2023 Finalists: Rod & Catherine Lamb of Lamb Dairy Ltd – Dairy

Rod and Catherine Lamb achieved a 30-year goal when they purchased LB Dairies, and through the process they also created a destination for family and friends alike.

The Kaikoura dairy farm spans 125 ha (105 ha effective), with the couple taking a low-cost farming approach across its flat to rolling landscape. This approach is proving successful in terms of lifestyle, profitability, the environment, and animal welfare.

With the help of farm manager Marcus Burns, Rod and Catherine do most of the farm work themselves – from maintenance and spreading fertiliser, to AI and making the silage. In October, the frequency of milking is reduced, lightening the team’s workload while boosting cow condition before mating.

Most of their income is derived from producing milk solids – between 127,000 and 130,000 per year – with the remaining 5% coming from animal sales.

While Rod and Catherine became sole owners of LB Dairies in 2020, their connection to it goes back to 2014 when they bought it in partnership with another couple. They used sharemilkers for the first two seasons before Rod and Catherine moved to Kaikoura in 2016 to start running the farm.

The Lamb’s regard their property as a space for family and friends to stay and experience – they enjoy welcoming visitors to explore the farming lifestyle and huge range of outdoor activities. They also have strong connections with their neighbours and wider community.

Significant changes have been made to the property since 2014, with sustainability initiatives including the planting of 3,000 native plants, active predator control and developing wetlands. They have also improved the standard of housing and upgraded the irrigation system.

Catherine and Rod entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards to challenge themselves in terms of farm development and practices – something they intend to continue doing well into the future.

Catherine and Rob are the winners of the DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award.