Donald's Farm NZYF

🌱 Chicory Update from Donald's Farm 🌾 Our earlier-sown paddocks of Barenbrug Group chicory are performing well and meeting expectations. However, the later-sown paddocks have been challenged by recent hot, windy conditions. We remain optimistic that the rain over the weekend will help rejuvenate these paddocks. Agriculture is a dynamic industry, and adapting to weather patterns is part of ensuring long-term success. We’ll continue to monitor progress closely and are committed to maintaining high standards in all we do. #AgricultureInnovation #ChicoryUpdate #DonaldsFarm #SustainableFarming

🌱 Progress Update from Donald's Farm 🌱 Exciting news! The groundwork for our new nursery was successfully completed last week. A big shoutout to our Milkbar Calfateria, which played a vital role in wetting the gravel for firm compaction and making water loading into the roller seamless. Every milestone brings us closer to realizing our vision, and we’re looking forward to seeing it all come to life. Stay tuned for more updates as the project unfolds! #FarmInnovation #NurseryUpdate #Progress #DonaldsFarm Conservation Volunteers New Zealand

Last week, we wrapped up our second herd test of the season. By analyzing milk samples from each cow, we collect essential data on their productive performance. This valuable information enables us to make informed breeding and culling decisions, ensuring continuous improvement in our herd. #HerdTesting #DairyFarming #SmartDecisions

As we approach the end of our mating season (1st October – 9th December), we can’t recommend the Allflex® collars enough for heat detection. These innovative collars track each cow’s activity levels and rumination time (essentially, how much time they spend eating). By using this real-time data, we can accurately determine when each cow is ready to be mated, ensuring we time it perfectly within their optimal window. This precision significantly increases our chances of getting our cows in calf. The Allflex collars have completely removed the guesswork from heat detection, making the entire process so much more efficient! #FarmTech #HeatDetection #AllflexCollars #MatingSeason

At Donald's Farm, we are proud to partner with Gallagher Animal Management to ensure precision and efficiency in livestock management. Their advanced weighing systems help us monitor the health and growth of our animals with accuracy, allowing us to make informed decisions for optimal growth of our young stock. Together, we are showcasing sustainable and innovative agriculture.

We're excited to announce an incredible partnership between Donald's Farm and CVNZ (Conservation Volunteers NZ) to establish a native nursery on the farm! 🌱 Once fully operational, this nursery will grow 50,000 native plants each year to restore and enhance the Papakura Stream’s natural environment. Construction is set to begin shortly, and we’re sharing some "before" photos of the site. We look forward to providing updates on our progress and recognizing those who are helping us bring this vision to life! #DonaldsFarm #CVNZ #NativeNursery #EnvironmentalRestoration #Sustainability #Conservation #PapakuraStream #SustainableAgriculture #GreenInitiative

Celebrating the FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2024 Northern Region at Donald’s Farm! We are excited to announce that the top 8 contestants for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year 2024 Northern Region have been selected to advance to the regional final. These exceptional young professionals distinguished themselves during the district finals held at our farm over the weekend, showcasing their impressive knowledge and hands-on expertise in agriculture. The competition featured a variety of modules, covering essential areas such as farm management, sustainability, business planning, and problem-solving—equipping contestants with the skills needed to drive the future of New Zealand farming. National Sponsors: FMG, Ravensdown, Lincoln University College, Massey University, Ministry for Primary Industries, Milwaukee Tools NZ, New Holland Agriculture, Woolworths New Zealand, PTS Logistics, Honda, and Bushbuck. Local Sponsors: Roger Gill Agriculture, PGG Wrightson Livestock, Federated Farmers (Auckland Province), Pioneer Brand Products NZ, Rabobank New Zealand, Brookdale, Eady Fencing, Franklin Vets Pets, and Greenlea Butcher Shop. Thank you to all our sponsors for their invaluable support in fostering the future of farming. We look forward to continuing this journey and are honored to contribute to such a meaningful event in the New Zealand agricultural community. Stay tuned for more updates as the competition unfolds!

🌱 Exciting growth at Donald's Farm! Our Barenbrug Group chicory has begun germinating, and we're thrilled to see the early stages. A bit more rain would be ideal to give it that extra boost it needs to thrive 🌧️ #DonaldFarm #Barenbrug #Chicory #FarmSupplies #Farming2024 #Rural Nufarm #SummerCrops

We are thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the Young Farmer of the Year District Final for the Northern Region on November 9th, right here on the farm! This event is a great chance to support our young farmers and see some amazing talent in action! Stay tuned for updates, including entry deadline details—come along and be part of the excitement! Take a look at this link for more information: https://lnkd.in/gSJHXDCg #YoungFarmerOfTheYear #DistrictFinal #SupportLocalAgriculture #NorthernRegion #FarmingCommunity #JoinUs

At Donald's Farm, we've recently started assessing the functional traits of our first-calvers (2-year-olds) as part of our breeding policy. This process, known as a TOP (Traits Other than Production) assessment, helps us identify and understand traits that aren’t measured through herd testing. This allows us to make more informed breeding decisions, by using this information to select specific bulls that will enhance positive traits and address any areas that may need improvement. This strategy is an exciting step towards developing a stronger, healthier herd for the future!