Dairy farmer Kent Phillip’s commitment to creating an environmental sustainable farm has been confirmed as he won the inaugural I.S. Dam Lining Environment Award at the Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry awards.
Farming practices on Kent’s Eketahuna dairy farm that separated him from his competitors included fencing and planting around drains and wet areas, and capturing rainwater runoff from the dairy shed roof to use as stock water. The effort and dollars invested in this setup provides no direct financial payback in the vat. As the judge’s commented “it’s obvious that both you and your father really focused on environment management”. This approach demonstrates a commitment and long term focus on environmental sustainability.
Brook Newson, Technical Sales Engineer from IS Dam lining said, “IS Dam Lining are proud to promote Sustainable Farming and would like to congratulate Kent on taking out the Environment Award”.
Farm Manager of the year award for the Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa Region was won by Rowan McGilvary. Rowan managers Kaiwaiwai Dairies located in Featherston. He has been farming for 32 years and has worked in a number of different positions over the years, including share milking.
Rowan says the farming systems works well: “we operate a profitable, sustainable and environmental friendly farming system”.
Having installed HDPE lining in both of Kaiwaiwai Dairies' new on farm storage ponds, IS Dam Lining were happy to display their work and educate farmers at Rowan’s Field day held in April.
IS Dam lining look forward to sponsoring the 2015/16 Awards and intend on taking part in more regions. “We are excited to grow our sponsorship and involvement in new regions in the coming years, as we believe the event is a great place for like minded people to build relationship and to strengthen the New Zealand Dairy Industry.”
