” - George Crave
Crave Brothers Farm is an early adopter of:
- Methane digester
Green Mountain Dairy – Vermont, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“We saw this as an economic and environmental management tool. It's helped to diversify our farm.” - Bill Rowell
Converting manure into:
- Biogas: Creating electricity to power 300-350 area homes
- Bedding
- Fertilizer
Slow and steady fertilizers may win the race - Roy and Clinton Roddau, Tin Can Bay, Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow |
In 2007 when fertiliser prices started spiralling, the Roddau's switched from urea to chicken as the main source of nitrogen on their combined dairying and commercial flower farm. Initially a cost-cutting exercise this manure is now winning favour in terms of sustainability.
Manures are a slow-release fertiliser with the nutrients from one application of chicken manure each year being released over the next four years. About half of the remaining organic nitrogen is mineralised each year. Subsequently in 2009 trials were set up on Roddau's farm by the state Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to compare ryergrass and kikuyu yields from manure (Entec) and urea fertiliser applications. The results were surprising - see the file below.
Sustainable dairy farming - Robert Grieve, Millbrook, Victoria, Australia
| Source : DemoDAIRY |
To be sustainable, Robert has planted shelter belts, protected mature native trees and is using natural fertilizers such as Eco Fish granules and switching over to humus fertilizers to improve soil quality. Robert believes that healthy soils create better quality pastures and healthy stock (cows). Healthier cows will produce more milk. Robert sows perennial rye grass and grows lucerne to feed his cows. The end result is a win-win for both the farmer in terms of high milk production per cow and improved environmental management and outcomes for his dairy farm. Refer to the following video: 
Reducing and measuring carbon footprint - Graeme Nicoll, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
use the GDAS calculator to measure carbon emissions. For every nine tonnes of carbon emitted, our farm produces one tonne of milk solids comprising one tonne of milk fat and one tonne of milk protein. This represents 9.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per hectare of our farmland.
We herd test at least six times a year and use industry farm program research to breed cows that have high feed conversion efficiency. Our herd is cross-bred. Each year our herd produces their equivalent liveweight or considerably higher in milk solids. Refer to the following video:
Michael and Dawn Waite - Ecklin, Victoria, Australia
| Source : Landcare |
Enhancing biodiversity and productivity through:
- Fencing off remanent vegetation
- Rehabilitating and protecting waterways
- Planting shelterbelts
- Planting new pastures
- Capturing nutrients from dairy effluent
- Developing soil nutrient maps
New pastures using much more productive and sustainable perennial species has resulted in a significant lift in total ‘home grown feed’ which has allowed the milking herd to be raised from 200 cows in 2005 to over 300 cows in 2009.
Using irrigation water efficiently - Melanie and Grant Rogers, Derwent Valley, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Melanie and Grant to reduce both their electricity bill (pumping water) and leaching of fertilizers have installed loggers and aqua flex tapes on their farm to enable more efficient use of irrigated water. By doing so they have created a win-win situation: saving money and benefiting the environment.
The couple have a long-term commitment to dairy farming in a sustainable manner; in practice meaning they will only use irrigated water when required. Refer to the following video:
Breeding (genetics) to improve milk production traits - MaryAnn Hortle, Moriaty, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
A very important focus of MaryAnn and her husband's on-farm activities is cattle breeding. Their purpose is to breed better, more economically viable cows. As a result of improving the genetic merit of their herd and more widely in Tasmania the cows can produce milk more efficiently, lowering greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of milksolids produced. Refer to the following video:
Efficient production of feed - Paul Bennett, Ashgrove (dairy) farm, Elizabeth Town, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Paul milks 1,200 cows on the family farm. He has made major changes in the last five years by constructing dams and installing a central pivot irrigation system to provide the moisture to grow pasture for the cows during the dry summer months. By doing so Paul has reduced demand for purchased feed that needs to be transported to his farm as well as creating an environment for contented cows. Refer to the following video:
Economic and sustainably viable long-term whole of farm approach - James and Rachel Downie, Clarendon, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
The Downie's farm on five hundred hectares in southern Tasmania. They have recently invested in a new milking shed to improve the economics of milk production.
- As part of this process a three pond effluent system is being installed to allow filtering of the effluent and spreading back on the paddocks. In effect all of the effluent will remain on farm.
- Fences have been reconfigured to minimise walking distances for the cows during the twice day milking. This will help in both maintaining and improving herd health.
- To make their farm more economically sustainable the Downie's are installing four centre-pivot irrigators to use irrigated water as efficiently as possible.
- Tree lines that will act as shelter belts for the cows and add to the biodiversity of their farm will be planted on the perimeters of the reach of the centre-pivot irrigators.
Solar hot water reduces costs in the dairy - Mark and Joanne Seng, Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow |
The Sengs decided to replace an old, inefficient electric hot water system used for cleaning milk equipment with a solar system at the same time as a new milk vat was installed in the dairy.
Electricity costs are estimated to rise by more than 60 per cent over the next three years.
The Sengs expect at least 15 years of reliable service from the solar hot water system. They use a total of 119 litres of hot water in the dairy per day, including cleaning the milking machine and vat. The Sengs estimate they will save at least $360 per year on power bills or A$5,400 over a 15 year life of the unit based on 80 per cent solar energy used. This will cover the purchase cost including rebates though excluding GST of A$5,345.
Efficient use of resources and shelter belts - Trevor Thomas, Victoria, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Trevor Thomas, dairy farmer in Longwarry, Victoria
- in last five years reduced demand for water and used fertiliser more efficiently;
- grown summer crops for feed rather than rely on purchased (transported) feed; and
- planted seven rows of trees to act as shelter belts for cows.
Goal is to leave farm in a better condition than when I came with less carbon emitted into the atmosphere.
Biological approach to dairy farming - Ben Holloway, Allansford, Victoria, Australia
| Source : DemoDAIRY |
Ben's farm has adopted a biological or back to nature approach to dairy farming. This involves focusing on soil quality rather than solely profitability with the intention of leaving the land in better condition than when he started dairy farming.
Refer to the following video:
Effluent management and farm habitat - David Lee, Bungaree, Victoria, Australia
| Source : DemoDAIRY |
Planting trees along creeks and spreading effluent on paddocks.
Refer to the following video:
Solar panels reducing demand for energy in milking shed - Peter Telford, Mt Gambier, South Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Peter installed six solar units on the roof of his milking shed. His farm's energy bill has declined from A$1,200 per month to as low as A$300 to A$400 per month in summer.
Refer to the following video:
Managing farm effluent and enhancing the farm environment - Peter and Bonnie Taylor, Heathmere, Victoria, Australia
| Source : DemoDAIRY |
Peter and Bonnie have undertaken extensive work on their farm's effluent system.
- A second effluent pond has been dug to supply a main pipeline and hydrants established across 120 acres to enable spreading out on the fields.
- Drainways and small creeks have been fenced off and up to six hundred trees are planted per annum to provide shelter for the cows and they also give character to the farm.
- The habitat along three kilometres of waterwasy has been re-vegetated with the assistance of a government authority.
Looking after their farm's environment has favourable long-term impacts on soil quality, health of waterways and the whole eco-system. Specifically maintaining soil structure means better quality grass for grazing and happier and healthier cows.
Refer to the following video:
Farming more sustainably - Duncan MacDonald, Yolla, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Duncan has made a whole of farm commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and encourage biodiversity.
- He has planted vegetation to act as shelter belts for the cows, provide a refuge for wild life, combat erosion and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Duncan has also fenced off water ways to both exclude stock and to improve quality.
- He introduced measures to improve energy efficiency for example in the milking shed so as to reduce power bills, to improve effluent management and irrigation efficiency to make the best use of water.
Duncan believes that he has a social and legal responsibility to care for the environment. Refer to the following video:
Disposal of on-farm waste - Grant Archer, Cressy, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Grant employs a young trainee on his farm. The trainee James has been taught to be environmentally wise, for example collecting and disposing appropriately of silage wrapping and empty containers. Refer to the following video:
Reducing erosion and more efficient cropping - Rob Terry, Dairy Plains, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
On his farm Rob is moving to direct drilling for cropping and fodder production. Direct drilling will help combat possible erosion of soils and assist in mantaining soil quality for pasture production.
He has also introduced auto steer options for more efficient machinery use when cropping and producing fodder; this will in turn reduce use of chemicals and fuel.
Rob's goal is to reduce his farm's carbon footprint, thereby both saving money from reduced purchases of farm inputs such as chemicals and fuel and at the same time improving the environment. Refer to the following video:
Optimising farm management - Lynne and Michael Strong: Clover Hill Dairies, Jamberoo, NSW, Australia
| Source : Michael and Lynne Strong, dairy farmers - DairyingForTomorrow |
“Our commitment to stewardship starts from the ground-up. We focus on maintaining good soil fertility and structure and grass cover, which has helped avoid the problems of erosion, soil loss and pugging associated with other high intensity farms” (Lynne Strong)
Effluent management and biodiversity - Louise and Symon Jones, Gunns Plain, Tasmania, Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia |
Louise and Symon contain all effluent on their farm to ensure no contamination of water courses (creeks). They have fenced off riparian areas to create shelter belts for the cows, to enhance water management/ quality and to increase biodiversity, that is providing a suitable habitat for native animals and bird life. The purpose is to protect the native vegetation and preserve the water courses for the next generation. Refer to the following video:
Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt – New Zealand Ballance Farm Environment Award Winners - committed to sustainable dairying
| Source : Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt |
- Gray Baldwin and Hamish Putt apply their fertilizer at rates which maximise grass growth and reduce losses to the environment.
- Potential nutrient losses to streams are further reduced as a result of extensive planting of the riparian margins of their dairy farm.
- Pinus radiata plantings act to sequester carbon and help trend the farm toward carbon neutrality.
River Haven Farm - New York, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“My dad came back from World War II glad to be alive, glad to be here on our farm. Dad loved the land. That’s ingrained in me: appreciation for the land.” - R. Thomas Hutson
Protecting the water supply through:
- Buffer and filter strips
- Rotational grazing
- Forest management
- Stream restoration
- Conservation easement
Graham and Theresa Bourke - Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow - Dairy Australia |
“The new mains mean we save about 20% of our total water use by getting rid of leaks and improved irrigation scheduling. Reduced friction in the pipes has also improved the irrigation system’s energy efficiency by 10%." - Graham Bourke
Improving water use efficiency by:
- Underground piping
- Irrigation scheduling
Kym and Kate Bartlett - South Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow |
“Since installing some of the new main watering drains in September 2006, there are no longer large leakages and some of the problem paddocks seem to be doing a lot better,” - Kate Bartlett
Improving water use efficiency by:
- Lining irrigation channels
- Updating water meters
- Installing a re-use dam
Herman and Anja de Ridder
| Source : Caring Dairy - Beemster - Ben & Jerry’s |
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Thom and Jasmien Vlooswijk
| Source : Beemster - Ben & Jerry’s - Caring Dairy |
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Nico and Jolande Spinhoven
| Source : Ben & Jerry’s - Caring Dairy - Beemster |
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Feed seed business: A viable option for dairy farmers - Ethiopia
| Source : Land O’Lakes |
“Feed which had been a major constraint to dairy farming became a money-making venture” Ethiopia Dairy Development Project Contact Farmer Abebe Tolla
Abebe Tolla, 42 years old, is one of the contact farmers who received improved feed seeds and farm business trainings from the Ethiopia Dairy Development Project (EDDP). The project is one of many USAID-assisted initiatives in Ethiopia under the strategic objective - Market-Led Economic Growth and Resiliency Increased- designed to increase productivity all along the dairy value chain by maximizing economic benefits to smallholder dairy farmers in selected milk sheds.
Abebe lives with his wife and four children in Worsebi Kebele, 25 km to the north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. He is well-respected by his community for his performance in dairy farming and received an award from the Regional Government in 2007. Abebe is using the feed seeds and entrepreneurship skills provided by EDDP to develop dairy farming as a business and maximize his income. Producing high value feed at his backyard has enabled him to overcome seasonal feed shortages and to diversify his income sources by producing feed for sale to neighboring farmers and local institutions.
Feed had been a major constraint to his dairy farming, but became a money-making venture after the family decided to produce, harvest and sell feed seed. In 2008, he made $1,200 (12,025Birr) from feed and seed sales to his follower farmers in his village, a ten-fold higher return over maize or other cereal crops. He said that he is keen to access a wider market and forage seed business, expanding into beet, vetch, alfalfa and oat seed.
Joanna and Paul McCarthy, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
| Source : Fonterra |
Enhancing riparian planting
- The McCarthys have planted trees in paddocks, along paddock-riparian boundaries and in ring-fenced thickets away from watercourses.
- The trees provide shade for stock and have enhanced the aesthetic value of the farm.
- They are also an important store of carbon.
“We have been implementing sustainable dairying practices on our farm for decades and the benefits are clear for us, for our farm environment and for future generations.”
Jill, Ian and Amy Williams Parawa, South Australia
| Source : Dairy Australia - DairyingForTomorrow |
“I want to make sure we do not degrade the environment and, that we are improving it where possible by using measures such as shelterbelts for stock,” -Jill Williams
Enhancing biodiversity through:
- Fencing off remanent vegetation
- Rehabilitating and protecting waterways
- Planting shelterbelts
Chris and Vicki Bell Ecklin, Victoria, Australia
| Source : DemoDAIRY |
Enhancing biodiversity, productivity and animal health and welfare through:
- Planting shelterbelts
The benefits, apart from value adding to the farm due to the asthectics, are very apparent in the health of the cattle . Less heat and cold stress . The animals use less fodder in the winter to keep warm which reduces the need to buy in fodder or put extra fertilizer on the pastures . In the summer months sheltered cows will demand less water and there is less drying of the pastures therefore better growth rates . The other big advantage we have noticed is that we do not use herbicides, as we provide a perfect habitat for native birdlife which keeps the insects in check
Pioneer farmer powers dairy with slurry biogas - United Kingdom
| Source : Dairy UK |
- Alan Hogarth, a Scottish farmer based near Saltcoats in Ayrshire, is a pioneer or anaerobic digestion in the UK.
- He runs a plant capable of turning the combined slurry of his 250-cow dairy herd into 85,000m³ of biogas each year.
- This is burnt to generate 170,000 kWh of ‘greener’ electricity and lots of heat – enough to power his farm, his home and a new milk processing and bottling operation.
Hardie Farms - New York, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“My personal philosophy is that we need to be supportive of ideas that may or may not end up having merit. Different practices work for different farms. But innovation is how you move up the ladder of success." - Skip Hardie
Hardie Farms was an early adopter of:
- Variable speed pumps
- Drag hosing
Haubenschild Farms – Minnesota, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“I believe in ‘earth-neutral’ farming” - Dennis Haubenschild
Practicing:
- Variable speed pumps
- Methane digester technology : Producing enough electricity for dairy and 70 area homes
- Water recycling
- Testing fuel cell technology
Vrieze Farms - Wisconsin - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“It is our mission to produce one of nature’s greatest products, milk, in a safe and environmentally friendly way. We will do this in a cost-effective manner that will ensure our long-term success in the dairy industry.” - John Vrieze
Managing waste through:
- NuWay™ system, which breaks down cow manure into re-usable elements.
Foster Brothers Farm - Vermont - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“We’ve been practicing integration, trying to close the loop on our farm becoming as efficient as possible in the way we do things and use fuel… we’re just beginning to focus and discover what we can do.” - Bob Foster
Practicing sustainability through:
- Aerobic digester
- Composting
Errol and Paul Teese Beaudesert - Queensland, Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow |
“Using the recycled nutrients has really made a big difference to our pasture performance. You can really see the terrific response when it rains” (Paul Teese)
Improving nutrient management by:
- Upgrading feed pad
- Installing an effluent pumping system for pasture spreading
Farming in practice - Vaughan and Megan Templeton, Southland, New Zealand
| Source : Fonterra |
Improving nutrient management
- The Templetons are careful to keep nutrients in the plant rooting zone and out of waterways.
- They have replaced their farm’s effluent system to improve nutrient management: solids are separated by a weeping wall and a pond has 90 days of liquid storage. Effluent is applied around the farm at a low rate using K-line pods.
“We are fourth generation farmers and we see our role as safeguarding our land for future generations through sustainable practice.”
Rod and Libby Swan- Western Victoria - Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow |
“The paddock is now productive and we’re conserving resources by recycling much of our water,” (Libby Swan)
Achieving better manure management and water savings through:
- Installation of new effluent ponds
- Processing and filtering water to be used for irrigation
Prairieland Dairy – Nebraska, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“At our dairy we’re very proactive in that we bring people in. We educate them about the practices that we have and what we are doing for sustainability, the comfort of the cows, and how we produce the product.” - Dan Rice
Achieving zero waste through:
Recycling
- Manure
- Milk packaging
Composting
Borba Dairy - California - USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“We’re a lot more environmentally aware these days. We have a lot more knowledge, more tools, and we’re using them.” - George Borba, Jr.
New technologies including:
- Plastic covers to limit silage emissions
- Vacuuming and recycling manure from barns to fertilize crops
- Water re-use for crop irrigation
Graeme Mabin, Gippsland, Australia
| Source : DairyingForTomorrow - Dairy Australia |
“This project gave me the chance to address a few issues I’d been negative about or had simply put in the ‘too hard basket”. - Graeme Mabin
Enhancing biodiversity through:
- Fencing off remanent vegetation
- Rehabilitating waterways
Alcock, JE, BJ, RJ, and R - Crystal Brook, Australia
| Source : Bega Environmental Management System |
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Wilco Hilhorst, Noord-Steen, the Netherlands
| Source : Beemster - Caring Dairy - Ben & Jerry’s |
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Besancon Farms Inc. - Ohio, USA
| Source : Innovation Center For US Dairy |
“Every year three, four, five kids go out from our dairy having learned how to work, respect coworkers, responsibility, respect your boss… they make me more proud than anything else.” - Brent Besancon
Social sustainability programs include:
- All local hiring
- Focus on youth workforce
- High school-age kids are 90% of staff
D'Arcy Family Trust - "Daisybank", Australia
| Source : Bega Environmental Management System |
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Ronald and Nancy Vermeer - the Netherlands
| Source : Ben & Jerry’s - Caring Dairy - Beemster |
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