Tor Pedersen of Broomore Farm 

2025 Waikato Finalists: Tor Pedersen of Broomore Farm – Dairy

Water quality is paramount at this 300ha Raglan family dairy farm, with improvements continually being made to enhance both production and the wider environment. 

Broomore Farm has been in the Colgan-Pedersen family since 1967 when a 40ha block was purchased. Since then, it has gradually expanded and today is owned by Tony and Shona Pedersen. Tor Pedersen has worked on the farm since 2018, contract milking since 2022.  

250 dairy cows graze 100ha of the property, while 50ha is used as a support block. The balance is either planted in exotic or native trees – including large areas of untouched or regenerating native bush. 

Tor is continuing the family’s strong commitment to prioritising environmental stewardship alongside profitability. This includes protecting and enhancing waterways by fencing them off, increasing riparian setbacks, and even relocating the main race to improve stream health. 

When it comes to restoring the land, vulnerable areas have been retired and more than 30,000 trees have been planted over the past five years. Tor has also participated in the Hill Country Erosion Project. 

Animal welfare is a high priority, with animal breeds carefully matched to the farm’s challenging topography. This is underpinned by a herd-breeding policy that focuses on animal health and liveweight. 

Enhancing water quality is the over-riding goal of all management decisions made on the farm. Tor isn’t waiting for regulations – he simply wants to do the right thing for the environment. 

This commitment to sustainability has yielded positive results. The farm participates in a NIWA water quality monitoring initiative, which has revealed excellent stream health with the presence of freshwater mussels and koura. 

Tor’s story highlights the increasing importance of sustainable practices in modern agriculture. By prioritising environmental stewardship alongside economic viability, young farmers like Tor are ensuring a thriving future for both their businesses and the environment.