How Miah & Jenny Smith built a healthier, resilient and low-stress dairy system
Video description: Miah and Jenny Smith talk about their transition to regenerative dairying, and the animal health, financial and personal benefits they’re now enjoying.
In 2018 Miah and Jenny Smith began transitioning their 520 cow dairy farm to regenerative management. Five years on, animal health has dramatically improved, input costs have reduced, profitability has improved and farming has become less stressful and more exciting.
This case study explores their drivers, the changes made, the results achieved. Plus the things that Miah and Jenny have learned along the way and where they have their sights set next.
“…going back to farming how you want to, rather than following a script, has been quite exciting!”
Miah Smith, Bay of Plenty dairy farmer
The Smith’s journey to regenerative dairying
Farm outline
Who: Miah and Jenny Smith - Wilith Farm
Location: Atiamuri (between Rotorua and Taupo)
Farm: 280ha rolling to steep country with pumice/ash soils 210ha milking platform 520 jersey cross cows
Goals: Resilience to climatic conditions Non-prescriptive farming Healthy soils, healthy cows, healthy people
Key practice changes
Started applying fertiliser in liquid form, adding biostimulants (Agrisea), fish, humates etc
Diversified pasture species (red clover, white clover, chicory, plantain, ryegrass, cocksfoot, fescue)
Extended summer grazing round lengths - now 25-30 days in spring, extending to 55-55 days in summer utilising deferred grazing areas, diverse summer crops and supplement if required.
Cows get a daily dose of Agrisea Animal Nutrition
Once-a-day milking
Reaping the benefits of a regenerative approach
Tracking improvements in finances, fertiliser and animal health
The graph presents three-year averages comparing the Smith’s previous twice-a-day conventional system with the new once-a-day regenerative system. The first year of regenerative transition (2018/19) is not included.
Click through the tabs on the graph to see the different metrics.
“Do trials and change your whole farm slowly… it’s not an instant change. You’re working with mother nature and slowly will get you there.”
Miah Smith, Bay of Plenty dairy farmer
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