Waikato Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Anjena, Arjun, Amreeta and Daljit Singh of Lawwal Holsteins

Regional Supreme Winners 2023: Anjena, Arjun, Amreeta and Daljit Singh of Lawwal Holsteins – Dairy

Farming for the future is celebrated every day on a Hamilton dairy farm that has a direct connection back to Punjab.

Karamjit Singh migrated from India to New Zealand in 1969, and 1972 bought his first herd of 65 jersey cows with his wife Mindy. This began the journey which now sees Lawwal Holsteins farming an effective area of 250ha.

Their late son, Aman and his wife, Daljit were focused on feeding cows to their potential, looking after the environment and increasing production per cow. Aman’s quest for knowledge about free-stall barns took him around the world and, in 2018, a final design was selected and built on the property. It houses 1,000 cows and is run today by his three children, Anjena, Arjun and Amreeta.

The free-stall barn system enables cows to be provided with a fresh total mixed ration that is continuously pushed towards them with robots. Ultimately, they produce less methane than outdoor, fresh-pasture-fed cows.

The free-stall barn has an efficient effluent system that separates the solids which are stored in concrete bunkers. Liquids are pumped into a storage pond, with it then applied to maize and pasture in between silage cuts – meaning no fertiliser is required.

Producing high-quality maize and grass silage is a critical part of the farm’s production because it ensures the cows get plenty of digestible energy. Computer software enables the team to cleverly tailor recipes to suit each herd.

When the family reflects on their move from pasture to free-stall barn farming and the business model they now operate, they stress that it is not just about the animals, the environment, or their employees. It’s about how all parts of the business connect and complement one another to ensure it is sustainable.

Anjena, Arjun, Amreeta and Daljit are the winners of the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award, DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award and Waikato Regional Supreme Winner 2023.