Whilst Castlerock Farm’s dairy effluent system already complied with council’s requirements, such is Jim and Barbara Hitchock’s commitment to the environment and the sustainability of their venture, they invested a further $150,000 upgrading this part of their business.

The decision came after a surprise inspection. “On that day we decided that we could improve our effluent system despite getting a clean bill of health,’’ said Jim.

Castlerock is in a high rainfall area and the Rotorua Lakes catchment governed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Rule 11 which restricts most means of increasing farm production. However, those limitations do not overly concern the Hitchcocks