Cor and Christine Verwey, Te Puke, 2009/10 season

Pasture renewal starts with maize

Maize silage, coupled with a pasture renewal programme, has allowed Cor and Christine Verwey to develop a simple but highly profitable farm system.

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Matt and Laura Gow, Edgecumbe, 2008/09 season

Maize silage - The supplement of choice

Maize silage is the supplement of choice for Bay of Plenty farmers Matt and Laura Gow. The Gows and daughters Kate (5) and Abby (4) milk 970 cows on 280 ha (eff.) near Edgecumbe. Last year, the farm produced 363,300 kgMS (1,298 kgMS/ha and 374 kgMS/cow) which was a great result given the very dry year.

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Brett and Tracey Mackay, Matauri Bay, 2008/09 season

Maize provides production stability despite weather challenges

Trying to reduce the impact of the weather on milk production is a key challenge for Northland farmers Brett and Tracey Mackay. The Mackays, along with twins Sean and Chloe (7), milk a split calving herd of 170 Friesian and Friesian-cross cows on 65 ha (eff.) at Matauri Bay.

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Dean and Sharyn Petersen, Opotiki, 2007/08 season

Maize silage - integral part of wet farm's management strategy

Since leaving school Dean Petersen has climbed the ladder from farm worker to sharemilker and eventually farm owner. Today, Dean, wife Sharyn and their children Troy (14), Alana (13), Kayla (10) and Nicole (3) are farming 1,250 cows on three properties near Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty.

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Keith and Jenny Trotter, Matakana, 2007/08 season

Maize silage helping Northland farmers eradicate kikuyu

The challenge of eradicating kikuyu and bringing a new block into dairying led Northland farmers Keith and Jenny Trotter to grow maize silage for the first time in spring 2006.

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Graham and Julie Thompson, Papamoa, 2006/07 season

Maximise production by controlling feed supply

The desire to achieve more consistent production led Bay of Plenty farmers Graham and Julie Thompson to feed maize silage. "The seasons are so variable. Each year presents a different challenge and it is hard going when you are reliant on the weather to feed your cows," says Graham. "We have built a system that allows us to control our feed supply and we can decide at the start of the year what production level we want to achieve."

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Terence and Suzanne Brocx, Kerikeri, 2006/07 season

Using maize silage as an insurance policy against the weather

Terence and Suzanne Brocx farm a 440 cow split calving Friesian herd on 162 hectares (eff.) near Kerikeri. Last season they produced a total of 1,000 kgMS/ha and this year they are on target for 1,150 kgMS/ha (423 kgMS/cow).

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Kevin and Christine Tucker Tapora, 2005/06 season

Maize silage keeps cows in milking condition

Feeding maize silage from June till the end of January helps maintain the body condition on Kevin and Christine Tucker’s stud Jersey herd. The Tuckers along with their daughter Katherine farm Kaycee Jersey Stud on 266 hectares at Tapora, a summer dry area located 35 kilometres west of Wellsford.

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Glen and Joanne Inger, Tapora, 2004/05 season

Maize silage provides secure feed supply

Dairy farming at Tapora on the edge of the Kaipara Harbour has delivered its share of challenges for Northland farmer Scott Freeman. Scott is Operations Manager of "Pine Hill" and "Harbour Edge" farms owned by Glen and Joanne Inger. The farms are located at Tapora, 30 kilometres west of Wellsford.

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Kevin and Felicity Clark, Waimana, 2004/05 season

Feed pad increases flexibility

Building a feed pad has not only reduced maize silage losses, but also provided increased feeding flexibility and "insurance" for Waimana farmers Kevin and Felicity Clark.

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Ben and Sharon Smith, North Whangarei, 2003/04 season

Taking on the elements and winning

A passion to farm family land despite its difficult environment and the need to maintain a sustainable farm business provides plenty of challenge to Northland farmers Ben and Sharon Smith. Along with their two pre-schoolers Caleb and Matthew, Ben and Sharon live and farm on the difficult flood prone country that makes up the Hikurangi Swamp, north of Whangarei.

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Ashley Thomas (Owner) and Mike McCormick (Sharemilker), 2003/04 season

Maximising return from dairy operation

Buying his Mercer dairy unit from the family three seasons ago Ashley Thomas knew production had to jump to be viable for him and a sharemilker. "I had enough on my plate with our beef unit up the road, and we were growing maize so it was the best feed option."

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Haerepo Trust, 2009/10 season

Maize and effluent deliver low cost feed

Maize silage grown on effluent paddocks without the need for additional fertiliser has provided Waikato farmers Mike and Sue Visser with low cost supplementary feed with the added benefit of utilising excess soil nutrients.

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Shane and Jacque Ashley, 2009/10 season

Self sufficient with maize silage

Always having a stack of maize silage on-farm allows Shane and Jacque Ashley to fully feed their cows every day of the year..

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Noldy and Bev Rust, Te Pahu, 2008/09 season

Maize from run-off ensures guaranteed feed supply

Since moving to maize silage, Waikato farmer Noldy Rust has increased production from an all-grass average of 1,100 – 1,200 kgMS/ha to a peak of 1,462 kgMS/ha in the 2006/07 season. Last season, despite the 100 year drought in the Waikato, the farm had its second best season on record producing 68,000 kgMS (1,308 kgMS/ha).

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Stuart and Kaaren Davey, Paeroa, 2008/09 season

Maize part of pasture renewal programme for peat farm

Keeping quality high-producing pastures is a key challenge for Stuart and Kaaren Davey. The Daveys, who were regional winners in the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards in 2004, farm 710 Friesian-Jersey cross cows on a 220 ha (eff.) peat farm in the Matamata-Piako district near Paeroa. Children Robert and Tessa are at university at Lincoln and Waikato respectively.

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John and Jill Bluett, Te Pahu, 2007/08 season

Maize silage and pasture - the basis for a simple yet profitable system

Maize silage is an integral part of a simple yet profitable farming system for Waikato farmers John and Jill Bluett. The Bluetts, who were regional winners of the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Farmer of the Year Business Growth Award in 2004, calve down 950 cows on two properties at Te Pahu, west of Te Awamutu.

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Noldy and Bev Rust, Te Pahu, 2007/08 season

Maize silage keeping production stable during 100 year drought

Waikato farmer Noldy Rust featured in the Pioneer^® Brand Forage Products Catalogue and "more milk" campaign in 2007.

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Steve Allen, Morrinsville, 2006/07 season

Farm System Analysis pays off

Morrinsville dairy farmer Steve Allen wanted to check that his simple yet profitable system was operating to its full potential, and that he was maximising his maize silage investment, so he approached Pioneer to conduct a Farm System Analysis (FSA).

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John and Christine Lambert, Matamata, 2006/07 season

Managing pasture and maximising production using maize silage

In the last five seasons John and Christine Lambert have increased milk production by 100% from 1,150 kgMS/ha to 2,300 kgMS/ha in the 05/06 season by moving from a successful all-grass system to one which uses large amounts of maize silage and other supplements.

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Noldy and Bev Rust, Te Pahu, 2006/07 season

All-grass advocate seeks further challenge

The desire to keep motivated and challenged led all-grass advocate Noldy Rust to start feeding maize silage two seasons ago. Noldy and his wife Bev along with daughters Jamie, Hayley and Carmen, and foster son Hayze, farm 200 Friesian and Friesian cross cows on 52 hectares (eff.) at Te Pahu in the Western Waikato.

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Hendriks Family, Hamilton, 2005/06 season

Unique system delivers high production and profit

Maize silage is a central part of Waikato farmers Nicole and Henry Hendriks highly productive dairy farm system. Henry and Nicole farm 63 effective hectares in partnership with Henry’s parents John and Corrie, on the outskirts of Hamilton. In 2004 they were judged overall winners of the productivity award in the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards.

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Montgomerie Family Trust, Hamilton, 2005/06 season

Intensive system generates high return for high value land

"Unless you are farming for capital gain, it’s all about getting as much from the land as you can, while at the same time building a farm system that is both environmentally acceptable and sustainable" says Waikato farmer Tim Montgomerie.

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Dan and Michelle Finlayson, Ngahinapouri, 2005/06 season

Contract growing maize silage - a profitable option for drystock farmer

The desire to build a farm system that was both profitable and sustainable led Waikato drystock farmer Dan Finlayson to consider maize silage.

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Department of Corrections, Te Awamutu, 2005/06 season

Corporate farm uses high quality inoculated silage to boost production

High quality silages play a critical part in the success of Corrlands Waikeria dairy farm operation. Situated around Waikeria Prison, south of Te Awamutu, the farm provides inmate training in a full range of dairy management skills. Over recent years, Corrlands Waikeria was named a finalist in the Farm Manager section of the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards and it also won three major Waikato Ballance Farm Environmental Awards.

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David van Bysterveldt and Regina Rodewald, Morrinsville, 2004/05 season

Productive system offers profit and reliability

Increasing farm profitability as well as reducing variation due to the impact of climate has influenced the farming system developed by David van Bysterveldt and Regina Rodewald. When David and Regina purchased their farm on the flat to rolling peat country near Morrinsville at the end of the 2001/02 season it was producing 1,055 kilograms of milksolids per hectare. In just two seasons, they have lifted production by more than 250% producing a staggering 2,656 kilograms of milksolids per hectare in 2003/04. This season (2005/06) they are on track to produce 2,813 kilograms of milksolids per hectare.

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John and Helen, and Graeme and Rebecca Davison, Ruakura, 2004/05 season

Most cost-effective feed

Graeme Davison is a third generation dairy farmer who loves to farm. Along with his wife Rebecca, son Connor (5 months) and parents John and Helen, Graeme milks 900 cows on a 280 hectare farm on the peat at Ruakura near Hamilton.

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Malcolm and Elizabeth Macpherson, Te Kawa, 2004/05 season

Better cow condition

Maize silage plays a critical role in ensuring Malcolm and Elizabeth Macpherson achieve their targets of an average pasture cover of 2,400 kilograms of drymatter per hectare by the 1st June and a cow condition score of close to 5.0 at calving.

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David and Raewyn Bennett, Matamata, 2003/04 season

Productive systems offer profit and lifestyle

Having a life beyond the farm gate has motivated farming couple Raewyn and David Bennett to build a highly profitable, sustainable farm system.

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Brendan and Tania Fernyhough, Walton, 2003/04 season

Higher populations yield extra profit

Achieving above average maize yields seemed the best approach to bringing down the cost of maize silage to Brendan and Tania Fernyhough. Farming 122 hectares at Walton, near Matamata on fertile soil with Olsen P levels between 40 and 60 mean the farm is well set up to maximise yield and return.

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Ross and Carol Turner, and Chris and Jennifer Turner, Kihikihi, 2003/04 season

Maize silage secures small farm's future

With the ever increasing capital cost of dairy land and pressure to expand, an increasing number of dairy farmers are re-evaluating the 'bigger is better' scenario.

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Mike and Lynda Randrup, Tirau, 2003/04 season

Consulting and farming combine profitably

Setting the goal to be out of the dairy by the time he was 40, Mike Randrup never thought he would be advising other farmers on how to achieve similar aims. Now, with wife Lynda he enjoys a Bay of Plenty lifestyle while retaining farm ownership and running a small farm consultancy business.

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Kevin and Katrina Knowles, Tariki, 2009/10 season

Cow condition key to dairy farm profitability

Maize silage is an integral part of autumn management, putting condition on cows and helping Taranaki farmers Kevin and Katrina Knowles set up their farms for the winter.

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Mark and Tania Stratford, Feilding, 2008/09 season

Maize used to increase cow condition & pasture cover levels

An excellent farming partnership has allowed Manawatu sharemilkers Mark and Tania Stratford to increase their herd size from 200 to 600 cows in the past eight seasons.

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John and Linda Le Fleming, Manaia, 2008/09 season

Maize allows Taranaki farmers to make the most of run-off

Maize silage grown on a leased run-off has allowed Taranaki farmers John and Linda Le Fleming to increase production without purchasing more high value dairy land.

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Graeme Stuart, Masterton, 2008/09 season

Maize silage provides carbohydrate & energy

Maize silage is an integral part of a very productive farming system for Wairarapa farmer Graeme Stuart.Graeme and children Joanne (23) and Jamie (14) milk 600 cows on 137 ha (eff.) at Rangitumau, 6 km north of Masterton.

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Richard, Jenni and William Brewer, Hawera, 2007/08 season

Maize silage - the key to achieving more days in milk

Richard Brewer believes that the key to a good maize crop is optimum fertiliser, a good seedbed, timely planting together with the right maize hybrid.

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Ross and Linda Gordon, Palmerston North, 2006/07 season

Capitalising genetic potential to achieve higher milk production

Ross and Linda Gordon and their children Callum (16), Oliver (13) and Elsa (11) milk 230 cows on a 65 hectare (eff.) joint-venture farm inside the Palmerston North city boundary. Last year their Friesian, Jersey and crossbred herd produced 99,400 kgMS (1,529 kgMS/ha and 370 kgMS/cow).

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Ross and Jan Dunlop, Hawera, 2006/07 season

Using run-off to achieve farming goals

Maize silage is part of a successful management package for Taranaki farmers Ross and Jan Dunlop. The Dunlops, with help from sharemilkers Norm and Rachel Burgoyne, farm a 150 hectare milking platform that extends over hilly contour to the sea at Ohawe Beach near Hawera. In the 05/06 season their 500 cow split calving herd (320 spring: 180 autumn) produced 1,168 kgMS/ha (350 kgMS/cow). They are on target to achieve the same production this year, despite a very slow and cold spring.

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Grant and Bridget Gibson, Napier, 2005/06 season

Maize silage and high per cow production deliver results

Grant and Bridget Gibson along with twin sons Alex and Taylor (9), and daughter Grace (7) run Oakdale Holstein Stud on 26 hectares on the outskirts of Napier.

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Massey University, Palmerston North, 2004/05 season

Inoculant delivers the results

"The challenge for the Massey University farms is to provide teaching and research extension opportunities while at the same time generating a profit," says Gareth Evans, Deputy Director of Agriculture for Massey University. The university owns and manages three separate dairy units. No 1 Dairy consists of a total of 117 hectares and runs a 280 cow split autumn and spring calving herd. No 4 Dairy runs 500 Friesian and Friesian cross spring calving cows on 187 hectares. The Dairy Cattle Research Unit milks 96 cows as part of an Organic-Conventional Dairy Systems Comparison Trial.

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John and Peter Malcolm, Haweram, 2004/05 season

On-farm maize growing stacks up

Feeding maize silage and growing it on-farm have proven to be sound decisions for Hawera farmers John and Peter Malcolm. The Malcolms farm Jerseys on a 65 hectare milking platform north of Hawera. The main farm is supported by a 20 hectare run-off which is used for young stock and as a grass silage block.

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Gary and Wendy Knight, Rangiotu, 2003/04 season

Maize silage delivers better cow condition and improved empty rates

Empty cows were costing Manawatu dairy farmer and ex-All Black Gary Knight lost sleep, profitability and replacements. Poorer cow condition pre-calving meant lost production over spring and poor conception rates at mating. It was a persistent problem. With an empty rate of over 10% Gary needed to look at better supplements.

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Martin and Christine Powell, Hawera, 2003/04 season

Maximising production with maize

Pushing up the productivity of high cost dairy land has not only improved production, but produced a healthy bottom line for Taranaki sharemilkers Martin and Christine Powell. Maize silage is central to achieving their target of 460 kilograms of milksolids per cow this season. A long lactation from calving in early July to drying off in early June is now the norm for them.

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Mark and Viv Henderson, Lepperton, 2008/09 season

Maize delivers profit, production stability & lifestyle

Maize forms the basis of a simple but highly productive and profitable farm system for Taranaki farmers Mark and Viv Henderson. The Hendersons, and their four daughters Emma (17), Louise (16), Stephanie (12) and Sarah (8), milk 300 cows on 85 ha (eff.) near Lepperton. Their Dairy Base EFS* was $2,638/ha in 05/06 and $2,266/ha in the 2006/07 season.

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David and Janine Swansson, Pahiatua, Wairarapa, 2007/08 season

Maize silage maximising cow condition and production

A feed pad has been a fantastic investment for Wairarapa farmers David and Janine Swansson. The Swanssons, along with children Sara (7), Jordan (5) and Anna (1) milk 230 crossbred cows on 86 ha (eff.) near Pahiatua. Farm contour varies from flat to rolling, annual rainfall is around 2 metres and the winters can be very cold.

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Alistar and Diane Jordan, Egmont Village, 2007/08 season

Maize silage delivering production and profit

Cricket and dairying are joint passions for Taranaki farmer Alistar Jordan. Alistar played 1st class cricket for Central Districts from 1968-1980, represented New Zealand in the 1973 tour to Australia and has been coach for the Taranaki cricket team for the past six years.

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Peter and Nancy Russell, Ballance, 2006/07 season

Maize silage the incredibile cow conditioner

Peter and Nancy Russell have completed a second season on their 130 hectare (eff.) farm located under the Tararua Wind Farm at Ballance in the Wairarapa. Last year their 370 Friesian-Jersey cross cow herd produced 101,500 kgMS (274 kgMS/cow and 781 kgMS/ha). By mid March, production for the 06/07 season was running 50% higher than the prior year with the previous farm record being broken by the end of February. Despite an unusually dry summer, final production will be around 150,000 kgMS.

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Phillip and Maree Gudopp, Eltham, 2005/2006 season

Maize silage improves cow condition in large herd

Maize silage helps Taranaki farmers Phillip and Maree Gudopp achieve desired lactation length and cow condition targets. The Gudopps milk 750 crossbred cows on 243 hectares situated 4 km east of Eltham. Production for the last three years has averaged 1,100 kgMS/ha with per cow production ranging from 330 to 355 kgMS.

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Dean and Andrea Lithgow, Westmere, 2004/05 season

Maize silage yields more milk

A desire to feed cows properly all year round regardless of climatic conditions and pasture growth rates has motivated Wanganui farmers Dean and Andrea Lithgow to build a farm system that incorporates significant inputs of maize silage. Along with their two pre-schoolers Casey (4) and Stafford (1), Dean and Andrea part-own and manage a family trust farm on the rolling hills of Westmere, north of Wanganui.

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Logan and Melissa Solly, Takaka, 2008/09 season

Maize puts weight back on cows

Carbohydrates provided by maize silage help put weight back on cows, allowing Takaka sharemilkers Logan and Melissa Solly to achieve a long lactation length and high per cow and per ha production.

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Andrew and Rachele Morris, Ealing, 2005/06 season

Maize silage fills feed deficits

Andrew and Rachele Morris farm a 1,285 hectare property at Ealing on the terraces of the Rangitata river south of Ashburton. The milking platform for the 2005-2006 season comprised 650 hectares under centre pivot irrigation with the rest of the farm run as a beef and dairy support unit. This season the milking herd consisted of 2,500 spring calving and 200 autumn calving Friesian cross cows.

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Greg and Rachel Roadley, Ashburton, 2004/05

Maximising lactation length

Keeping production costs as low as possible by efficiently utilising pasture and maximising lactation length and milk production per cow is central to the business philosophy of Canterbury farmers Greg and Rachel Roadley.

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Steve and Jenny Garrett, Collingwood, 2003/04 season

Using maize to double production

Ten years of using maize silage has doubled the production of the Rockville Farm Company located near Collingwood at the top of the South Island.

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Dean and Carol McConnell, Hinds, 2008/09 season

Maize provides "bullet-proof" crop option

Canterbury farmers Dean and Carol McConnell have experienced maize silage from both sides of the fence. Their 200 ha mixed cropping farm grows maize silage each season and sells it to their dairy operation. From a cropping perspective, maize provides reliable yields while, from a dairy perspective, it is a great option for putting weight on cows.

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Andrew and Nicky Watt, Tinwald, 2007/08 season

Maize silage - the key to good spring production for a large farm

Andrew and Nicky Watt and their children Michaela (9), James (7), Aidan (4) and Ryan (18 months) are equity managers of Cloverdale, a 730 ha property located near Tinwald, south of Ashburton.

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David and Margaret Turner, and Doug and Helen Turner, Rakaia Island, 2006/07 season

Strategically using maize silage in a large herd

The sheer size of the operation produces major challenges which the Turners have had to overcome. Currently the cows are milked once-a-day through two 54 and one 62 bale rotary sheds. "Once-a-day suits us because the farm is 14 km long and so the cows have a long walk home and the sheer size of the operation makes twice daily milking logistically difficult," says David.

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Russell and Leanne Clearwater, Dunsandel, 2003/04 season

Maize silage - the preferred option

For Canterbury farmers Russell and Leanne Clearwater, maize offers a supplementary feed that is consistent in supply, quality and cost, year in year out. Wintering 1,300 cows on 330 hectares near Dunsandel, Canterbury the Clearwaters are in an area where plenty of alternative supplements are grown locally.

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