Small efficiency gains that added up to big changes

A flood that damaged part of Kirikiri, Dion and Kristie Gordon's irrigated dairy farm beside the Rangitata River on the Canterbury coast, became the trigger for lower stocking rates, better feed use and closer attention to genetics. The Gordons tell that story in this case study.

The Gordons DNA-profiled the herd, made irrigation more efficient, and joined a milk supply company's emissions programme that rewards on-farm gains. Dion and Kristie explain how these small, steady changes have added up over several seasons to lower nitrogen use and emissions.