2024 Auckland Finalists: Kathy and Craig Maxwell of Paparimu Valley Farm  – Dairy

Guided by a clear vision, this couple ensures the little things are done well – culminating in a dairy farm that is both environmentally and financially sustainable.  
 
Building on an extensive family legacy, Kathy and Craig Maxwell are today managing this 300ha (265ha effective) Paparimu Valley dairy farm under a 50:50 sharemilking agreement.  
 
Their overarching goal is to ensure the farm is both environmentally and economically sustainable – rather than focusing on one aspect at the expense of the other. 
 
This has led to a significant boost in both biodiversity and production, along with the implementation of robust systems to ensure the business can successfully navigate adverse weather events.  
 
The judges were impressed with how Kathy and Craig’s vision is guided by the use of technology and professional advice. Based on careful analysis of what’s best for the land, they’ve reduced cow numbers while boosting production. Collars are used on the farm to collect and analyse data on the status of each cow’s reproduction, rumination and health. 
 
Paparimu Valley Farm runs about 466 cows, producing 454kg of milk solids per cow. Animal well-being is a top priority, and this is supported by the use of technology for such things as feed budgeting, grazing rotation, pasture and stock management. 
 
To help the business’s resilience to seasonal weather variability, there’s an in-shed feeding system and diversified crops – ultimately meaning the farm is less dependent on external feed. 
 
Since 2020, large areas of the farm have been protected, retired and planted, including significant wetland blocks. The judges were impressed with how this is controlling erosion, while boosting biodiversity, ecosystem function and water quality. 
 
Kathy and Craig see themselves as custodians of the land and their open-minded approach is proving successful. As well as enhancing an already beautiful landscape, they’re running the farm in a way that ensures livelihoods and people will be looked after – both now and well into the future.