2024 Waikato Finalists: Colin & Dale Armer, Scott Armer and David Briscoe of Armer Farms – Waihora Station – Dairy Support

The family behind this large-scale dairy support operation has a clear understanding of its environmental impact and has their sights set on reducing it.  
 
Waihora Station was purchased in 2008, adding to the Armer Group’s portfolio of dairy farms. While the umbrella company is corporate in size and structure, it remains a family business at heart and the Armers have a particularly special connection to Waihora Station. 
 
Managed by David Briscoe, Waihora Station spans 1,195ha (961ha effective). Each year they run 3,500 cattle and winter 800 cows.  
 
Located in the Lake Taupo catchment, there are strict limits on Nitrogen use and none is applied to this block except for winter crops.  
 
The team has responded by being both innovative and adaptable, ultimately ensuring pastures are lush and resilient. For example, they prioritise clover production to naturally fix nitrogen and promote pasture growth. They also use deferred grazing to push feed from spring to summer, while allowing seed drops to naturally regenerate pastures. 
 
Preserving the soil is a priority, including protecting against erosion and Phosphorus loss. No-tillage cropping leaves the soil structure intact – ultimately contributing to above–average crop yields and improved nitrogen efficiency. Multi-day block grazing, silt traps and buffer strips also minimise soil loss. 
 
The judges were impressed with the team’s management of both nutrients and emissions, saying they know their numbers and know the regulations – using this to guide careful planning and decision-making.   
 
Meanwhile, the wider environment is being enhanced by significant native planting. An innovative approach is also being used here, with swedes grown alongside native trees to distract wildlife and boost the plants’ survival rate.  
 
The Armer family loves to share the Station’s beautiful environment with the wider community through activities such as bike rides and hunts, with all proceeds going to the local school.