Stewart Dairylands

Situated on the northern boundary of Palmerston North, Stewart Dairylands is a living testament to over a century of family farming excellence. Established 120 years ago, the farm began as a humble sheep and beef operation. In 1999, it transitioned to dairy farming, and today, it boasts two expansive milking platforms covering 350 hectares and an additional 230 hectares of support land home to a thriving 800-cow herd.

Stewart Dairylands is more than a dairy farm; it’s a prime example of sustainable agricultural innovation, showcasing advanced dairy technologies, lodge accommodation, and opportunities for visitors to participate in farm tours and community tree planting activities. Managing Director, James Stewart is a fifth-generation farmer at Stewart Dairylands, one of three companies owned by the Stewart family.

“It’s a real honour to farm alongside my father, who’s been very influential for us growing up to become farmers like him. Although we’ve changed to dairy, the fundamentals of farming are still the same, it’s about looking after the land and animals, and enjoying being part of the family business,” James said.

“A typical day is about ensuring we’re utilising good-quality pasture for our animals and getting a good-quality product every time we milk the cows. We milk twice a day for most of the season. At the moment, we’re currently in the dry stage, which means that the cows are having a rest before calving. It’s a biological system, so we’re relying on grass, which grows differently at different times of the year, so we use different crops to help supplement when the grass isn’t growing so much.”

James works alongside his wife, Debbie, his parents, Dave and Jan, and his sister, Julia, each contributing their unique skills to foster a positive family culture and work environment on the farm. They recently won the Regional Supreme Award, the NZFET Climate Recognition Award and a number of other awards at the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards for 2024. Their achievements are a testament to the teamwork and dedication of the entire Stewart family in showcasing responsible and innovative farming practices. In particular the judges commended the family for their innovative infrastructure developments, future-focused approach to farming and determination to exceed and lead industry standards.

“It’s really important that we have sustainable farming practices. To look after the land and get the best out of it, and the animals, you must keep things in balance. Some of the practices we’ve implemented on this farm include things like solar energy. So, capturing some energy from our solar panels on one of our dairy sheds has reduced about 20% of our energy demand from the grid.”

A real focus of Stewart Dairylands is their farm policy of planting 1,000 trees every year, instigated by James’ father, Dave, who drives community-led planting initiatives. “We’re finding that we’re planting out corridors of native trees and seeing sequestration and a nutrient sort of uptake. The bird life and the biodiversity are really thriving, so that’s quite important for us because that makes it quite a pleasant work environment,”James said.

James highlighted the crucial role of dairy farming in New Zealand’s economy and pointed out that, in the age of social media and increased transparency, consumers are more aware of farming practices and demanding high animal welfare and environmental care standards.

“Dairying is really important for the well-being of the New Zealand economy, and I think we’re in quite a good position in New Zealand with grass-fed farming. We’re an open-gates farm; we welcome people to come and look at what we do and ensure that we’re being professional with what we do all the time. It’s important to keep showing that message to people because what we do is very important for the economy of New Zealand; we need to keep that social licence and ensure that we’re doing things well,” James said.

James’ sister, Julia, runs the agritourism side of the farm. Their Hiwinui Country Estate offers quintessential rural accommodation that attracts many overseas visitors and complements their farm tours – a crucial part of their open-gate philosophy. They also invite Massey University students for vet placements and welcome Fonterra customers to the farm, maintaining solid relationships with both.

In addition to their environmental efforts, increasing technological innovation is another key focus of Stewart Dairylands. They incorporate various tools for people and financial management, while also addressing their ecological footprint, such as solid waste separation, green water use to reduce freshwater consumption, and implementing cow collars – referred to by James as ‘Fitbits for animals’ – for continuous tracking and monitoring of their herd. “Health and well-being are really important for our cows; we make sure they have access to shade, shelter, food, and water at all times. It’s always ensuring you’re monitoring them, and technology’s also helping with that.

At Stewart Dairylands, the team aims to undertake a new project each year. This year, they are creating an underpass beneath the main highway to connect their farms. James explained that this project will enhance workers’ health and safety, reduce community disruption, and increase overall efficiency. It also reflects their commitment to innovation and technology to make their jobs easier.

For James, the changing nature of dairy farming is a source of joy, especially as he shares this journey with his family. “What I’m most proud of about Stewart Dairylands is its continuing legacy. I’m proud of our family. I’m proud that we’ve got two boys coming on to farm, the sixth generation. We have a good, happy family way of life, so that’s really important for us. It is about lifestyle, and farming can be quite a hard lifestyle, but we enjoy what we do, and it’s about taking time to smell the roses a bit along the way and enjoy days like this when things look so good out there.”

The Manawatū region is a diverse farming area with a rich agricultural history that supports local communities and fuels the economy of Palmerston North. James notes that this strong farming base helps the region weather economic ups and downs and significantly contributes to the national economy, with dairy alone accounting for approximately 36% of export dollars last year.

“There’s something pretty special when you finish the milking and you see the amount of milk in the vat, and you know you’re getting good quality, and it’s going around the world in different products. I like adding to that New Zealand story of being an exporter for our country,” he said.

When asked about the farm’s long-term goals, James responded, “You couldn’t get a longer-term goal than succession. We’re a century farm, and the family has been managing this farm for over 100 years. So, we’ve got the vision to do another 100 years. To achieve that, you need a good succession plan. We break that down into five-year strategic parts to ensure the business is in a healthy position and that the next generation is excited about joining the farming business.”

James encourages aspiring farmers, particularly dairy farmers, to enjoy what they do and select a suitable farm. “It’s an excellent network, and there’s a lot of support around you, so farmers are always open to sharing what they do. Take those opportunities to get a mentor behind you, and enjoy it.”